What a fantastic weekend of spirited movement

I had the good fortune to take in quite a bit of dance during the last two days.  April 29th was International Dance Day, and the day before I had been invited to talk to the Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship about the philosophy and spirituality of Nia.  One of the dance workshops I attended was to learn Hula, the sacred and festive dance of Hawaii.  Taught by a fellow Nia teacher from Gibsons, Dhyanna, this workshop was an absolute joy to be part of.  We learned a couple of hula dances that taught us the ways in which all the hula movements are symbols.  Dhyanna danced one of the ceremonial hulas, and then explained how the movements were symbolic of nature and the prayers of thanks for the elements and to the creator, the great spirit.  This was no touristy performance, but a deeply moving moment of embodied prayer.

As the days lighten and warm up, I sense a lightening in my own heart to continue bringing more and more embodied movement, Nia, and community dance to this beautiful place where I live.  I have deep gratitude for all the students who help keep my dream thriving, coming to classes and workshops, and so obviously enjoying themselves.  If it takes two to tango, it takes a whole community to dance prayers and gratitude and joy and connection.

There is an opportunity coming up this Saturday, May 5th, to once again be part of the co-creation of community art.  We've all been invited to come and dance while the Letz Sing choir sings in the Sid Williams courtyard.  It's at 2pm, and you would be so welcomed into the circle of movement to help create a mandala of music and movement.

May 6th Playshop on the 9 Movement Forms

Time for diving in deep again, looking at more of the components of what makes Nia.  In the last playshop we went over each of the 52 moves in detail, learning about placement, alignment, and our own body's way as compared to The Body's Way.

In this playshop we'll be looking that closely at the 9 movement forms:

Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Aikido
Modern Dance, Duncan Dance, Jazz
Alexander Technique, The Work of Moshe Feldenkrais, Yoga

Debbie and Carlos have taken something from each, the essence of each practice, and woven them all together to create the practice of Nia. 

We'll take time to explore all  nine forms, and then there will be time to reflect in movement as to which movement form you resonate with the most, which you find most challenging, and what the gifts of the movement forms are for you in your Nia practice and in your daily life.

The class is limited to 12, with a minimum 8 registered required to run.

Sunday, May 6th
1 to 4pm
Island Pilates Fitness Studio
$25

Register by paying Ann Marie with cash or chq.

Spirituality in Motion

On April 28th, a Saturday, I will be giving a talk about the philosophy and spirituality of Nia for the Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship.

1 - 2:30pm

Comox United Church 250 Beach Ave

$15

Call Lynda to register at 250-339-7679

There will be talking and listening and gentle movements and meditating. 

This will be a chance to listen to some of the deeper philosophy behind Nia, and to get in touch with it's ability to intimately connect body, mind and spirit.

All are welcome!

Contact me for more information:

Ann Marie 250-336-0238