Natural time

I recently moved through quite a challenging period of healing. What started in the emotional realm manifested in the physical realm where I moved about in muck for a while. The difference this time was the permission I granted myself to heal in quiet space with trust in self that I would return to movement. This subtle shift to trust aligned all my realms and I emerged with a sense of strength and peace. I am reminded that when I release distractions and sense, my body has the will and wisdom to carry itself to healthy clarity.

Movement patterns

I have noticed a correlation between movement patterns in my Nia practice and movement patterns in other areas, particularly during periods of shift. I lead with a heavy heel, leaving a deep impression but running out of energy before completing the step. Digging in my heels and gripping my toes for balance. This came to heightened awareness during a 52 Moves class with Helen. As we went through each of the moves I received quite a bit of information that connected the dots through sensations. Now I sense the follow-though as I evenly distribute my energy, release my grip, and kiss the Earth with conscious adult steps.

Clearing the space

Our house celebrated its 102nd birthday this year and my contribution to the celebration has been major clearing of clutter. Pulling out years of accumulation has unearthed gems and stirred up quite a bit of energy. Fortunately, Helen Terry's Blue Electric Storm weekend at NiaMoves became the perfect vehicle for shifting, releasing, and creating new pathways.

Blue Electric Storm weekend has evolved into an annual event where Nia practitioners, belts and pre-belts, share the space in a dynamic interactive weekend filled with movement and magic. With "healing" as our focus this year, I sensed patterns of my body and mind release and new pathways open to the realm of endless possibilities.

"Summer wonderful" draws to a close and for the first time in my years as an educator I am entering a school year with the sensation of RAW - relaxed, alert, and waiting. I sense flexibility, agility, mobility, stability, and strength as I move into the space of a new school ready to take safe risks. There is excitement as I open my eyes to the sights and sounds along the path, welcome fellow travelers, and shift my focus from "summer wonderful" to simply "wonderful".

Summer wonderful

Many years ago, a dear friend of mine coined a phrase that becomes my mantra from June to August - "summer wonderful". It's joyful to say and even more so to feel as I tap into the unobstructed opportunity to focus my intention to clear, clean, shift, and recharge. This is a definite upside to employment in education.

This "summer wonderful" has truly lived up to its name as it has brought opportunities to teach more classes and thus fulfill my intention of deepening my relationship with my practice. I have been reminded that the delightful souls with whom I have shared the space are truly the teachers. They reflect steps taken, those that need tweaking, and those yet to take. They remind me, with loving-kindness, to honor wherever I am in the process, to sense feeling grounded as I take safe risks.

"Summer wonderful" has shifted from a state of mind defined by months to a state of being defined by sensation wrapped in Downy-scented gratitude for all of my teachers.

A/O

Focus - Stability/Mobility

The Nia routine, A/O routine has felt particularly timely as I witness beginnings and endings flow rather than appear as marked points along my path. As I invite in stability, I sense a release of my desire to control. I sense the courage to explore through mobility knowing that I am supported by sources that energetically swirl around me.

Plug for my legendary brother

I must have done something right in a previous life (or several lives) to be fortunate enough to have the brother I have. He's a very old soul and quite gracious in his enormously talented body and mind. One of his latest pieces as producer is for an Australian artist named Karl Broadie. Here's the description for Karl's new album, "Branches", produced by my brother:
Produced by legendary US producer Craig Ross, Branches is Karl’s most personal album to date. Featuring co-writes with Kim Richey. It’s impossible to listen to Branches and be left untouched. That is why Karl Broadie is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of Australia’s most perceptive and sensitive songwriters. His delicate touch and left-of-centre take on life make his music unique — a rare and valuable insight into the human condition and a sheer joy to listen to.

Taken from: http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=306066

Beaming with big sister pride!

Sober in the Vineyard

My last alcoholic beverages were consumed on November 8, 2003. I went out with a bang, downing a bottle of wine to reach my last supperesque heightened state of inebriation. Since that fateful evening I remain, with gratitude, alcohol free.

I attended an amazing workshop with Nia Black Belt, Tracy Stamper, called Shakin' Your Chakras. When I heard about it I felt compelled to attend not giving any thought to the location which was a place called The Vineyard (in Florence, TX, an amazing place with the most gracious hosts). It wasn't until I entered the space, looked around, and seemed to awaken to the fact that I was in a location that centers around wine. Vineyards, bottles of wine, pictures of wine, wine aroma (later on), wine glasses, glasses of wine, discussions about wine. . . Yet, in that space I felt safe and supported as I brought awareness to and opened my chakras in space created by Tracy with warmth and kindness. Energetically bringing in the 3rd of my triadic support, Jill, wine was background noise drowned out by the joyous melody of Earth's supportive energy channeled through loving souls who grace my life.