This Saturday our focus will be the thigh bone and paying tribute to the one, the only, Ms Tina Turner. Helen is teaching both Nia 5 Stages at 8:45am and Nia “Improv’ Classic” at 10am. Both classes are available via Zoom with 24HR replay. You’re also welcome to come to Soma in person.
Key Concepts:
The thighbone is the longest bone in the body.
There is one big ball at the top of the thighbone and two small half-balls at thebottom.
The two small half-balls at the lower end rest on the larger of the twoshinbones, and along with the kneecap, creates the knee joint.xThe ball of the thighbone fits into the pelvic girdle creating the hip joint.
The thighbones are upright, vertical stilts. The mobility of the hip joint allows us to walk on these vertical stilts.
In Embryonic, the thighbone moves in a very fluid way. In Creeping, the thighbone moves in a horizontal way, developing the hip joint and psoas muscle. In Crawling, the hip joint and vertical thighbone develop Mobility andAgility. In Standing, the thighbone and hip joint provide us with great Stability, allowing for the natural function of gravity. In Walking, the thighbone swings in a natural balancing act.
“By design, I am the longest and heaviest bone in your body, which makes me perfect for producing a large amount of your red blood cells.”
Helen is teaching a creative Nia experience, adapting moves from several routines (ignite, earthsong, life, sanjana) to the music of the legendary Tina Turner this Saturday.
FOCUS: Awareness of Thigh
INTENT: Felt sense of energy flow, with an outward spiral as you walk forwards, out of class.
Like us all, Tina Turner had a unique way of walking, strutting and dancing, often elegantly in extremely high heels. Inspired by Tina as an artist, singer, performer, woman, survivor, thriver we will dance a Tribute to Tina, with the focus on the thighs; swaying, rolling, lifting, lowering, kicking, strutting, moving with confidence, sassiness and full of heart.
“At my top end, there is a round ball meant to move that fits perfectly into your hip socket.
At my bottom end, there are two crescent-shaped half balls, whose heads work together with your shinbones to create your knee joint.”
“Think about it. Because the hips thrust the leg forward, we are literally taking a risk every time we step forward. So it makes sense that on a deeper level, contraction in that area will prevent forward momentum.”
Beginning with the Nia 5 Stages class, which most often is described as a luxurious healing hour of setting the focus for the 10am movement experience that follows.
When you sign up for a class you are automatically sent the Zoom link for class.
You are welcome to attend either class.
And, when you’re able to attend both classes, something magic happens! The entire Nia 5 stages class is like a rich 60 minute introduction to the 10am Nia class, a beautiful compliment and super preparation.
In this gentle, self discovering, potentially healing Nia 5 stages experience
your body gets to settle into and taste the Nia class focus
your mind can learn new and novel information,
your heart may open to receive more with fascination up and frustration down
your spirit could be tickled and curious to experience more