Last weekend a group of 8 NiaDivas Members and Jill headed over to Blue Heron Ranch (Nia Teacher Randee Fox's Nia Studio) for a master class and play shop with Nia Trainer (Houston) Helen Terry. Oooh, what fun we had! First off, Blue Heron Ranch is stunning. Especially so for us "city folk". The expansive ranch lawn, gorgeous horses and adorable Labadors is both relaxing and stimulating. The studio, featuring artwork by Randee, is comfortable, spacious and inviting. For me, it was like a mini-retreat!

 Helen Terry is a dynamic and centered Nia Trainer from Houston. She invited us into the music of Queen Latifah while integrating the moves from Nia Routine Sexi. Oh, yes...and she through in a little Santanna (Sex is the song, I think) to really get us moving. The "master class" was blissful---the group glowing!

 The play shop invited us to listen more intimately. Taking a beautiful song from I believe Dead Can Dance, each Nia teacher at the playshop represented a different instument. While that instrument played the teacher freedance their interpretation. And when the instrument was silent, so was the teacher in stillness. This was a very effective and quite beautiful way to train our ears and also to experience the relationship between sound and silence. All students practice together finding a deeper appreciation for the many sounds of that make up a song.

The two-hours flew by and we certainly all agreed how we wanted MORE!