Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now

Stuff gets done here

recent posts

  • Dance pals

    Still image taken from NIA on Demand’s “Ignite” video.

    Day 14 of 52 Nia dance challenge

    So glad to get back in a studio and dance with others. Synchronistically, instructor Val Wetmore chose “Bloom,” which I am in the process of memorizing. Loved doing it. Not getting tired of the music or the moves at all.

    The energy of the dance community infuses me so much more than just dancing by myself.

    Val’s focus and intent for this class was breath awareness, remembering to deeply inhale and exhale, and have that be part of the flow.

    This class at our local YMCA runs 6:30-7:30 p.m., which is late in the day for me, but worked great. It’s fun because the class includes younger dancers whose energy is big. Lots of smiles all around.

  • Wild thing

    Day 13 of Nia dance challenge

    Thank god for my inner hippy. It’s been a day. I’m burned out, I’m cranky. It’s dark. Summer’s pretending it won’t leave me. It’s late Sunday. There’s no Nia classes. I’ve been semi-well-behaved all day. I mean, I cleaned the mildew out of the shower for heck’s sake. (Also, if you know me at all, you know “heck’s sake” is me being under extreme control.) I haven’t danced today. Damn it. And I made this personal commitment.

    So bring on Led Zeppelin! Yeah, not in Nia’s official choreography. But it’s what I need. Kashmir, Black Dog, Immigrant Song, Living Loving Maid, When the Levee Breaks. Rock my world, boys.

    Thank you Nia. Thank you rock ‘n’ roll.

  • Focus and intent

    For heck’s sake. What a mess. My play table. I mean, I could call it a work table but everything on it is about play: making art from dried flowers, midway through an embroidery project, editing a manuscript, sending cards to distant friends.

    It’s like leaving the kitchen a mess after baking bread and then making dinner, then getting up in the morning to make breakfast. Sheesh.

    Nia leaders take a moment at the beginning of dance to set a focus and intent, and I’ve started using this in daily life. Today my focus and intent will be to respect the space. Part of the play can be finding a home for projects that are midway along.

    When friends come to visit, this table is tidy. I clean it up for them since this room doubles as a guest room. I can also respect that I like coming into a tidy room too.