Soma News: May 26, 2023

"Hip Hip Hooray” wishes for your weekend. Here at Soma Ranch we’re clearing and cleaning up and finalizing our schedule and special events for the upcoming Nia Brown Belt. We would LOVE for you to join us whether it be Online via zoom, In Person here at Soma Ranch or via the 24HR replay request.

Tomorrow enjoy a "double scoop" of Hip Hip Hooray with Helen for the 8:45am Nia 5 Stages and the Nia 10:00am class. At 10am we’ll be celebrating Tina Turner with a tribute class in her honor.

Here's more information and some great videos "beginners guides to the hip joint".

https://www.somaranch.com/news/saturday-morning-hip-joint-and-tina-turner

We have 3 special extra events coming up during the Nia Brown Belt 

June 3, The “Dark Side of the Moon” Experience, 7:30pm

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/6/3/experience-dark-side-of-the-moon-with-wizard-of-oz

June 4, The “Look Up” Experience, 5:00pm

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/06/04/dancing-with-lauren-daigle

June 5 Nia in the Pool, 5:00pm

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/5/23/nia-in-the-pool

June 5 is also the Inno (adapted Bloom) Nia experience at 10:00am followed by 1st Cuppa

Here’s a complete list of classes, special events and a “color of the day” suggestion

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/5/29/colors-of-collaboration

Receive 50% off these special events, and 30 classes with replays by joining the June 30 day Challenge.

For the month of June welcome to our theme of "Freedom"

Focus: Freedom in Movement through choice and variety

Intent: Stimulate Body Centered Creativity

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/june-challenge-of-creativity

Here’s a link for the book Helen will be drawing wisdom from and sharing nuggets to help inspire and encourage you.

“OUTLIVE” by Peter Attia, MD - rethinking medicine to live better longer

https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Science-Longevity-Peter-Attia-ebook/dp/B0B1BTJLJN

Saturday Morning Hip Joint Hip Hip Hooray

This Saturday our focus will be the hip joint and paying tribute to the one, the only, Ms Tina Turner. Helen is teaching both Nia 5 Stages at 8:45am and Nia “Improv’ Classic” at 10am. Both classes are available via Zoom with 24HR replay.

We explore:

• Keeping the balls alive (feet, knees, hips, eyes)

• How the ball and socket joint gives mobility in many directions

• How the deep socket provides mobility

• How the hip joint moves in 2 ways

• 1. Stabilize femur, move hip (Pelvic Circles)

• 2. Stabilize hip, move femur (Knee Sweeps)

• Power and support from underneath and behind (activate back muscles)

• Using imagery to open pelvis, sense energy flow, and outward spiral as walk forwards

“I am the classic ball and socket joint
and the deepest joint in your body.
I am formed by a large spherical ball
at the top of each of your thighbones
that nestles into a
deep, round socket
on either side of your pelvis”

— Nia 5 Stages

Helen is teaching a creative Nia experience, adapting moves from several routines (ignite, earthsong, life, sanjana) to the music of the legendary Tina Turner this Saturday.

FOCUS: Awareness of Hip Joint

INTENT: Felt sense of energy flow, with an outward spiral as you walk forwards, out of class.

Like us all, Tina Turner had a unique way of walking, strutting and dancing, often elegantly in extremely high heels. Inspired by Tina as an artist, singer, performer, woman, survivor, thriver we will dance a Tribute to Tina, with the focus on the hip joint, swaying, rolling, lifting, lowering, kicking, strutting, moving with confidence, sassiness and full of heart.

““pain in the hips is a sign of being ‘stuck,’
unable to make a decision or
see clearly what needs to be done next…
Pain or discomfort advises you to
slow down or stop,
look around,
buy a map,
or ask someone for directions.””

— Louise Hay

Good news is we have an internal guidance system, our body talks and, like our body, our hips don’t lie! “Hip Hip Hooray for today” is what I think Tina Turner would be inviting us to play with. How no matter what happens to us in life, how we choose to respond, how we choose to live our life, is what defines us and also what has the potential to “save” us, bring us joy and vibrancy as we dance through life. Let’s dance through life and take the time to celebrate the amazing life of Tina Turner.

“Think about it. Because the hips thrust the leg forward, we are literally taking a risk every time we step forward. So it makes sense that on a deeper level, contraction in that area will prevent forward momentum.”

— https://medium.com/@the_core/tight-hips-dont-lie-2afb075b8971

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.

When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class.

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

Soma 5 Star Review May

Thank you Kernita for staying at Soma Ranch and sharing a wonderful review. We do our best to provide the most clean and comfortable accommodation possible, and take pride in the levels we go to, to make this happen.

We enjoyed sharing a movement/yoga experience with your group before you departed. Part of our vision here at Soma Ranch is to provide an integrative and personalized approach to our customers. This is why we cater specifically to one group at a time, allowing the time, space and opportunity to adjust and adapt according to your individual group’s needs.

“One of the best compliments is,
a guest leaving a review,
where they share,
they will definitely be back.”

— Helen & Joe Terry, Soma Ranch

Joe and Helen glow and giggle at the feedback of being kind souls who are very responsive. As 2 beings who have a curious past and reputation of being “Rebel Souls” we love knowing we’ve been responsible enough to respond to the needs of our guests, serve with kindness and be received in a way we strive to be, one guest, one group at a time.

Soma News: May 19, 2023

"Hip Hip Hoorah!" for living in a body, practicing how to love our bodies and love our lives. Here in America we are stepping into the Memorial holiday LONG Weekend. And around the world we are celebrating the life of Tina Turner.

Here at Soma Ranch we are vigorously preparing for our upcoming Nia Brown Belt and would LOVE for you to join us whether it be Online via zoom, In Person here at Soma Ranch or via the 24HR replay request.

Tomorrow (Saturday) enjoy a "double scoop" of “Hip Hip Hoorah!” with Helen.

1. Awareness of Hips Nia 5 Stages at 8:45am

2. Tina Turner Tribute at 10am (US Central Time).

Here's more information and some great videos "beginners guides to hip joint".

https://www.somaranch.com/news/saturday-morning-muscles

We have 2 special extra events coming up during the Nia Brown Belt 

June 3, The “Dark Side of the Moon” Experience, 7:30pm

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/6/3/experience-dark-side-of-the-moon-with-wizard-of-oz

June 4, The “Look Up” Experience, 5:00pm

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/06/04/dancing-with-lauren-daigle

These are both LIVE events only - attend in person or via Zoom.

Receive 50% off these special events, and 30 classes with replays by joining the June 30 day Challenge.

For the month of June welcome to our theme of "Freedom"

Focus: Freedom in Movement through choice and variety

Intent: Stimulate Body Centered Creativity

https://www.somaranch.com/news/2023/june-challenge-of-creativity

Saturday Morning Muscles with Maria

This Saturday enjoy a "double scoop” of movement with 2nd Degree Black Belt Nia Teachers, Maria Whitley. Nia 5 Stages at 8:45am and Nia Classic at 10am. Both classes are via Zoom with 24HR replay available.

We explore:

• Muscles closer to the bones are smaller, called intrinsic.

• Muscles closer to the surface of the skin are larger, called superficial.

• The size of the muscle, the engine, determines how much fuel it has.

“Explore your MUSCLES

Just Say OOOOOOOO! 

”

— Maria Whitley, 2nd Degree Black Belt Nia Teacher, Soma Rock Star Teacher

Explore your MUSCLES with Maria on Saturday morning! Just Say OOOOOOOO! 

FOCUS: Awareness of muscles: Sense your squeeze & release!

INTENT: Get LOOOONNNGG & STRONG! 

“Engines – muscles are like little engines”

— Nia 5 Stages

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.

When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class.

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

Upcoming Brown Belt Joys

Our upcoming June 1 - 7 Nia Brown Belt is coming together. We thought you might enjoy seeing the guest list so far with folks coming from as near as Houston and as far as Kenya!

With 10 folks already registered we have 2 more places left (last call ;-)

Soma News: May 11, 2023

Happy Thursday! We hope you’re enjoying your week. Here’s some suggestions you might like adding to your weekend plans.

We have some fabulous opportunities coming up, many of them with Online options and would love to see you, either via zoom or with the 24HR replay request. Including Friday’s Fun Friday “One Hit Wonders” shuffle with Paul

Enjoy information about Awareness of Thighs and entertaining learning and experiencing more this Saturday morning with 8:45am Nia 5 stages with Natasha and 10am Nia Routine U with Erin (all class times are US Central Time)

Congratulations Nia Blue Belt Graduates, Thank you for the joy, love and laughter you brought to Soma Ranch. We adore being able to share all the goodness we have to offer at Nia trainings.

Here’s a fun video chat with more information about what’s coming up, as well as the opportunity to get more of a feel for the fabulous personalities of our Soma Rock Star Teachers.

Saturday Morning Upper Legs and Upper Arms

Super excited to be sharing this special Due Combo this Saturday with Natasha teaching Nia 5 Stages at 8:45am and Erin leading Nia Classic at 10am. Both classes are via Zoom with 24HR replay available.

We explore:

• The thighbone is the longest bone in the body.

• There is one big ball at the top of the thighbone and two small half-balls at the bottom

• The two small half-balls at the lower end rest on the larger of the two shinbones, and along with the kneecap, creates the knee joint

• The ball of the thighbone fits into the pelvic girdle creating the hip joint.

• The thighbones are upright, vertical stilts.

• The mobility of the hip joint allows us to walk on these vertical stilts.

“Our Intent will be Limber Expression!  (see that pun that I did there ;)”

— Erin Curren, Soma Rock Star Teacher

Erin is teaching U this Saturday, expanding on thighs to include the upper arms as well.

FOCUS: Awareness of upper arms and upper legs

INTENT: Limber Expression!  (see that pun that I did there;)

“There are no bones in the human body that are straight, there is a roundness and a spiraling action to most bones.
The forearm bones are the only two that spiral over each other. Energy moves along a curved line more functionally versus a straight line. ”

— Nia 5 Stages

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.

When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class.

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

Congratulations Nia Blue Belts

Congratulations Nia Blue Belt graduates; Amanda, Kathy and Liz. Big thank you to Peggy, Lola and Darlene who popped in during the week to enjoy meals and some blue belt session reviews and joys. Special thank you to Lola for also capturing some beautiful photos on the last day, we’re glad to be reconnected.

Congratulations Nia Blue Belts:

• Amanda returns to the Seattle area inspired to continue her journey with Nia. She’s booked to return for Brown in June and the Nia White Belt in July. “i love the serendipity of the timing, how these trainings worked out and I love learning from Helen, taking the belts at Soma Ranch, and Joe’s kindness and cooking too of course.

• Kathy returns Plano Texas, ready to integrate the Nia Blue Belt principles to her life and profession as a equestrian author, trainer and judge. “I knew from my Nia girlfriends in Dallas this experience would help me, now I understand so much more, I’m really glad I came, perfect timing”

• Liz returns to Charlottesville VA. She loved being in community, connecting with folks at Soma Ranch and having the opportunity to relax, dance and immerse in the Nia experience. Inspired to learn Bloom and return to teach with confidence., Liz shares “I received the missing link that was holding me back from teaching”.

• Lola returns to The Woodlands TX inspired by reconnection, she’s looking into retaking her Nia White Belt at Soma Ranch by 2023. “I missed something taking the white belt on line, in person is my thing, I’d like to re-experience the belt immersed at Soma Ranch and hope I can make it this summer”.

Congratulations Nia Blue Belts. What an honor to share this experience with you at Soma Ranch, for friendships to deepen and opportunities to open.

Dreams come true as we celebrate our 27th Nia Blue Belt Immersive Retreat here at Soma Ranch. Congratulations Nia Blue Belts! YOU inspire, support and encourage us to keep on keepin’ on at Soma Ranch.

Now, as we say in Texas “y’all come back and see us soon now, y’ah here!”

Soma Class Rates

from $20.00

Soma Ranch Classes:

Select Soma Ranch Classes $20 | Drop In $75 | 5 class pass $130 | 10 class pass $75 | Day Retreat $30 | Lunch or Dinner $30 | Sauna $96 | 60 Min Massage $145 | 90 Min Massage

Buy NOW

One Hit Wonders Fun Friday

Paul Duff is teaching this Fun Friday class, May 12th.

Get ready for the 52 Moves shuffle, with emphasis on FUN and awareness of the sensations of Nia's 52 Moves

"One Hit Wonders" is theme for song requests - nothing remotely profound about it - emphasis on FUN and awareness of the sensations of the 52 Moves

Google "One Hit Wonders" by decade, musical genre - look for some variety - slow, fast, mid-tempo - my one ask is that it be a song you truly enjoy! or check out this FABULOUS LINK for One Hit Wonders!

Most music streaming services (Apple, Spotify, Pandora, etc) also have a bunch of "One Hit Wonder" playlists - give a listen and see if there's a song you love!

Paul LOVEs this format - moves on shuffle, music on shuffle - this will be a unique co-creation between the universe and our bodies that will never happen again...

Email your song requests or bring them to class on the 12th (come early!)

Keep up with the playlist as it develops:

https://music.apple.com/.../52-moves-one-hit/pl.u-E9zVhDmZNZ

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7apS9Go7bnLOnvV7es064b...

(definition of one hit wonders is not set in stone, so I'm sure there will be disagreements about what qualifies, I'm not being a stickler...)

If you are not part of the 30 Day Challenge at Soma Ranch (https://www.somaranch.com/booking/nia-challenge), you can access class by making a donation of $5-25 to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at this link: https://www.somaranch.com/jude

Once you have donated, reach out to Helen Terry or myself for access to the Zoom room or recording.

Photo of Paul teaching from Kellianne Jordan Photography, www.kelliannejordan.com

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 :-)

MAY we dance through life

Lovely conversation connecting with fellow Soma Ranch Rock Star Teachers, Paul, Natasha and Irene. We each bring different qualities, passions, experience, styles and more to our monthly 30 day challenge, the opportunity to enjoy 30 classes in 30 days LIVE or via 24HR replays. 

This month our theme is MAY we dance through life, with the focus: Awareness of the Body through sensation.

Paul is creatively offering a fun Friday 52 moves shuffle with "comforting underpinning" of the class is "one hit wonders". Remember to make your requests for "one hit wonders" tune for this collaborative experience (post on our private FB page or email info@somaranch.com.

Participants bring the music requests, teacher brings the moves "on the fly", together we co-create magic. This class is a St Jude Fundraiser Class, open to the public (make a donation and request the link for class and/or 24HR replay) 

Paul's Tuesday class will be a fun mix of "classic and cover" songs (like Bridge over troubled waters and Simply the Best) with choreography from Life. 15 minutes of movement to music then repeat/re-explore with different versions of the same songs.

Natasha is leading a Fun Friday MIX Combo compilation from Nia Routines Express, Sexi and Wild. These are all routines she is currently teaching with her students and Natasha loves how they compliment each other.

Natasha is also leading the Nia 5 Stages lesson on the Thigh bone on Saturday May 13, 8:45am Central.

Irene: feet and fingers - to get more mobility in our feet and more mobility to land on our feet so the forces go up through our body in a way that nurtures the joints of the body so we feel tall and powerful powerful.

playing with her own experience of how recent lessons have helped transform how to releve and walk on balls of the feet and to be powerful. (able to climb rocks like a 6 year old at the age of 60)

Elaine is leading a moving to heal class, more information coming soon.

Full schedule below.

50th Fun Friday Improv' Class

Many moons ago we began an “improv’” Fun Friday Theme. Where the class brings the tunes, Helen brings the moves and together we co-create magic. Today we celebrated the 50th Fun Friday event! having the Nia Blue Belt trainees in the room accompanying Helen was a delicious extra fun detail.

Usually these experiences are exclusive to the 30 day challengers. If you’d like to make a donation to our annual fundraiser we’d love to share the joy with you through the 24HR replay option.

1. make a donation of any amount at http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/somaranch2024

2. request the 24HR replay

3. enjoy the class

Many moons ago we began an “improv’” Fun Friday Theme. Where the class brings the tunes, Helen brings the moves and together we co-create magic. Today we celebrated the 50th Fun Friday event! usually these experiences are exclusive to the 30 day challengers. Today, if you’d like to make a donation to our annual fundraiser we’d love to share the joy with you through the 24HR replay option.

1. make a donation of any amount at http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/somaranch2024

2. request the 24HR replay

3. enjoy the class

RECORDING DAY 5 - May you dance through life 

FOCUS: Sense The Body and The Song Simultaneously

INTENT: Communicate an Intimate Relationship with the Music

ROUTINE: Fun Friday Mix #50

MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/fridaycreative-50/pl.u-55DPj86hye8vm

TEACHER: Helen

COMMENTS: Thank you for being on this JOY ride of awareness with us. OH HOW i adore our community and hope you do too. 

“Kin 92:
Yellow Magnetic Human

I Unify in order to Influence
Attracting Wisdom
I seal the Process of Free Will
With the Magnetic tone of Purpose
I am guided by my own power doubled”

— NATURAL TIME SIGNATURE OF THE DAY

Here’s the playlist…. After collecting all the song requests Helen puts the playlist on shuffle, we began with the last song from the previous week, then leave the rest of the song order up to the power of random! This is how the music unfolded…

Soma News

Happy Friday! We hope this weekend brings you some joy, hopefully dance, possibly connect or ideally have a grand time.

We have some fabulous opportunities coming up, many of them with Online options and would love to see you, either via zoom or with the 24HR replay request. Including today’s 50th Fun Friday Improv class.

Enjoy information about Awareness of Bones and entertaining learning and experiencing more this Saturday morning with 8:45am Nia 5 stages and 10am Nia Routine Bloom (US Central Time)

This Sunday we have an extra Special 10am Class The “Inno” Experience, where we adapt the moves of the Nia Routine Bloom into music that focuses on the return to innocence.

Remember now is last call for joining us for the May 30 day Movement challenge “Awareness” with the Focus: Paying attention to Sensation with the Intent to Dance Through Life with JOY.

Thank you Monthly Cuppa Fundraisers.

We have begun our 7 day Nia Blue Belt training, you are welcome to join us for the training, or a 7 day retreat, a day retreat or perhaps pop in for a class. 10am Saturday, Sunday, Monday and 8am Tuesday and Wednesday.

Special Sunday May 7, 10am "Inno" Class

10am Sunday, May 7, during the Nia Blue Belt we are offering an extra class (ONLINE via zoom, In PERSON at Soma Ranch, with 24HR replay option.

1. make a donation of any amount at http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/somaranch2024

2. receive link (the usual 10am class link) or come to Soma Ranch

3. attend class and/or enjoy 24 replay

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

Welcome Nia Blue Belts

Welcome Nia Blue Belt Participants, Amanda, Kathy and Liz. We love how Soma ranch provides a safe and vibrant space for participants to retreat, learn, dance, connect and yes! eat wholesome, healthy great food.

Welcome Nia Blue Belts:

• Amanda is new to Soma Ranch and relatively new to Nia, coming from a Yoga background, she’s keen to learn for her own self development with curiosity about possibly teaching in the future

• Liz returns to Soma, having experienced her Nia white belt here last July. After loving how her life was enhanced from attending the foundation course, and also having dipped her toes into teaching a little, Liz has come back to go deeper and also gain more clarity and confidence in her teaching and life.

• Kathy returns to Soma having experienced the Writer’s Retreat and also Nia Green Belt. She continues to integrate Nia principles into her equestrian career, including her program call the “Ride Moves”

We have public classes during the Nia training week and would love for you to join us and get to meet these wonderful participants:

5/6 Saturday 8:45am Nia 5 Stages

5/6 Saturday 10am (60 minutes)

5/7 Sunday 10am (60 minutes)

5/8 Monday 10am (60 minutes)

5/9 Tuesday 8am (30 minutes)

5/10 Wednesday 8am (30 minutes)

Soma Class Rates

from $20.00

Soma Ranch Classes:

Select Soma Ranch Classes $20 | Drop In $75 | 5 class pass $130 | 10 class pass $75 | Day Retreat $30 | Lunch or Dinner $30 | Sauna $96 | 60 Min Massage $145 | 90 Min Massage

Buy NOW

Saturday Morning Awareness of Bones

During our Nia Blue Belt 7 day training retreat you are invited to join us for the public Saturday, 10am Class via Zoom, in person or via the 24HR recording.

FOCUS: Awareness of Bones

INTENT: Evolve a felt sense of bones, their relationship with each other, and with us.

ROUTINE: Bloom

MUSIC:  Nia Sounds Bloom 

We explore:

• Long Bones

• Short Bones

• Flat Bones

• Round Bones

• Irregular Bones

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 the Nia Routine “Bloom”. An experience led by Helen Terry that continues the exploration of bones in relationship with each other (+ the spaces in between) and the relationship of bones with us as humans. How the bones provide structure, form, protection, movement and storage.

“the Nia 5 stages class is
like a luxurious 60 minute movement meditation
that delves into the focus of class.
The following Nia dance class is
enhanced through this investment
bringing fascination up and frustration down
as we dance””

— Helen Terry

This Saturday let’s come together to dance and sense our bones. Every bone tells a story. The shape of the bones communicates how it’s designed to be moved. The form indicates the function. For example bigger bones bear more weight and smaller bones do not. Irregular shaped bones are designed for move movement variety whereas regular shaped bones provide more “reliability”.

“My moveable architecture provides
you with protection, support, and a place for the storage of minerals, salts, and a fresh supply of red blood cells.”

— Nia 5 Stages

“There are no bones in the human body that are straight, there is a roundness and a spiraling action to most bones.
The forearm bones are the only two that spiral over each other. Energy moves along a curved line more functionally versus a straight line. ”

— Nia 5 Stages

The BLOOM Routine uses imagination and imagery from the life cycle of a flower blooming to enhance the sensations of squeeze/release, positive tension, and dynamic ease in the body. In BLOOM, you will sense moving energy from in to out and intrinsic to extrinsic.

About

ROUTINE TITLE: BLOOM

CHOREOGRAPHERS: Christina Mae Wolf, Kellie Chambers, and Rossella Vanti

RELEASE DATE: 2022

DIFFICULTY: All Levels

The FOCUS of the Nia routine BLOOM is on Imagination.

The INTENT is to engage your mind to enhance your physical experience of conditioning and self-healing.

The BLOOM Routine uses imagination and imagery from the life cycle of a flower blooming to enhance the sensations of squeeze/release, positive tension, and dynamic ease in the body. In BLOOM, you will sense moving energy from in to out and intrinsic to extrinsic. BLOOM invites you to imagine moving from the positive tension of the seed to the dynamic ease of the sprouts, from the positive tension of a flower bud to the dynamic ease of the bloom, from the positive tension of creating new seeds to the dynamic ease of letting them go. This routine will build your brain-body connection and take you on a journey of body, mind, emotions, and spirit.

“That inner voice has both
gentleness and clarity.
So to get to authenticity,
you really keep going
down to the bone,
to the honesty,
and the inevitability of something.”

— Meredith Monk

Oh my! if you’d like to get a little geeky, or simply enjoy listening the this beautiful run of anatomy words about bones. Check out this great video which provides a wonderful introduction to the different shapes in the body, and other, more in depth videos follow.

“To succeed in life, you need three things:
a wishbone,
a backbone
and a funny bone.”

— Reba McEntire

When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class.

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

Monthly Cuppa for St Jude

Dear Chris, Cynthia, Emily, JoAnn and Susannah,

Thank you for choosing to hang out after class on Monday for our “Monthly Cuppa”. (and Happy Birthday to Emily)

We enjoyed a vigorous entertaining conversation that weaved around many subjects. The opportunity to connect, learn more about each other, laugh and support was much appreciated.

We raised $20 for St Jude (our annual fundraising campaign)

Our next “Monthly Cuppa” is Monday, June 5th.

https://www.somaranch.com/jude

May Challenge of Awareness

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

For the month of May welcome to our focus of "Awareness"

Focus: Paying Attention to Body | Sensation

Intent: Dance Through Life

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 May 30 day challenge by April 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, your Guest’s Name and Email address, and confirmation that your guest is new to the 30 day challenge. The other information is optional (helpful when available). Then scroll to the bottom and click submit.

Soma News

“The happiest moments of your life
sometimes butt up against
some of the saddest moments of your life,
and just when you think
you can’t take anymore,
sometimes the world gives you
a reason to laugh.
You just have to be open to it.
”

— DJ Nash, A Million Little Things….

Happy Friday! We hope this weekend the world gives you a reason to laugh, at least smile, hopefully dance, possibly connect or ideally have a grand time.

We have some fabulous opportunities coming up, many of them with Online options via Zoom and would love to see you.

Enjoy information about Saturday morning spirals with Nia 5 stages and Afro Celt.

Now is the time to consider joining us for the May 30 day Movement challenge “Awareness” with the Focus: Paying attention to Sensation with the Intent to Dance Through Life with JOY.

Remember next Monday is 1st Cuppa.

Next Wednesday Carolina is leading a “pre-Cinco” class.

Next Thursday we begin the 7 day Nia Blue Belt training, you are welcome to join us for the training, or a 7 day retreat, a day retreat or perhaps pop in for a class.

Saturday Morning Spirals

Super excited to be sharing this special Saturday, 10am Class via Zoom. Adapted from an original Nia routine “SkyDancing” by Carlos Aya Rosas. The AfroCelt Experience leads us through a journey of discovery, with the Core and Extremities (Legs and Arms).

We explore:

• Gift of Travel ~ Legs - Low Extremities

• Gift of expression ~ Arms - Upper Extremities

• Gift of connection ~ Core

“I LOVE this routine. It’s a well refined vertical routine that transcends me to a different time, takes me to a fitness level that I love to reach and I think carries the class along with me! I love the look on participants faces. when we are in the peak of get moving, the expression says something like “wow! how did I get here!””

— Helen Terry

This Saturday let’s come together to dance and sense spirals. The spiral is the path of movement in a human being and almost all organic growth – plants spiral up. A tightrope walker has to practice a really longtime to walk on a straight line. Our natural walk is a shifting, a spiraling back and forth. Our breath spirals. Even an idea spirals – it begins, spirals up, goes back down, and then we say something.

“We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps.”

— Hermann Hesse

FOCUS: Celebrate Spirals through Core + Extremities

INTENT: Leave invigorated and inspired with a sense of greater connection through your body and beyond. Connect the dots physically and energetically.

ROUTINE: Afro Celt

MUSIC:  Afro Celt 3: Further in Time

An Album like “Further in Time”, with a band like Afro Celt Sound System, creates a fun, fabulous and expansive sound back drop from which to choreograph moves. The result being a magical experience.
A routine inspired from the SkyDancing routine designed by Carlos Aya Rosas. In class I choose to give thanks to Carlos Aya Rosas, for all the life changing inspiration he has brought to my life and the lives of many….

All songs other than the last come from Afro Celt Volume 3:Further In Time

North 6:49

North Part 2 3:01

When You’re Falling 5:14

Colossus 6:44

Lagan 4:05

Shadowman 6:36

Life Begin Again 6:22

Further In Time 6:32

Go On Through 8:04

Onwards 5:27

Adagio 5:11 Safri Duo Spine

“There are no bones in the human body that are straight, there is a roundness and a spiraling action to most bones.
The forearm bones are the only two that spiral over each other. Energy moves along a curved line more functionally versus a straight line. ”

— Nia 5 Stages

oh MY!! in preparation for my classes tomorrow (teaching adapted version of Sky Dancing called Afro Celt (named after the band who plays the music LOL) I found this wonderful breakdown & visual display of a song (by Afro Celt)... how cool is this...

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 “Afro Celt”, will be an experience led by Helen Terry that explores spirals in relationship with Core and Extremities.

Oh my! if you’d like to get a little geeky, or simply enjoy listening the this beautiful run of anatomy words with spiraling visuals. Check out this great video which provides a wonderful journey along the spiral line of the body.

“The spiral is a spiritualized circle. In the spiral form, the circle, uncoiled, has ceased to be vicious; it has been set free.”

— Vladimir Nabokov

“The whole universe is based on rhythms.
Everything happens in circles, in spirals.”

— John Hartford

When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class.

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