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Week #4, Tools for connecting to your body.By Jill Pagano on Aug 2 2009 - 7:07pm Okay...well last week I was on summer vacation with the family. And even though I don't take a vacation from my relationship with my body, I do admit that I didn't spend any time to Week three of the lessons. So, I'm moving right to week four and will sneak week three's in at another time. I'm choosing to not beat myself up about this. And instead to let go of "I should have" and just joyfully jump into this week #4's lesson. This may serve as a reminder to those of you who might miss a week--"don't sweat it". The lessons aren't going any where. You can engage with them whenever you choose. Even if it is just for a few potent moments! This week's lesson is about: XRay Anatomy, Witnessing and Natural Time. These tools are already biting me in the butt (getting my attention)! After being on vacation for a week, I'm "witnessing" some negative self talk about how I feel about certain body parts that took the burden of sitting alot. I'm feeling "flabby" and unconditioned. And I don't like it! How is that for Witnessing my self talk. I am Witnessing that I want to engage my body through conditioning more often. Witnessing that I personally like feeling more conditioned. I also have been working with XRay anatomy--seeing my structure, and sensing my structure. I noticed that when I am in the car, my cervical spine collapses and I end up elevating my chin and dropping the back of my skull toward my shoulders. Not too comfortable on the extensor muscles in my neck, this kind of slouched neck position. Using Alexander technique, the energy of up and out from the crown of the head, I am able to get more comfort and length and ease. By using, Xray Anatomy and Witnessing, I catch myself in this awkward, and seemingly habitual, position of my head (especially while riding/driving in a car!). I'm looking forward to taking a Nia Class tommorrow morning where I can continue with this week's lesson. Nia Summer Groovin'! #5 of 9: Tae Kwon Do PowerBy Lesley Tinker on Aug 1 2009 - 3:54am Welcome to Week #5 of NiaDivas' Nia Summer Groovin'! August 1, 2009 Feeling the flow from the T'ai Chi of week #4? Smooth...How about combining T'ai Chi with Jazz for...smooth jazz... Continuing on our body journey, with week #5, we highlight Tae Kwon Do power in everyday life, Spine and Rib Cage X-ray Anatomy, and Spinal Melt FitTip. Onward! Tae Kwon Do--The Dance of Precision Expressing in all four Nia realms: Nia Summer Groovin'! #4 of 9: T'ai Chi FlowBy Lesley Tinker on Jul 25 2009 - 6:03am Welcome to Week #4 of NiaDivas' Nia Summer Groovin'! July 25, 2009 Feeling the freedom from the Modern Dance of week #3? And how about the overall sensation of all three dance energies? Jazz, Duncan, and Modern combined? Continuing on our body journey, with week #4, we highlight T'ai Chi flow in everyday life, Thigh Bone, Hip Joint, and Pelvis X-ray Anatomy, and Body Hug FitTip. Onward! Nia Summer Groovin'! #3 of 9: Dramatic Modern DanceBy Lesley Tinker on Jul 18 2009 - 3:09am Welcome to Week #3 of NiaDivas' Nia Summer Groovin'! July 18, 2009 Feeling playful and spontaneous from the Duncan Dance of week #2? Maybe a little? A lot? Continuing on our body journey, with week #3, we highlight dramatic Modern Dance in everyday life, Shin and Calf Bones and Knees X-ray Anatomy, and Body Pulse FitTip. Onward! Modern Dance--Playing with Balance, Shapes and Space Expressing in all four Nia realms:
Watch in your everyday life how Modern Dance expresses. What dramatic, moody, boundary-pushing free-form movements do you see? An eagle poised high in the sky, swooping down to the water, then lifting back up to the sky. A cat slinking along the grass, freeze-framing into a motionless minute, then pouncing on a leaf. Spring! What else do you see? Modern Dance, shape-shift, your way through your week noticing the sensations that you feel, the possible boundaries that you break through. Sway & Shift: Jill's Journal Week 2By Jill Pagano on Jul 15 2009 - 4:04pm What I love so much about the reading from this week's lesson (week 2, read pages 16-24) is located on page 17. "Whole being fitness begins with heightened awareness-- of both body and mind. To achieve this, you need ot turn off the automatic pilot that so often governs your movement and thoughts. Living and moving by rote and routine kills consciousness and waters down the expeience of life, turning people into hamsters on a treadmill." What a brilliant reminder to turn off autopilot and turn on to life. When I practice awareness (and it is a practice), I bring a heightened sensitivity to my body sensations and pay attention to how my body responds to my choices and to my daily life activities. As I heighten my awaresness of sensation, I begin to receive more--the pleasure of holding and petting my dog's face, the squeeze of a love hug from my 10-year old daughter, the soft feel of my son's new "buzz-cut" hair and the smoothness of my own skin as I apply lotion. Inviting in awareness of sensation helps me fall back in love with the details of my life. This may seem to have nothing to do with "getting more fit". And that is why practicing Nia brings so much more than fitness to my life. The practice of Nia reminds me that when I am bring my attention to sensation there is a richness to my life. What sensations can you become aware of today? How do these sensations affect you heart, your spirit and your relationship with this moment of your life? Till next time, Stay lovingly curious! Jill 
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