We learned a lot from our dog Phelps. This list is a wonderful reminder of what we can learn from dogs, and how we can be better humans!
Soma Faith: trust in Me and not in your understanding.
Jesus Calling: Aug 7
Understanding will never bring you Peace. That's why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding. Human beings have a voracious appetite for trying to figure things out, in order to gain a sense of mastery over their lives. But the world presents you with an endless series of problems.
As soon as you master one set, another pops up to challenge you. The relief you had anticipated is short-lived. Soon your mind is gearing up again; searching for understanding (mastery), instead of seeking Me (your Master).
The wisest of all men, Solomon, could never think his way through to Peace. His vast understanding resulted in feelings of futility, rather than in fulfillment. Finally, he lost his way and succumbed to the will of his wives by worshiping idols.
My Peace is not an elusive goal, hidden at the center of some complicated maze. Actually, you are always enveloped in Peace, which is inherent in My Presence. As you look to Me, you gain awareness of this precious Peace.
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
“Faith Brings Joy. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”
“Paul’s Final Greetings16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”
Song selection includes “Peace be with you” “Precious” “trust in the lord” “with all your heart” “lord of peace” “faith brings joy” “done for us” “lord be with you all” “seek his will”
Here’s the current playlist for Trust in Me and not in your understanding” The playlist is 100 minutes long! Somehow I’ll shave 20 minutes by eliminating some tunes. What a fabulous problem to have the challenge of an abundance of wonderful Christian/Praise music. I hope these songs move you, touch your heart and inspire your spirit like they do me.
Additional insight regarding Proverbs 3:5-6: When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can't trust anyone - not even God. But God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than we are! We must trust him completely in every choice we make. We should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason, but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of all others. We must not be wise in our own eyes but be willing to listen to and be corrected by God's Word and wise counselors. Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide; then follow God's leading. He will direct your paths by both guiding and protecting you.
Additional insight regarding Proverbs 3:6: To receive God's guidance, said Soloman, we must seek God's will in all we do. This means turning every area of life over to him. About a thousand years later, Jesus emphasized this same truth (Matthew 6:33). Examine your values and priorities. What is important to you? In what areas have you not acknowledged him? You may already acknowledge God in many areas of your life, but the areas where you attempt to restrict or ignore him will cause you grief. Make him a vital part of everything you do; then he will guide you because you will be working to accomplish his purposes.
Additional insight regarding Romans 5:1: We are now at peace with God, which may differ from peaceful feelings such as calmness and tranquility. Peace with God means that we have been reconciled with him. There is no more hostility between us, no sin blocking our relationship with him. Peace with God is possible only because Jesus paid the price for our sins through his death on the cross.
Congratulations Dr. Deb Kern
Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Deb Kern for leading a heart-opening, life-altering retreat at Soma Ranch for 8 women who are on a 6-month transformational journey with her.
This is the first time Deb has ever offered a 6-month program - and it’s truly a dream come true, for her, for Soma Ranch, for us. Dr Deb Kern provides 3 retreats at Soma Ranch for each 6-month program. i.e. Deb will lead 6 retreats a year here at Soma. Email DrDeb@deborahkern.com for more information and the possibility to be added to the wait list for the next 6-month program, beginning in Feb 2023.
Magic emerged as each woman released the shackles of survival energy patterns that had her stuck in unconscious, self-destructive or self-limiting behaviors and stepped into the freedom and joy of fully inhabiting her essential self.
Words fail us as we attempt to share some of the magic with you, this poem , that Deb found, is a good start:
“MUDPEARL
I had believed
If I was to become a pearl I would no longer be messy
I had believed if I tamed my imperfections
I would be loved
I had believed my wildness would strip me of my dignity
Now I see that without my wildness, imperfections and mess
I could not be part of humanity.
I am the swirl of night becoming herself in the first kiss of dusk
I am night
Before she is confident
of her blackness
I am becoming the dark rapture
From where everything is born
Pure
Alight
imPerfect
Messy
and Wild
”
Monday Cuppa August 8
THIS MONTH WE MEET ON MONDAY August 8.
Yes! our “Monthly Monday Coffee” connections are WONDERFUL…
Every month, (most often) the first Monday, we meet up after 10am Nia class to connect, enjoy a cuppa and have a grand time.
Coffee, tea, kombucha, snacks and time to hang, get to know each other better, help and support.
This is one of our community events where 100% donations collected go towards St Jude, our “Soma Selected” charity of choice.
Our goal is to raise $8000 for St. Jude. We collect donations at our monthly “Monday Coffee Connection”, Soma Faith classes and Special Events throughout the year.
On Monday entertain 8:45am YogaFaith, 10am Nia Class, then connect with our lovely community with coffee, teas and snacks. We hope you can join us.
We have a great time listening to each other’s thoughts, challenges and successes. We provide support and offer prayers.
Consider enjoying a “triple play” with
8:45am YogaFaith
10:00am Nia
11:00am 1st Monday Cuppa
Thank you to all the incredible 73 people who donated to our 2021 campaign.
We exceeded our $5000 goal and raised $8150 for St Jude!
30 day Challenge Joyful Feedback
oh my! life is grand, our hearts BURST when we receive feedback like this..... today's a great day to step in if you'd like to join us on a 30 day journey/challenge.
Happy New Month! would you like to dance ONLINE with a lovely community, for 30 days? it's the perfect day to sign up!
We call this a challenge and you get to choose how/if you want a challenge.
For example, last month I gave up coffee and my attitude "challenge" was "I don't have to do anything" i.e. when I caught myself saying "I have to.... " I would either NOT do the activity or I would change my attitude and rephrase to "I choose to..."
I'm finishing up a retreat at Soma Ranch today and am looking forward to a coffee! the attitude challenge was so fabulous I'll continue it into this month, I choose to recognize there's still work to be done LOL..
There is no expectation that you attend all the sessions, AND we have a fun special for those who make all 30 classes live.. they get the next month free!
All classes are provided as a 24HR replay. Lots of fun education, conversations and support.
Soma Faith: trust Me in the depths of your being
Jesus Calling: July 31
TRUST ME IN THE DEPTHS of your being. It is there that I live in constant communication with you. When you feel flustered and frazzled on the outside, do not get upset with yourself. You are only human, and the swirl of events going on all around you will sometimes feel overwhelming. Rather than scolding yourself for your humanness, remind yourself that I am both with you and within you.
I am with you at all times, encouraging and supportive rather than condemning. I know that deep within you, where I live, My Peace is your continual experience. Slow down your pace of living for a time. Quiet your mind in My Presence. Then you will be able to hear Me bestowing the resurrection blessing: Peace be with you.
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
“and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.””
Song selection includes “Peace be with you” “Chosen” “Glorious Riches” “Christ in you” “hope of glory” “obey” “Always” “to the very end”
Here’s the current playlist for Trust Me in the depths of your being. The playlist is 100 minutes long! Somehow I’ll shave 20 minutes by eliminating some tunes. What a fabulous problem to have the challenge of an abundance of wonderful Christian/Praise music. I hope these songs move you, touch your heart and inspire your spirit like they do me.
Verse thoughts
Christ in you, the hope of glory: This is the Christian’s hope of glory. It isn’t our own hard work or devotion to God, or the power of our own spirituality. Instead, it is the abiding presence of Jesus: Christ in you.
Verse thoughts
Bishop William Beveridge (1637-1708) - Bishop of St Asaph, Diocese of Church of Wales states - “I am with you; I, the eternal Son of God; I, who have the angels at my command, and make the devils tremble by my frown; I, who in your sight have caused the storms to cease, the blind to see, the lame to walk, the dead to rise, only with the word of my mouth; I, who have all power in heaven and earth committed to me — am with you; not, I will be with you, but, I am with you, and that always, all the days, or every day: Wheresoever you are, and whensoever you do any thing toward the executing of the commission which I have given you, I am with you in the doing of it, and that too to the very end of the world: that is, so long as I have a church upon earth, which shall be till my coming again to judge the world, all this while I promise to be with you, and consequently as long as the world shall last.”
My Prayer
O Lord, thank you for the magnificent reminder, to observe all that You have commanded me. Keep the Words of Your Truth fresh on my mind, not simply for my own gratification, though I am forever grateful for You saving me, but also remind me that I am commissioned as your bond-servant to teach people the gospel of Christ. Thank you that I am not justified by my adherence to these commands, because you know the only good in me is because of You in me. Now, also, thank You for being with me always. That I can go to You, that You are with me - every step. I do not have to call on your presence to be with me, for you are there always. You never leave.
Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.:
https://www.jesuscalling.com/
Creating Self
This Saturday morning’s classes we will wrap around the concept of “Creating Self”, like a cozy blanket!.
Fascinating to realize how our body is constantly re-creating.
How the body we have today is not the same as it was yesterday and how we, and our body, will never be the same again.
In both the 8:45am Nia 5 Stages and the 10:00am Nia Classic, we will focus on this phenomena.
We'll explore
the sensation of change,
how to adapt, seek pleasure,
the domain of comfort,
How we can participate as agents of change and take self-responsibility, to feel better personally and, by being on this path, make a difference for the people who live around us!
Soma Closed Aug 1
We are hosting a special retreat this coming Monday, August 1, at Soma Ranch.
Thank you for your understanding with regards the changes necessary. We have canceled, shifted and postponed…
YogaFaith CANCELLED
Nia Class SHIFTED to online via zoom (email Helen@somaranch.com for the link)
1st Monday Coffee POSTPONED till next week (Monday, August 8)
August 30 day Challenge
We’re days away from our next 30 day challenge. Would you like to join the us?
https://www.somaranch.com/booking/nia-challenge
When you sign up for the August 30 day challenge by July 30th you can bring a friend for FREE!
Receive 30 classes that include: 30 mins, 60 mins, Nia, Nia 5 Stages, Special Dr Deb Kern class.
Program includes Support, Coaching, Education, Community, Connection and lots of laughs along the way.
All for $99.
How to turn OFF after training
what do i like to do the day after a 7 day Nia training?
1. turn OFF alarm and sleep in
2. turn OFF phone ringer and listen to nature sounds
3. turn OFF computer and NOT talk
4. create great meals from Soma leftovers and NOT go out
5. get up late and NOT put on clothes!
6. get my class covered and NOT teach
7. remember my to do list and NOT follow through
8. relax and NOT think
9. go back to sleep and NOT feel bad
This morning has been a wonderful one, I really appreciate Irene Pasternack, how she covered my morning Nia class with a fantastic Feldenkrais experience, I enjoyed Joe’s leftover egg frittata with green beans for a late breakfast, I hung out outside, home alone at the Ranch, naked, enjoying shade and coolness under the pavilion (quite something in peak of Texas summer heat!).
I’ve made my favorite smoothie from our watermelon feta cheese salad, leftover from yesterday’s graduation lunch.
I’m now heading for a swim, sauna, outdoor shower and rest before stepping in to our last Coaching Collective class of this series.
I’ll hopefully then connect with Helen Airey in Australia (via zoom) for our weekly call/coaching/self lead class. (We both have graduated from Alan Davidson’s course as “badass evolutionary mystic meditation facilitators”) Although sad Alan died during the course, Helen and I are loving sustaining his amazing work and legacy. When I’m in a session with Helen I feel Alan Davidson’s spirit loud and clear, and receive great comfort. Helen is truly gifted and talented and I feel blessed.
I’ll likely enjoy fish tacos for dinner, call my daughter Liliana Airhart. finish watching Goliath season 4 on prime with Joe, snuggled on the couch, then off for early bed.
As i type this account of my day I feel filled with gratitude and appreciation and feel incredibly blessed. its a great day to live in a body.
Introducing Nia White Belt Participants
Beautiful to witness lovely ladies, none of them knew each other before arrival, coming together.
These days we send out an introduction email before the course begins to give each guest the opportunity to introduce themselves.
Everyone gets a window into who’s attending the course and hopefully we all increase our joyful anticipation and relaxation as the residential training retreat approaches.
Featured
Happy New Year in July!!
Similar, yet different to “Christmas in July”, we LOVE celebrating the Natural Time New Year here at Soma Ranch.
In the Natural Time Calendar there are 13 moons (similar to months). This beautiful system of equal sections of time (28 days each moon) that divide naturally in to 4 x 7 days.
Each year is 13 moons of 28 day cycles = 364
With the cycle of 364 days, we then experience one “day out of time” to complete and compliment 365 days in a year.
This is a day where we can pause and celebrate what has been and cast into the future. A beautiful day that can be regarded as the space in between the past and the future year.
The Day Out Of Time, fondly phrased DOOT! is July 25. Celebrated in 92 different countries, Brazil have a National Holiday!
Although I am not a scholar, nor consider myself an expert on this calendar, I’ve been practicing the Natural Time calendar for 27 years…
rotating around the 4 colors and 4 directions (with clothes and prayer)
planning my monthly business schedule around the calendar
choosing a focus and intent for my day and classes around the days signature
Check out this touching video from Eden Sky I love how I’ve been with her since the first year she created a calendar! 27 years ago… I know this moment in time well as I was pregnant and can track my journey on the age of my daughter!
This year enjoy an ONLINE Playshop on Sunday, July 24 and a HYBRID class on Monday, July 25 (DOOT!)
On Sunday’s ONLINE playshop Helen will share how this calendar has changed her life and how it could help yours.
Learn about the 13 moon natural time calendar and how to follow the Natural Time Calendar
read/follow the calendar
apply the calendar in your life
decode your galactic signature
create a 260 day, daily meditation
Enjoy a LIVE class on Natural time with Helen Terry on Monday, July 25th at 10:00am.
“every moment of every day we are participating in modeling in the potential of what it means to be a human being, illuminate the parts of ourselves, personal healing work contributes to our planetary healing”
Natural Time Saturday PlayShop + Monday Class
from $15.00
Happy Natural Time New Year!! Experiential Natural Time Playshop (with a little dance at the end!) and/or DOOT (Day Out Of Time) Dance.
The Saturday PLAYSHOP is available ONLINE LIVE via zoom and via a 3 day REPLAY.
The Monday DOOT Dance is HYBRID, attend In Person at Soma Ranch OR ONLINE/24Hr REPLAY
Natural Time Playshop
Saturday, July 22, 12:00 - 2:00 pm (Central Time) $40 ($30 early bird when you sign up by THURSDAY)
Enjoy an ONLINE LIVE and/or 3 Day Replay Playshop with Helen Terry.
Let's connect and celebrate Natural Time and all the joys of living an alive, fully vibrant life!
Natural Time is a great opportunity to simplify, relieve stress, encourage creativity and flow into your day.
Learn about the 13 moon natural time calendar and how to follow the Natural Time Calendar
read/follow the calendar
apply the calendar in your life
decode your galactic signature
create a 260 day, daily meditation
Natural Time Class
Monday, July 24, 10:00 - 11:00am $15
Dance to celebrate time, with a fun filled playlist and community inspired choreography. The movement experience will include
honoring the 4 directions
celebrating uniqueness
recognizing connections
jubilating unity
choosing, sustaining and increasing joy individually and collectively
More information available and buy a calendar at www.13moon.com
Day Out Of Time (DOOT) is Celebrated and Synchronized in over 90 countries. Brazil even has a national holiday for this day and it’s also international water day.
The Day Out Of Time invites us to take SACRED PAUSE and simply celebrate being alive.
Central focuses of The Day out of Time are:
"Time is Art!"
Planetary Peace through Culture
Universal Forgiveness
Atonement
Freeing of Debts
Purification
the Art of Peace
Galactic Freedom Day
On this day, we are invited to simply link our hearts and minds with the family of humanity, and all of Creation, and receive and transmit positive vibrations to bless and energize our One Web of Life.
To whatever extent we can, we are invited to "stop business as usual," and be as now-centered as possible, so we can experience the true timelessness of our nature as planetary creatures and cosmic children... breathing in, breathing out, at one with heartbeat of Creation...
Pausing to Remember who we are ~ in our multi-dimensional essence ~ beyond the mundane demands and distractions of the tick tock of the clock and the limitations of identifying only with linear time ... attuned to the sacred precious gift of our human adventure!
stop business as usual and tune in
take sacred pause and take stock of where are we personally and planetarily
in such a time as this where are we at inside of ourselves?
human culture, we are participating in consciously and unconsciously, what do you choose?
healing crisis in our planet
all mirroring to each other our greatness and our brokeness
life brings tragedy and majesty
life brings horror and miracles
the short cut is self love and self forgiveness
a journey to unconditionally love myself
the most valuable thing to invest in
accelerated avenue for our positive transformation
negative thoughts/behaviors come up - receive the message - accept, embrace, forgive - out of self love available to receive the lesson they have for me that allows me to grow
Congratulations Nia White Belts
Congratulations Nia White Belts. Wow! What a spectacular week and a wonderful group. Thank you returning Nia belt, Kelly Marie Harris, for your cheerful presence, and big gratitude to trainer in training, Kellie Chambers, who was a lovely extra addition to the group.
We came, we got to know each other, we danced, we learned, we shared, we ate, we swam, we played with donkeys, we fed horses, we laughed, and then, suddenly we graduated, celebrated and the girls were in the car on their way back to the IAH airport.
Lovely to witness each person’s transformation and delightful how some are already planning and booking their next visit to Soma. We love when the room works so well for a guest they share “I’d like to book NOW so I can guarantee getting “MY ROOM” again next time”
Nia White Belt Graduation
At the closing ceremony of the Nia White Belt each participant receives a belt and a certificate. The White Belt is the first level. The Color White represents this new beginning and the foundation of Nia. Celebrating loving our body, loving our life with new tools and toys to apply on the dance floor and dancing through life.
Nia in the Pool
Being able to dance in the water, apply what we are learning on land into the lap pool, is a delightful treat. The sun is shining, the water crystal clear, the temperature is warm and the whole experience is very refreshing.
Saturday 10am Global Unity
During our Soma Summer Nia White Belt we’re enjoying some fabulous extra classes and special events.
On Saturday we have HYBRID classes. This where you can choose to attend on Zoom or IN PERSON at the ranch.
The Nia Routine “Global Unity” is a classic and fabulous class to offer during a Nia White Belt.
Folks of all ages with diverse backgrounds love this brilliant music and the fabulous moves that click with ease to the entire experience.
Nia 5 Stages 8:45
Nia Classic “Global Unity” 10:00am
“Delve deep into earthly beats in Sexyrubbersole’s “Tiamat III” which features brooding tones alongside echoing female vocals. “Touching The Void” by Banco de Gaia expands upward and outward into the universe with its space-like ambient sounds that grow in presence. ZKT curates a thoughtful soundscape with R&B tune “Forever Changes.” The blissful pianos of Shere Khan And Flytronix’s “Inevitable Peace” create an atmospheric backdrop for the song’s eventual drum and bass beat. “I Love Baby Cheesy” by Banco de Gaia marries distorted 80’s synth with worldly vocals and electric guitar that results in a truly unique piece. Chants and whimsical horns make “Burundi” by Star Sounds Orchestra an upbeat experience. “Stillpoint” by Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors leads Global Unity out with ancient ceremonial tones.”
5pm Sunday Soma Faith with Lauren Daigle
Do you have Albums you love? the kind you can play over and over again and never tire of? Lauren Daigle’s Album “Look Up Child” is one of “those” for me.
When I first played her music, I thought Lauren Daigle was Adele singing gospel/soulful music. This super talented artist has a very unique special way of getting under my skin in the best kind of way, where I feel my heart swelling and my spirit sour.
In Nia technique we have a process of matching moves to the music. Through an 8 stage process called FreeDance, we have a systematic guided approach of dancing freely to the music to allows “clicks” to settle.
These clicks are magical moments where, from a somatic (body centered) place, movements match the music, revealed in way that feels like coming from an unknown place. These clicks don’t come from habit, mental thoughts or logic, instead they feel vibrantly “alive”, new and are habit breaking.
Dancing, and riding this Nia 8 stages process, with music like Lauren Daigle, is a most delicious journey.
Her lyrics, the soul of the music, the quality, details and structure of each song all contribute to an effortless, most rewarding and enjoyable ride!
Here’s a warm up I choreographed to the first track “Still Rolling Stone”.
i love how the moves naturally clicked as the music played, as if by accident!
There’s also some great modern/interpretive dances out on the internet. They passionately and creatively share and communicate this soul searching music through the body in a most inspiring way. Here’s one of my favorites:
Epic Play
This weekend, during our fabulous summer Nia White Belt, we are opening an event up to the public. At this fun community event we’ll play with one of Nia’s latest Nia routines “Epic”. First a playshop where we’ll learn the 52 moves of Nia and then a group of teachers will be teach an “Epic” Jam class. You’re welcome to attend either event, encouraged to entertain a combo, and invited to bring friends.
NIA IMMERSION EPIC
Sunday 1:30-3:30pm
NIA JAM EPIC
Sunday 3:45 - 4:45pm
Enjoy an afternoon playing with fellow Nia fans. We will watch wonderful Nia Trainer, Ann Christiansen on the big screen sharing the moves of Epic. We go through each song, dancing to the music, learning more details and practicing the moves. In general we have a lot of fun getting together and playing with one of the latest Nia routines.
Entertain the option of staying at the end of the day to participate (either taking or leading) in the Nia Epic JAM. This is where the routine will be taught by a team of teachers (each one leading a song). A great time to invite friends!
DIFFICULTY: Beginner / Intermediate
FOCUS: The language of the Nia® 52 Moves
INTENT: Learning and moving the 52 Moves in 1-minute intervals to self-heal and condition the body
Thru the afternoon we will dance Epic together, connecting with the Language of Nia (52 Moves) to receive a taster for all the wonderful option Nia has to offer.
Both Nia Epic Immersion and Nia Epic Jam are fun events suitable for all levels.
They are great opportunities to
get to know fellow local Nia participants and teachers,
have fun connecting
experience a New Nia Class.
50% of all funds go to St Jude.
Suggested donation: $20 - $52
Pay by Venmo at “iLoveSoma” or…
If you'd like to check out the routine in the privacy of your own home/computer. Please check out Nia On Demand where you can have access to all the latest Nia Routines.
Hybrid Community Blossoms
We’re having a wonderful time in Hybrid classes at Soma Ranch. People in the room love seeing the zoom participants on the “wall of smiles”, folks on zoom love feeling part of the dance and part of the community. The meaningful conversations before and after class are touching.
Nia White Belt Participant ~ Liz
Hello all,
My name is Liz Ramirez-Weaver.
I live in Charlottesville, VA with my husband and my almost teenaged daughter.
My first Nia class was at a local gym almost 14 years ago and it was a profoundly cathartic experience.
Moving, singing, and dancing are the ways I connect to my mind, body and spirit.
This is my first Nia retreat and my first trip to Texas!
I’m looking forward to meeting all of you.
