Nia White Belt Participant ~ Martha

I am Martha Broecker. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA. Grew up on water and now land locked in Dallas, Texas!

I am retired as of April 2021 after a 40-year career in the retail industry

I have an adventurous spirit. My personal travel experiences are active, full of learning and meeting like-minded people. What I take-a-way from these encounters challenge my health and wellness spirit. I am game to try anything and prefer week-long retreats that give me space to unravel and learn.

I met Helen May 2022 when I took a movement class at another wellness spa. I was captivated by her energy, humor, and inspirational approach to exercise through gentle movement and dance.

I met Kellie Marie Harris in Helen’s class, and she spoke of the white belt training, and I was, hmmmm why not?

So, here I am ………….I’ve adopted the mantra that when I cross paths with someone or something intriguing, to follow my gut and explore that path.

Looking forward to connecting with all of you and having a momentous week!

Martha

Nia White Belt Trainer in Training ~ Kellie

Hello!  I am Kellie Chambers

I was born in Mesa, Arizona but grew up in Oregon.  Presently, I live in Pleasant Hill, Oregon where I own a studio called Just Move.  I am a 2nd Degree Nia Black Belt Instructor and a 3NGT Trainer in Training.  I will be participating as a student and taking notes to prepare to deliver White Belts Intensives in the future.  Helen is my good friend and mentor and I delight in the in-person training experience.  I am very much looking forward to joining you in Beginner's Mind!

I am a mother of three grown daughters and a grandmother of 4 beautiful cherubs all under the age of 4 who much to my delight live near me.  My dog thinks she is my 4th child.  I love Nia and I love Soma Ranch! We are going to have a great week together!

Nia White Belt Participant ~ Tiffany

I’m Tiffany Alley. I met Helen this Spring at Rancho la Puerta and ended up taking every studio class she taught the entire week. 

I have my yoga teacher training and have dabbled with tai chi, and Nia just fits with how God is nurturing and growing me…and hopefully others I’m meeting along the way. 

I live in Atlanta but for much of the summer we are at our cabin in Whiteside Cove, which is between Highlands and Cashiers in North Carolina. It’s generally 15 or even 20 degrees cooler here than in Atlanta.

Nia White Belt Participant ~ Kristen

Hi there. 

I’m Kristen Wills, Georgia girl through and through. I’m currently ISO Georgia waterfalls as summer recreation. Not very many places in the world as mysteriously lovely as north Georgia mountains. 

I met Helen and took 2 classes from her in March of 2021.

She spoke into my life early on in my journey in/of/to physical healing and her words to listen to and love my body resurface continually, like some primordial ooze.  

We are ready to take the next step:) 

Nia White Belt Participant ~ Rosie

Hello!

I am Rosemary Morris & I also go by Rosie.  I am a Chicago native, currently living in St. Petersburg FL.

My husband Vic & I have 3 grown sons all married or with significant people at their sides. 

I love movement & exercise of many types.  Nia first called me many years ago and getting my White belt has been a dream since!

I am way overdue for a retreat as being with a lovely, conscious group of women always rejuvenates and enlivens me.   So excited to be dancing, learning & growing together!

R

Soma Faith - Lord's Prayer Line 3

We’re continuing our series with Dr Deb Kern, who is guiding us through the Lord’s Prayer one line at a time. All classes are independent, stand alone, experiences. i.e. you don’t have to have taken the previous lines to experience the next.

If you would like to experience replay if any previous class all you need do is request a replay.

Sunday, August 14, 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 14: Line 3

September 4: Line 4

October 9: Line 5

November 6: Line 6

December 4: Line 7

January TBD: Line 8

Oh YES! I'm in!

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.

Yes! Sign me up
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.

Upcoming Nia White Belt

Our Summer Nia White Belt begins this coming Wednesday, July 13 - 19. Would you like to join us?

Are you looking for:

  • greater wellness?

  • to understand your body’s way more?

  • to feel more joyful and less inhibited?

  • to feel more beautiful and less clumsy?

  • to feel more connected and less separate?

  • to learn more about you and your body?

  • to connect with your inner dancer?

  • to develop skills to dance through life?

    The Nia White Belt Training is the first level of a five-belt training series that presents a body-centered approach to health, wellness and fitness. If you have a desire to share Nia in a professional capacity, the White Belt Training is your entryway into teaching. Those who choose to pursue the path of personal enrichment use this training as a starting point for becoming a master student.

Learn more

Over the course of one week, you will comprehensively explore physical sensation through five core-competency areas of study including movement, music, anatomy, science and philosophy. This joyful journey into the self is instrumental in helping you develop body knowing by learning to listen, interpret and consciously respond to the information your body communicates to you via sensation. Enroll in an upcoming training today, and positively shape the way you feel, look, think and live.

Register now

Dr. Deb Kern is teaching 10am

My dear friend and fabulous teacher, Deb Kern, will be teaching the 10am class this Saturday morning. This is an online class via zoom and a wonderful opportunity. 24 Hour replay is available.

Deb is also teaching Soma Faith “The Lord’s Prayer - Line 2” at 5pm tomorrow.

Sat 10am Class
Request 24HR Replay
Sun 5pm Soma Faith
Soma Class Rates
from $20.00
Soma Faith Class
from $5.00

Soma Faith - Lord's Prayer Line 2

We’re continuing our series with Dr Deb Kern, who is guiding us through the Lord’s Prayer one line at a time. All classes are independent, stand alone, experiences. i.e. you don’t have to have taken the previous lines to experience the next.

If you would like to experience replay if any previous class all you need do is request a replay.

Sunday, July 10, 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

Oh YES! I'm in!

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.

Yes! Sign me up
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.

Bottle Art Wall Update

2 years ago we began the process of building a special glass art wall for our lovely (Heated) Soma Outdoor Shower (SOS!)

Thanks to several friends (who prefer to remain anonymous LOL) Soma Ranch has collected over 600 bottles so far.

We now have more than 300 bricks and are in search for the final “Special” Bricks, including:

  • unusual bottle bottoms,

  • cool colors,

  • unique shapes,

  • larger size

If you’d like to donate let us know. Whatever bottle type, you’d need to provide 2 identical. i.e. we cut and then connect 2 bottles to make the brick (they need to match).

Here’s the process:

  1. friends drop off bottles!

  2. cut bottles down to 3”

  3. rinse, dry, collate similar sized bottles

  4. duck-tape 2 bottles to make “bricks”

  5. stack glass bricks in cement

  6. use special shaped bottles details

  7. create 5.5” thick wall

  8. take a shower and enjoy!

  9. enjoy a glass of wine

When you rinse off under blue sky or twinkling stars in the outdoor shower, you can enjoy a “wall of art” with lots of glass circles that provide privacy, light and beauty all at the same time!

Do you have bottles you’d like to donate?

  • We particularly like LIGHT colored bottles (clear, light green, light brown)

  • Some blue and red glass bottles would be spectacular.

  • Green beer bottles are much appreciated.

  • it’s handy (yet not required) when the bottles come in pairs.

Here’s where some of our inspiration from: insteading.com/blog/glass-bottle-walls/

Saturday "Freedom" Nia 10am

Yes! We are dancing Nia, 10am Saturday July 2, ONLINE.

Our focus will be “Freedom”, with music, movement and magic that supports this magical journey of balance between form and freedom, yin and yang, structure and creativity.

Soma Class Rates
from $20.00

Links for class are posted at www.facebook.com/groups/helenterry

Links are also available upon request to helen@somaranch.com

24 hour replay is available upon request to helen@somaranch.com

REQUEST 24 HR REPLAY
Subscribe

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Enjoy the following classes with Helen

Nia with Helen

10am Monday (HYBRID=ONLINE + IN PERSON)

10am Thursday (HYBRID=ONLINE + IN PERSON)

10am Saturday (ONLINE)


Nia 5 Stages with Helen

8:45am Saturday (ONLINE)

When offering a 7 day Nia Training Helen offers 10am Nia Classes daily


YogaFaith with Chris

8:45am Monday

8:45am Thursday

HOW TO PAY

This is an honor system;

  • VENMO iLoveSoma

  • mail check to PO Box 1156, Montgomery, TX 77356

  • http://www.somaranch.com/booking/soma-class-rates.

email Helen@somaranch.com if you would like to receive a 24 hour replay of ANY of the above classes

Soma Class Rates
from $20.00

I Have a Dream 10am Nia Class

Enjoy a special “get in the mood for the holiday" Nia class. Usual class rates apply.

MoodFood Nia class HYBRID 10:00am Thursday

FreeDance Nia 5 Stages ONLINE 8:45am Saturday

Freedom Nia class ONLINE 10:00am Saturday.

NO CLASS ON MONDAY JULY 4th


VARIED MOODSWINGS ALBUM PROVIDES MUSING TO FUEL ANY EMOTION

Moodfood
Moodswings.
Arista Records.

By Douglas D. Keller
Photography Editor

There are seven wonders of the world. You are about to witness the eighth." So begins the introductory track "Throw Off the Shackles" from Moodswings's debut album Moodfood. This album is definitely something different, a combination of rap, techno, new age, and industrial. The first time I listened to the album I felt that Moodswings had answered the question of what would happen if Nine Inch Nails made a new age album.

The album's press kit aptly describes Moodfood as "aural medication for tired minds." The album is remarkable for the stylistic range of its tracks, which vary from George Winstonesque piano on "Hairy Piano" to rap/house on "Problem Solved." No matter what mood you might be in, there will be a song on this album which will heighten your happiness or alleviate your sorrow. What is similarly remarkable is that the rest of the album will sort of fade into the background, only to be noticed again when the track fits your mood.

Moodfood was conceived and written as a single piece of music incorporating many thematically linked tracks or moods. Moodswings is able to achieve this effect by blending the transitions between tracks and by having many movements within each track. These movements will pick up a riff used in an earlier track or will give hints of riffs to come.

 Moodswings is the collaboration of musicians J.F.T. Hood and Grant Showbiz. Grant Showbiz was responsible for producing many albums for The Fall and Billy Bragg and has also worked as soundman and sometime producer for The Smiths. J.F.T. Hood was the drummer for The Pretenders and has also played drums on some of the last Smiths gigs. Joining Hood and Showbiz are Jeff Beck and Johnny Marr on "Skinthieves," Linda Muriel supplying vocals on "Rainsong," and Chrissie Hynde singing on the first single from the album, "Spiritual High (State of Independence) Part II." An interesting addition to the music of the album is the mixing of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I Have a Dream" with drum machine, piano, effect boxes, and a synthesized chorus on "Spiritual High (Part III)."

Moodfood alleviates, combats, and sometimes evokes our "moodswings." This is essentially what the album is all about and what Moodswings feel that music should be all about. As they say, "The sections in the record stores shouldn't be dance or country or whatever - they should be cheer you up, relax you down, music for a picnic, music for a funeral, etc."

 

Wonderful Healing Retreat

This weekend we hosted our “embodied authentic healing” retreat. What a treat to serve these beautiful women and provide a safe, nourishing space for healing.

Through the weekend we weaved several activities including dance, movement, Nia 5 stages, Nia class and meditation. We laughed, shared, learned, journaled, drew, walked, talked, ate, slept, hung out in the pool, sat around the fire, as we explored the Hero WithIn. With the intent to heal, grow and transform.

In summary we were here to feel better and in so doing we are helping the world become a better place.

“... We have not even to risk the adventure alone,
for the heroes of all time have gone before us.
The labyrinth is thoroughly known.
We have only to follow the thread of the hero path,
and where we had thought to find an abomination,
we shall find a god.

And where we had thought to slay another,
we shall slay ourselves.

Where we had thought to travel outward,
we will come to the center of our own existence.

And where we had thought to be alone,
we will be with all the world.”
— Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth
Learn more
pls keep me informed
Embodied Authentic Healing Retreat
from $499.00

"The body is merely the visibility of the soul, the psyche, and the soul is the psychological experience of the body. So it is really one and the same thing." C. G. Jung

This special retreat is for curious souls wanting to go deeper into their own authentic self through:

Meditation, Dance, Moving in and through Your Body, Journaling and Sharing.

We’ll be exploring the archetypes outlined in the “Hero Within” The Classic Guide, Updated for Our Contemporary World

A modern classic of Jungian psychology, The Hero Within has helped hundreds of thousands of people enrich their lives by revealing how to tap the power of the archetypes that exist within. Drawing from literature, anthropology, and psychology, author Carol S. Pearson clearly defines six heroic archetypes—the Innocent, the Orphan, the Wanderer, the Warrior, the Altruist, and the Magician—and shows how we can use these powerful guides to discover our own hidden gifts, solve difficult problems, and transform our lives with rich sources of inner strength.

Very special rates have been created especially for this retreat.

Rates are per person and include all meals.

OPTIONS

Stay and enjoy all the wonders Soma Ranch has to offer

Each residential option is a fully inclusive of Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch, classes, workshops and all amenities (Sauna, Hot Tub, Pool, Donkeys, Teas, Coffees, Water).

  • Dormitory QUAD Large spacious heated/air-conditioned room with 1 queen bed, 10 Twin Beds. SHARED BY 4 PEOPLE. Share 3 bathrooms.

  • Semi Private Room with 2 Full Beds SHARED BY 2 PEOPLE

  • Private Room with 1 King or Queen Bed private bathroom.

All accommodation and retreat rates include a $100 non refundable deposit.

Montgomery Aquatic Race Club Summer Camp 2022

This past week Joe and I had the honor of hosting the Montgomery Aquatic Race Club. We’re busting with joy with how we hosted this amazing group of swimmers for their Summer camp 2022 at Soma Ranch, including the opportunity to share Nia in several ways (on land, in the studio and in the pool)

This was a "full circle", "living life" moment for Helen, who grew up as a competitive swimmer, trained as a PE teacher, certified as an international Nia technique trainer and created/founded Soma Ranch with her husband Joe. All of this came together as they hosted a summer camp for swimmers at Soma Ranch.....

Teaching Montgomery Aquatic Race Club swimmers about how to be somatic in the pool, how to apply the sensations of fitness into their strokes and how to be mindful as they swim in the pool and through life was a JOY!!

The coaches were incredibly creative and caring. They utilized many spaces, inside and out, around Soma Ranch, changing things up each day and coming up with unique ways to keep the campers happy and engaged. For example “Swimcampopoly” and outdoor circuit training.

We were super impressed with how both coaches and campers were super consiencious about their environment. How they cared for the land, honored nature, kept things clean (they even made their beds!), checked in with us to be sure their conduct was meeting our expectations.

Lovely to see highlights like campers getting to pet the friendly donkeys and horses, go down to the pond to check out our lotus and dock and enjoy the lounging shade under our newly appointed pavilion over the back deck.

They requested we NOT adapt our menu too much, to allow the campers to take safe risks, experience something different, explore new tastes and healthy options. We were stunned with how much they chowed down on vegetables, gave new things (like quinoa, chia pudding, spearmint infused water) a go and seeing campers taking a photo of the “protein balls” with the intent to share with their parents when they got home, was the icing on the cake. We made a crumble with the wonderful, massive blackberries picked from our neighbors, P6 farms. Lovely to serve fresh and VERY local produce.

Beyond our expectations they used our new big screen TV. Filming the swimmers underwater then, using airplay, their iPad showed crystal clear images on the big screen. Coaches were able to pause images, show form in the water and swimmers were able to have an image of how they move through water.

We’re excited to see them apply what they learned in both swimming and in life. #marcswimcamp2022

July 30 day Challenge

 

We’re days away from our next 30 day challenge. Would you like to join the “summer of LOVE” 30 day challenge?:

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

When you sign up for the July 30 day challenge by June 28th 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.

Learn more

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

All for $99.

Sign up Now

Unexpected Surprises

During our recent retreat, hosting the local Montgomery Swim Team, one of the swimmers brought her water colors and painted a beautiful picture of our majestic oak tree that spans the space between the house and the Soma Studio building.

We’re exploring how to create and reproduce a set of gift cards with watercolors of favorite features here at Soma Ranch. How lovely as guests to be able to share the joys of your stay and the beauty of the nature with unique watercolor cards.

As small business owners we are also excited to support a budding young artist. To creatively find a way to provide a lovely product for our guests while helping this teenager begin to develop her entrepreneurship skills.

EMBODIED AUTHENTIC HEALING RETREAT

Next weekend we are holding our semi-annual Embodied Authentic Healing Retreat. With 8 people signed up we have 2 more places left. Please let us know ASAP if you’d like to join us. Here’s more information:

June 24-26, 2022.

EXPLORE YOUR TRUE SELF THROUGH MOVEMENT, ART AND JOURNALLING.

“The body is merely the visibility of the soul, the psyche, and the soul is the psychological experience of the body. So it is really one and the same thing.”
— C. G. Jung

Explore self-guided movement exploration to dive deep beyond learned patterns into a journey with your Soma. Unleash creativity, spiritual insights and the potential for healing for your body, heart, mind and soul.

Through an embodied authentic healing process, including movement, drawing, and writing, you are provided the opportunity create, express and connect.

Curiosity and desire to attune to our inner world is all that is important. No experience is necessary.

When we allow the body to speak, our unique story can be heard. Insight into our true nature naturally emerges without interpretation.

When we share and witness together, each participant's experience will be treated with respect and not interpreted.

Together we learn to honor our own and other's unique personal, creative, and spiritual paths.

No experience is necessary.

We’ll be exploring the archetypes outlined in the “Hero Within” The Classic Guide, Updated for Our Contemporary World

A modern classic of Jungian psychology, The Hero Within has helped hundreds of thousands of people enrich their lives by revealing how to tap the power of the archetypes that exist within. Drawing from literature, anthropology, and psychology, author Carol S. Pearson clearly defines six heroic archetypes—the Innocent, the Orphan, the Wanderer, the Warrior, the Altruist, and the Magician—and shows how we can use these powerful guides to discover our own hidden gifts, solve difficult problems, and transform our lives with rich sources of inner strength.

Learn more
Embodied Authentic Healing Retreat
from $499.00

Congratulations Nia Brown Belts

Congratulations Nia Brown Belts. What a week! What an experience! What a joy!

At Soma Ranch we celebrate Nia Graduation in many ways! including:

  1. graduation in the studio

  2. celebration on the fence

  3. group photo with Zepher (the horse)

  4. fizzy bubbly (non-alcoholic) toasts

  5. party lunch sharing favorite frames from the week

  6. parting photos and hugs with Helen :-)