Soma News

I'm back from a lovely vacation, unplugged, hiking with my wonderful daughter. Spending beautiful quality time, in nature, with a loved one, is certainly a way to reset and reassess. I return feeling refreshed and blessed.

We have an upcoming Healing Embodied Authentic Somatic Retreat this weekend, last call if you'd like to join us. Also you are welcome to join us for our Earth Day Saturday morning classes in person, online or via 24HR replay. 8:45am Nia 5 Stages, 10:00am Nia Classic.

Paul Duff​ is leading our Fun Friday class tomorrow and (even though our 8am 30 minute classes are usually only open to 30 day challengers) for this special event we are opening up the experience to anyone who would like to make a donation to our annual fundraiser with St Jude.

This Sunday 10am Central, Natasha Villeneuve is providing a Webinar about Health and Nutrition.

Public classes continue at 10am Mondays and Thursdays are hybrid (choose IN PERSON at Soma or ONLINE via zoom) and Saturdays 8:45am Nia 5 Stages and 10am (via Zoom).

Helen is providing monthly trainings: May Blue Belt, June Brown Belt, July White Belt.

Our “grand finale” Blue Electric Storm retreat is July 24-26. Come celebrate natural time, the day out of time and all things Soma!

All fall trainings are being forwarded to Spring 2024,

Helen and Joe will be traveling more. We are planning a couple of LONG road trips, if you’d like to host Helen for a class and/or workshop/special event be sure to email helen@somaranch.com .

And be sure you are subscribed to our Soma News to receive more information about the locations and details of special events coming up, possibly closer to where you live!

Paul Duff Nourishing Fun Friday April 21

This Friday 8am Central Time, Paul Duff is leading our fun Friday experience.

There’s many ways we PLAY the Fun Friday theme. This time around Paul is collating song requests, then pressing shuffle on the collective playlist at the top of the hour, simultaneously pressing shuffle on the 52 moves in 30 minute app! OH what fun!!

Usually these 8am classes are exclusive to the 30 day challengers. This time around we’re opening this special experience to anyone who choices to make a donation to St Jude. TIA :-)

“Humbly requesting your “nourishing” song requests for Friday’s class. Songs you return to - that comfort you, that ground you, that energize you, make you laugh, make you cry, make you feel alive - dark songs, playful songs, sexy songs, hopeful songs - songs that always make your life better…”

— Paul Duff

Feel free to contemplate and bring requests to class, AND please arrive a bit early in the zoom room to give Paul time to add your song to the playlist.

The songs AND the 52 Moves will be on shuffle - class will be a unique creation only possible in that moment.

We can’t exactly practice Nia’s RAW, as we’ll be moving, not Waiting - so we’ll be practicing RA!, Relaxed and Alert, as we listen and move through the 52 Moves.

Look forward to co-creating with all y’all!

Here are links to playlist if you want to see what's on it so far:

Spotify Playlist for 52 Moves Nourish

Apple Music Playlist for 52 Moves Nourish

Webinar: The Digestion Connection Sunday April 23

Webinar: The Digestion Connection with Natasha Villeneuve, C.N.P.

Sunday April 23, 11:00am EST, 10:00am CT

Free for 30 Day Challengers!

St. Jude Fundraiser: Donations appreciated from participants beyond the 30 day challenge.

Healthy digestion is the foundation of our overall health. When digestion is compromised, we cannot properly absorb and utilize all the essential, health-supporting nutrients from our food, nor can we eliminate all the harmful waste products.

Digestive challenges can lead to other health issues such as inflammatory conditions, weakened immunity, fatigue, skin problems, joint pain, hormonal imbalances, depression and mind fog.

There is good news! Once we address the underlying causes and support the healing process through healthy nutrition and lifestyle, the body has an incredible ability to heal.

Join Natasha to Learn:

• Basic anatomy and physiology of the digestive system

• The link between digestive disorders and other health challenges

• Common dietary & lifestyle causes of digestive disorders

• The connection between stress, emotions, our brain and digestion

• Simple tips on how to improve digestion & overall health

Aside from being an enthusiastic Nia instructor, Natasha Villeneuve, Holistic Nutritionist is the Lead of the Natural Food Pantry Education Initiative in Ottawa, Canada. Natasha is dedicated to educating, guiding and empowering people toward optimal health and well-being.

With over twenty years in the health and wellness industry, Natasha has gained a positive reputation within the community as a nutritional consultant, speaker and workshop facilitator and has provided nutrition and health presentations for various businesses, corporations and events.

Natasha's main focus and interest are in the areas of digestion, gut-brain connection, women's health, mental health, family nutrition and mindful eating.

All registrants will receive 48 hour access to recording

FYI Upcoming "10 Day Online Spring Nutritional Reset Experience!" on Eventbrite!

Date: Mon, May 15 ‐ Thu, May 25 • 8:00 AM EDT

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/10-day-online-spring-nutritional-reset-experience-tickets-576410759097?aff=eand

Precious Time in Nature = Health

I'm back from a lovely short vacation/long weekend, unplugged, hiking with my wonderful daughter. Spending beautiful quality time, in nature, with a loved one, is certainly a way to reset and reassess. I return feeling refreshed and blessed.

Our days were simple, healthy breakfast, short drive (less than 40 mins), long hike (at least 4 hours), eat snack bars at the peak, home to our airBNB for shower, PJs and Dinner by 3pm, then unwind, possibly walk into the local Hoodsport town, make fire, continue our jigsaw puzzle and rest.

Liliana’s formula for healthy balance between driving and hiking (for people and the environment) is the time in the time spent driving must be at least 1/2 the time spend hiking. e.g. if the drive is 40 minutes each way = 80 minutes, the hike must be at least 160 minutes.

Helen’s take home from this trip:

• make time for nature

• get outside everyday

• explore new places

• spend quality time with the precious people in your life

• eat healthy, rest well, laugh lots

Natasha Shares her Creative Choreography Evolution

Soma Rock Star Teacher Natasha Villeneuve has been teaching Nia for about 2 years. She's dedicated many hours into her practice and invested incredible life-force energy into learning Nia Routines in preparation to teach.

Now, with this fabulous foundation, combined with inspiration from attending the 30 day challenge, receiving coaching and simply being ready Natasha shares how she's stepping out with more creativity and joy.

To enroll in the 30 day challenge click www.somaranch.com/booking/nia-challenge

Keep in touch by signing up for our Soma News www.somaranch.com/subscribe

Fun Fridays

Over the evolution of our 30 day movement challenge, Fun Fridays have become a “thing”. Some folks have signed up for the 30 day program simply to gain access to the Fun Friday experiences! Like many fun creative successes, this began as a simple “one off” idea one Friday. The group then asked if we could do it again. And the rest is history.

This Friday was Helen Terry’s 48th Fun Friday class. This is where the class participants bring their song requests, and the playlist is collated, within the 15 minutes before the 8am 30 minute class begins:

• participants bring the song requests (MUSIC)

• Helen makes up the choreography on the fly (MOVES)

• together we co-create a wonderful time (MAGIC)

Today Helen continued the Sanjana theme, she played with moves from the original choreography adapted to the new music.

Although the tunes were unprepared, some songs unknown and the entire list put on shuffle = no control over what speed songs goes where, there was a lovely flow from one song to the next.

“Knowing the original choreography well.
Having an embodied sense of the structure,
including the 7 cycles of a Nia class.
Setting the focus and intent well,
and then sustaining this throughout the experience.
All adds up to a fun, grounded, stimulating and inspiring workout
for our body, mind, emotions and soul.
This truly has become a remarkable COLLECTIVE experience.”

— Helen Terry

Here’s the playlist

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/fridaycreative-48/pl.u-yZyPZY1tG4Y8b

Medusa Maverick Movement

This Saturday we explore Awareness, specifically Body Awareness, by paying attention to the sensation, the language of our body. We will particularly explore the sensations of temperature, texture and weight of the skin, bones and soft connective tissue of the body.

Beginning with the Nia 5 Stages class, which most often is described as a luxurious healing hour of setting the focus for the 10am movement experience that follows.

The 10am class will be “Medusa”, an experience Helen Terry has adapted from the Nia Routine Sanjana. Here’s more about the music and the wonderful artist Annie Lenox who created the album Medusa.

Wonderful interview with Annie Lennox who humbly accepts the phrase Maverick. She certainly seems to be a conscious, intelligent and most “unorthodox and independent-minded person".

I love and connect with how Annie Lennox shares her desire to be a “powerful performer, to resonate with people in a certain way, and a sense of who I am and what I want to do”

“ an unorthodox or independent-minded person”

— Maverick

Here’s a sweet duet with her daughter Lola…

“I desire to be a powerful performer,
to resonate with people in a certain way,
with a strong sense of
who I am and
what I want to do.”

— Annie Lennox

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

“Listen to Sensation, the language of your body.”

— Nia

You are welcome to attend either class.

And, when you’re able to attend both classes, something magic happens! The entire Nia 5 stages class is like a rich 60 minute introduction to the 10am Nia class, a beautiful compliment and super preparation.

In this gentle, self discovering, potentially healing Nia 5 stages experience

• your body gets to settle into and taste the Nia class focus

• your mind can learn new and novel information,

• your heart may open to receive more with fascination up and frustration down

• your spirit could be tickled and curious to experience more

“Awareness teaches us to
notice when we feel better
which is the sensation
of self-healing”

— Nia 5 Stages

Return from Rancho La Puerta

Hi! Helen’s heading back to Texas from an amazing week at Rancho La Puerta. There will be more photos and shares about this amazing retreat very soon. For now enjoy a few photos and perhaps start dreaming about joining us for a return this October.

This weekend Maria and Martha are kicking off the new month with the focus PLAY for both the Saturday 8:45 5 stages and 10:00am Nia. We being a new month challenge and this month our focus is choice - health and happiness, exploring the 3 stages of practice Learn, Move and Energize the move.

We are holding a special dance in memory of Micheline this Sunday at NiaMoves.

Irene is providing a Pop Up Feldenkrais Sunday workshop ONLINE.

And for one day only (today, Saturday) you can enjoy 50% savings on the StoryTelling line AND help St. Jude.

First Monday Cuppa is coming up this Monday at 11am. Get to know the great community AND help St Jude! Also our next embodied healing retreat is coming up this month.

Wishing you Health and Happiness and hope you can join us on one if not more of these experiences.

Love

Helen

No Fooling One Day Only 50% off

Storyline like to have a little fun and feel there are few better “holidays” to play around than THIS ONE!

From 12:01am CENTRAL TIME APRIL 1st through MIDNIGHT CENTRAL TIME, EVERYTHING on the Storyline Collection Website is available to YOU for 50% off!

That’s right, ONE DAY ONLY, 50% off ANYTHING!

AND 25% of all proceeds go to St. Jude. That is save $$$ and help St Jude!

Dance for Micheline

This Sunday, April 2, 11am, we are holding a Nia gathering/jam/ceremony for Micheline Rosenfeld at NiaMoves Houston.

Join us to honor our dancing sister Micheline Rosenfeld, who died on March 21, 2023.

We have prepared a special event for healing, reflection and dance to honor her spirit as we set the tone for moving forward as a community.

For those of you who knew Liz Gans, who also passed away last week, we invite you into the circle to remember her as well.

The event will include time to experience healing music, quiet reflection and/or your own gentle, self-guided dance before we gather in our traditional circle for remembrances, readings and the focus, followed by dances led by your teachers.

The studio will be set for movement or for sitting comfortably on cushions or chairs. Movers and non-movers are welcome. We’ll provide materials to capture your reflections in words or art if you feel so inspired and give you the option to share later.

There is no cost to attend this special event. However, we will accept donations to one or more of the organizations that Micheline loved and forward proceeds on her behalf.

Nia is more than simply movement. Nia invites you to express your deepest emotions. Nia is a safe place. Nia is, and creates, healing and community. It provides a pathway to literally dance through life, just as Micheline did.

She was laid to rest on Tuesday, March 28, but Micheline’s spirit lives on within all of us who dance with her in our hearts.

For more information email yvonnemyles@yahoo.com

Double Trouble Play

This Saturday! Come PLAY!!! You get DOUBLE TROUBLE as Maria Whitley teaches 5 Stages and Martha Randall teaches Nia - both classes focusing on PLAY!

This month, as we focus on Choices for Health & Happiness, let's start the month off with how PLAY can enhance you Learn, Move & Energize your Nia practice!

See you Saturday!!! No Foolin'!!!; 8:45am Nia 5 Stages and 10:00am Nia Classic (Central US Time).

Hello everyone! Just a heads up that for Martha’s 10am class on Saturday she will be starting class by 10:10 am CT.

Maria will engage you with playful conversation post 5 Stages!

Our playlist for the morning is to the music of Cirque du Soleil.

Hope to see you on the dance floor via zoom!

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

You are welcome to attend either class.

And, when you’re able to attend both classes, something magic happens! The entire Nia 5 stages class is like a rich 60 minute introduction to the 10am Nia class, a beautiful compliment and super preparation.

In this gentle, self discovering, potentially healing Nia 5 stages experience

• your body gets to settle into and taste the Nia class focus

• your mind can learn new and novel information,

• your heart may open to receive more with fascination up and frustration down

• your spirit could be tickled and curious to experience more

Pop Up Feldenkrais

Pop-up DIY Feldenkrais workshop!

Learn a simple 3-step process you can do on your own to help get out of pain or improve how you move.

Sunday April 2, 11 am - noon Central Time.

100% of funds collected go to St Jude: https://www.somaranch.com/jude.

Email irenep@movebeyondlimits.com to receive the zoom link for class

Embodied Authentic Healing Retreat

Our 5th Embodied Authentic Healing Retreat is coming up this month and we’d love you to join us.

Registration is now open for 2023 Embodied Authentic Healing Retreats. Each retreat is limited to 12 guests. Sign up now to secure your place and receive Early Bird Pricing Discount.

Sale

Embodied Authentic Healing Retreat

from $499.00

Rock STARs at Soma

We had a GRAND time hosting Rock Star teachers at Soma Ranch. More stories will unfold over the next few weeks. For now we hope you enjoy these photos which capture several special moments.

April Challenge of Choices for Health and Happiness

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

For the month of April welcome to our focus of "Choices for Health + Happiness"

Focus: 3 stages of practice: Learn, Move, Energize

Intent: Move to Heal and Condition Your Soma

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

All 30 classes are provided online via Zoom.

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 April 30 day challenge by March 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.

When bringing a guest for free for the month thank you for completing the following form. The only information required is your Name and Email address and your Guest’s Name and Email address, the other information is optional (helpful when available), then scroll to the bottom and click submit.

Happy and Sad News

Good morning.

How are you? I hope all is well in your world. I'm in San Diego, heading to RLP in the morning. Here's the website if you'd like to check it out https://rancholapuerta.com.

Today I have both happy and sad news. After a successful weekend with our team of teachers getting together at Soma Ranch, 2 Nia friends have died. Micheline Rosenfeld and Liz Gans. They were both dear friends, who i’ve known for decades. They were integral members of the NiaMoves studio and each had a special place in my heart. I’ll share more about these incredible women next week.

With the death of dear ones I’m yet again reminded of the preciousness of life. Although my heart aches and I think likely, if you knew them, yours does too, I see their smiling faces from heaven, pain free full of glee, dancing with angels. I believe what they wish of me and you is to dance, live life fully and truly make a difference while on this planet.

Big thank you to Kellie Chambers, Choreographer of Bloom, who is teaching Saturday morning classes on my behalf. She’s teaching Bloom with the focus BASE. Today is a great day to ground and dance.

Thank you to the team of teachers who are covering classes this week. Kelly Marie Harris is teaching Monday and Thursday at 10am and Maria Whitley and Martha Randall are teaching next Saturday.

I wish you a blessed day,

Helen

The Base with Bloom

Kellie Chambers leads both Saturday morning class this week; 8:45am Nia 5 Stages and 10:00am Nia Classic (Central US Time).

Focus: Base: connect to the sensation of our foundation,

Intent: to root our energy and stimulate movement and growth from underneath and behind.

Routine: Bloom

We hope you’re able to enjoy her “debut” to the Saturday morning “double scoop” experience.

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

““We will move to connect with our base as a powerful, dynamic and grounded foundation to stimulate movement variety for our whole body””

— Kellie Chambers

You are welcome to attend either class.

And, when you’re able to attend both classes, something magic happens! The entire Nia 5 stages class is like a rich 60 minute introduction to the 10am Nia class, a beautiful compliment and super preparation.

In this gentle, self discovering, potentially healing Nia 5 stages experience

• your body gets to settle into and taste the Nia class focus

• your mind can learn new and novel information,

• your heart may open to receive more with fascination up and frustration down

• your spirit could be tickled and curious to experience more

“The BASE: with feet, like hands, that touch the earth”

— Nia 5 Stages

Feeling lucky and blessed

Hello! Happy St Patty’s day. Joe and I feel incredibly lucky and blessed. We appreciate you, how you show an interest in Soma Ranch through these news updates and also all the lovely people who come to stay (or share their desire to visit “Soma Sometime Soon” ;-).

Today we have Nia teachers and trainers coming in from all over the US and Canada for our “Rock Star” weekend retreat. These wonderful women are part of our 30 day movement challenge, the program we offer every month.

This weekend is the first time we’ve got together. Connecting in person here at the ranch, whether it be enjoying a conversation over lunch, a giggle in the pool, an exhale in the sauna or sharing a tip about playlists or teaching, is extremely moving. These very special nuggets of time spent together are truly delicious.

We’d love you to join us at any of the public classes, Helen is teaching Lauren Daigle “look up” at 5pm Friday, Inno 10am Saturday. Jams are taught by at team of teachers.

we have 4 regular classes included and 3 additional special event classes: The zoom links have been emailed to Newsletter recipients, is posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/helenterry and if need be email info@somaranch.com to receive the link.

REGULAR classes:

8:45am 3/18, Saturday Nia 5 Stages

10:00am 3/18, Saturday Nia

10:00am 3/20, Monday

Use class pass or pay here

Special EVENTS:

Friday 3/17, 5pm Move with Helen

Saturday 3/18, 5pm Move with Supa Stars

Sunday 10am 3/19, Move with Rock Stars

Make a donation, Attend Class.

in the last 24 hours we’ve enjoyed local Tex Mex, team taught class, visit Deer Lake Lodge, checked out Margaritaville and had a boat load of fun :-) Now getting geared up for our “official” beginning at 3pm.

Special Events during Rock Star Retreat

This year Helen Terry shifted from a “me to a we” bringing a team of teachers together to lead the monthly 30 day challenges. This special weekend retreat is getting the team together for fun, support and coaching. During this “Fabulous Rock Star” Retreat March 17 - 19, you are invited to attend some special classes and events.

“Master Teachers” are fellow trainers and upper level teachers who have VAST experience.

“Rock Star Teachers” are fabulous Nia teachers with less experience and wonderful talent.

Some members of the team are returning and others it will be their first time here. We hope you can join a class and meet these fabulous teachers.

These opportunities are available hybrid, that is both ONLINE via Zoom and in person at Soma Ranch.

All experiences are part of our annual St Jude fundraiser.

Make a donation to our NEW 2024 St Jude Fundraiser with the link below and enjoy as many classes as you would like March 17 - 19.

Nia Green Belt Feedback

Here Ines and Alice chat about their recent immersive Nia Green Belt experience at Soma Ranch. What they enjoyed about the course, what was appreciated about Soma Ranch and the opportunity to take a fully immersive Nia Training.