Patricia L. Atchison

YA Fiction & Non Fiction Author

Nia Dance Movement

Danceland at Manitou Beach

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Gems can be found in the most unique places, and Danceland is one of them. Nestled in the valley of Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada, along the shores of Little Manitou Lake is a historical dance hall called Danceland, built in 1930.

Little Manitou Lake

When we decided to camp this summer in the area of Manitou Beach, it was for the opportunity to go swimming in the “Lake of the Healing Waters”. Little Manitou Lake was named years ago by the Cree First Nations People in reference to the Great Spirit. Legend says that when their people were afflicted with illness, they consumed and swam in the waters of the lake, and became healed overnight. It is the only lake in North America with properties similar to the Dead Sea in Jordan. Swimming in it was a truly a unique experience as the mineral salts kept me afloat, and it was hard to stand up while in the water. My body felt rejuvenated and so soft after my dip in the lake.

Horsetail embedded into sub flooring.

Due to the popularity of the lake, the area blossomed during the 1920’s and it became a tourist destination equivalent to the throngs of people who visited Banff, Alberta, Canada during the same time. The original Danceland was built before 1919, but was replaced in 1930 with the current structure. What makes the 13,000 square foot dance hall so unique is its 5000 square feet of maple tongue and groove flooring. But that’s not all. The hardwood floor was laid without any nails being used. Beneath the floor is two sub floors with rolls of horsetail wrapped in burlap and tightly wound with wire, with six inches diameter between them. These rolls run cross ways under the floor every four feet. It’s the six inches of horsetail, imported from Quebec, Canada, which gives the floor its spring. The top sub floor has stops so the floor only goes down one to one and a half inches. The cushioning of the horsetail brings it back up. Imagine if you will, that the amount of horsetail used added up to one train car full (circa 1930’s). [Read more…] about Danceland at Manitou Beach

Finding Voice with Nia Sounding

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It’s amazing that when we have children or animals who misbehave (not to mention husbands, siblings, etc.,) it is usually quite easy to be loud and vocal to state our intentions. Being vocal with breath, vowel sounds, grunts, moans and groans in a Nia class with many other participants is totally something separate though. As a teacher in the Nia practice (and someone who finds it difficult to deliver vocal commands) it can be quite challenging to teach sounding.

I’m quiet, but a part of my Nia journey has been learning to be heard by allowing my voice to come out. One aspect of Nia is ‘sounding’ or ‘vocalizations’. When taking a Nia class, the teacher will invite sounding as part of the movements. This can be breath work, such as huffing, quickly pushing breath out and into the lungs with noise, and sounding letters through long breath. With Nia’s martial arts movements, we use sounding to emphasize strikes, punches and kicks. Sounding can be used almost anywhere during a Nia dance class experience.

As Nia embodies total body, mind, spirit and emotions within holistic fitness, it is only natural to invite participants to exercise their voices and all the muscles and body parts used to allow that voice to strengthen and grow. I know from experience that when my voice is not allowed to speak, the energy of thought becomes blocked within my organs. My throat closes up, or becomes shaky or squeaky. When my voice is weak, it also weakens me, my vitality and spirit. During a Nia class though, it feels so good to ‘let it go’ and allow vocalizations to flow, thus allowing complete energy to move and swirl from inside out. It adds the final element necessary to receive a fully embodied workout.

It can be intimidating for students to vocalize, especially in a group setting. Some people are naturally shy. Loosing inhibition while dancing is a big challenge for new students, and now they are being asked to yell out sounds and words; i.e. let out a resounding “HA”; or some other tone too! Students may be so intent on learning movements, that they may ignore the request to be vocal. However, there is great benefit to making sounds during class.

When learning, some participants may unknowingly hold their breath feeling anxious with all that is going on. Adding noise helps the students and teacher become aware of breath, because the minute we open our mouths and force a deep breath out, automatically the body takes a deep breath in, relaxing the body and tense muscles. This allows for ease of movement.

Making sounds also conditions and provides strength to the core and abdominal muscles. Breathing out with sound on exertion causes the abdomen to naturally tighten, strengthening the core and leading to stability. Nia’s kicks and foot movements play with balance, so a stabilized, conditioned core is beneficial.

Some Nia moves involve punches, blocks and kicks, where support of the spine is necessary. When leaning the body ready to do a side kick, it is important that the spine is straight and supported. Letting out a loud ‘HA’ or similar sound ensures a straight spine, tight abs and strong base.

I know from holding my in emotions at times, it feels fantastic to be able to let it all go. It’s wonderful that sounding also offers emotional release. I’ve discovered it is fun to let go and belt out some sounds or words, maybe even sing or hum! Noises like HOOOO, HAAAA, SHOOO, SHAAA, WHOOO, YES, NO, can be yelled or pulled from the lungs in long drawn breaths. Some Nia moves demand a sound or two through natural rhythm, and movement, so sounding becomes easy. I’ve danced with ladies who have a vast amount of life experience, and they love it when they can sing throughout the class.

Nia sounding comes to me more easily with each class I teach. It’s still challenging, but what a fun challenge to have. The act of just blurting voice with body movement – wow, what a release! Isn’t it great when students can use breath, sounding or vocalizations to reach their inner child, allowing the vibration of sound to heal the body, mind and spirit. It is fun, easy to do, and becomes more and more natural with practice (this I am learning for sure).

Patricia L. Atchison
Nia Blue Belt Teacher, Airdrie Alberta
Airdrie Nia:
www.airdrienia.com
www.facebook.com/AirdrieNia

Are you Listening to Your Body?

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I was watching a video from the Tamalpa Institute & the Life/Art Process featuring Daria Halprin. She asked the following question:

“If your Body could speak… What would it say to you?” ~ Daria Halprin

I’d like to think if my body could speak to me, she would say the following:

~ Thank you for listening to me… (finally!)

~ Thank you for respecting me.

~ Thank you for providing me with a safe environment to flourish.

~ Thank you for keeping me clean and well-groomed.

~ Thank you for giving me the rest and relaxation I deserve.

~ Thank you for warmth when needed and perfect clothing for the environment.

~ Thank you for letting me feast on nutritious foods and drink.

~ Thank you for the unlimited supply of daily water.

~ Thank you for exercising my joints, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons.

~ Thank you for hydrating and pampering my skin.

~ Thank you for the touch of self, loved ones and strangers (hugs are good!)

~ Thank you for the gift of sensual pleasure.

~ Thank you for monitoring my health and taking care of issues that arise.

~ Thank you for being my friend.

~ Thank you for loving me.

~ Thank you for allowing Spirit to soar beside with me.

~ Thank you for your Mind communication.

~ Thank you for sharing your Emotions with me.

~ Thank you for letting me dance through life!