Dancing a “Good Life”

In the photo I’m nine years old and wearing one of my favorite recital costumes from dance class. I keep it on my fridge to remind me of the pleasure I get from dancing and the confident joy of my younger self. 

Currently both my writing voice and my physical fitness level are wobbly. I’m out of shape. My current writing project is shifting and nowhere near ready to share publicly. I’d like to connect more around writing, but I haven’t been writing anything I could share. 

While writing morning pages recently, I had a big epiphany and remembered that it’s simple. I do what I love and write about it. My current passion is dance and fitness in general. So I’ll be sharing my journey. 

In a nice moment of synchronicity, on the same day as my epiphany, my morning devotion book shared the affirmation “As I trust myself, I create my perfect body.” And pointed out the power of the journal for “practicing the steps in front of the mirror.”

I’m comforted by returning to dance and other types of fitness. Dancing has been a big part of my life at times and is my preferred movement practice or exercise. Outdoor walks are for meandering and soaking in nature. The treadmill is dreadful unless I’m watching something on my tablet to pass the time – which feels like checking out or disassociating from the exercise. 

I’m currently doing the Nia Technique through the app NiaOnDemand. I choose a routine based on my intuition, energy level and mood. Sometimes I like to revisit a routine I know well or have done before. The body remembers, and I find myself remembering steps even if I’ve only done that routine once. I also don’t pressure myself to finish a routine if I’m feeling tired or distracted. I choose to dance, it’s not a demand I make of myself. 

While I’d love to do a live class, there aren’t any Nia classes nearby. To find a Nia teacher near you visit NiaNow.com. Nia combines dance, martial arts and mindfulness. Here’s an official description: 

Nia is based on the intelligent design of the body. Each workout combines mindfulness and dynamic movement – leaving you energized, mentally clear, and emotionally balanced.

Nia workouts combine 52 simple moves with dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts to energize and enliven well-being in 60 minutes – body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

Nia is non-impact, practiced barefoot, and adaptable to individual needs and abilities. Nia classes are taught by licensed Nia teachers and trainers in dozens of countries and languages across the world.

Nia has been a part of my life for over twenty years. I began doing Nia in Charleston, then trained as a teacher there, and taught for a few months in Columbia, SC, before I moved to Austin back in 2007. There were so many great teachers in Austin, and I had a full time job, so I decided to enjoy being a student. 

My childhood was full of dance classes in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. My family also square danced. I still recall most of the cheerleading dance routine from the one year in middle school that I was a cheerleader. 

Nia has two slogans I love and hope to emulate: “the Joy of Movement” and “Through Movement We Find Health.” I also like that the word abundance has dance in it. I know the joy of movement will reverberate into other areas of my life. 

Review:

“Good Life” – Dance Break 
Time: 5 minutes
Teacher and choreographer: Ann Christiansen
Music: “Good Life” by Vargo

This five-minute dance break will have you singing “Good Life” all day! I love this routine for the familiar steps and simplicity of the moves. I’m not able to keep up with the cha-cha-cha’s and I honor my body’s current fitness level and skip them. I still get a great dance in and I especially love the dramatic ending move.