Happy Month of Variety

Happy March and welcome to our month of Variety! This month we focus on variety, including the 9 personalities of Nia (Martial Arts, Dance Arts, Healing Arts) with an array of talented teachers and some fabulous opportunities.

1. Helen Kicks off the month with Nia Classes and more

2. Enjoy Special classes during NIa Green Belt

3. Explore Special JAM events during our Rock Star retreat

4. Experience Guest teachers (or come to Rancho La Puerta with Helen!)

Each month for 2023 we feature a New Fun Challenge (See full list below).

For the month of March welcome to our focus on variety. We are including a feature of all the 9 personalities of Nia. How we draw from the wisdom of Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts.

Explore how variety can be the spice of body and life. How we can sustain motivation, be stimulated through engaged content and meaningful connection.

Our intent is for everybody in the monthly challenge group to feel lucky/blessed, to be both stretched and supported. For us to enjoy and celebrate all the variety we can experience for our Body and our Life.

The “challenge” will provide a variety of modalities including Nia, Moving to Heal, Feldenkrais, Ageless Grace, 52 Moves, Move IT, offered by a stellar team of teachers, Helen Terry + Rock Stars and Special Guests.

How to give gratitude for being able to move, feel vibrant, healthy and well, from an abundance of choice and variety.

Would you like to join us? Gain support and encouragement from a lovely welcoming community? Be inspired to develop a daily practice of self care through movement.

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

When you sign up for the March 30 day challenge by February 28th you can bring a friend for FREE!

Receive 30 classes that include: 30 mins, 60 mins, Nia, Nia 5 Stages, Feldenkrais, Fabulous Rock Stars and Saturday Special guests.

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

All for $99.

Inno: An Adapted Movement Experience

10am Sunday, March 5, during the Nia Green Belt we are offering an extra class (ONLINE via zoom and In PERSON at Soma Ranch.

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

The Voice of Spine, Flex, Extend, Coil, Uncoil

We'd be thrilled if you'd like to join us ONLINE this Saturday morning.

Our focus is Spine. How we Flex, Extend, Coil and Uncoil

“The spine is an incredible architectural design.
One of the strongest parts of the body,
A tremendous amount of force is required to injure the spine.
Our spine is flexible, agile,
mobile and stable,
designed to bear weight and absorb shock”

— Nia 5 Stages

With the intent to go deeply into loving our body, sensing our spine and imagining

Nia 5 Stages 8:45am CST with Helen Terry

Part of the learning methodology of Nia 5 stages lessons, to bring a greater holistic fascination when learning about the body, through utilizing different approaches: Look, Listen, Imagine. For example

LOOK at the 4 curves of the spine cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, how each move differently based on their shape and design.

LISTEN to the voice of spine: my unique sections reveal how i’m designed to move in several ways, flex, extend, coil, uncoil and rotate

IMAGINE Your spine as a third arm, with your sacrum and coxyx at the bottom like a third hand.

Nia 10am Class with Helen Terry

Focus: Spine

Intent: Sense variety and freedom of movement

Step in to this wonderful Nia routine Bloom as we step in to a new month sensing movement variety of the spine, how we can flex, extend, coil and uncoil.

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

Get a Free Taster

Two Free Taster Classes here for you. What better way to test drive our 30 day challenge!

30 day challenge of Variety. Enjoy 30 classes in 30 days with education, entertainment, love and support. Click here for more information

Enjoy these 2 free sample classes (30 min class and 60 min class with Helen Terry) .

These are copies of the email that gets sent out each day, including your daily class recording, during your 30 day challenge

—————————————-

RECORDING DAY 1

FOCUS: Sensation

INTENT: Taste Variety

ROUTINE: A-G Helen Mix

MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/h-r-varietyag/pl.u-06ov69WT0xWK4

TEACHER: Helen

COMMENTS: Welcome to a New Month. Thank you for all the lovely introductions, great to get to know you and hope you enjoy flavoring a taste of our group and what is to come...

RECORDING SPEAKER VIEW: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/uEoMdgGR6waaqe23pIZDd2yO1arEGjSD96Cl6X9wHCG9U2-liwNp0sHlQHzbS6bY.V_RT-UyOxTVyiQ2I

NATURAL TIME SIGNATURE OF THE DAY: (go to www.13moon.com to find the color of the day, in summary the rotation is Red, White, Blue, Yellow. Today is a blue day, and tomorrow will be Yellow.

Kin 27: Blue Magnetic Hand Your Galactic Affirmation is: I Unify in order to Know Attracting Healing I seal the Store of Accomplishment With the Magnetic tone of Purpose I am guided by my own power doubled

———————————————

March, "Variety" RECORDING DAY 2

FOCUS: 13 Joints

INTENT: open your gates and sense movement personalities/energy moving through you

ROUTINE: Helen's Simple Kata Formula

MUSIC: Nia Routine Deep Dive

TEACHER: Helen

COMMENTS: Welcome to our exploration of variety, including the 9 personalities of Nia that I introduce today: Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Jazz, Modern, Duncan, the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, Yoga, Alexander Technique

RECORDING SPEAKER VIEW:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/J7PCH5QE6yzMpfQr15hPHwPO-uZN2y-5Iwcco-uv55MIe3JmPzPI_rFp0xsIz_0g.NEJ8gaLGB4CePfEb

NATURAL TIME SIGNATURE OF THE DAY:

Kin 28: Yellow Lunar Star
Your Galactic Affirmation is:
I Polarize in order to Beautify
Stabilizing Art
I seal the Store of Elegance
With the Lunar tone of Challenge
I am guided by the power of Universal Fire

We did it! $8000 for St Jude

Thank you everyone who donated. Together we crossed the finish line and raised more than $8000

As one of St. Jude Heroes I promise to raise a minimum of $5000 every year, and I hope to do this for as many years as possible. Ideally until the year I die!

Like previous years, this run was a moving and emotional experience.

• I sense y’all, the donors with me, and feel your support

• I imagine friends/donors at home tracking on the app, cheering me on

• I think of my dear friends who have died from Cancer.

• I smile and wave at all the supporters cheering

• I deeply appreciate my husband, Joe, “the donkey”. He accompanies me to the starting gate, carries all my gear, waits “on call” at the finish line to congratulate me,

The race is through the streets of Vegas (it's the one night they close down the traffic) We run down the strip with amazing lights, fabulous cheers from the crowd and live bands playing all along the course!

I love supporting an organization who is committed to research and ensuring families with children with cancer don't have the added financial stress of bills while their little loved ones navigate treatment.

“I love the idea of y’all running with me,
together we crossed the finish line.
Raising $8000+ for St Jude
”

— Helen Terry, St Jude Hero

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an organization very close to my heart. Growing up I had a friend die from leukemia. When I moved to Houston a dear friend, called Liliana (who I named my daughter after) was at MD Anderson for an experimental research project in the hope she'd win her battle with cancer. The program gave her 2 years of joy, including our fast and furiously fun friendship. Unfortunately she then declined suddenly and died from cancer..

I finished 36 out of 468 for my age group!. My time was a personal best at 2:05. Close enough to the 2 hour mark I am inspired this year to train more specifically, with the aim to run below a 2:00 HR 1/2 marathon next year. https://marathonhandbook.com/sub-2-hour-half-marathon-training-plan/

“I could never put into words what St. Jude means to our family,” Katie says. “They saved my baby boy not once, but twice. The care, dedication and love that are in the hospital are phenomenal. St. Jude will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

— Katie Bruce, mother of Ryan

Thank you to the following who have already donated (updated list coming Saturday)

March Challenge of Variety

Each month for 2023 we feature a New Fun Challenge (See full list below).

For the month of March welcome to our focus on variety. We are including a feature of all the 9 personalities of Nia. How we draw from the wisdom of Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts.

Explore how variety can be the spice of body and life. How we can sustain motivation, be stimulated through engaged content and meaningful connection.

Our intent is for everybody in the monthly challenge group to feel lucky/blessed, to be both stretched and supported. For us to enjoy and celebrate all the variety we can experience for our Body and our Life.

The “challenge” will provide a variety of modalities including Nia, Moving to Heal, Feldenkrais, Ageless Grace, 52 Moves, Move IT, offered by a stellar team of teachers, Helen Terry + Rock Stars and Special Guests.

How to give gratitude for being able to move, feel vibrant, healthy and well, from an abundance of choice and variety.

Would you like to join us? Gain support and encouragement from a lovely welcoming community? Be inspired to develop a daily practice of self care through movement.

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

When you sign up for the March 30 day challenge by February 28th you can bring a friend for FREE!

Receive 30 classes that include: 30 mins, 60 mins, Nia, Nia 5 Stages, Feldenkrais, Fabulous Rock Stars and Saturday Special guests.

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

All for $99.

Nia Green Belt Public Classes

During this special Nia Green Belt training retreat at Soma Ranch, the trainees will be enjoying public classes with Helen Terry. They also will co-lead “Nia JAM” classes to apply their honed skills and new knowledge into a teaching environment.

We would LOVE for you to join us for these public classes, either In person here at Soma Ranch, ONLINE via Zoom or via the 24HR replay option.

With 6 classes to choose from you have plenty of options. Regular class rates apply for most classes.

The 30 minute Nia JAM classes are on a donation basis. Simply make a donation of any amount to our Soma Ranch St Jude Charity fundraiser and REQUEST THE LINK for class.

Thank you in advance for supporting a fabulous cause and cheering on practicing teachers.

Running for the Children

I (Helen Terry) am back in Vegas, running the 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) for St Jude today, Sunday, February 26th. Thank you everyone who has made a donation. As a St Jude Hero, I pledge to raise/donate $5000 each year. We have now reached this goal and raised it to $8000. Presently we are the top fundraiser for St Jude with $6570 raised. There's plenty of time to join us and donate. The run begins at 4:30pm Sunday, Vegas time, that is 6:30pm US Central Time.

We'll cross the finish line together. I’ll have your names written on my arms and legs!

“I love the idea of y’all running with me,
together we cross the finish line.
On Race Day I’m writing the names of donors on my body;

$60 and above on my legs
$150 and above on my arms”

— Helen Terry, St Jude Hero

I choose to run for St. Jude Children's Hospital, for children with cancer, and their families.

I love St. Jude for many amazing reasons, including:

1. Financial Support

   Families NEVER receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food - why? all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

2. Excellent Research

Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago.

3. Resilient Tenacity

St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer.

4. Share discoveries

St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.

I love supporting an organization who is committed to research and ensuring families with children with cancer don't have the added financial stress of bills while their little loved ones navigate treatment.

Personal Story

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an organization very close to my heart. Growing up I had a friend die from leukemia. When I moved to Houston a dear friend, called Liliana (who I named my daughter after) was at MD Anderson for an experimental research project in the hope she'd win her battle with cancer. The program gave Liliana 2 years of joy, including our fast and furiously fun friendship. Unfortunately she then declined suddenly and died from cancer.

Annual Commitment

This is a run and a pledge I have committed to annually. As I run I think of all my dear friends who have died from Cancer. I want to do my part to help KILL CANCER. The race is through the streets of Vegas. it's the one night they close down the traffic. We run down the strip with amazing lights, fabulous cheers from the crowd and live bands playing all along the course!

This year the names of each person who donates, $60 and above on my legs and $150 and above on my arms.

We Cross the Finish Line Together

I love sensing how y'all are running with me, together we cross the finish line. You can even track me as I run if you like! Click HERE to Track me. We've been raising funds every month at our 1st Cuppa Events, at our Soma Faith classes and special events throughout the year. Thank you Deb Kern for your part in the Soma Faith Sunday project, where you generously taught classes and allowed 100% to be donated to the cause.

“I could never put into words what St. Jude means to our family,” Katie says. “They saved my baby boy not once, but twice. The care, dedication and love that are in the hospital are phenomenal. St. Jude will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

— Katie Bruce, mother of Ryan

Thank you to the following who have donated

Capsule Wardrobe for St. Jude

Thank you Amy Lamphere for your lovely package of Capsule Wardrobe collectibles by your amazing Story Collection Clothing Company. Amy generously shared and shipped these darling outfits to me here in Vegas as I prepare for the 1/2 Marathon. The pieces co-ordinate together well, the layers are incredibly comfortable, these outfits can be worn from fun movement classes, to effortless travel and even when running a 1/2 marathon!

Years ago Amy came to Soma Ranch for a Nia Training. I LOVE how Amy brings her knowledge for fashion and passion for fitness together with these wonderful clothes that mix and match beautifully.

Waiting around for the race to begin can become nervous activity. Joe and I appreciated the joyful distraction of the Story Collection Clothing line. We had a BLAST doing an impromptu fashion show for you.

Shop https://www.storylinecollection.com/dragonfly for easy care/easy wear Capsule Wardrobing collectibles, and St. Jude gets 25-35% of the sales! Spread the love, wear the hug!

Questions about fit, fabric, function? info@storylinecollection.com.

MEET the storyline collection FOUNDERS

We are fashion industry veterans and longtime friends who believe when women are styled right, they approach the world with more confidence and shine, but most women don’t have the time or passion to put into building their style. We find inspiration in our common vision and the laughter that ensues when we are together.

AMY LAMPHERE

Amy has been in love with fashion all her life. She has worked in and managed Women’s Specialty and design stores from New York to Los Angeles, styled photo shoots for major publications and freelanced as a model and writer. Over twenty years in the direct-to-consumer social selling world has informed her vision for STORYLINE. Based now in Minneapolis, an emerging fashion center, Amy looks to serve women of all ages with a line of classic pieces that can mix and match colorfully, with style and ease.

SUNIL RAMCHANDANI

Sunil is a New York-based fashion industry insider and an expert on building wardrobes that serve — and FIT — women of all shapes and sizes. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and instructor at Parsons School of Design, Sunil’s work has received acclaim at Anne Klein, Curvation Queen Latifah, and Jockey Person to Person. He has dressed celebrities from Oprah to Duchess Sarah Ferguson…and YOU! Sunil’s blog, #SunilStyles, inspires everyday style and personal expression.

5 Sensations

We'd be thrilled if you'd like to join us ONLINE this Saturday morning. Helen will be leading the Nia 5 stages class and Nia Class from Vegas via Zoom!

Our focus is 5 Sensations

FOCUS: Sensations of Movement

INTENT: Love the sensations of your body

ROUTINE: Helen Original "Aria"

MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/nr-h-arias/pl.063fcca7064344a5aadf0a99d87b4b9b

TEACHER: Helen

COMMENTS: Sense the endless potential of loving your body and life. The 5 principles of the body's way apply to life as much as they do to the body. Hope you find dynamic ease, balance, mobility, stability and may life itself reveals "life's" way :-)

Nia 5 Stages 8:45am CST with Helen Terry

Part of the learning methodology of Nia 5 stages lessons, to bring a greater holistic fascination when learning about the body, through utilizing different approaches: Look, Listen, Imagine. For example

LOOK

Energy Extending out along the bones - Like Laser Beams (Flexibility)

Energy starting and stopping, like sparks of electricity (Agility)

Energy in constant motion, like water (Mobility)

Energy In, muscles packing the bones, like sponges (Strength)

Energy equal and opposite, like a rock (Stability)

LISTEN

The Body needs and demands balance between the 5 sensations.

IMAGINE

The 5 Sensations as the five food groups from which you feed your body

Flexibility – Imagine your bones growing longer, your joints yawning

Agility – Imagine your body as blinking lights or camera flashes

Mobility – Imagine your limbs as scarves, water, or snakes

Strength – Imagine packing the muscles in closer to the bones

Stability – Imagine being at rest, ready for action

Aria Movement with Helen 10am CST

“The 5 Sensations are
like the five food groups
from which you feed your body”

— Voice of 5 Sensations, Nia 5 Stages

This Saturday be guided through the Nia 5 Stages lesson “5 Sensations” at 8:45am CT.

At the Nia class at 10am CT, we will continue bringing awareness of the 5 sensations into our dance with moves from the original movement experience, “Aria” created by Helen Terry.

Zoom Link is the same as usual, whenever you Sign Up for a class the link is sent to you automatically.

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

Finding Cures, Saving Lives

I (Helen Terry) am back to Vegas to run the 1/2 marathon for St Jude this Sunday, February 6th. Thank you everyone who has made a donation we are at 101% of our goal with $5050 raised.

Click HERE if you’d like to make a donation. As one of St. Jude Heroes I promise to raise a minimum of $5000 every year, and I hope to do this for as many years as possible. (Last year we raised $8000+!)

This is a run and a pledge I have committed to annually. As I run I think of all my dear friends who have died from Cancer. I want to do my part to help KILL CANCER. The race is through the streets of Vegas (it's the one night they close down the traffic) We run down the strip with amazing lights, fabulous cheers from the crowd and live bands playing all along the course!

I also love supporting an organization who is committed to research and ensuring families with children with cancer don't have the added financial stress of bills while their little loved ones navigate treatment.

Join me for the 10am class tomorrow, where, before class we can touch base, answer questions and have a grand time.

“I love the idea of y’all running with me,
together we cross the finish line.
On Race Day I’m writing the names of donors on my body;

$60 and above on my legs
$150 and above on my arms”

— Helen Terry, St Jude Hero

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an organization very close to my heart. Growing up I had a friend die from leukemia. When I moved to Houston a dear friend, called Liliana (who I named my daughter after) was at MD Anderson for an experimental research project in the hope she'd win her battle with cancer. The program gave her 2 years of joy, including our fast and furiously fun friendship. Unfortunately she then declined suddenly and died from cancer.

This year the names of each person who donates, $60 and above on my legs and $150 and above on my arms.

I love sensing how y'all are running with me, together we cross the finish line. You can even track me as I run if you like! I'll be posting the link/app on race day, Sunday.

We've been raising funds every month at our 1st Cuppa Events and also our Soma Faith classes Thank you Deb Kern for your part in this project, where you generously taught classes and allowed 100% to be donated to the cause.

“I could never put into words what St. Jude means to our family,” Katie says. “They saved my baby boy not once, but twice. The care, dedication and love that are in the hospital are phenomenal. St. Jude will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

— Katie Bruce, mother of Ryan

Thank you to the following who have already donated (updated list coming Saturday)

Soma Rock Star Elaine Dunphy Shares

Intro to Ageless Grace class

Elaine Dunphy, wonderful Soma Rock Star, shares about Ageless Grace and how she weaves a wonderful class experience drawing from several modalities. Elaine's style includes stepping in with the tag line from Nia Technique "through movement we find health", she also shares a poem for inspiration, and always brings full on heart and joy to her movement experiences.

Here's a taste of Elaine's class, and the general format we use for our monthly 30 day challenge. Where you experience 30 different classes in 30 days, LIVE, RePlay option, Community support and connection, Educational input and more...

click here for more information. https://www.somaranch.com/booking/nia-challenge

FOCUS: CORE, as we continue our "love your body, love your life" theme

INTENT: to experience how phenomenal moving in a chair can be

ROUTINE:Elaine's eclectic mix MUSIC:Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4JmbjUfTCzEI8ZPtdsmqq2?si=d4936944ae6a42f5 TEACHER: Elaine

COMMENTS:

Song - Exercise Tool Used:

Song 1 - Rain - Vagus Nerve Reset

Song 2 - Arrival - Juicy Joints, Spaghetti Spine, Breathe Out Loud

Song 3 - Herbal Tea - seated Nia (comfortable sweater song) to experience a seated version of this song

Song 4 - Ntjilo Ntjilo - Tri Chi, Breathe Out Loud

Song 5 - I'll Be There - Body Math

Song 6 - I Put A Spell On You - Spelling B / Gentle Geometry

Song 7 - Pass Me By - Express Yourself, Rockin' Rockettes

Song 8 - Splish Splash - Dive In

Song 9 - Que Sera, Sera - playing with right brain / left brain / singing

Song 10 - Rain - review / sensing any changes /

Popcorning words that come from this seated Intro to Ageless Grace 30 min class

Poem by Donna Ashworth from LOVE Moths (shared from FaceBook with permission)

Gratitude for Teamwork and Great Parents

How fortunate I am to have healthy parents, amazing teachers and wonderful community (both near and far)

What a blessing and joy, while I spent precious 6 days with my parents, a team of Rock Star Teachers covered all class, with a community of people (both online and in person) cheering and encouraging.

Here’s a taste of the UK trip including a fun Birthday Class with several prominent Nia teachers traveling vast distances to surprise me. I’m amazed at how, in their mid 80s my parents have embarked on leaving their home of 50+ years and navigating downsizing.

Meanwhile, back “home” a team of amazing teachers kept the 30 day challenge and regular classes at Soma Ranch going with a wonderful community cheering and encouraging:

• Paul: Upper Extremities/Hands/Fingers

• Natasha: 13 Joints

• Erin: 13 Joints with Clarity

• Kelly Marie: Sensation with Bloom

• Irene: Power from the Pelvis - Feldenkrais

• Elaine: Celebration of Valentines with 6H’s

• Natasha: Connection with Fun Friday Mix

Together Let's Kill Cancer and Help Children

Next weekend, February 25, 2023, I (Helen Terry) head back to Vegas to run the 1/2 marathon for St Jude. As one of St. Jude Heroes I'm on my final "push" to raise the promised $5000.

This is a run and a pledge I have committed to annually. As I run I think of all my dear friends who have died from Cancer. I want to do my part to help KILL CANCER. The race is through the streets of Vegas (it's the one night they close down the traffic) We run down the strip with amazing lights, fabulous cheers from the crowd and live bands playing all along the course!

“I love the idea of y’all running with me,
together we cross the finish line.
On Race Day I’m writing the names of donors on my body;

$60 and above on my legs
$150 and above on my arms”

— Helen Terry, St Jude Hero

I also love supporting an organization who is committed to research and ensuring families with children with cancer don't have the added financial stress of bills while their little loved ones navigate treatment.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an organization very close to my heart. Growing up I had a friend die from leukemia. When I moved to Houston a dear friend, called Liliana (who I named my daughter after) was at MD Anderson for an experimental research project in the hope she'd win her battle with cancer. The program gave her 2 years of joy, including our fast and furiously fun friendship. Unfortunately she then declined suddenly and died from cancer.

This year I plan to write the names of each person who donates, $60 and above on my legs and $150 and above on my arms.

I love the idea of y'all running with me, together we cross the finish line. You can even track me as I run if you like! I'll be posting the link/app on race day, next Sunday.

We've been raising funds every month at our 1st Cuppa Events and also our Soma Faith classes Thank you Deb Kern for your part in this project, where you generously taught classes and allowed 100% to be donated to the cause.
We have raised a total of $3265 so far.

“I could never put into words what St. Jude means to our family,” Katie says. “They saved my baby boy not once, but twice. The care, dedication and love that are in the hospital are phenomenal. St. Jude will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

— Katie Bruce, mother of Ryan

Thank you to the following who have already donated:

Soma Natasha Shares Nia Class Process

Natasha shares her process of creating a Nia class experience. How with the focus of "connection" she weaved fabulous songs and moves into a fantastic experience

RECORDING DAY 17

FOCUS: Connection

INTENT: To sense the many webs of connection in your NIA experience... Connection between body parts, thoughts, feelings, connection with the movements, music, your space, the world, community and self.  

When I notice these connections, I experience fluid transmission of energy in my body, mind, emotions and spirit, creating harmony and dynamic ease.

ROUTINE:  Natasha's Fun Friday Love Mix - Inspired by Helen and Martha

MUSIC:  A fabulous fun Friday mix

TEACHER: Natasha

COMMENTS: Thank you everyone for dancing with me!  Thank you Martha and Helen for your fabulous song requests! xo

I LOVED leading a class this Fun Friday morning at 8:30am. With our Feb theme being LOVE - Love your body, Love your life, as well as a desire to do something a little playful and different, I felt called to involve two women who have had a powerful impact on my life with the creation of this routine.

“I felt called to involve two women who have had a powerful impact on my life with the creation of this routine.”

— Natasha Villeneuve

As my primary trainers, Martha Randall and Helen Terry have supported my growth as a NIA teacher and human being, have inspired me tremendously and have nudged me toward self-acceptance - loving my body and life.

Helen often shares that she doesn't always feel 100% in love with her body, but that she is always open to and striving toward a place of greater love and appreciation. I imagine we all can relate. I certainly can.

Having a mild mobility challenge with my left side (cerebral palsy - it's like a stroke at birth) can sometimes bring frustration, even feelings of shame to my world, but also brings gifts of gratitude, empathy, perspective and awareness. NIA has been fundamental in helping me strengthen, expand, grow and heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. My journey, like all others is filled with ups, downs, celebrations and setbacks. My wish this Friday is that we can all celebrate and move in community, exactly where we are & who we are today.

For our playlist, I've put together a medley of songs that Helen and Martha have requested/suggested (I asked for their favourite NIA and non-NIA songs), along with some of my personal faves that they have taught.

I hope you can join me for some NIA Love this Friday! I truly appreciate being in this amazing community with all of you!

Warm Hugs!

Natasha

Soma Saturday Special Guest: Maria Whitley

This Saturday our “Soma Saturday Special Guest” Program continues 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.

“I’m looking forward to being with you on Saturday at 8:45 & 10am USA Central. With the focus HEART”

— Maria Whitley ~ 2nd Degree Nia Black Belt, Soma Special Guest Teacher

Birthday

oh my! thank you friends, for all your wonderful birthday wishes. I’m having a wonderful time here in the UK.

The day started with a tradition that began over 50 years ago. Since i was 5, when off to school, out of the door at 8:30am, the time of my birth… I would stand at our front door, and jump over the step, calling out the age i was then the age I was like ”now i am 5 and now i am 6”

Today, as my parents are about to move out and sell their home, this was my last chance…

This morning, with my parents i called out “now i’m 57! now i’m 58”!!

I can’t remember when i was last home for this tradition.

Over the years, since leaving home, i’ve often taken a photo and sent to mum and dad, wherever i was in the world. In recent years i’ve been able to Facetime them which has been fun.

Today was special, in person, with parents, at my childhood home, on my way to class (teaching near London), tks to husband, Joe, for taking the photos

FYI some friends have asked about my Birthday Fundraiser. This is the best link, and some more information about St Jude.

https://www.somaranch.com/jude

Birthday Gifts

Good Morning! I’m here in the UK celebrating my birthday with my parents.

What a gift to be here AND to know how classes are being covered by wonderful, talented, helpful, loving teachers and helpers.

This morning enjoy Natasha and Erin teaching Nia 5 Stages 8:45am and Nia 10am classes.

Thank you Carolina for being the “hostess of the mostess”, as a wonderful ambassador of our program Carolina navigates the zoom room, remembers to record and introduces the guest teachers.

Thank you to Hananda who retrieves the zoom recording, edits the email and sends out the recording to all our 30 challengers. Yes! this takes a village and I ADORE this team.

The Voice of Joints

We'd be thrilled if you'd like to join us ONLINE or IN PERSON at Soma Ranch, this Saturday morning.

Our focus is 13 Joints. The major joints in our body. How we move systemically, as one system, when we move with our 2 ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists and spine.

With the intent to go deeply into loving our body, sensing our joints and imagining them as a portal.

Nia 5 Stages 8:45am CST with Natasha Vileneuve

Part of the learning methodology of Nia 5 stages lessons, to bring a greater holistic fascination when learning about the body, through utilizing different approaches: Look, Listen, Imagine. For example

LOOK at the 13 joints, their symmetry, and how each pair move differently based on their shape and design.

LISTEN to the voice of joints: I make it possible for you to be mobile and move energy for aslong as you live! I keep energy moving through your whole body inefficient ways to keep your muscles healthy.

IMAGINE Your joints as mouths between the ends of the major bones. As you open and close your joints to move energy, imagine how you feed all parts of you, from the inside out and the outside in.

Nia 10am Class with Erin Curren

Focus: 13 joint renewal

Intent: Sense each joint as a portal

Step in to this classic Nia routine by Carlos Aya Rosas and feel yourself transported to a sensory dimension in which your joints are energy portals. Each movement is an invitation to open and close, to sense the flow of energy through and around your 13 major joints. Join 1st Degree Nia Black Belt Erin Curren for this guided tour of our 13 major joints and step out with the sense of a full-body renewal! 

“Your joints are like mouths between the ends of the major bones.”

— Voice of 13 Joints, Nia 5 Stages

This Saturday be guided through the Nia 5 Stages lesson “13 joints” at 8:45am CT.

The voice of the 13 Joints says

• I am designed to open and close

• I make it possible for you to move

• I am like mouths made to feed you through movement

At the Nia class at 10am CT, we will continue bringing awareness of joints into our dance with moves from the original Nia Routine Clarity, created by Carlos Aya Rosas, taught by Erin Curren.

“Hello Helen!
Happy birthday!! 

I’m celebrating you with Carlos’ classic routine Clarity this Saturday. ”

— Erin Curren

Zoom Link is the same as usual, whenever you Sign Up for a class the link is sent to you automatically.

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

Emily Jane + Emily Jane

At our recent “beyond the beyond” retreat at Soma Ranch. We included our monthly community Cuppa event. As ladies introduced each other, shared, supported and laughed, an unfolding occurred like none other!..

Sitting close to each other was Emily Jane and (until this day) the person I knew as Emily.

Emily then shared “my middle name is Jane and I recently have decided to refer to myself as Emily Jane!”

CLICK!! WOW!! our gaggle of gals exclaimed

And then, as I’m looking at these 2 awesome women, who i’ve know in 2 different circles, watching how this is the first time they have met each other, I witness how more layers revealed themselves. They both recently experienced the death of a parent, they are both poets, I could go on and on, yet choose to let this new friendship unfold and for them to discover the many other interesting connections, likes, similarities and more they share…

Here’s the poem Emily Jane shared….

“Emily Janes

How can it be there are two?
Two Emily Janes who meet
Within a poem and a dance?
As if we each wrote ourselves
Into the same story, following
Our fingers through the lines
One from the beginning
One starting from the end
Word by word
Until our fingers touch on Jane
The spark of connection rising
With a prayer off our fingertips
A birthday surprise
Like none other
To greet an old friend
We have yet to meet within
Our choices and chances
Our Poetry and Prayers
Twin Ordinations
Looking up at the same sky
Our Mothers who named us—emilyjane
Orphan us now
Our Mothers birthdays
Both arriving on wings
of heaven this week
As if their birthday wish
Blown over cakes of clouds
Were to have us meet
I speak of living in skin, Wild gratitude
You speak of helping, Thank-yous
Like two ribbons of words, wrapping
Around the moment to form a bow
A divine connection
Appearing right here, SOMA style
From nothing & everything
How can it be in one moment
There was one,
and now we see two?
Two Emily Janes
Mmmmmmagic!!
”

— Emily Jane Mockett