Ring in the New Year

 
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This morning we'll be "Ringing In" the New Year with Chakra Crystal Bowl Nia 5 Stages at 8:45am CT and "Me We Hello Goodbye" Nia class at 10am CT. Zoom Link is the same as usual, whenever you Sign Up for a class the link is sent to you automatically.

How has this year been for you? for me it's been an incredible contrast of highs and lows, with painful deaths and beautiful beginnings, big disappointments and HUGE successes/joys. I'm glad to be turning the page, facing the last day of this year, fully ready (and glad) to say Goodbye 2022, stepping into saying Hello to what I hope is a LIGHT year in many ways. I'm filled with optimism as our teaching team and program has truly shifted from a ME to a WE. I'd be thrilled if you'd like to join me ONLINE this morning to Ring in the New Year with healing, movement and dance.

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Dear friend Dana Hood , posted this poem which I'm inspired to read out in class as part of our meditation. Be well my friends. Love Helen xox

Be selective.
With your time.
Your energy.
And who you let into the doorway of your heart.
The soft soil of your inner life
is not a stomping ground.
Not a place for the curious taker or thief.
Not a place for the envious or judgmental.
Or anyone who wants to keep you small.
It is a place only for those who breathe in
your radiance, vulnerability and brokenness
with a hushed awe and reverence.
Who bow before the glowing scars and silvered shards of pain.
It is a place only for those
who intimately understand (and deeply honor)
the (whole)divinity you are working to reveal.
— THE SOIL OF YOUR INNER LIFE, Deborah Anne Quibell

When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class. The link is the same each week.

sign up for the 30 day challenge

Brand New Day 10am Monday

Enjoy a fabulous music, movement and magic experience, lead by Helen Terry, and dance to the entire Sting Album “Brand New Day”.

The “BND Event” has become an annual tradition for over 2 decades! And we’d love you to join us. This movement experience is suitable for beginners and people of all different fitness backgrounds.

Celebrate 2022 and also how the end of the year means a NEW BEGINNING. Say Yes! and move into 2023 in an invigorating, encouraging and inspiring way.

The experience is HYBRID = 3 great choices:

  1. Attend the class at Soma Ranch in person

  2. Join us online via Zoom and/or

  3. Enjoy a 24 hour replay

Usual Class Rates apply: Drop in for $15, buy a class pass or consider signing up for the January Challenge and receive the class as part of your package!

FOCUS FOR CLASS:

Seamless Continuity ~ sense connection from move to move and song to song.

INTENT:

Your body will feel incredible; a mix of having had a great workout combined with the sense of relaxation gained from a healing massage.

Sting’s BND got a make over like no other when the Nia muse ,Helen Terry, uses it to inspire our body ,mind and spirit to kick off the new year in High gear😍❤️🥳🎊
— Megan Freemantle, Houston Grand Opera
I can’t imagine starting my year without the Brand New Day experience with Helen Terry. I love this tradition and bringing friends
— Peggy Renfroe, Nia Black Belt Instructor

When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class. The link is the same each week.

Receive Link for Class
Request 24HR Replay
sign up for the 30 day challenge

3 Generations Leading Class

Being “home” for Christmas for the first time in 25 years was certainly a highlight for Soma Ranch, co-owner, Helen Terry. The icing on the cake was being able to teach a class ONLINE from her Mum’s front room, accompanied by Mother and Daughter.

Helen’s Mum has participated almost every day on the challenge for the past 2 years. Participants online delighted in finally seeing Helen and Brenda “in the same square” on Zoom.

Liliana in her apron... the best!
Your mom looking super stylist... inspiring,
and you looking awesome as always!
Love the triad you formed! 🤩
— Natasha Villeneuve
I adored this class!!
Actually very moving to see you and your family. ❤️
— Ali Boyer

Specials Today

Happy December 28th! We hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season. Helen went to the UK to celebrate Christmas with her Mum, Dad, Daughter and Husband. Unfortunately Joe (Helen’s husband) was unable to join them as planned. Instead Joe stayed home alone at Soma Ranch, taking care of the many things that need attention in an unusual Texas freeze.

We’re celebrating another year of challenges, both the December 30 day challenge and the 2022 365 day challenge. Congratulations everybody who took part in these programs, for all your wonderful achievements and especially for what you brought to our community, a robust group of friendly, supportive, encouraging and uplifting participants.

We’d love you to join us for a challenge in 2023 and today is the last day for specials:

Irene, our amazing Feldenkrais teacher is providing a HYBRID workshop, January 15, 12 - 3pm (US central time). Everyone who signs up for the 30 or 365 day challenge receives $20 off the registration when they sign up by December 31 AND be entered in a raffle for a free online private session with Irene to work on getting out of pain or improving a skill.

Classes resume at Soma Ranch tomorrow, Thursday at 10am.

From a ME to a WE

We have started something very special; An evolution from a me to a we!

In Helen Terry’s 30 years of teaching and training, the 30 day challenge program has been the most successful program she’s ever offered. With a wonderful growing community blossoming, including about 50% Nia teachers being part of the group, this experience has been a nourishing, inspirational BLAST.

After sharing the 30 day challengesanch.com/booking/nia-challenge solo for about 730 days (365 days x 2!) we have expanded into a "WE" with fabulous rock start Nia Teachers and Special Saturday Guest Master teachers.

Would you like to join us? for a month? or perhaps for the year? We'd love you to join us.

You'll receive lots of support, encouragement, tips, entertainment, ideas about creating routines, sustaining the focus, structuring a class and manifesting community.

Several Nia Belts chimed in to give you a "hands on" reference about what the possibilities are for your investment. Feel free to email helen@somaranch.com or text/call 832-567-4550 if you have more questions.

This is such a fun way to learn more about Nia or simply enjoy classes, whether you are a Student or Teacher. 52 Moves, Nia Principles, 5 Stages, adapting choreography.. lots of variety! Weekly Feldenkrais with Irene Pasternack is an added bonus. Having the opportunity to take classes with the ‘Rock Stars’ & Guest Teachers this month has further deepened my learning & enjoyment. Thank you Helen Terry for continuing to create & inspire 💖er
— Jane Francis
This is one of my “favourite things” as I reflect on my 2022 year of movement and activities! Thank you Helen Terry - for the opportunity to join this beautiful community! 💖
— Elaine Dunphy
I love being part of this community and am very much looking forward to my third year of participation. Being able to learn from my master trainer Helen Terry is a gift that keeps on giving to my life. I am excited for the offerings coming in 2023! Congratulations to the Rock Stars stepping in. What a blessing to be on your teaching journey!
— Tamara Sanderson
This is so exciting! I’ve been participating in the 30 day challenge since March and it has taken my personal NIA practice and teaching to a whole new level. Taking classes with Helen Terry has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and play with greater creativity with my teaching. Committing to almost daily NIA classes has been a game-changer for my physical, mental and emotional health. And now I am honored, excited and deeply moved to be part of this teaching team. It still feels a little surreal! We’d love to have you join us for this joy ride! 💗
— Natasha Villeneuve

Here's links and more information:

30 day challenge

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

365 day challenge

https://www.somaranch.com/booking/365-day-challenge

The Soma Village is rocking

https://www.somaranch.com/.../12/16/the-village-is-rocking

Soma Ranch ROCK STAR Teachers (includes video intros of each teachers)

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2022/12/11/soma-rock-stars

 

Monday Cuppa January 2nd + 9th

Let us “Make it a double!”. Next “Cuppa” is January 2nd and we will also meet on the following Monday, January 9th.

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.

Donate to St Jude

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 “double play” with

  • 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!

The Soma "Village" is Rocking

Hi Friends,

Last week I shared how it “takes a village” when Helen leaves Soma Ranch. This week I’m thrilled to share the “VILLAGE” is rocking it!.

Joe has been opening up the zoom room and was even playing the chakra bowls before class.

He also got creative with my skeleton and provided a fun surprise greeting at the studio check in desk.

All the teachers are providing excellent classes and the support from the attendees/community is wonderful.

I’m here with my parents in the UK, enjoying being a student. Attending Nia and other movement classes ONLINE, lead by awesome Soma teachers, dancing with my Mum, in her front room, is a delight.

Experiencing the classes streamed from the Soma Ranch studio. through my computer is a new and most novel experience for me.

For over a year I’ve watched the “wall of smiles” (that’s all the folks taking class online who are projected on to the big side wall at Soma Ranch) Now I AM on the “wall of smiles”, I’m in one of those “Zoom squares”. The regular attendees at Soma Ranch seem to be having a great time both with seeing me up on the wall taking class, AND enjoying Kelly Marie this week and Deb Kern next Monday.

Here’s me and Mum taking Elaines class ONLINE (while Dad is clearing snow off the car!)

Here’s the view from the back bedroom of my parents house! It snowed on Sunday. Now here we are Friday still freezing.

Kelly Marie Harris and Paul Duff taught their very first classes and led like the true pros! Elaine and Irene returned leading wonderful healing experiences. All 4 shone like the super rock stars that they are.

This upcoming week Maria is teaching Saturday 8:45am and 10:00am,

Deb HYBRID (at Soma AND ONLINE) on Monday 10am, Natasha ONLINE Tuesday 8am, Irene ONLINE Wednesday 8am, Deb ONLINE Thursday 10am, Helen ONLINE Friday 8am and Saturday 8:45am and 10:00am from her Mum’s front room!

NO Class at SOMA RANCH Thursday December & Monday December 26th. Helen will be back to teach Thursday December 29th 10am.

This is a lovely opportunity to experience several different teachers, different styles and a very special anticipation flavor of the Fabulous Rock Stars and Saturday Special Guest Master Teachers who are joining the 30 day challenge and 365 day challenge team for 2023

You have some great options to choose from:

 

Inno: An Adapted Movement Experience

INNO is a movement experience created by Helen Terry, adapted from the Nia Routine Bloom.

An Adapted Movement experience is where Helen plays with the choreography from an Original Nia Routine (Bloom) and adapts the moves to the new music. The new music in the INNO experience is a playlist that evolved from Helen’s quest to find music for the “Return to Innocence” Archetype experience, one of the sessions/features in the Soma Ranch, Authentic Healing Retreat.

Thank you fellow Nia Teachers for your fabulous suggestions for “return to innocence” songs. I hope you like this playlist.
— Helen Terry ~ Soma Ranch

Nia teachers out there, are encouraged to replicate/play with the experience.

  1. Let the choreography from the first 2 songs of Bloom blend into the first song of “Inno”,

  2. The rest of the tunes adapt well, song for song, all the way through Warm up, Get Moving and Cool Down

  3. In the Floorplay cycle, improvise your way to stepping out ~ “take it home”!

In Nia Technique we have a wonderful system called 8BCs where we can decode music with a system of counting, noting and distinguishing patterns in the music. Here’s some examples of the bars to this movement experience.


 
 

FYI The app Helen uses to decode the song, and structure these bars, was created by her daughter, Liliana Terry. It’s an excellent brain training and music app called “Map My Song” that can be used to decode music and create “bars”.

Available for download at the apple store: https://apps.apple.com/bg/app/map-my-song/id1448811230

map my song app

Soma Saturday Special Guest: Maria Whitley

This Saturday kicks off our “Soma Saturday Special Guest” Program with the one, the only, the most special Maria Whitley. Mother. Daughter. Wife. Friend. Teacher. Activist. Thinker. Spirit. Singer. Dancer. Healer. Light. Nia Master Teacher, Nia Moving to Heal and MELT Method Instructor.

Maria will be teaching both the 8:45am Nia 5 Stages and 10:00am Nia Classic Class.

This is an ONLINE class, via zoom (usual number and pass code). Regular class rates apply.

When you sign up for a class you receive the link/code for class.

sign me up!
 
I’m looking forward to being with you on Saturday at 8:45 & 10am USA Central! “SEE THROUGH” you soon… get it? X-RAY!!!
— Maria Whitley ~ 2nd Degree Nia Black Belt, Soma Special Guest Teacher

May I suggest this is the best time...

This photo was taken almost to the day, 3 years ago, at the beginning of the Nia 3rd Generation Trainers Training. Through thick and thin these wonderful Nia colleagues/trainers have made the best of situations and created magic. The each in their own way abide with the concept “May I Suggest this is the best time of your life”

From left to right Elizabeth Cole, Kellie Chambers, Kinga Brezina, Helen Terry

Recently, when creating a playlist for a movement experience called “INNO” | Innosense~ Return to innocence, Helen Terry called out to fellow Nia Teachers requesting some suggestions for songs about innocence, joy and inspiration. She received some fabulous recommendations, including the song “May I suggest”.

The 3 part harmonies of these women are beautiful and the words haunt me in the best of ways. Like a child who exclaims “again again!” I’ve been listening to the song on repeat over and over again. Helen Terry

Unlike most songs “May I Suggest” is a perfect round, where the connection between the end of the song and the beginning is seamless, as if the song simply continues around and around :-)

There is a hope
That’s been expressed in you.
The hope of seven generations, maybe more.
And this is the faith, that they invest in you
It’s that you’ll do one better than was done before.
Inside you understand, you know what’s yours to finally set right
And I suggest this is the best part of your life
— May I Suggest ~ Red Molly | Song Writer Susan Marie Werner
 

Lyrics summary


May I suggest this is the best part of your life
This time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright
Just turn your head And you'll begin to see
The thousand reasons that were just beyond your sight
The reasons why I suggest this is the best part of your life

There is a world That's been addressed to you
Addressed to you, intended only for your eyes
A secret world, A treasure chest to you
Of private scenes and brilliant dreams that mesmerize
A tender lover's smile, A tiny baby's hands
The million stars that fill the turning sky at night
Yes I suggest this is the best part of your life

There is a hope That's been expressed in you
The hope of seven generations, maybe more
And this is the faith That they invest in you
It's that you'll do one better than was done before
Inside you understand, you know what's yours to finally set right
And I suggest this is the best part of your life

This is a song
Comes from the west, comes from the slowly setting sun
This a song with a request of you
To see how very short the endless days will run
And when they're gone
And when the dark descends
Oh we'd give anything for one more hour of light

May I suggest this is the best part of your life

Lyrics

May I suggest
May I suggest to you
May I suggest this is the best part of your life
May I suggest
This time is blessed for you
This time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright
Just turn your head
And you'll begin to see
The thousand reasons that were just beyond your sight
The reasons why
Why I suggest to you
Why I suggest this is the best part of your life

There is a world
That's been addressed to you
Addressed to you, intended only for your eyes
A secret world
A treasure chest to you
Of private scenes and brilliant dreams that mesmerize
A tender lover's smile
A tiny baby's hands
The million stars that fill the turning sky at night
Oh I suggest
Yes I suggest to you
Yes I suggest this is the best part of your life

There is a hope
That's been expressed in you
The hope of seven generations, maybe more
And this is the faith
That they invest in you
It's that you'll do one better than was done before
Inside you know
Inside you understand
Inside you know what's yours to finally set right
And I suggest
And I suggest to you
And I suggest this is the best part of your life

This is a song
Comes from the west to you
Comes from the west, comes from the slowly setting sun
This a song with a request of you
To see how very short the endless days will run
And when they're gone
And when the dark descends
Oh we'd give anything for one more hour of light

May I suggest this is the best part of your life

"Inno" Experience: Helen returns to Budapest

INNO is an adapted experience from the Nia Routine Bloom. Nia teachers out there, are encouraged to replicate/play with the experience. Click HERE for more details.

Last Sunday Helen had the delight to return to Budapest after being absent for almost 3 years. Having sustained (and thoroughly enjoyed) the pleasure of traveling to Budapest, at least 1 - 3 times a year, for over a decade, this has been a very noted gap, a connection Helen has missed dearly. Also the last event she experienced before the pandemic, was in Budapest. As Helen returned to the USA, January 18th, 2020, was the first day masks were at the airport and the breaking news of Covid on CNN.

The opportunity to share a moving experience in Budapest felt like full circle, a curious parallel to the nature of the last song in the “Inno” Experience. This beautiful song “May I Suggest” is a round, where the completion of the song blends into the beginning of the song seamlessly, creating a complete circle , the potential of a never ending song.

Here’s some fun photos and wonderful comments to give you a feel for this memorable experience.

Sometimes we pick up where we left off no matter how many years have passed. Needed this dance beyond words, my heart is full. ❤️
— Zsófia Takács ~ The Shift, Budapest
3 years gone and here we dance again 🤩 👣 #purejoy #smellthemoment
— Adrienn Kalman ~ The Shift, Budapest
What a show did you made in Budapest!!!
I felt like I am dancing in the front row in the Broadway stage!
I’ve never seen so many beautiful women
move to the same rhythm.

What an uplifting feeling!!!
— Máthé Kriszta ~ The Shift, Budapest

Magical International Connections and Friendships

Magical international connections and friendships are flourishing with our HYBRID class, particularly through the popular “30/30” 30 Day challenge program. For example several months ago Nia Blue Belt Instructor Andi Szabó who lives in Transylvania, Romania, invited Kriszta Máthé to accompany her on the 30/30 challenge (when a participant signs up by the 28th of the month they get to invite someone for free!).

Kriszta was new to the group and new to Helen and Soma Ranch. As the month progressed we noticed how Kriszta was attending everyday, dancing with us live from Romania. The local ladies in Montgomery, TX, attending the class at the Soma Studio loved seeing her and all the other fabulous movers and groovers from around the world.

Mid month Helen shared “Kriszta, you should get an award for attending so often. What if we add a fun incentive; come at least 15 minutes live everyday for the 30 day challenge and you get to come for the next month free!”

Kriszta,
you should get an award for your stela attendance!
What if we add a fun incentive;
come live (at least 15 mins) everyday
and receive the next 30/30 challenge for free!
— Helen Terry ~ Soma Ranch

Kriszta was up for the challenge and succeeded in attending 30 days in a row! She came back for free the following month and then was “hooked”, Kriszta now attends every month and enjoys how the daily connection and classes help her feel connected and motivated.

When Kriszta discovered Helen would be in Budapest offering a special community class she decided to surprise Helen and travel a very long journey on the train from Romania to Hungary, with Andi Szabó, to attend the 1 hour class.

yes! wonderful to be a surprise yet, as Kriszta walked towards me I was like “well of course!” the experience would not have been the same without her LOL
— Helen Terry ~ Soma Ranch

Helen loved the surprise and opportunity to meet and dance with Kriszta. Of all the comments shared the one that made Helen giggle the most was when Kriszta shared “Turn to the donkeys! – that was the first not said sentence…”. Helen, instead of saying turn/move left, turn/move right, says move towards the door for right and move to the donkeys left (it’s in the direction of the stables and animals), lovely and very amusing at how Kriszta notices these little details that become part of the class experience.


I am proud to be here. We are part of each other’s everyday life.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Helen!
What you do is indescribable and priceless. You are a beautiful and strong woman. I knew this even before we met in person. But your smile and hug, well, will accompany me for the rest of my life.
— Kriszta Máthé
I missed your voice for a second. I am use to hearing your thoughts, your instructions, your explanations of what we are moving in our body and soul during our dance. Then I realized, that I can definitely hear you in my soul. I smiled. Turn to the donkeys! – that was the first not said sentence…
— Máthé Kriszta

New Soma Ranch Mailing Address

Our New Mailing Address is: Soma Ranch, PO Box 1156, Montgomery, TX 77356.

Soma Ranch is 1/2 mile from the main 105 highway, where our mail box is located. (not a great place for mail or packages). We also have a gate that is closed unless there are public classes, events or retreats. The solution? a PO BOX at the local post office where we daily check our mail.

If you have a package to deliver with any service other than USPS (United States Postal Service) please text 832-567-4550 or email info@somaranch.com

Takes a Village When Helen Leaves Soma

Helen, who is having a BLAST In Budapest (photos below), will soon travel to the UK to be with her parents for Christmas.

We have an AWESOME team of folks (who feel more like friends) stepping in, and stepping up, to teach while Helen’s gone. Even Joe has become trained with Zoom and all the “spaghetti” involved with a hybrid class (list included below) .

This is a lovely opportunity to experience several different teachers, different styles and a very special anticipation flavor of the Fabulous Rock Stars and Saturday Special Guest Master Teachers who are joining the 30 day challenge and 365 day challenge team for 2023.

You have some great options to choose from:

 

soma ranch Special Guest Master Teachers

Dr Deb Kern | www.drdebkern.com

Maria Whitley | www.shinelouisville.com


Helen back in Budapest after 3 years


Zoom Spaghetti includes:

  • camera 1 - talking with participants on line before and after class

  • camera 2 - filming teacher from an elevated position

  • projector - projects zoom participants on side wall (fondly called the wall of smiles)

  • audio 1 - used for communicating with participants

  • audio 2 - wired sound into mixer used for playing music and instructor’s voice

  • mixer - mixes music and microphone

Kelly Marie Harris Teaching Debut

Nia 10am classes at Soma Ranch, this Monday and Thursday, will be lead by Kelly Marie Harris.

Please come on out and give Kelly Marie a warm welcome to something she has been working towards for a LONG time.

Kelly Marie is a Nia Brown Belt instructor who has been on apprenticeship for 2+ years. She brings embodiment, skill, humor, heart and MOVES to her practice.

To learn more about Nia Classes at Soma Ranch or book a class click the links below.

Learn more
book a class

January 30 day Challenge

 

Our next 30 day challenge will be here before we know it? Would you like to gift somebody 30 days of Joy for the Holidays? Would you like to gift yourself the “Choose Joy” 30 day challenge?

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

When you sign up for the January 30 day challenge by December 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 class, Fabulous Rock Stars and Saturday Special guests.

Learn more

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

All for $99.

Sign up Now

Soma Rock Stars

Please welcome these wonderful members of the Soma “Fabulous Rock Stars”; Carolina, Elaine, Irene, Kelly Marie, Natasha and Paul. Helen recently connected with each member to introduce you and provide you with a feel for how we evolving from mostly an “I”, (Helen Terry teaching almost all the classes for the past 2 years) to a “We” (a combo of relatively new yet Fabulously Talented Nia teachers, and Special Saturday Guest Master Teachers).

1st Monday Cuppa

Thank you “Soma Sistas” for attending our last monthly “1st Monday Cuppa” for 2022. We had a grand time and raised $105 for St Jude. These get togethers are truly meaningful connections AND how we laugh.

Our goal is to raise $5000 by March 1. We presently have collected $1717.

make a donation
Learn more

Happy December

Happy December!

Joe and I (Helen), hope you are well and enjoy the shift of seasons.

Who say’s there’s no fall in Texas y’all!

The leaves changing colors and falling this year are spectacular.

Here’s a few snippets we captured yesterday here at Soma Ranch.

November was a vibrant month here at Soma Ranch, Fabulous to see Former Business partner Kristie Bryant who came to visit, Congratulations Nia Green Belts, Thank you 1st Monday Cuppa (we had a grand time and raised $52 for St Jude)

December is the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Mid month, Helen gets to visit her parents in the UK and there’s an AWESOME team of talent stepping in to help cover classes and provide you with fabulous experiences and a taste of what is to come in 2023.

Hope you’ll consider joining us either for the whole month or select classes that work best with your schedule. Our 30 day challenge begins today and Next Monday is our 1st Cuppa Community get together