It's hard to believe that it took me six years to achieve my goal of a Nia White Belt. My first class was at the YMCA in Eugene, Oregon. After quitting my job as a child welfare caseworker, I was in bad shape both emotionally and especially physically. My body ached from long hours on the computer and driving. One morning as I walked towards the treadmills, I turned to see Amy, with long flowing hair and an amazing smile on her face, gyrating! I stood in front of the window and watched, feeling the music pound beneath my feet.
My first Nia class, in bare feet, felt like I had reconnected with not only my soul, but my connection to dance, to gyrating! Myself and another woman who was also dancing for the first time wept, tears of pure joy and satisfaction. I began to explore other classes, studios and instructors.
I moved to Portland in 2006 discovering the Nia Headquarters - I have been dancing there ever since! Life just didn't seem to weave and bob the way I wanted it to. It seemed each time I began to fantasize about taking the White Belt a barrier would find it's way into my world.
2009 was a pinnacle year for me both personally and professionally. After hiking, dancing and doing yoga at Mount Rainier National Park with my dear goddess sister Shelley, I decided to apply to the MSW program at PSU. I was accepted in April of last year and began this September. In June 2012 I will move into Medical Social Work with a Master's in Social Work Degree.
As I danced in my living room today, moving, shaking and stretching, I was quickly reminded how much our bodies need to move on a regular daily basis. Priorities to date have been focused on family and school, with little left for my practice. Today I move to recommit my body to daily self-care and joy of movement.
Nia White Belt here I come: physically prepared but more importantly, emotionally ready to embrace my "primal dancing goddess self".
Stay tuned............
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