Day 33 of 52 Nia dance
Over the course of the last year I began to realize that dance, the way I experienced it in Nia, could be a life practice. The messaging about the feedback loop between physicality and mental processing, that they are not just connected but inextricable from each other, settled in.
Then last April I had the opportunity to be among test dancers as the choreography team of Kellie Chambers and Debbie-Lee Van Ginkel put the finishing touches on their new routine “Alchemy” (which is available online at last!) My growing awareness, coupled with dancing with Kellie and Debbie to this routine completed a transformation for me.
I came home to myself in this very particular routine.
The realizations I came home to:
- I have everything I need, physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually.
- Every day will be a little different. Some days my body is more energized than others. Some days my heart is more open than others. Some days my power is palpable. Some days my femininity is my main thing.
- If I pay attention in the present, I will learn and grow.
- I can let go of expectations and see what happens. I can be relaxed, alert and waiting.
- Joy can’t be ordered up, but it can be whispered to.
This morning, I danced “Alchemy” with Debbie (she, of course, is in Cambodia, so I was dancing with the online routine). As I think I’ve mentioned before, there is something oddly moving about this part of my practice. The teacher, the music and me all together in my playroom. While I love the community of dancers, this experience of being alone with my dance is enriching in ways I haven’t yet found the words to fully articulate.
By life practice, I mean that the internal processes unfolding for me while I’m dancing function well as metaphors for the rest of my day. And I also mean, damn! This feels good. Every time.
Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now 
4 responses to “Coming home”
I love this post Susan and also your conversation with Debbie. Yes! I also deeply enjoy my private Nia practice times. They are a wonderful – and for me, necessary- complement to the group experience. The variety and richness of teachers, routines and choices on the Nia TV platform is incredible. I have not touched the bottom of it and don’t think I ever will. I love dancing with you Susan. Your uniqueness shines through, in all it’s varieties and moods.
I’m so glad to learn that these alone times with Nia are moving for you too. It’s meaningful to me to move through these stages of discovery and learn that others share many of my feelings/reactions/experiences.
Thank you Dael. I feel like saying that every time I see you.
i just love knowing that i am dancing with you in your playroom. And thank you for mentioning how special it is to dance alone, with the online video. I’e never actually articulated that myself, but I have the same sense too! It’s a magical magical ME time where i get to dive super deep into my layers without ANY distractions (as wonderful as the distractions of other sweaty bodies and beautiful smiles in the room may be). It’s a profoundly private, personal experience..
Most of all, I love how you are making these PROFOUND connections between your Nia practice and your entire life. DEEP , Susan. DEEP! KEEP GOING! I love you!
It was so fun seeing your smiling face and dancing with you again after all these months.
The joy and energy you embody in the video is quite wonderful. I hope you are proud of this work, my friend. I’m deeply moved by it all over again.