Oh my god you guys! I went to my first Nia class this morning, and I am an instant convert!
It was just awesome, and I don’t use that word lightly. If I could invent a dance class to suit me perfectly that was it. Not too many people {around ten of us I think}, a very friendly and welcoming group of women, really lovely inspiring teacher, fabulous loud tribal type music with those beats that get right inside you, bright studio, and no difficult routines to learn, just continuous movement for one hour. I built up quite a sweat, but the pace alters perfectly between fast and slow so you never feel exhausted.
I’ve been wanting to get back into my body for some time now; I’m such a ‘brain’ person and although I used to dance and do yoga, I’d really lost touch with myself in that way. It was like coming home. My body just woke up! Magical.
Enough with the gushing!
The side effects were that I’ve been buzzing all day, and am consequently very much in flow {which is good ’cause I have a commission to work on that’s been resisting me}. Small Stones poured out of me on the beach, as well as a sketch for a painting I want to do which will be called Ocean Goddess. A friend called me that the other day {the ultimate compliment!} and of course I immediately wanted to make a painting of it. D the Artist Friend is also going to do a painting by the same name {at least that’s the plan, he’s leaving the country for flipping ages soon so we’ll see!}; it would be interesting to see how we both interpret it. I may never use the sketch I made, but it’s a step in the right direction.
So here are the visuals {and the orals?!}…
no waves today
only wrinkles
furrowing the water skin
*****
the water, contained by stones and wall
breathes itself in and out
like a mercury jellyfish
undulating
*****
the sea strokes the stones.
it loves them.
in its wake they tumble in delight
*****
looking up at the sound of crunching, I am amused to confront a tiny blonde Crusader
marching sturdily across the stones.
a miniature warrior, complete with chain mail headgear
and a most determined expression.
Whatever her crusade is, it mostly involves marching.
*****
that Nia had you undulating in more ways than one! 🙂
Lovely. It makes me so happy to read all this writing you’ve been doing! and the Nia class sounds awesome, and I can’t wait to see what comes out of the sketch (in whatever way something comes out of the sketch).
Nia sounds wonderful..and your notes make me want to get to a class sometime!
But, I have to say, Tara, that it’s your word images..and photo images..that really grab me!
Your word images are perfect. Conjuring up visions and stirring the imagination. Just what I like to have happen when I’m reading poetry!
ooh I like the sound of that Nia stuff. Presuming its in Brighton? Might have to give that a go. Am doing Yoga a lot at moment, but something with music sounds just peachy. I love dancing!!
A wonderful post to read Tara. You certainly are buzzing…that dance class worked wonders. Then you just ‘flowed’ into beautiful words and perfectly shot pictures…..just lovely! I shall look forward to the birth of your Godess 🙂
x
poetry in motion,
the eloquence and grace to share your beautiful world,
to live is to share
thank you for reminding me.
D
I’ve heard wonderful things about Nia….must be something I’ll have to try. Beautiful post!!
I can hear the pebbles crunching beneath my feet… Dreamy!
I’ve not heard of this Nia dance thing – must google it!