Earthing – Our skin touching the skin of the earth
Earthing”- being in touch with the electromagnetic field of the earth directly– decreases cellular inflammation. And just feels GREAT. Like being at the beach. Throughout time, we humans have strolled, sat, stood, DANCED, and slept on the ground—the skin of our bodies touching the skin of the Earth—oblivious to the fact that such physical contact transfers natural electrical energy to the body.
Modern lifestyle has disconnected us from the Earth’s energy, making us more vulnerable to stress and illness.Earthing is the landmark discovery that this energy upholds the electrical stability of our bodies and serves as a foundation for vitality and health.In an age of rampant chronic disease, reconnecting with the Earth’s energy beneath our very feet provides a way back to better health.
Spending some time lying down on the grass in your garden or a park can be a wonderful preventive health measure. Walk and go barefoot more often. It is sensual, fun and makes you feel playful and alive.
We are bioelectrical beings living on an electrical planet. Let’s Reconnect to the Earth.
We have all heard the saying: “Variety is the Spice of Life!”
Variety is one of our human primary needs.
The first, and most basic need we all have – our survival mechanism – is “Certainty”. This is our need to avoid pain and ideally, have some comfort and safety in our life.
Our true passion and aliveness is however found in the realm of uncertainty, or variety.
Variety creates excitement for us. That’s what adventure is. It makes us feel alive. And we need surprises in our life, because that’s what helps us grow.
We all strive to meet our need for variety in ways that can be good, neutral or bad for us.
Some people find variety by doing drugs. Others will do it by over-eating. Some may try extreme sports. Others may get variety from a conversation, or by setting a new goal. And still others get variety by having a big problem.
One of my favorite, positive ways to meet my need for variety is through movement.
For example each Nia session consciously invites “Five Movement Sensations”.
The 5 Sensations are: flexibility, agility, mobility, strength and stability (FAMSS).
All of these movement qualities are benefiting us in movement and in life, and together they create a unique and fun experience of variety.
There are a million ways to get variety. The only question is, what is our way, and is it helping or hurting us?
When I was younger I rebelled against most rules and longed for more freedom.
Freedom remains one of my highest values.
Over the past years I have been learning about the power of consciously creating structures in my life.
These conscious structures and routines (for example what time I wake up or sleep, what and when I eat etc.) help support my highest desired outcome. They ultimately create more freedom and benefits for me in the long run.
I no longer blindly go against existing or recommended structures, and instead ask myself whether any “guideline” or “rule” would serve my highest interest.
Let’s ask ourselves where we might benefit from creating “new structures” in our life, and which structures might no longer serve us.
I first was drawn to Nia and holistic movement because I felt I could move more freely.
Over time I realised that the choreography (the form/structure of Nia) is specifically designed to help us become more adaptable and resilient.
Nia movement deliberately takes us out of our “habitual movement patterns” and “gently nudges” us to move in “weird or unfamiliar ways” which stimulate “new ways of thinking and feeling”.
We don’t get that if we only dance freely or only to choreography we love!
A mentor asked me “Are you an excellent receiver?”
This year I am practicing being an excellent receiver by giving everything I need to myself first. And by noticing and appreciating everything else that is given to me. Without any guilt.
It’s easy to over-give in our many roles which might lead to overwhelm and resentfulness towards ourselves and our dearest.
There is never a better time to give to ourselves and to receive from all the sources that wish to lovingly provide for us.
Music is one of these sources.
At home you may simply listen to a piece of music with the intention to openly receive its gifts:
You may choose to receive the rhythm, the melody, the lyrics, different instruments, the voice, the intention of the artist, the invitation to move….
So let’s enjoy receiving the countless uplifting gifts of music together at a Nia class near you!
This means to “learn & experience new things” in big or small ways.
We can consciously use this knowledge to “get out of a funk” and remind us of our true nature of “PURE POTENTIAL” at any time.
Many Personal Growth experts recommend daily reading, listening to or watching “educational material” in an area we LOVE.
Whether it is for 10 minutes or longer, we will feel a new sense of expansion and be uplifted. It takes us out of any “petty-problem-focus”, will energise and motivate us to grow more.
So let’s schedule some different “ME-Time” to grow more often and feel the difference.
That’s also one of the many reasons why I love Nia Holistic Movement. It is specifically designed to joyfully expand our mind, body and spirit in addition to countless other benefits.
“I want Holistic Strength – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual!”
It’s easy to be happy, healthy and calm when everything is great.
Our true strength shows when the pressure is on, things change or don’t go according to plan. ADAPTABILITY is the true quality for surviving and thriving in our world.
I used to be like “the princess and the pea”. Anything would throw me easily. Mentally, emotionally, physically.
For some years now, I have been practicing “Energy Hygiene”. I am consciously and continuously letting go of “all that weakens me” and am consciously and continuously focusing on “all that strengthens me”.
For example, I continue to let go of: “defensiveness, negative self-talk & lack-consciousness”, and am focusing on my highest energizing values of “self-growth and serving others”.
We can begin by asking ourselves in any moment of our day:
“Is this thought, feeling or action strengthening me?”
“Before Nia, I could never stick with any fitness class!”
What is the difference between conventional exercise and conscious movement?
The underlying premise of conventional exercise is that there is something “WRONG with us”, that we need to change our body shape or weight etc.
This means our focus is based on a negative perception of ourselves. It is based on LACK-consciousness.
In holistic movement (The Nia Technique) the premise is to move from JOY, to sense life-force energy in our whole being: mind, body, emotions and spirit. It is based on ABUNDANCE-consciousness.
The Nia Technique consciously uses ATTENTION (what we focus on) and INTENTION (our desired outcome).
“There are two qualities inherent in consciousness: Attention and Intention.
Attention ENERGIZES and Intention TRANSFORMS.
What we put our attention on will grow stronger in our life.
What we take attention away from will wither, disintegrate and disappear.
Intention triggers transformation of energy and information.
Intention organises its own fulfilment.” Deepak Chopra
So how does Attention & Intention affect how we move and the results we get?
COMMON EXERCISE FOCUS: “WHAT’S MISSING”
When we are subconsciously asking: “What is WRONG with my body?” we fuel a tendency towards seeking external approval. We might feel the need to perform during movement, causing insecurity, comparison, disappointment and pain.
COMMON EXERCISE INTENTION: “LOOKING BETTER”
When our main motivation is to change our appearance, force weight-loss and tone up, we might risk injuries and follow too linear, rigid, repetitive, mechanical and strenuous movement. This can lead to separation of mind and body and a feeling of being disconnected.
Holistic Movement Focus: AWARENESS
When we are consciously asking “What is RIGHT for me and my body?”, we are becoming aware of sensations, and will follow “OUR body’s way” with growing Ease and JOY.
Holistic Movement Intention: WELLBEING
When Wellbeing is our desired outcome, we are consciously connecting with vital energy and supporting self-empowerment, personal growth & holistic fitness. We are choosing meaningful, pleasurable, whole-body movement, connecting body, mind, emotions and spirit and strengthening our whole being.
“Dance is intrinsic to Women as a form of expression. It touches all levels of our existence, physical, mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual. What makes Dance SACRED is the INTENTION behind it. Through our intention we can invoke different energies. We can dance for healing, celebration, even purification. The clearer the intention the higher we vibrate.” “The Alchemy of Dance”, Leslie Zehr
“More & more women choose to become freer, healthier & happier with holistic movement.”
“I like to move more freely with Joy, Ease & Grace” The joyful, energizing and free-flowing elements of Nia movement attract open-minded, positive people who value their own wellbeing. They are choosing a holistic fitness practice which engages our whole being and nurtures our mind, body and emotions.
“I want to relax, heal and connect with my Body” The mindful, meditative and soothing elements of Nia movement are helping us to become more aware, befriend and trust our bodies. Holistic Movement invites us to practice self-acceptance, self-heal and sense joy in movement and in life.
“I love to move to music but feel a little uncoordinated!” Nia helps us to effortlessly improve Balance & Coordination through its unique variety of holistic movement to beautiful music. It is a pleasure to witness our bodies grow more expressive and secure in movement and to sense increased Mobility, Flexibility, Strength and Stability.
Nia is a truly holistic way to enjoy and benefit from movement. It fully engages our whole being: mind, body and soul and offers a sparkling, pleasurable cocktail of movement drawn from different healing arts, dance arts and martial arts.
Like attracts Like:
It is often those who are sensitive, energy aware and body conscious who feel drawn to Nia’s joyful, healing movement which is kind to our bodies. Over the years of teaching Nia I have found that most people who regularly attend Nia sessions are therapists or those with an open-hearted, caring nature who like to serve others. A number of prominent Nia teachers come from a healing background. This includes one of the worlds leading Nia trainers Ann Christiansen, who, in addition to being a former Olympic athlete, trained in a number of healing modalities including Kinesiology and holistic Massage, before making Nia her life’s purpose and teaching people all over the world. In any given Nia session you might find a Reiki healer, reflexologist, Alexander Technique practitioner, colour therapist, meditation coache, counsellor, nurse, party planner, loving grandmother, and the odd brave and exhausted mother.
Maximising our time to look after our mind, body and spirit: Whilst we might love the idea of attending several yoga, tai-chi and dance classes per week, we might struggle to make time whilst focussing on helping others. That’s why we appreciate a Nia session where we will benefit from a whole range of movement forms including Yoga, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Tai Chi, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Duncan Dance, Modern Dance, Jazz Dance and expressive Fee-Dance all in just one hour. No other exercise or fitness class offers such an extensive and exhilarating movement experience in a single session.
Enjoying a sense of Community:
Sharing a sacred and open-hearted space with like-minded people is a liberating, reassuring and often therapeutic way to re-connect with our higher self. Enjoying a common awareness also means that there is a wonderful sense of community when participating in a Nia session without being touchy-feely. Looking after others professionally or at home, whilst juggling other challenges in life and business can be a challenge. If we are self-employed it might occasionally feel a little isolated and it is lovely to simply be with people in a similar place.
Helping yourself to help others! If you are are a therapist, nurse, carer, grandmother, mother, or a kind, sensitive person who regularly puts others first, it is easy to get burned out. It is vital to re-charge our own batteries regularly, even more so, if we wish to continue to help others professionally or in our private life. However, unless we schedule time-out, we will not get around to it. So let’s take positive action right now.
To reward your positive action,I would like to invite you to a COMPLIMENTARY Nia session!
ORANGELILY 