Bodyfulness — Seattle Nia with Dina

Save the DATE!  JULY 2nd! 

Show up in a  kinky costume (or in my case this wig and black dress) and DANCE this Thursday Night at the Rebar (1114 Howell Street, Seattle, WA 98101. ) 

Things get going late, like around 11pm.  There’s a great DJ and a big dancefloor.  This week will be a special Michael Jackson tribute.      

This event is the brainchild of our Nia community member Everett (love him!)  Come to class tomorrow if you want more information…or if you need help deciding what to wear…:)

On my walk back from Fuel Coffeeshop on 19th East, I stopped for some shade under a Japanese Maple Leaf. 

What a sky!

What a summer!

We are so blessed…

I took this photo from my new IPhone.  Yeah, I’m psyched…

I was wondering what I was waiting on…

This week, I was trying to create the Jazz-inspired Nia dance class for this week’s Niability session and I kept getting distracted.

It was because I needed to wait unti the news of Michael Jackson’s death today in order to create a tribute dance. 
I’ll debut it at this Friday’s 9am and 6:30pm classes. 

Here’s the playlist:

Remember the Time; Michael Jackson
Brotha; Jill Scott
Train In Vain; Annie Lennox
Coast 2 Coast (Suavamente); Angie Martinez & Wyclef Jean
Adouma; Angelique Kidjo
I wish; Patti LaBelle
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’; Michael Jackson
Freedom; George Michael
Bad; Michael Jackson
Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground); Michael Jackson
Bluey; Fat Freddy’s Drop

Let’s keep a fire burning for Michael through full body groovin’!

This is how I feel about today!

It was an AWESOME class this morning, bells and whistles. 

This picture was taken at the UVilliage Shopping Center, where
I just bought my new 32GB IPhone!

So, I am one happy girl YAY!

Many of you have had the pleasure of seeing my sweet SueB parked on the streets around 15th East over the years. 

She was a great car.  She had almost 295,000 miles on her when she breathed her last breath last Monday, June 15, 2009. 

Farewell, faithful friend! 

Many the roads in the sky always rise to meet you.

The “Papa Solstice” Nia class yesturday afternoon left us in a sweaty pile of joy. 

Pictured here is me, lounging on Sam, being woo’ed by Dave.  Ah, Men!

And I think those are some Everett legs off to the left. 

These men are moving the dance revolution!

I love the creative process.  Good thing I have a deadline or I’d keep changing this set, I can just feel it.  Gotta know when to say, “enough is enough”…take it away from myself and call it good.

Here is the playlist for tomorrow as of 7:34pm…

Mad World; Adam Lambert
Everybody Loves The Sunshine; Roy Ayers Feat. Erykah Badu
Forgive Them Father; Lauryn Hill
Whatta Man; Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue
Missionary Man; Eurythmics
Father of Mine; Everclear
Never Far Away; Chris Cornell
It’s Raining Men; The Weather Girls
Soul Man; Sam & Dave
Just the Two of Us; Will Smith
Father and Daughter; Paul Simon
Living Years; Mike + the Mechanics
Pull the Catch; Fat Freddy’s Drop

 “Fa la la la la la, Fa la la la la”
  –Papa Smurf

This Sunday, June 21st at 1pm “Nia Church” (as the posse lovingly calls it)…I will be conducting a special class to celebrate Summer Solstice and appreciate our men for Father’s Day. 

Men get in for FREE! 

I’m calling the routine “Papa Solstice”…it is shaping up very well.  I’m just in the beginning of my creative process (which I LOVE LOVE)…music exploration, themes, images, memories…

My Dad passed away in 2000, so, he inspires me from beyond…!  I call him “Papa John” now, although I never called him that when he was living.  I am delighted by the fact that our relationship continues to evolve, bless, and hold me even though he is not here in the flesh. 

Go Papa John!  You are love, lover, and beloved.

 
“This is my dance space, this is your dance space.”
  –Patrick Swayze’s character in Dirty Dancing

Are you looking for a easy trade for my dance classes? 

There is limited availability for our ”creating the sapce” dance trade.  It requires you to show up 20 minutes early to help us get the room prep’d for class.  Email dina@niaseattle.com for more information.

“We love Dina Underground!”

Look at the wonderful cake that Rachel picked out for my birthday celebration!  We ate it all up on Wednesday morning after Nia class. 

It was so delicious- white cake drenched in brandy with fresh whipped creme and huge, fresh strawberries.  It took my breath away, as did the kindness that brought it to me. 

Thank you, Rachel, and everyone else that contributed.  May your blessing of me bless you, as blessings are intended to do. 

May we all open to give and receive with ease and grace.