Nia Moment

June 7, 2009 in dance, dance class tokyo

Wanted to share with you a beautiful moment of peace and surrender that came over me during a very special Nia Workshop, here in Tokyo yesterday.

I was very blessed to have the opportunity to attend a one off Nia workshop by Toronto based Nia trainer, Roberta Mohler. Held in a small studio at the Yoyogi Olympic Center, the class of 15 members (plus Tokyo based instructors Yuki and Su) was warm and welcoming as I turned up just in time for the warm up (9:30am is early for me) Roberta lead us through the gentle and yet stimulating Nia warm up. With very little verbal direction but full and complete physical guidance, Roberta kicked us into full Nia action.

Bodies started to move and groove to the carefully selected tracks, sweat started to drip, muscles started to warm and elongate and heart rates rose. Moving through various forms inspired by martial arts, capoeira, tai chi, salsa and other playful dances, verbal expressions and sounds indicated the level of joy and gratitude in the room.

Nia had been on my radar for so long, I had heard so many positive rants about it and researched it’s technique but could never sync up my schedule until returning from Australia earlier this year and finding Tokyo based teacher Yuki. I wonder why I had waited so long to connect to the Nia power. Spooky, as I look down at my very worn key board there are three letters that have completely worn off the white keys N I A , ha ha.

About 15 minutes into the guided class yesterday I started to feel my physical body release, I mean really release, muscle tension I had been holding, rigidity I had embraced and troubling thought patterns left my bubble. It was then that my mind started to drift, into the beat, out of my body and latched onto floating dreams and sparkling thoughts. The only way that I know how to describe it is it was as if I was consciously and yet without force or structure connected to source, my higher self and true spirit. A feeling of pure bliss. I was aware of my surrounded and kept my physical place int he class, yet I was not there in that space. My movements became light, like floating, my physical form connected to the sounds, beats and energy around me and a great realisation came into my awareness.

I have consciously and subconsciously been dealing with some “stuff” recently relating to the questioning of my values, worth, abilities and quality. Comparisons have been made and walls have been built. In that moment yesterday, that Nia moment, clarity was at an all time high.

Freedom. Uncontrolled, free flowing, body loving movement, a chance to open up, to let go, to release rules, structure, form and closed thinking. That is what hoop dance is for me. That is why hoop lovers was created and they are the values that weave through all classes and workshops held by hoop lovers. My belief in open expression, connecting to true self, higher self and our bodies natural flow is a positive pattern of thought that has allowed me to transform and help others to do so.

It was in that moment that I saw my full purpose more clearly than ever before. As a receiver of such beautiful guidance I feel the need to share the joy of moving freely in life, dance and play. As I attract positive, playful and spirited beings into my life I am reminded time and time again of the joyful power of releasing form. This is my way, a way I want to share with others, those others who are wanting to step outside of boxed in structure and thoughts. It is time to play, more than ever before. It is time to connect, give and receive.

My gratitude for yesterday’s class, Nia, Roberta, the music (it was actually Ben Harper’s – You Look Like Gold that was playing during the powerful experience) and all of the other beautiful dancers in the studio yesterday, is intense. A very special Nia and me moment!