We are in the midst of our Raffle for Red Cross (to benefit Haiti). I am so happily surprised at the turnout of gifts from our NiaDivas community and NiaSeattle Community. I want to thank all of you for stepping up and donating your talents and your gifts.

We can purchase tickets ($10 or 3 for $20) right up till Feb. 13th when we have the drawing before, after or maybe during, the 10am class with Jill.

Here's just the beginning of wonderful prizes you can win. I'll continue to update the list as they come in.

• NiaDivas 6-week NiaDarling membership( $75)
• Nia Diva outfit--pick something from the online Nia HQ wear- top/bottom
• Massages from Ann Nicolaysen ($85) and Stacy Taylor ($50)
• 2 hour gardening consultation and 5 native plants from Kimberly Leeper and Mariposa Naturescapes
• Your choice of handmade beaded jewelry from Brandy Torrisi ($40)
• 4 pack of spritzers from Star Juice
• special recipe massage oils from Nia Teacher Gayle Holeton
• Nia classes packets from Blue Heron Ranch (Issaquah), Circle P Barn (Woodinville), Luna Studio (Laurelhurst)
• 1 hour reading with Sindy Todo (Todomojo) and Mojo bag ($150)

And more!!

 Thinking of joining me today at Allstar Fitness (open to all!) for our Up Close and Personal Series? Here's my notes for what we will experience. Listening to music is one of my favorite exercises and it is so relaxing almost meditative in the way Nia teaches us to listen and receive sounds. And then to take the skill of listening to music and allow ourselves to connect to the music makes for a powerful movement experience. Once you have the skill of listening to music, you'll draw on it for all your class experiences and also be able to translate that "listening skill" into other areas of your life--like listening to others, listening to yourself, listening to your body.  I'm looking forward to sharing it and practicing it with you today. XO , Jill

Nia Up Close and Personal Series:  January 5^th Tuesday @ 10:45-Noon, Allstar Fitness

Topic: Listen, Sense, Dance

Focus:  experience more in depth listening

Intent: fuller experience of dancing b/c of increase listening skill

Just to wrap up my series of blogs on my White Belt Intensive 13-years ago, I'm including a short entry from right after I started teaching Nia. I remember the moment of putting my "old aerobic music " tape (yes, cassette tape) into the player and thinking "I can't move like this anymore". That was it. I was off to a new way and haven't stopped exploring my movement since. I find it so interesting now how seemingly concerned I was about my body changing with Nia. It did and it has...but not in the way I was scared of. Back in 1996, I was muscle-bound and rigid from years of linnear movement and weight training. I was also riddled with repetitive injuries, like shin splints and shoulder impingement. Those have gone by the way side.  Thirteen years later, I believe most of my aches and pains are due to the years I abused my body and I use Nia and somatic movement to ease them, heal them and learn from them. The most amazing part of this 13 year journey to me is how change has happened and to the degree that it has, even when I didn't know it was taking place. It's sorta like when there is a building that sits on a corner for ever, and you pass it by, recalling it easily. Then a demolitian crew comes in and tears it down, puts up a new one and I catch myself saying "what use to be in that spot?"

 The way I receive my changes is by reconnecting with my past through journals, old pictures, videos, or talking to colleagues from the fitness-industry. It is when they may talk about calories, workouts, their fitness goals, or body parts they feel dissatisfied with that I realize "I just don't have those thoughts anymore".  Such a shift from the gal who KNEW I was getting FAT if I took one day off from working out.

Whew...it's been over a week (I took the weekends off) of recapitulating my Nia White Belt experience. Today is the final journal entry I wrote on the last 1/2 day of the intensive.

The last day full day, a brief entry.

(no date in journal)

On our final full day here I realize I desire to learn, explore, and teach this work from many and for more reasons. I feel excited with inspiration to begin and make my plan work and play well together. I'm looking brightly ahead at the future with people and movement. A brief moment without fear Ah!

Tommorrows entry sums up my experience, fully.

Thanks for checking in!

Jill