Pilates with Todd

Hi Everyone ...

I have to say I have tried Pilates in the past and I really tried to like it but I was so bored after a couple of times. ... always the same noves and worst of all no music. Well I get that that is how it is traditionally taught being a healing core strengthening workout. And I am a dancer and if it's not fun? You know I just am not going to go there.

I've been having some core issues lately with my lower back and after hearing the rocking music that Todd Gibbs was using in his Pilates classes at NiaSpace. I decided to give it another try. Was it fun? YES! Why? He used some great music. Sometimes disco, pop, retro, rock and roll and the best thing ... Every time you thought you were going to die after another ab crunch, push up, biceps, tricieps, strength move he would so OK ... now breathe and roll back a few times on your back rocking forward and back before moving into the next variation. He is masterful in making the moves "work" with the music ... even better for me ... so I'm a convert. I'll be there at least once a week. I like my ab's talking to me and will bring those moves into the cool down soon. Maybe not the sit up like crunches ...;-)

Until next time!

Relationships

Lately I've been questioning all of my relationships ... ALL of them .. to myself, to others, to my work, to music, dance, etc. I'm not sure where it is leading but it feels refreshing in a way to look at them with new eyes. It also feels a little scary and I'm not letting my fear get in the way of examining what is working and what is not working. I'm clear that I need this to move forward myself in a bigger way. I'm excited about the possibilities and am open to MORE!

A Fabulous Birthday Party

A friend asked me to do a Nia intention ceremony as a part of her birthday party. OK no biggie right. Except most of the people in the group are ecstatic dancers and don't necessarily want to be told how to move. So we met for lunch and I got the gist of what she wanted. 15-20 minutes? Easy right?

So last Saturday night the party started out at house with a potluck while waiting for the band to arrive. There was fabulous cajun food. ... of course how much can I eat or drink knowing that I had to present in an hour and a half.

The whole 15 piece rowdy marching band showed up and proceeded to gather us all up for a lively parade to the Austin Yoga School. They were a blast! People came out of their house as we danced by taking pics etc. This is all so south austin cultural creative.

So we got to the studio and the band continued in a frenzy getting every to dance. I'm thinking OMG how am I going to follow this? Especially with these ecstatic dance people who don't really like to be told how to move. I had a brief powwow with another friend to confirm my plan in the quiet room and got my confidence back.

So finally my turn. The birthday hostess introduced me and talked about the setting of an intention of transformation. I then stepped up and explained what we were going to do. First clear the chakras so we have room for more. Step in and shake our bodies. The the whirly wig afro celt song to blend it all together then another song ... blah blah. AND I was totally projecting my voice and had their attention, Crank up the volume - here we go ...

Whatever I did so worked. A few people did step out and back in and all in all they loved it. One of my friends told me after that he totally got the value of Nia and that I did a great holding the space. WOW! I have to say it felt like herding cats for sure. A handful of women told me afterwards that they loved it and they are dedicated Ecstatic Dancers

Anyway I just had to share my story. I hope you enjoyed it!

Thunder Gongs with Jodi

I took the opportunity to hear Jodi Roberts and her Chakra Gongs last Saturday nigh in the small studio at NiaSpace. I'd been to Jodi's crystal and metal bowl concerts before yet there was something about the power of a gong and the sound they make that can talk, sing, cry, wail - reverberate in your body I picked a spot between the heart gong and root gong. Somehow that felt right for me. The sound was amazing - sometimes like a thunder storm, a low rumble or an amazing brush stroke. Everyone was speechless at the end. chocolate was passed around and helped bring people back into the space. Afterwards when Jodi turned her back I toyed with the idea of taking the big thunder gong with me after reaching into the circle of sound and gongs that she created to feel the surface. It had a warmth to it that I didn't expect. When I shared that with Jodi she said go in and play them ... I was like really! WOW! I stepped in to the circle of gongs and so understood the power of them all. They said "play me and now stop and listen". What a great lesson for the day!

Nia Madonna Celebration coming soon!

I've been a fan of Madonna forever it seems like.. She's definitely the Queen of Pop ... She continues to re-invent herself over and over again. I can relate to that!

So she has this new set called Celebration which claims to be the ultimate compilation of Madonna songs. They cover the expanse of the Material Girl's extraordinary career of hits including "Everybody," "Express Yourself," "Vogue" and "4 Minutes." "Celebration" will be available in a two-CD set as well as a single CD.

We will dance to a mix of her "Celebration" cd on an upooming Saturday. Date to be announced!

Giveaways graciously provided by Warners Music Group include posters, cards and cd's. Look forward to celebrating with you!