Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now

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  • An ode to feet

    Day 46 of 52 Nia dance

    Today we danced “Wild” at Dael Parson’s Nia class (my home base for Nia). I was reminded what a joy dancing with Dael is. We began on the floor giving ourselves a little foot rub, while she talked about feet generally. And such is my short attention span that I don’t quite recall the words she used, but I do recall the satisfying sensation of a morning foot massage.

    The “Wild” routine has big lively rhythmic movements coupled with slower more graceful ones. I don’t remember the last time I danced it, so I was rusty on the steps. I kept getting distracted by my own pleasure at a particular set of steps and kept failing to shift to the next steps at the right time. When I noticed this, I split my attention between the pleasure of the step and preparing for the next steps.

    OK, brain, I said to myself, please keep better track and cue me. It worked. Sort of. Fortunately, Dael is also great at cueing.

    Dael also directed our attention to a “delicious” part of a routine, and that reminded me what a sensual experience dance can be. By sensual, I mean a gratification of the senses. It’s a great term for what I experience in dance. Hearing the music, seeing my fellow dancers and me among them, feeling my body moving, etc. All good.

    Thank you body. Thank you feet.

  • Lovin’ the guides

    Fred Lane leading an online dance break.

    Day 45 of 52 Nia dance

    Checking my stats, I’ve danced with 11 different instructors since the start of my 52-day challenge. Four of them have been in live studio classes. The other seven I’ve found through Nia’s on Demand web site.

    Each of them offers a unique energy and inspiration. Yesterday, I danced the “Connecting” routine with Val Wetmore, who brings 20 years of Nia experience to the studio. I’ve danced this routine several times in the past year, and four times in the last few weeks, but this was my first time with Val, and she embodied a lovely and different vibe, especially in the final sequence to the quiet melody “Simplicity” by Netanel Goldberg.

    This morning, I wanted something shorter so went back to the online video catalog, where I danced with Fred Lane on a gentle routine that I liked so much, I did it twice. Then I followed with a livelier short dance with Lise LeMoine focused on agility.

    These guides provide a framework, a form that gives direction, like a good container for my fluid movements. There was something very tai chi about dancing with Fred. Lise had this cool combination of quick yet relaxed mobility that I wanted to emulate.

    I’m glad I’ve been experiencing Nia through this broad range of unique leaders.

    As I’ve mentioned there is a paywall to access these dances, but I find great value in being able to dance whenever and where ever I need it. If you’re reading and already a subscriber, here are the links to the short routines:

    https://niaondemand.com/programs/lovin-music-dance-break-with-fred

    https://niaondemand.com/programs/strobes-nanafushi-dance-break-with-lise

  • My “yesterday body”

    Day 44 of 52 Nia dance

    Today’s photo shows a little embroidery project I designed and sewed about a year ago. It didn’t turn out exactly as I had imagined so I tucked it away as a learning experience. But I dug it out this morning as I pondered what it means to have danced every day for six weeks.

    In Nia we talk about dancing our “today body.” The words acknowledge that on any given day, I might have energy or I might be tired or something may be hurting from an injury or condition (I have some arthritis in my hands, for example, that sometimes limits my movements). But there is this. All my accumulated yesterdays have helped build my today body.

    My body today has energy reserves because of the last six weeks of dancing every day. My mind today is better at following choreography and anticipating changes as the music changes. I feel that I am better at self calming today because of an enhanced emotional awareness that I attribute to Nia.

    What I have done influences what I can do. So today I’m thanking my “yesterday body” for bringing me here.

    I’m looking forward to dancing today with the wonderful and lively Val Wetmore, who teaches at our Eugene YMCA.