Blackberries for dessert

Our Blackberries have come up all along the fence line this year. They are plump, juicy and surprisingly sweet! We created a Coconut Banana Chia Pudding and the accent of freshly picked blackberries on top finishes off the culinary creation! As Chef Joe often says

“people eat with their eyes”
— Joe Terry

We appreciate how Joe creates food as art for meals at our retreats. From the chilled plates, beautifully cut fruits and veggies, thoughtfully arranged serving dishes, consideration for color and combinations, these details truly make a world of a difference. Someone at lunch time shared “Oh! this looks delicious” then giggled about how is it possible to see something is delicious before you’ve tasted it.

Soma Faith - Lord's Prayer

We’re beginning a new series with Dr Deb Kern, who will guide us through the Lord’s Prayer one line at a time.:

Sunday, June 5, 2022

05:00PM - 06:00 PM

The Lord's Prayer is among Christianity's most beloved teachings, a daily devotion practiced by Christians everywhere. If we could travel back in time to the ancient Holy Land and witness Jesus himself speaking and meditating upon these words, what would we learn?

Using a translation by acclaimed Aramaic scholar, teacher and author Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz and musical versions from a variety of artists, we’ll allow the language and sound vibrations of the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic to move in and through us as we dance.

Each line of the prayer becomes a focus for class.

June 4: Line 1

July 10: Line 2

August 7: Line 3

September 11: Line 4

October 9: Line 5

November 6: Line 6

December 4: Line 7

January TBD: Line 8

Dr. Deb Kern is a health scientist, visionary teacher and guide. From the rain forest of Costa Rica to the foothills of the Himalayas to the south of India to the jungles of Bali to the shores of Maui to the interior of Mexico, she’s traveled to apprentice with master teachers, shamans, yogis, herbalists and healers.

She’s the the author of Everyday Wellness for Women and Create the Body Your Soul Desires, founder of a healing movement practice called PranaShakti™ Dance and the mom of 2 amazing young men.

Dr. Kern studied Nursing at Vanderbilt University; holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. In addition, she is a Mindful Change Coach, Integral Hatha Yoga Instructor, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, and Transpersonal Energy Healer.

Soma Faith Class
from $5.00

Welcome to Soma Faith 5pm Sunday “Pop Ups” at Soma Ranch. These special Sunday events don’t happen every week. Please email helen@somaranch.com if you’d like to be including in the Soma Faith News List.

SOMA FAITH

Online (Via Zoom), In Person (at Soma Ranch), or via 24HR recording, come Praise, Dance, Worship, Workout, Pray, Connect, Move and Sweat with us!

We're in for a GLORIOUS TIME singing, praising and dancing to Christian music.

All Faiths and Fitness Levels Welcome.

Helen Terry creates all inspiring Christian workout/worship experiences. They combine her passion for Christ, with her love for movement and fitness and Nia.

Helen brings more than 35 years experience with holistic fitness and wellness.

Receive zoom link for class and 24 HR replay by clicking “PURCHASE”

Classes are on a sliding scale, choose your price $5 - $100.

  • Pay for a class

  • Pay for the month

  • Pay as you go

  • Make a one time payment

The choice is yours.

We never want finances to get in the way of your opportunity to connect, move and be moved through our Soma Faith program. We appreciate your support and how you give.

We never want religion to get in the way of your opportunity. All beliefs and faiths are welcome. Helen will pray at the beginning and end of the experience, and the name Jesus will be mentioned. All are welcome.

50% of all funds collected go towards our Soma Charity: St Jude.

Jaw Dropping Dance Experience

Today both the Nia 5 Stages class and the 10am Classic Nia Class focused on the Jaw.

Recordings for both Nia 5 stages and Nia 10am classic from today are available.

Focus: Jaw

  • a main gateway of the body

  • hinge and slide joint

  • upper jaw is part of skull

  • lower jaw drops, swings, moves

Intent

  • receive a felt sense of harmony and energized physically and mentally

Routine + Music: Adapted from Nia Routine Ignite (original by Ann Christiansen)

Soma Class Rates
from $20.00
  • $20 | 1 class

  • $75 | 5 class pass (3 month expiration) ($15 per class)

  • $130 | 10 class pass (3 month expiration) ($13 per class)

  • $99 | 30 Day Journey, 30 Classes, ALL 8am + 10am ($3.30 per class)

  • $75 | Day Retreat(click for more Info)

  • $25 | Lunch or Dinner

  • $96 | 60 min massage

  • $145 | 90 min massage

30 Day Challenge Benefits:

  1. unlimited 10am + 8am Nia Classes for 30 days

  2. bring a “new to the journey” friend to class for a month

  3. enjoy before and after class conversations and nuggets

  4. receive automatic 24HR replays via email

June 30 day Challenge

REMEMBER TODAY IS THE DAY:

https://www.somaranch.com/booking/nia-challenge

When you sign up for the June 30 day challenge today you can bring a friend for FREE!

Receive 30 classes that include: 30 mins, 60 mins, Nia, Nia 5 Stages, Feldenkrais, Special Dr Deb Kern.

Program includes Support, Coaching, Education, Community, Connection and lots of laughs along the way.

All for $99.

Nia Brown Belt at Soma Ranch

Next Nia training coming up at Soma Ranch is Nia Brown Belt June 8 - 14, 2022.

We love how this training, with the focus energy, can be experienced in a fully immersive retreat environment surrounded by natural elements.

With the lap pool, hot tub, sauna, pond, fire pit, labyrinth, National Forest, Local Hikes, Lake Conroe boat ride and of course rescued horses and donkeys, all the elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Ether) are represented well.

We can provide a buffet of choices, options and experiences to play with physical, mental, emotional, spirit and multi-dimensional energy....

We’re looking forward to welcoming: Terra Sieberman, Kelly Marie Harris, Deb Kern, Debra Salge, Ruby Renshaw Lila Haham

With 4 more places open now’s the time to jump in if you’re ready for this next step OR would like to re-experience your Nia Brown Belt in a nurturing, immersive and fully inclusive retreat experience.

https://onlinetraining.nianow.com/courses/nia-brown-belt-with-helenterry-06-08-22

ONLINE commUnity

ONLINE classes are a wonderful way of bringing folks from all around the world to Soma Ranch at the click of a mouse. The camaraderie that has evolved is enjoyable, touching and very healing.

The mutual trust and friendship among both are in person and online participants is deeply moving.

The IN PERSON community have attended all the way through the pandemic and welcomed/embraced the ONLINE community.

The ONLINE 30 day Nia Challenge is at the center of this “movement. With:

  • “365” core group (participants who have signed up, and committed to, daily Nia for the year)

  • “30 30” strong group (participants who show up every month, and bring friends)

Congratulations Nia Blue Belts

Wow! what an amazing week at Soma Ranch with 11 wonderful women from around the country (and Canada!) who came together and co- created magic.

We danced, explored, learned, shared, laughed AND LAUGHED a lot! A lovely reminder of how when we stay light, engaged and curious deep work and self discovery can evolve with minimum frustration/pain and maximum fascination/pleasure.

Folks arrived on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon.

Something wonderfully confirming sings inside of me when I set up the studio for the first night “yes! this is why we’re here!”.

Sitting around the Soma Dining Room table on the first night, hearing where folks are from and learning a little more about each other, is a lovely way to get to know each other.

The studio “community social” room (fondly called the LOVE room) lends itself well to some of the Nia Blue Belt Sessions (like the Power of 2 ~ Communication).

The studio “dance” room (fondly called the JOY room) bring wonderful light, awesome sound and sparkling sprung birch wood floor.

During the week we played with a “color of the day”, fun to feel connection and take great photos!

As Joe says “people eat with their eyes” we had some lovely food as art, the newly constructed dock on the pond was enjoyed. As was a wonderful circle around the fire evening.

This was the first SOLD OUT Nia training to enjoy the newly appointed Pavilion over the back deck. From dawn to past dusk, with our comfy outdoor furniture, there were many meaningful conversations and great giggles experienced. Lovely memories created as we enjoyed the breeze, perfect temperature and beautiful nature sounds, undercover outdoors.

We love how we can “sparkle” a Nia Training experience with excursions, special events and the opportunity to connect with the herd (our precious rescued horses and donkeys)

Joe took us out for a sunrise, moonset boat ride, on Lake Conroe.

The full moon eclipse was AMAZING from the pool area at Soma Ranch.

We enjoyed conversations around the dining table, Nia in the pool and HYBRID (simultaneous in person and online) Nia Classes.

Teaching “Fun Friday” (where the class brings the moves, I, Helen, bring the moves and together we co-create magical experience) was extra special with all the Nia Blue Belt participants dancing with me in the studio!

Our Graduation lunch party was fun with Joe creating food with the Nia and Soma Ranch logo, sparkling (non alcoholic) fizzy bubbly in our “wedding flutes”.

Wonderful parting photos with everybody wearing their Soma Ranch T Shirts

Soma Faith Foundation FUNdamental

In this week’s Sunday Soma Faith class, our focus will be “Foundation FUNdamentals”.

Drawing from the wisdom of Nia Technique, we will cover all the 27 BASE moves, which are organized into 4 sections: Foot Techniques, Stances, Steps and Kicks.

As we dance to 12 Christian music songs, you will go on a journey through simple choreography that will cover all the base moves, the FUNdamental Foundation moves of Nia.

Grounded in thes foundational moves, our focus for class is the foundation of God’s word

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” and

“humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s might hand”

The invitation is to take this class, and life, one step at a time. Keep returning to your base (Body: Feet, Life: God) to build and move from this firm foundation.

The intent (desired outcome and expectation) of the class is to feel grounded, assured in the presence of God, humble and inspired, to rejoice in what God is doing in our lives.

May 22 - "Jesus Calling", by Sarah Young

When things don’t go as you would like, accept the situation immediately. If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment. Remember that I am sovereign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighty hand. Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come. Don’t let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you. When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
— 1 Peter 5:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

— John 14:6

Soma Faith Class Preparation Notes

FYI to help me, as the teacher, relax my thinking mind and be able to keep focusing on God and grounding, I often write notes/patterns/pictures on my white board. This week I’ve listed all the 27 BASE Nia moves on the left hand 3rd. Then organized these moves into 12 songs to bring a balanced movement experience.

welcome to my board, welcome to my brain
— Helen Terry
Soma Faith Class
from $5.00

Welcome to Soma Faith 5pm Sunday “Pop Ups” at Soma Ranch. These special Sunday events don’t happen every week. Please email helen@somaranch.com if you’d like to be including in the Soma Faith News List.

SOMA FAITH

Online (Via Zoom), In Person (at Soma Ranch), or via 24HR recording, come Praise, Dance, Worship, Workout, Pray, Connect, Move and Sweat with us!

We're in for a GLORIOUS TIME singing, praising and dancing to Christian music.

All Faiths and Fitness Levels Welcome.

Helen Terry creates all inspiring Christian workout/worship experiences. They combine her passion for Christ, with her love for movement and fitness and Nia.

Helen brings more than 35 years experience with holistic fitness and wellness.

Receive zoom link for class and 24 HR replay by clicking “PURCHASE”

Classes are on a sliding scale, choose your price $5 - $100.

  • Pay for a class

  • Pay for the month

  • Pay as you go

  • Make a one time payment

The choice is yours.

We never want finances to get in the way of your opportunity to connect, move and be moved through our Soma Faith program. We appreciate your support and how you give.

We never want religion to get in the way of your opportunity. All beliefs and faiths are welcome. Helen will pray at the beginning and end of the experience, and the name Jesus will be mentioned. All are welcome.

50% of all funds collected go towards our Soma Charity: St Jude.

First Sign of Summer

We have 4 resilient bottlebrush bushes at the entrance of Soma Ranch. These 4 bushes have gone through the great flood of Harvey, the crazy freeze of Feb 2021 and a couple of droughts in between. They’ve been knocked down to the ground, frozen off, burned to a crisp yet they are resilient and keep coming back. Today is no exception, as I took a walk down to the gate, out of no where I found the first “BRUSH” of Summer. Yes! they have made it through another winter and are now here to delight our guests and participants as they drive and walk through the gates at Soma.

Bottlebrush plants (Callistemon spp.) get their name from the spikes of flowers that bloom at the ends of the stems, bearing a strong resemblance to a bottle brush. Most bottlebrush varieties bloom over a long summer season in shades of red or crimson.
— www.gardeningknowhow.com

Bottlebrush plants (Callistemon spp.) get their name from the spikes of flowers that bloom at the ends of the stems, bearing a strong resemblance to a bottle brush. Most bottlebrush varieties bloom over a long summer season in shades of red or crimson.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Growing Bottlebrush Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/growing-bottlebrush-plants.htm

Nia in the Pool

Enjoy our sparkling lap pool at Soma Ranch with some Nia in the Pool!

The support and resistance the water provides creates a lovely, complimentary environment - lots of potential, as well as pleasure, joy and fun!

Great way to stay cool and enjoy a super workout!  With 9 people registered in the class we have 3 places left. Please text Helen at 832-567-4550 to reserve your spot! or enjoy the possibility of Nia by the pool side AND the opportunity to dive in. (or deep water Nia ;-)

Cost: Suggested sliding scale $10 - 25.

Make a donation to St Jude:

Wish You Were Here

Hi! Wish You Were Here!

Here is the Nia Blue Belt group expressing “we wish you were here” with their bodies. I hope you can sense the joy, love and connection.

We’ve begun our Nia Blue Belt here at Soma Ranch; for 7 days, we dance, play, learn and explore concepts about communication, relationship and intimacy.

  • How to communicate optimally

  • How to help relationships flourish

  • How to notice, pay attention to and enjoy details

Here’s who’s attending from near and far:

A joy to share the wonders of Soma Ranch with new folks and returning fans. A delight to witness regular participants in class BEAMING at the connection and the joy of dancing with Nia Trainees. One class participant today, as walking out, shared “So great to see the room filled with all these people, we made it!”

There are extra classes and special events you are invited to attend online, in person or via 24 HR replay:

Colors of Collaboration

During our NIa Blue Belt Training here at Soma Ranch, we are wearing different colors each day. This is a fun way to shift our focus, play with what to wear and feel a connection/alignment with others.

You’re welcome to join us.

Could be a shirt or pants, could be your whole outfit or an accessory:

Here’s the schedule for classes you are welcome to attend in person, online or via 24 HR replay request.

Nia Jam for St. Jude

During our upcoming Nia Blue Belt at Soma Ranch, we have added two fabulous 30 minute Nia JAMS! You’re invited to join us in person, online or via 24HR replay request. All Proceeds go to St. Jude. All you need to is (1) Register for the class (2) Make a donation

What is a Nia JAM?

A Nia JAM is a Nia experience team taught by more than one teacher. A Nia jam has a strong community, collaboration, cooperation vibe! Where teachers, and participants, of all different experience and skill levels, come together, in a super safe, supportive and loving environment, to celebrate connection, dance, music, fun and more.

During this special Nia blue belt week each Nia Jam will be led by a collective group from the Nia participants on the course. Each experience will include the 7 cycles of a regular Nia class, there will be a focus and intent offered at the beginning and sustained throughout the experience. The Focus and joy of movement are the threads that run from song to song and teacher to teacher.

WHY do Nia JAM?

TRAINEES are invited to participate in Nia Jams to

  • take a safe risk

  • experience teaching in a highly supportive environment

  • enjoy teaching a big group of participants in the room AND online

  • explore the technology how to teach hybrid

  • have the opportunity to share (through body and voice)

  • hone skills of teaching with a microphone

  • be seen and appreciated

  • have the opportunity for feedback


PARTICIPANTS experience

  • a variety of teachers and styles

  • a super laid back welcoming environment

  • a taste of the joy of movement

  • a window into the world of Nia trainings

All Jam classes are community open experiences. You are invited to attend and encouraged to make a donation of any amount to St Jude. You are welcome to attend IN PERSON or ONLINE or request a 24HR replay.

Soma Faith: Footprints in Sand

May 1: YOU ARE ON THE PATH of My choosing. There is no randomness about your life. Here and Now comprise the coordinates of your daily life. Most people let their moments slip through their fingers, longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are subject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator, who walks with them only in the present.

Every moment is alive with My glorious Presence, to those whose hearts are intimately connected with Mine. As you give yourself more and more to a life of constant communion with Me, you will find that you simply have no time for worry. Thus, you are freed to let My Spirit direct your steps, enabling you to walk along the path of Peace.

https://www.jesuscalling.com/

Today’s Jesus Calling inspired me to re-find the “Foot prints in Sand” poem:

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

https://www.onlythebible.com/Poems/Footprints-in-the-Sand-Poem.html

who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
— Luke. 12:25-26
To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace
— Luke 1:79
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy -to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Chris our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen
— Jude v.v. 24-25

Today we went on a journey through the wisdom and personalities of the 9 movement forms of Nia, from the 3 arts of martial arts, dance arts and healing arts. Here’s the playlist, how it landed on the “chapters” of the experience and which movement form was featured for each song.

Happy Friday

Howdy! I hope you are well. Things are growing and developing here at Soma Ranch, with several things coming up, here’s a “skinny”. I’ll follow up shortly with our Monthly Newsletter with more info like our new dock, wild flowers, super photos and exciting news..

Private Yoga Rental Retreat

We host a private Yoga Retreat this weekend at Soma Ranch. We’re developing beautiful relationships with people who bring their own class participants to retreat together. We are delighted how they come back 1, 2, 3 or even 4 times a year. The connection and development feels more and more like an extended family “love fest”.

1st Monday Coffee Fundraiser

As usual next Monday (1st Monday) is when we have coffee, tea, snacks and chat at 11:00am after the 10am Nia class and 8:45am YogaFaith. This is a wonderful way to get together, get to know people and new folks feel welcomed. All funds raised go to our annual charity fundraiser for St Jude.

30 Day Challenge

The next 30 day movement challenge begins this Sunday. As May 1 is this Sunday, you’ll receive 2 replays (from Saturday) and you’re invited to a zoom gathering at 2pm. Bring a friend for free when you sign up by the 30th. (yes, on the video I say 28th AND, as this information is only now reaching you, we’’ve extended the deadline ;-))

For $99 receive 30 classes, education, inspiration, 24 hour replays for every class. Helen is available before and after class for questions, discussions, shares. Sometimes behind the scenes info like teaching methodology, little tricks on how to learn the moves, playlists.

We cater to new to Nia participants all the way through to accomplish teachers, within our community there's a place for everybody, the month long challenge really is a collaborative Cooperative experience with a community of people all around the world

Fun Fridays

Fun Fridays 8am 30 minute classes continue to be a big hit, this is where participants bring music, Helen improvises the moves and together we co-create magic. really is a wonderful experience

Saturday 8:45am Nia 5 Stages

Our Nia 5 stages Journey continues, our goal being to complete all 52 main lessons this year. Divided into four modules of 13 lessons each, we have completed the first one quarter and are into the second. We apply the Nia 5 Stages focus into the Saturday 10 a.m.

Saturday 10am Nia Class

Tomorrow we’ll dance a combo of old and new, from beginning to end, with a fusion of the classic Nia routine AO with some fabulous new songs from the latest Nia routine Mystery.

May Special: Wednesday Feldenkrais

A special feature this month is Irene Patersnack, an accomplished Nia teacher and amazing Feldenkrais practitioner, who will lead all the Wednesday 8 a.m. classes

Cinco de Mayo dinner May 5th

Joe’s serving up a special dinner. All funds collected go to our St Jude charity Fundraiser

Nia Blue belt May 11 - 17

Our next Nia training is coming up!. Enjoy extra 10 a.m. classes Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th (Hybird = In person + Zoom).

Soma Faith Sundays 5pm

Our Sunday series is going well. We’re offering the experience on a sliding scale in the hopes to provide this healing worship experience to all.. Choose to pay $5 - $50 for the experience. Attend in person, online or via 24 hour recording. 50% of all proceeds goes to St Jude (our annual fundraiser) Bringing faith together with somatic movement is a dream come true, answered prayers and a blessing.

Other Options

If the next challenge is not the best fit for you here's some other choices to consider:

All the 10am classes are public classes - i.e. you can take them in person or online as you wish. The Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 30 minute classes are private, for the 30 day challenge group only

Soma Class Rates
from $20.00
  • $20 | 1 class

  • $75 | 5 class pass (3 month expiration) ($15 per class)

  • $130 | 10 class pass (3 month expiration) ($13 per class)

  • $99 | 30 Day Journey, 30 Classes, ALL 8am + 10am ($3.30 per class)

  • $75 | Day Retreat(click for more Info)

  • $25 | Lunch or Dinner

  • $96 | 60 min massage

  • $145 | 90 min massage

30 Day Challenge Benefits:

  1. unlimited 10am + 8am Nia Classes for 30 days

  2. bring a “new to the journey” friend to class for a month

  3. enjoy before and after class conversations and nuggets

  4. receive automatic 24HR replays via email

Classes are on an honor system.The Zoom links remains the same and the code is always "soma"

We are continuing Soma Faith and have shifted the pay scale make any donation ($5 - 50) and 50% of all proceeds go to our annual Charity Fundraiser for St Jude. Choose in person, online or 24HR replay.

Soma Faith Class
from $5.00

Welcome to Soma Faith 5pm Sunday “Pop Ups” at Soma Ranch. These special Sunday events don’t happen every week. Please email helen@somaranch.com if you’d like to be including in the Soma Faith News List.

SOMA FAITH

Online (Via Zoom), In Person (at Soma Ranch), or via 24HR recording, come Praise, Dance, Worship, Workout, Pray, Connect, Move and Sweat with us!

We're in for a GLORIOUS TIME singing, praising and dancing to Christian music.

All Faiths and Fitness Levels Welcome.

Helen Terry creates all inspiring Christian workout/worship experiences. They combine her passion for Christ, with her love for movement and fitness and Nia.

Helen brings more than 35 years experience with holistic fitness and wellness.

Receive zoom link for class and 24 HR replay by clicking “PURCHASE”

Classes are on a sliding scale, choose your price $5 - $100.

  • Pay for a class

  • Pay for the month

  • Pay as you go

  • Make a one time payment

The choice is yours.

We never want finances to get in the way of your opportunity to connect, move and be moved through our Soma Faith program. We appreciate your support and how you give.

We never want religion to get in the way of your opportunity. All beliefs and faiths are welcome. Helen will pray at the beginning and end of the experience, and the name Jesus will be mentioned. All are welcome.

50% of all funds collected go towards our Soma Charity: St Jude.

Please keep in touch:

Subscribe to Soma News where, on average once a week you receive an email with news, reports, education and inspiration.

Join Classes with Helen Terry FaceBook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/helenterry

Follow/like Soma Ranch Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/somaranch

Follow/like Helen Terry Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/helenterrysoma

Invest in Personal Coaching with Helen https://www.somaranch.com/booking/coachingwithhelen

Entertain a Retreat at Soma Ranch https://www.somaranch.com/retreat-summary

Invest in a Nia Training at Soma Ranch https://www.somaranch.com/training-summary

Thank you again everyone who donated last year. This year our goal is to raise $8000.

Here's the link if you'd like to donate: https://www.somaranch.com/jude

and please let me know how I may help you more

with love and deep appreciation

Helen

Congratulations April Challengers

Congratulations April Challengers! Thank you for being with us on this 30 day journey. I hope you've enjoyed the ride and have received some benefits from the experience.

$99 for 30 classes, replays, playlists, education, connection and fun.

Bring a friend for free, when you enroll today (by the 28th of the month)

The price increases to $120 on May 1.

Our next Challenge begins May 1, this Sunday.On this FIRST day (Sunday) you'll have several choices:

  1. enjoy the RECORDING of Nia 5 Stages

  2. enjoy the RECORDING of Saturday's class

  3. join us for a "get together" at 2pm Central time.

Helen plans to be "in town" all month, and will be teaching the majority of classes.

Our Special Feature of this month is the amazing Feldenkrias Practitioner, Irene Pasternack (Move Beyond Limits), who will be providing a series of 4 lessons EVERY WEDNESDAYS in May!

We will continue the theme of Learn, Move, Energize; Mondays class begins a new Nia Routine

Tuesdays are an educational coaching experience in preparation for the Thursday 60 minute class.

Fridays continue as "Fun Fridays" - you bring music requests, I improv' teach the moves and together we co-create magic!On Saturdays we continue the journey through the 52 Nia 5 Stages lessons (we are now in the 2nd Chapter of 13 lessons).

Each week, as we move through our developmental stages, we Look, Listen and Imagine to enhance our Sensory IQ and understanding of the body.

The Saturday 10am class will sustain the focus of the Nia 5 stages lesson. (an opportunity to explore more and go deeper into the concepts)

Other Options

If the next challenge is not the best fit for you here's some other choices to consider:

All the 10am classes are public classes - i.e. you can take them in person or online as you wish. The Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 30 minute classes are private, for the 30 day challenge group only

Soma Class Rates
from $20.00
  • $20 | 1 class

  • $75 | 5 class pass (3 month expiration) ($15 per class)

  • $130 | 10 class pass (3 month expiration) ($13 per class)

  • $99 | 30 Day Journey, 30 Classes, ALL 8am + 10am ($3.30 per class)

  • $75 | Day Retreat(click for more Info)

  • $25 | Lunch or Dinner

  • $96 | 60 min massage

  • $145 | 90 min massage

30 Day Challenge Benefits:

  1. unlimited 10am + 8am Nia Classes for 30 days

  2. bring a “new to the journey” friend to class for a month

  3. enjoy before and after class conversations and nuggets

  4. receive automatic 24HR replays via email

Classes are on an honor system.The Zoom links remains the same and the code is always "soma"

We are continuing Soma Faith and have shifted the pay scaleyou are invited to attend in person or online and make any donation ($5 - 30)50% of all proceeds go to our annual Charity Fundraiser for St Jude

Soma Faith Class
from $5.00

Welcome to Soma Faith 5pm Sunday “Pop Ups” at Soma Ranch. These special Sunday events don’t happen every week. Please email helen@somaranch.com if you’d like to be including in the Soma Faith News List.

SOMA FAITH

Online (Via Zoom), In Person (at Soma Ranch), or via 24HR recording, come Praise, Dance, Worship, Workout, Pray, Connect, Move and Sweat with us!

We're in for a GLORIOUS TIME singing, praising and dancing to Christian music.

All Faiths and Fitness Levels Welcome.

Helen Terry creates all inspiring Christian workout/worship experiences. They combine her passion for Christ, with her love for movement and fitness and Nia.

Helen brings more than 35 years experience with holistic fitness and wellness.

Receive zoom link for class and 24 HR replay by clicking “PURCHASE”

Classes are on a sliding scale, choose your price $5 - $100.

  • Pay for a class

  • Pay for the month

  • Pay as you go

  • Make a one time payment

The choice is yours.

We never want finances to get in the way of your opportunity to connect, move and be moved through our Soma Faith program. We appreciate your support and how you give.

We never want religion to get in the way of your opportunity. All beliefs and faiths are welcome. Helen will pray at the beginning and end of the experience, and the name Jesus will be mentioned. All are welcome.

50% of all funds collected go towards our Soma Charity: St Jude.

Please keep in touch:

Subscribe to Soma News where, on average once a week you receive an email with news, reports, education and inspiration.

Join Classes with Helen Terry FaceBook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/helenterry

Follow/like Soma Ranch Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/somaranch

Follow/like Helen Terry Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/helenterrysoma

Invest in Personal Coaching with Helen https://www.somaranch.com/booking/coachingwithhelen

Entertain a Retreat at Soma Ranch https://www.somaranch.com/retreat-summary

Invest in a Nia Training at Soma Ranch https://www.somaranch.com/training-summary

Thank you again everyone who donated last year. This year our goal is to raise $8000.

Here's the link if you'd like to donate.https://www.somaranch.com/jude

and please let me know how I may help you more

with love and deep appreciation

Helen

30 Day Nia Challenge

Our 30 minute Nia classes ONLINE program is blossoming and we would LOVE you to join the challenge and feel the love connection! Now is a great time to sign up for May! When you sign up by April 28th you can bring a friend for free.

The 30 30 30 challenge, invites you to enjoy 30 daily, 30 or 60 minute, Nia classes, for the 30 days. That’s 7 live classes with Helen a week, for a month, with 24HR Replays sent automatically, and the option of Facebook group support, all for only $99.

Be part of a supportive, loving and inspiring group of folks from around the globe, who come together to dance, have fun and connect.

  • more than 1 year in, we’re going strong and growing.

  • Some folks have been with us every month since January 21 (including Helen’s Mum!).

  • Every month more participants join us.

  • Last month more new people joined us than ever before.

Here’s the weekly schedule: (Remember 24HR replay is offered for ALL classes)

  • Monday 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

  • Tuesday. 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

  • Wednesday 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

  • Thursday. 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

  • Friday 8:00am Nia 30 Minute

  • Saturday 8:45am Nia 5 Stages 60 minute class

  • Saturday 10:00am Nia Classic 60 Minutes

  • Sunday. Rest or enjoy the replay

Soma Faith Sundays

Soma Faith went really well last Sunday. Lovely to receive encouraging feedback from participants both in person and online. Thank you everyone who attended. Here’s a touching example of feedback received

I am so moved by your Soma Faith Easter Sunday Nia that I thought to tell you in my lifetime I haven’t felt more safe and connected to God. You’re are an incredible woman with so many talents. Your faith in God gave me goosebumps! I’m not kidding, something spiritual happened that left me wanting to stay connected to the energy in the class! It was just one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I’m about to do the class again for the third time❤️
— Happy Soma Faith Zoom Participant

As I responded to her, for me to receive such rave reviews is very touching AND, what’s most important, is to keep checking in and giving God the credit. Before class I can feel myself taking things personally (self-pity and self-doubt), After class I can feel myself moving towards taking things personally (self-importance), either way I enjoy the moment remember what this experience is truly about, recalibrating to get myself out the way to allow the Holy Spirit to move us all.

Soma Faith Class
from $5.00

Welcome to Soma Faith 5pm Sunday “Pop Ups” at Soma Ranch. These special Sunday events don’t happen every week. Please email helen@somaranch.com if you’d like to be including in the Soma Faith News List.

SOMA FAITH

Online (Via Zoom), In Person (at Soma Ranch), or via 24HR recording, come Praise, Dance, Worship, Workout, Pray, Connect, Move and Sweat with us!

We're in for a GLORIOUS TIME singing, praising and dancing to Christian music.

All Faiths and Fitness Levels Welcome.

Helen Terry creates all inspiring Christian workout/worship experiences. They combine her passion for Christ, with her love for movement and fitness and Nia.

Helen brings more than 35 years experience with holistic fitness and wellness.

Receive zoom link for class and 24 HR replay by clicking “PURCHASE”

Classes are on a sliding scale, choose your price $5 - $100.

  • Pay for a class

  • Pay for the month

  • Pay as you go

  • Make a one time payment

The choice is yours.

We never want finances to get in the way of your opportunity to connect, move and be moved through our Soma Faith program. We appreciate your support and how you give.

We never want religion to get in the way of your opportunity. All beliefs and faiths are welcome. Helen will pray at the beginning and end of the experience, and the name Jesus will be mentioned. All are welcome.

50% of all funds collected go towards our Soma Charity: St Jude.

HYBRID Classes: Value, Evolution + Delight!

Hybrid classes were imagined, desired and talked about, here at Soma Ranch, for many months before they began to evolve. Over the past 12 months we’ve experience a phenomenal evolution, problem solving sound and lights, moving and mixing microphones, installing/adjusting/replacing cameras, navigating/connecting cables (OH yes wading through that never ending “spaghetti”).

We truly

  1. VALUE the opportunity to combine our growing local community with the blossoming global community,

  2. appreciate how the program and process has EVOLVED and

  3. DELIGHT in how finally we’ve navigated enough to be reaping the rewards and enjoying the joyful connection through Hybrid classes.

Thanks to

  • fast speed internet (a MUST),

  • the technical creativity of co-owner Joe Terry,

  • the patience and understanding of our local Montgomery participants and

  • the willingness and curiosity of our zoom “around the world” attendees

…Hybrid classes are now flourishing. Like a birthing process, all the pain, challenges, late nights, sleepless nights, frustrations and more, seem to fade into the review mirror. Finally all the effort now feels well worth the wait and we can look back and appreciate the journey we had to move through to get to where we are now.

Hybrid Classes bring together ONLINE participants via zoom, with folks IN PERSON dancing in the room. We’ve found having 2 cameras and a large projector helps enhance the experience for both ONLINE and IN PERSON participants.

  • “Angel Camera” is the camera we have installed from a pipe coming down from the ceiling, above the heads of the IN PERSON participants. This angle allows ONLINE participants to feel like they are an angel watching from over the teacher’s shoulder

  • “Community Camera” is the camera from the East Side Wall (a web cam on the computer that is streaming the zoom gallery participants.

  • Projector is a Movie Projector, connected to the Zoom Gallery that projects the Gallery participants on to the West Side Wall of the studio, fondly named “the wall of smiles”.

Hybrid classes offer an array of great options and features.

  1. HYBRID “Angel Camera” Facing the mirror (everyone in the room and zoom room, can feel like they are all moving behind me (when I say left, it’s everyBody’s left LOL).

  2. HYBRID “Angel Camera” Facing the class Zoom participants get to enjoy the more familiar view they experience in most ONLINE class formats, AND they can still see my back and the class in the mirror.

  3. HYBRID (Community Camera) When we use the other “web camera” the Zoom participants can feel even more part of the community AND In PERSON participants LOVE being able to dance with folks on the “Smile wall” (all the zoom participants projected LARGE on the wall with their names and where they are watching from)

  4. HYBRID (Community Camera) When we are dancing in a circle, moving in and out, Zoom participants share an incredible sense of connection. “I feel the community, like I’m right there moving in and out with you”

  5. ONLINE only. The zoom participants get my FULL attention. We talk and connect before and after class.

  6. ONLINE only. I move towards the screen and interact more, I can see everyone in the Zoom Room Gallery on a second screen, provide feedback, encouragement and even pick up and play with moves I see from participants!

Nia Velvet Creative Experience

This week I've been revisiting the Nia Routine Velvet. The experience has been very much like catching up with an old friend I haven't been in touch with for a while. I adore how we (me and the Nia Routine) can "pick up where we left off" with ease.

In complimentary contrast to this "comfort return" sensation, being a different person, in a different place, a little older, and somewhat more evolved in my relationship with the Nia 52 moves over this last decade, brings new qualities to our dance.

Here’s the Playlist for the Nia Routine “Velvet”:

These days the weekly Nia class schedule lends itself well to a development mini series:

  • 30 mins Tuesday ONLINE

  • 30 mins Wednesday ONLINE

  • 60 mins Thursday HYBRID,

We learn half the routine Tuesday, the other half Wednesday, then put it all together on Thursday.

With the "Part 1" and "Part 2" 30 minute classes there are so many creative ways to divide the play list. Here’s the top 5 options I enjoy playing with:

  1. "EveryOther": Part 1 odd numbers Part 2 even numbers

  2. "Half n Half": Part 1 First 1/2 songs Part 2 Second 1/2

  3. "Back 2 Front": Part 1, First 1/2 songs Part 2 Second 1/2 in reverse!

  4. "Shuffle": Part 1 shuffle, Part 2 shuffle what didn't play the day before!

  5. Ends n Middle: Part 1 Beginning and End, Part 2 The middles!

I'll then play with the usual

  • "Fun Friday" 30 minute class where class participants bring the music requests, i bring the moves (spontaneous improv') and together we create magic.

  • “Celebration Saturday” 60 minute class Saturday morning where we all get together celebrate the week, what we’ve learned, what we’ve experienced and DANCE.

This Saturday I'll be taking a vote for what the class participants prefers:

  1. experience Velvet (Classic) with original music OR

  2. experience Velvet (Adapted) where the original moves are put to new music.

Participants who subscribe to Nia On Demand are able to reference the original Nia routine. They gain 24/7 access, the ability to watch small sound bites, even speed up or watch the class without music! Teachers can get inspired with regards how to adapt and play, explore ways to sustain integrity while allowing creativity to evolve.

I think this routine was created over 10 years ago! wow! how can that be! LOL...
One of my favorite pearls that came out of my mouth spontaneously was "stretchability" (a combo of flexibility and stretch!)

A participant in our 30 Day challenge shared Back to work ~ love the silkiness of Velvet.