Wow! 2012 was delivered to us and what a way to step into a new year with chaos and surprise. I found myself precisely where I needed to be as I shifted from chaos to opportunities to heal what is yet needed to heal. Life is truly the meaning we give it, we do have free will and can begin again as 2012 invites us to dance through what keeps us awake, aware, and alert.

Nia in The North studio has been blessed with souls that are committed to the practice of movement forms, healing arts, and dance arts. I encourage you to join us and fill the room with your spirit as we dance into 2012.

As a new year begins, it's an ideal time to let go of whatever is not serving you ... opening space in your life for that which will truly nourish your heart, body, and soul. For many people, the heaviest burden they want to release is emotional pain. This includes guilt and regrets from the past, anger and unresolved conflicts, memories of abuse or neglect, and any other emotional upset that prevents you from fully enjoying life in the present moment.

As far as we know, human beings are the only life forms on the planet with conscious awareness - the ability to know that we know and to be aware that we are aware. We're able to perceive both our inner and outer environments and we can make conscious choices about where we direct one of our most valuable gifts: our attention.

As many great wisdom traditions teach, whatever we put our attention on expands in our experience. We can focus on grievances, shortcomings, and pain and those qualities will grow in importance to us. Or we can instead choose to shift our attention to beauty, love, and laughter, and we will perceive their expansion in our life.

When I listen to the voice of my body, I am better able to give myself what I need in order to survive. Through this sensation I am led to believe that in practicing the "work" with others allow me to be whole and complete. This helps me relate to those seeking healing from that stuck place. I find that as I direct my attention on others I find myself at ease and embrace this internal high connecting with those who are not as fortunate. In a group when I facilitate a workshop or lead a class through dancing arts the layers of my mind, intellect, and ego find fluidity rather than form. At the end leaving me charged for the next challenge and my students give themselves permission to do the same.

In my studio I have had the opportunity and honor to witness participants as they shift their perception from constriction to expansion, from fear to love, and from grievances to miracles.

I am an apprentice to this work in moving arts and through the practice I am able to teach and learn. Through "Nia", movement therapy, and private sessions participants let go of the emotional pain, conditioned beliefs, and stories that are no longer serving them. In essence, they are gently shifting from an old way of perceiving themselves, their past, and their lives, to a new perception that allows for possibilities and fulfillment that previously seemed unavailable. We are not our "story".

If your current perceptions aren't bringing you the love, happiness, and fulfillment you desire, I invite you to experiment with your gift of conscious awareness, noticing where you are putting your attention, and making conscious choices to shift your perceptions. Don't put it off. As the Sufi poet Rumi writes, "Time is a factory where we all slave away, earning enough love to break our own chains." None of us knows how long our existence on this planet will last, and we don't want to wait. We have the ability to experience our spiritual loving essence in a way that promotes compassion, empathy, and self-awareness.

Why not do it now?

Come, move from your body that disturbance which takes up your time in the day and empty it on the dance floor and leave without dis-ease by finding your feet.

Join us!!!