Soma News

Happy Friday!

I (Helen) am back from Budapest (my 3rd “home” town) with Kinga and the Shift Studio community and Brentwood UK (my 1st “home” town), having spent time with my parents and sister.

This Saturday 10/7 Helen is teaching both Nia 5 Stages and 10am Classes. We continue our monthly focus of Upper Extremities, with the 5 stages lesson “Elbow and Forearms” and 10am class “Inno-Kaleidoscope” with focus Expressive Spirals .

Now’s your last call to consider joining us for the October 30 day challenge. A wonderful month with the focus of upper extremities and sharing expressive movement from heart.

This coming Monday 10/9/23 is our monthly 11am Community Cuppa.

And, if you’re able to be in Houston Sunday, October 15th, 10:45am, I hope you’ll be able to join us in a special “Farewell NiaMoves” class. The NiaMoves studio is closing down at the end of this month.

with love

Helen, Joe, the team and all the fond 4 legged friends at Soma

Creative Movement Work in Progress

Helen Terry (Co-owner of Soma Ranch) shares about her latest creative movement project, using a process from Original, through Adapted, now using “Sandwich” to reach a new creative movement experience.

I’ve been teaching Nia for 30 years. In the beginning, clueless with regards choreography, I appreciated the resources that helped me prepare for teaching Nia Movement Classes (old VHS tapes of Debbie and Carlos Rosas teaching Nia Classes, accompanied by the dubbed TKD 90 cassettes, with hand written notes from Carlos of the tracks etc.) Oh how we have progressed since then.

After a while, teaching these first Nia routines over and over again, I knew the choreography well enough to begin dropping in new music and exploring how to ADAPT the choreography. Adapting a few class experiences (New music to Original Music) provided the skill and experience to take the next step: to Create my own class experience, i.e. select some music and choreograph moves from nothing.

Original

During this past year a fabulous Nia Experience called Bloom has captured my interest and fascination. The movements are familiar yet novel, intimately in relationship with the music, with beautiful architecture, where each song’s choreography stands alone, yet also compliments the other songs, one song after the next builds into a beautifully orchestrated experience.

Adapted

From the ORIGINAL theme of “Bloom” - the life of a seed, I was inspired to ADAPT this choreography to one of the playlists created for our “Hero’s Journey Retreat”, based upon the return to Innocence, where all the songs have something to do with the theme innocence. This was the birth of a movement experience fondly named “Inno”

Created

Recently, listening to the latest Lauren Daigle Album (Self titled), I was inspired to take the ADAPTED routine Inno and CREATE something new with the new music. This is currently a work in progress and I wondered if you might enjoy being part of/witness the process, i.e. the “work in progress”…

Sandwich

Tomorrow (Saturday 10am) I will be sharing this “sandwich” experience where the new Lauren Daigle songs are weaved in between the known, cultivated moves of the “Inno.” Experience. This is the process I use to get to creative, where the end product is so vaguely like the original it truly has taken on a life of it’s own.

In this creative “work in progress” process, I pour my heart and soul into creating a movement class that transcends a mere fitness routine, to hopefully collectively elevate our understanding of movement into a transformative and empowering experience. Ideally something that empowers individuals to explore their true potential, express themselves authentically, and cultivate a deep sense of joy through the transformative power of movement. Join us in this explorative movement class experience and unlock the power within!

Upper Inno Kaleidoscope

Saturday 10/07/23 Soma Ranch Co-Owner, Helen Terry, is teaching both the 8:45am Nia 5 Stages class and the 10:00am class.

Continuing our October month, where our focus is the UPPER Extremities of movement: Arms, Hands, Fingers, Expressive movement from Heart. We will focus on Elbow and Forearms and dance to Helen’s latest “work in progress”, Inno Kaleidoscope.

A fabulous class where we explore the relationship between anatomy of Elbows and Forearms with the expressiveness of movement from heart to hands, with the intent to feel relaxed, expressive and fulfilled.

“We look at anatomy
to see how the body or body part is positioned,
then we sense it in our own bodies.”

— Nia 5 Stages

Classes with Helen Terry 8:45am + 10:00am (CT)

These classes are HYBRID via Zoom and 24HR replay upon request. = 2 great choices:

1. Online via Zoom and/or

2. Enjoy a 24 hour replay

Usual Class Rates apply: Drop in for $15, buy a class pass or consider signing up for the 30 Day Challenge 30 classes, 30 days $99 and receive the class as part of your package!

This movement experience is suitable for beginners and people of all different fitness backgrounds.

“From looking, listening, learning
and gaining an understanding of anatomy,
we can then sense
to re-align all parts of our body. ”

— Nia 5 Stages

In the Nia 5 Stages, you are invited to a place of sensitivity that enables you to observe and release the sensation of stress and embrace the sensations of Dynamic Ease, Pleasure, and comfort.

Key concepts

Anatomy: Arm, Hand, Fingers, Elbow, Forearms, Spirals, Simple Hinge + Pivot joint, Ulna, Radius.

YBW: Your Body’s Way “the current design and function of your body” (always changing/new)

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 elbow is a hinge joint
located at the center of the arm,
much like the knee is a hinge joint
located at the center of the leg.

The elbow joint is formed by
the upper arm bone (the humerus)
and two forearm bones (the radius and ulna).
The surfaces of these bones are smooth.”

— Nia 5 Stages

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

OCTOBER Challenge of UPPER Movement

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

For the month of October welcome to our focus of "UPPER" (the third of a 3 month series that takes us through BASE, CORE, UPPER)

Focus: UPPER, Arms, Hands, Fingers, Expressive Movement, Movement from the heart.

Intent: Connect with our expressiveness and how to move from heart.

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

All 30 classes are provided online via Zoom.

The October Challenge “The UPPER” is all about the expressive movement. Providing you with classes that provide exploration of

1. 19 Upper Extremities Nia Moves

2. Expressive movement

3. Emotions in motion

Some class Foci will explore the essentials of Expressive UPPER movement, for example

• Sense the spiraling of your 2 lower arm bones (Ulna and Radius)

• Sense the your heart connection to your humerus (upper arm) bone

• “Isolate to Integrate” sense the different parts of your upper extremities

Other classes will explore duality and contrast between upper principles, for example.

• Sense your upper extremities fully moving out and returning home (“home base”)

• Sense palms up and down, to open shoulder girdle and release rhomboid muscles

• Sense the relationship between your hands and heart

A month to help

• improve your competence and confidence of your upper moves

• you understand more about the anatomy, biomechanics and structure of your Upper

• feed your brain with new novel and fascinating information and experiences

• stimulate health and well being throughout your body and life

• provide balance and a holistic approach to fitness and movement

• enhance your dance with safety, comfort and pleasure

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 October 30 day challenge by September 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.

The UPPER extremities of the Body include:

• 30 bones

• 7 main areas covered in the upper limb; The muscles, bones, joints, nerves, blood and lymphatic supply, anatomical areas, and the structures in the hand.

• Shoulder Girdle (ball and saucer joint)

• Upper arms (Humerus)

• Lower forearms (Ulna + Radius)

• Elbow (simple pivot - hinge joint)

• Wrist (classified as an ellipsoidal or condyloid joint)

• Hands + Fingers (carpal, metacarpals, phalanges)

• The musculature of the upper limb is quite vast, much more so than the lower extremity

• Upper Body Muscles include: biceps, triceps, and chest/arm muscles (rhomboids, pectorials,

The 18 Upper moves of Nia are:

A. Arm Moves

1. Blocks

2. Punches

3. Elbow Strikes

B. Hand Moves

1. Touch

2. Strike

3. Chop Cut

4. Fist

5. Pump

6. Palm Directions

7. Web Spaces

C. Finger Moves

1. Finger Flicks

2. Finger Extensions

3. Creepy crawlers

4. Spear Fingers

5. Catch the Flies

6. Claw hand

7. Power Finger Cross-Over

8. Balance Finger.

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.

Monday Cuppa, 11am October 9

Our “Monthly Monday Community Cuppa” event is a fun and nourishing part of our “2024 race Fundraiser for St Jude”

We get together, celebrate, connect and boost each other as we also boost our fundraiser. both in a GRAND way.

Next “Cuppa” is Monday, October 9th.

Yes! our “Monthly Monday Cuppa” connections are WONDERFUL…

Every month, (most often) the first Monday, we meet up after 10am Nia class to connect, enjoy a cuppa and have a grand time.

Coffee, tea, kombucha, snacks and time to hang, get to know each other better, help and support.

This is one of our community events where 100% donations collected go towards St Jude, our “Soma Selected” charity of choice.

Our goal is to raise $8000 for St. Jude. We collect donations at our monthly “Monday Coffee Connection”, Soma Faith classes and Special Events throughout the year.

On Monday entertain 10am Nia Class, then connect with our lovely community with coffee, teas and snacks. We hope you can join us.

We have a great time listening to each other’s thoughts, challenges and successes. We provide support and offer prayers.

Consider enjoying a “double play” with

• 10:00am Nia

• 11:00am Monthly Monday Cuppa

Soma Team Chat: upcoming 30 Day Challenge

Thank you Soma Team Teachers, Paul, Elaine and Natasha, for sharing the joys, focus and thoughts around our upcoming 30 day challenge for October on this wonderful and entertaining video. I love how you give folks a feel for who you are, what you bring and how much fun we have on the team and within this “30 day movement challenge” each month.

We’ve also included the full calendar (who’s teaching when) for the month, plus more information about what you receive when you sign up for the month. Remember, when you sign up by September 29, you can bring a friend for free..  

Soma News

Happy Thursday!

I (Helen) am typing to you from Budapest (my 3rd “home” town). I’ve been coming to this area, on average, at least twice a year for the past 14 years. One of the first Hungarian graduates was Kinga Brezina. Kinga has since moved through all the belts, hosted countless special guests and Nia trainers at her studio, invested in traveling to Soma Ranch in Texas and Nia Headquarters in Portland, to further develop her practice.

Kinga opened a studio in the downtown area and has created a flourishing local community. One of the fun facts about Kinga is that she in several ways had already delivered 10+ Nia White Belt trainings, as we found our style over the years, where Helen delivers the training one sentence at a time and Kinga masterfully translates and shares the information in Hungarian. This year Kinga has graduated as a Nia trainer and Helen was keen to celebrate this significant milestone. Attending a graduation ceremony at the end of Kinga’s White Belt seemed a perfect time.

This Saturday 9/30, Special Guest Instructor, Erin Curren, is teaching Nia 5 Stages P8 The Core followed by 10am “Awake where we will focus on: Spine, Spiral, Space, with the intent to sense energetic flow up and down the spine.

Now’s a super time to consider joining us for the October 30 day challenge. Remember, when you sign up by the 29th September (giving you an extra day! LOL) , you can bring a friend for free! That adds up: 30 Days, 30 Classes, for 2 people = 60 classes for $99.

with love

Helen, Joe, the team and all the fond 4 legged friends at Soma

Congratulations Hungarian Nia Trainer Kinga

I (Helen) am typing to you from Budapest (my 3rd “home” town). I’ve been coming to this area, on average, at least twice a year for the past 14 years. One of the first Hungarian graduates was Kinga Brezina. Kinga has since moved through all the belts, hosted countless special guests and Nia trainers at her studio, invested in traveling to Soma Ranch in Texas and Nia Headquarters in Portland, to further develop her practice.

Kinga opened a studio in the downtown area and has created a flourishing local community. One of the fun facts about Kinga is that she in several ways had already delivered 10+ Nia White Belt trainings, as we found our style over the years, where Helen delivers the training one sentence at a time and Kinga masterfully translates and shares the information in Hungarian. This year Kinga has graduated as a Nia trainer and Helen was keen to celebrate this significant milestone.

This weekend is a mix of

• surprising Kinga’s white belt graduates showing up at their ceremony AND getting to present Kinga with her red training belt

• supporting Kinga as we attend the funeral of her mother. A dear lady who has been an integral part of my experiences with Kinga’s family. She lived next door to Kinga and would pop over with the most amazing food, hugs and smiles. With neither of us speaking each other’s languages we would fondly speak the “language of heart” with nods, smiles, charades and sometimes the assistance Kinga as our translator

• providing a Full Day workshop for teachers on Saturday

• sharing my latest Nia experience with a public class at the end of the day

Congratulations Budapest Nia White Belts

Congratulations to Hungarian Nia Trainer, Kinga Brezina. And congratulations to Nia White Belt Graduates.

Awake the Core ~ with Erin Curren Sat 9/30

Saturday 9/23/23 Special Guest teacher, Erin Curren, provides both the 8:45am Nia 5 Stages class and the 10:00am class.

08:45 - 09:45am CDT Nia 5 Stages Lesson: The Core of the Body: Pelvis, Chest, and Head

10:00 - 11:00am CDT Classic Nia Routine: Awake 

Focus: Spine, Spiral, Space

Intent: Sense energetic flow up and down the spine

“Even my butternut squash
is spiraling its core
as I prepare to teach! LOL!”

— Erin Curren

Notes about the Core: 

• Pelvis, Chest and Head

• This is the part of the body we call the feeling center.

• The diaphragm moving up and down stimulates the spine. The more relaxed you are in the belly, the more power you have.

• The chest is designed to expand and contract as you breathe, maintaining space. 

• Even my butternut squash is spiraling its core as I prepare to teach! LOL!

• The movement of the ribcage is critical for your shoulder joints and for your neck. 

• The head balances directly over the chest and the pelvis, sitting on the top of the spine. 

• When your Three Body Weights support you from underneath this gives you a lot of dynamic power from behind, then your arms and legs will be completely relaxed. 

… and that’s the tip of the iceberg!

We hope you’ll join Erin for a delicious morning of movement and awakening!

“We look at anatomy
to see how the body or body part is positioned,
then we sense it in our own bodies.”

— Nia 5 Stages

Classes with Erin 8:45am + 10:00am (CT)

These classes are via Zoom with 24HR replay upon request. = 2 great choices:

1. Online via Zoom and/or

2. Enjoy a 24 hour replay

Usual Class Rates apply: Drop in for $15, buy a class pass or consider signing up for the 30 Day Challenge 30 classes, 30 days $99 and receive the class as part of your package!

This movement experience is suitable for beginners and people of all different fitness backgrounds.

“From looking, listening, learning
and gaining an understanding of anatomy,
we can then sense
to re-align all parts of our body. ”

— Nia 5 Stages

In the Nia 5 Stages, you are invited to a place of sensitivity that enables you to observe and release the sensation of stress and embrace the sensations of Dynamic Ease, Pleasure, and comfort.

Key concepts

Anatomy: Pelvis, Chest, Head, Spine,

YBW: Your Body’s Way “the current design and function of your body” (always changing/new)

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 News

Happy Friday!

Yesterday was such an epic experience we thought you might like an extra newsletter this week. Helen spent the day pre sunrise till post sunset at the Houston Post Oak Hotel. Teaching classes on a heliport on the top of a very tall building can now be checked off the list! The event was successful beyond expectations. Now discussions have begun with regards how to create monthly events at the hotel. The Post Oak Hotel is amazing, Helen was able to enjoy smoothies by the pool, massage in the spa and delicious lunch at the on site Bloom and Bee Bistro between classes. Hope you can enjoy a staycation with Helen next time (or fly in if you live beyond Houston!)

This Saturday 9/23, Helen is teaching Nia 5 Stages Architecture of CORE followed by 10am “ChakraDancer”. We will focus on CORE and dance to ChakraDancer to get “all tuned up”. A fabulous class where we explore the relationship between Energy Centers and the Core of the Body, with the intent to feel aligned energetically and physically.

Now’s a super time to consider joining us for the October 30 day challenge. Remember, when you sign up by the 28th September, you get to bring a friend for free!

with love

Helen, Joe, the team and all the fond 4 legged friends at Soma

Beyonce Inspired Yoga at Post Oak Hotel

This past week Helen had the joy of sharing a “yogadance” experience on the roof top of Houston’s Post Oak Hotel. The Sunrise Event was hosted by fabulous members of local media including HoustonLive, here’s what they broadcasted.

The response was (no surprise as this truly was an epic event) was fantastic with the phone ringing off the hook at the hotel with folks wanting one of the limited spots for the Sunset Roof Top Experience.

Good news is the hotel is keen for Helen to return, including the possibility to offer AquaYoga, Poolside events as well other roof top experiences. Be sure you are subscribed to our newsletter to receive updates on these future opportunities. And thank you Gigi who covered Helen’s regular Thursday 10am class at Soma Ranch and on line, Go Team!

Soma News: September 21, 2023

Happy Mid Week!

Our weekly newsletter is a tad early this week as we’re shifting gears to accommodate a request for Helen to teach “Nia YogaDance” events at the Post Oak Hotel, Houston in celebration of Beyonce coming into her home town to perform, two fabulous concerts. Tune into Fox News Houston 7-8am to see Helen teaching the press as a preview for the classes that are 5:00pm and 6:45pm.

Thank you to Gigi who is teaching the regular Thursday 10am class at Soma Ranch.

This Saturday Helen is teaching Nia 5 Stages Architecture of CORE followed by 10am “ChakraDancer”. We will focus on CORE and dance to ChakraDancer to get “all tuned up”. A fabulous class where we explore the relationship between Energy Centers and the Core of the Body, with the intent to feel aligned energetically and physically.

Now’s a super time to consider joining us for the October 30 day challenge. Remember, when you sign up by the 28th September, you get to bring a friend for free!

with love

Helen, Joe, the team and all the fond 4 legged friends at Soma

Beyoncé is coming to H Town

Beyoncé is coming to H town (Houston), also her home town. Seems like the whole city is getting excited about Beyoncé’s upcoming performances. Helen Terry has been asked to lead some “YogaDance” classes from the roof top of the Post Oak Hotel.

Tune into Fox LIVE Houston tomorrow (Thursday) morning 7-8am to watch Helen providing a preview of the classes with local media.

Public classes, with “silent disco” head sets, are 5:00 - 6:00pm and 6:45-7:45pm.

If you’d like to attend either of the evening classes contact the spa at Post Oak Hotel at 346-227-5142.

Big thank you to Gigi who is teaching for Helen at 10am at Soma Ranch.

Helen was scheduled to teach Transvision. We’ll let you know as soon as possible when this is rescheduled.

Here’s the playlist for the Beyoncé events:

Core ChakraDancer

Saturday 9/23/23 Soma Ranch Co-Owner, Helen Terry, is teaching both the 8:45am Nia 5 Stages class and the 10:00am class.

Continuing our September month, where our focus is the CORE of movement:Pelvis, Chest, Head, Spine, Chakras. We will focus on CORE and dance to ChakraDancer

A fabulous class where we explore the relationship between Energy Centers and the Core of the Body, with the intent to feel aligned energetically and physically “all tuned up”

“We look at anatomy
to see how the body or body part is positioned,
then we sense it in our own bodies.”

— Nia 5 Stages

Classes with Helen Terry 8:45am + 10:00am (CT)

These classes are HYBRID via Zoom and 24HR replay upon request. = 3 great choices:

1. Online via Zoom and/or

2. Enjoy a 24 hour replay

Usual Class Rates apply: Drop in for $15, buy a class pass or consider signing up for the 30 Day Challenge 30 classes, 30 days $99 and receive the class as part of your package!

This movement experience is suitable for beginners and people of all different fitness backgrounds.

“From looking, listening, learning
and gaining an understanding of anatomy,
we can then sense
to re-align all parts of our body. ”

— Nia 5 Stages

In the Nia 5 Stages, you are invited to a place of sensitivity that enables you to observe and release the sensation of stress and embrace the sensations of Dynamic Ease, Pleasure, and comfort.

Key concepts

Anatomy: Pelvis, Chest, Head, Spine, Chakras, Energy Centers

YBW: Your Body’s Way “the current design and function of your body” (always changing/new)

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.

“Exploration of:

The roundness of the pelvis as a container of energy.
x
The bones of the chest as designed to exchange energy.
x
The round eyes direct energy.
x
The horizontal and vertical alignment of the Spine in each Stage.”

— Nia 5 Stages

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 News: September 15, 2023

Happy Friday!

Our 14th Soma Birthday was a wonderful celebration, thank you everyone who came to join us. And big congratulations to our 5 Stages Graduates, what a deep, wonderful healing experience. These kind of training retreats are what we dreamed of, the beginning, the spark and inspiration of Soma Ranch.

Saturday morning Helen is teaching Breathing Nia 5 stages followed by 10am Breath Passion. An inspiring class where we explore the relationship between deeply listening and dancing to the music with breath, with the intent to feel fabulously alive!

FYI Next weekend Helen is teaching Nia 5 Stages Architecture of CORE followed by 10am “ChakraDancer”. We will focus on CORE and dance to ChakraDancer to get “all tuned up”. A fabulous class where we explore the relationship between Energy Centers and the Core of the Body, with the intent to feel aligned energetically and physically.

We’ve included a complete list of classes coming up for the rest of this month, including Helen plan to go on a “vintage exploration” including TranceVision, SkyDancing, ChakraDancer, with a high possibility of a splash of Lauren Daigle.

Thank you Soma participants, this month we raised $130 for St. Jude. And good news, the whole team say YES TO 2024, we’re going to continue the 30 day challenge into 2024, mark your calendar, entertain joining us for the year and be assured more information is coming soon.

This week I’ve had an “all the feels” kind of week (a phrase I learned from a fellow Nia teacher), here’s a little more into our conversation.

Hope you have time to enjoy this touching Authentic, Heart Felt Talent clip, although Adelle and James are wonderful super stars (and fellow English born people), what is most touching is their honest, deep, friendship.

with love

Helen, Joe and all the fond 4 legged friends at Soma

Authentic, Heart Felt Talent

I hope this “light entertainment” touches you as deeply as me. Beyond these 2 fabulous super stars being fellow English people, living in the US (like me), I find the exchange between these two authentic friends to be a wonderful inspiration of how to live a heart felt, deeply meaningful, life. (and of course there’s some wonderful songs sung too ;-)

Breathing Passion

Saturday 9/16/23, Soma Ranch Co-Owner, Helen Terry, is teaching both the 8:45am Nia 5 Stages class and the 10:00am class.

Continuing our September month, where our focus is the CORE of movement:Pelvis, Chest, Head, Spine, Chakras. We will focus on Breathing and dance to Nia Routine Passion.

A fabulous class where we explore the relationship between deeply listening and dancing to the music with breath, with the intent to feel fabulously alive!

“We look at anatomy
to see how the body or body part is positioned,
then we sense it in our own bodies.”

— Nia 5 Stages

Classes with Helen Terry 8:45am + 10:00am (CT)

These classes are HYBRID via Zoom and 24HR replay upon request. = 3 great choices:

1. Online via Zoom and/or

2. Enjoy a 24 hour replay

Usual Class Rates apply: Drop in for $15, buy a class pass or consider signing up for the 30 Day Challenge 30 classes, 30 days $99 and receive the class as part of your package!

This movement experience is suitable for beginners and people of all different fitness backgrounds.

“From looking, listening, learning
and gaining an understanding of anatomy,
we can then sense
to re-align all parts of our body. ”

— Nia 5 Stages

In the Nia 5 Stages, you are invited to a place of sensitivity that enables you to observe and release the sensation of stress and embrace the sensations of Dynamic Ease, Pleasure, and comfort.

Key concepts

Anatomy: Pelvis, Chest, Head, Spine, Lungs, Breath, Diaphragm, Intercostal Muscles, Ribs

Systemic Breath: Breathing as one integrated system.

YBW: Your Body’s Way “the current design and function of your body” (always changing/new)

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.

“Your diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that contracts downward,
filling your lungs with air as you inhale and relaxing upward, emptying the lungs, as you exhale.

Imagine an accordion effect, expanding not only horizontally, but also vertically and radially. The intercostal muscles of your ribs support this action.”

— Nia 5 Stages

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

Include all the feels

How’s your week? I've had a quite extreme "up and down" kinda week, including moments of questioning and self-doubt around teaching, including questions like

"what am I doing?”

“why am I doing this?”

“who am I?”

... yes - after 30 years I surrender to fact that this "mind/heart dance" is simply part of my pattern...

and then POOF! a fairly "dormant" participant, who returned to classes this month sent me this....

““I am so enjoying this 30 day challenge with you and others..
It was fun to re-discover Dreamwalker today with your fresh take on one of my favorites. Dreamwalker was the very first Nia routine I learned after White belt... …so richly playful.
I make as many in-person sessions as my schedule allows
and then look forward to your recordings.
😍 Thanks for making them available.

Peace and light””

— Happy 30 Day Challenge Participant

I posted this on our Nia Int’l Facebook Page and received many confirming comments of “yes me too” whether teachers have taught for 1 year, 5 or even decades, seems many of us have the same process. I loved how one teacher shared…

“Yup. 🙋🏻‍♀️ I know this from all areas in my life.
I used to be more alarmed about it when I was younger, but have come to see it as a natural increase and decrease cycle necessary to include all the feels. It’s still not pleasant, but it doesn’t have to be - and it does feel like a life/death/life cycle (meaning, that once out of a “death” phase, I have more access to life again). ❤️”

— Nia Teacher

and some participants from our 30 day challenge chimed in with the most encouraging notes.

Here’s an example of someone in our 30 day challenge, who enjoys the recordings, compliments our team, and shares how they enjoy how our teachers have complimentary styles.

“I feel it too Helen. I have not been able to join a single live class but I have done every recording this month in the 30 day challenge. You have assembled a great group of teachers with distinctive and complements teaching styles. And I already shared how much I loved your adaptation of Deep Dive. today Dreamwalker was a blast! And the other day- the Belle Sisters song Iko Iko is one of my faves! Has so much fun. You are making an impact! Thank you for teaching through it all!”

— 30 Day Challenge Participant

If you experience lows and challenging times I hope you find some inspiration in this post, how, when we reach out we can discover how we are not alone, how we belong, how by us all being honest about how the ups, the downs and ““all the feels” we can be encouraged to fully live life, and hopefully find ways to sing and dance along the way.

Go Team 2024!

This year we have had a wild and fabulous fun adventure of taking something I (Helen) did on my own for 2 years (teaching a 30 day challenge every month), into a collective exploration of team teaching. We came together not knowing each other very well and along the way some lovely friendships have evolved and deep healing has occured. There’s been nurturing, nourishment, support, encouragement, joy and a LOT of laughs along the way.

All this being said, when I sent out an initial enquiry to the team to see who would like to continue into next year, I chose to have very little expectation. My attitude was “this has been a fabulous ride and I’m not forcing anyone to keep on keeping on next year. My secret decision was the team’s response would be my message with regards whether to fold this program or develop into another year of daily classes.

Way beyond my expectation THE WHOLE TEAM responded with a resounding “Heck yes!!”. I hope you can sense my beaming smile and big chuckles as each teacher replied with YES!!

We’ll be following up with more details soon. For now I simply wanted to share the joy and how our adventure will continue into 2024, we would be delighted and feel blessed if you’d like to consider joining us.

Here’s a taste of the rest of our program for September (Still time and space to join us)