Summer Classes are on the Way

Boy, time seems to have been fleeting by quicker than usual lately. It's hard to believe that 5 weeks have already passed in the Spring session of Nia! I don't know about you, but I find that when the weather is as terrific as it has been so early in the season, it's difficult to drag my sorry behind out of the outdoors and into the indoors. I also get really suspicious of what the weather may have in store for us for the rest of the season as the spring and summer wears on. I'm on the lookout for sub-zero temperatures, Kansas-style twisters, tennis ball sized hail stones pouring out of the sky in buckets....
Every spring, there is a gasp from my friends when I tell them I'm preparing to put the winter armour away. I'll always get an, "Are you sure you want to do that already?" Here's the story. Generally, once I have neatly packed the clothing away, our city will become the victim of some freakish Spring snowstorm. I have good news to report though. I put away the winter gear last week and there was no reports of snow....in Kitchener at least.
I did hear there was a hefty 3" snowfall up north though?
Just in case the weather is less than favourable this summer (and even if it's not) you may want to consider taking a Summer Nia session this year. I'll be holding a 6 week class (Jun-17-2010 - Jul-29-2010) at Rockway Centre, Thursdays @ 10am.
Please check out the "Calendar" tab on my blog to access the class and event calendar.

Dance & Donate for Haiti - This Saturday

Well, here we are, smack dab in the middle of winter and the Groundhog has seen his shadow. I guess we’ll have six more weeks of winter to endure! I reacted to this information with a heavy sigh. The thought of mopping up boot puddles, wringing out soggy mittens and freezing draughts howling through my century old house, made me want to crawl back into bed, under my toasty warm sheets. My youngest, on the other hand, nearly jumped out of his underwear, ecstatic at the prospect of six more weeks of fort-building and ice-sliding mayhem.

In a contemplative frame of mind, I bundled up in my Snuggly (yes, I have one….but it was a gift), put on my gloves (did I mention that my house is draughty?) and put fingers to keyboard to reflect on my thoughts.

Fact is, things are good. Apart from all the day to day stressors that we all face, life as we know it, in the grand scheme of things, is really not all that bad. We have running water, food in abundance and shelter (albeit, breezy at times). We have all the basic needs we require. Others are not so fortunate. Foremost in our minds right now is the devastation in Haiti. However, the newness of the situation and the feelings of urgency to help will soon fade as other issues take the forefront in our lives and in the news. Fact is, Haiti has been a country that has a long history of poverty and violence. I know several people who have done relief work in Haiti over the years that relayed heart-wrenching stories about some of the over 300,00 orphans in the country before the quake. Even as the fervour of the moment diminishes, we must remember that there will be need in that country long after the news cameras have disappeared. On a positive note, the Haitians also have a history of resilience to their struggles that is awe-inspiring, something we can all learn from.

So, maybe we can help out, even in a small way. Here’s my little way of lending a hand.

I was thrilled when the City of Kitchener offered to work co-operatively with me on this event. We don’t have a fixed financial goal in mind, but any contribution, no matter how small will help. I look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Nia Helps Out - KW Get Moving for Haiti Nia Dance & Donate

I like to think of Nia as fitness with a conscience. One of the most powerful aspects of Nia is that it consists of a community of people who care about the the planet and make a commitment to help making the world a better place. The Nia community has taken the opportunity to raisie relief funds whenever there is a need. Once again, there is a need, and we'd like to contribute in a small way.
I've been lucky enough to have the City of Kitchener generously supply a space for us to hold a Dance for Haiti Nia Jam Fundraiser. So let's band together and support our community in giving what we can to help out the citizens of Haiti. I invite you to come by the Breithaupt Centre in Kitchener on Saturday February 13th, to have fun and get moving with a great purpose in mind.
Even if you can't participate, drop by, sneak a peek and feel free to make a donation. For more details, click on the "Events" tab on this page, and click on the event listing on the Calendar on the SoulDancing page for February 13th.