Bodyfulness — Seattle Nia with Dina

Hey gang, Rachel Whalley here. 
I talked to Dina on her trip and she asked me to blog about our class today. What a ride it was!

Brief setup: Dina’s out on a short trip (back on Wednesday next week) and a sub was scheduled. I was in the studio setting up, dancers are arriving, and it’s 9am….and no sub!

What did we do?!

Well, we could have just bagged class, given up and gone home. But because we are ALL AWESOME, we pulled together to get class going anyway!

The wonderful Rachael Millikan graciously allowed me to stick a mic on her, as Susannah Malarkey and I agreed to help her “lead” class as best we could, none of us being Nia teachers.

And the amazing group of 18 women who were there were so totally game for this. So supportive and willing to roll with whatever happened, as long as they got to dance!

I am so grateful to be part of such a willing, generous, and collaborative community. I’ve never seen anything like that, seriously, and it’s only after the fact that I’m realizing how special it really is.

‘Cause I never doubted, for a second, that you guys would do anything else but go for it!

Thank you all for being there and helping out.

Special thanks to Rachael Millikan for taking a hit for us and getting us started. And special thanks to lovely Nia Blue Belt Frannie Kao for showing up and taking over class so we could all fully relax into her capable hands!

Lastly, thank you to Dina. You are the one who built this city and made it all possible. We are a lean, mean, dancing team because of YOU.

Peace out,
Rachel

Lovely Nia teacher Jena will be guest teaching these upcoming classes:

Friday 9am, Feb. 27
Sunday 1pm, March 1st
Monday 9am, March 2nd

Show her a warm Nia-Underground welcome!

My nephew Stephen may be improving physically, and this is great news. However, now the even harder work begins: the emotional healing. May all the people around him know that tears cleanse the soul, and that the best thing they can do is take care of their own hearts so that they can simply mirror his emotional experience. At this juncture, being soft is more indicated than being strong. Shift, and breathe! Know you are supported by the blue-golden light of Spirit.

 
Reminder: When hard things happen–a loss, an illness, an unexpected fight–it’s not because I was bad, or because I did something wrong.

I’m approaching Stephen’s illness as an chance to love more, and heal. With compassion, curiosity, and courage, I turn in for inspiration and a return to innocence.

My true nature, just like my kin pictured here, is pure light. This can never be taken away or diminished. It’s right here, right now, fully orbed and waiting for my permission to heal me…and to heal the world.

*photo taken by Andreas Fetz

Miracles appear every day. Life takes us back to exactly where we need to be. Steven holds on in his hospital bed, unable to dance, play, jump. But inside, he’s FREE. Absolutely and totally. Just like our Nia dancer Ariel in this picture, the Joy inside can never be taken away.

My deepest gratitude and love goes out to all my students and friends who are holding the consciousness for Stephen to heal. He had 24 hours without a seizure! Keep praying!!

I had an amazing realization today.  I was sitting in prayer and meditation for Stephen, and I felt incredible love…not my love, but Love itself.  Reminder: there is a surprising gift in suffering: an open heart.  Right in the eye of the storm, incredible clarity, presents, and prescence.

Stephen gives back to us by allowing us the oppourtunity to care, share, and connect with one another.  

Today in class our focus was courage.  I watched as bodies and spirits soared in unison and striking individuality.  It seems that everyone has had some experience of feeling helpless in the face of bizarre illness.  We came together in courage. 

Stephen is so gracious!  He has gifted both myself and my community by providing us with an oppourtunity to collectively heal. 

Baby, I’m amazed! Even though he’s not out of the woods yet, we feel very encouraged. Keep praying!

Here’s my boy, looking so happy and cute.

Please continue to pray, Stephen needs us!

My 12-year old nephew, Stephen, needs your prayers. He has had multiple seizures and is in the hospital in NY. Please think of him being well and strong, getting through this with great courage. I love him so very much.

Today’s class emphasized the elements of Jazz dance that inspired the Nia Technique: fun, showmanship, and play. Here’s the playlist I used. Enjoy!



Theres Just Me by Jill Scott
Brotha by Jill Scott
Hip Hip Chin Chinm by Club Des Belugas
I wish by Patti LaBelle
Adouma by Angelique Kidjo
Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches & Herb
Express Yourself by Madonna
Groove Is In the Heart by Deee-Lite
Freedom by George Michael
Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake
Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
Game for Fools by Jamie Lidell
Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers
Flashback by Fat Freddy’s Drop