September Dance Schedule at Anita's Studio and HQ StudioNIA

Hi Dancers,

In less than 24 hours we will be approaching September ~ a shift for many of us from summer to fall.  Oh I love this time savoring the last of the summer and yet generating new energy and desires for the last quarter of the year.

My new teaching schedule for September at Anita's Studio is listed below as well as an be additional class at StudioNIA, HQ alternating Wednesday evenings at 5:45pm. I will job/class share this class with Debbie Rosas​ and trainers when they hold their amazing intensives. So you will have a variety of master teachers to dance with and create community with ~ I am so excited to step in!

I haven't taught in the evenings in ages so I will be developing "new to me skills" again and shifting my energy.  I am excited to have an evening class at HQ StudioNIA, 918 SW Yamhill. Come and dance mornings or evenings, as I I want to dance with as many as I can and say YES to this lovely body of work that I have been practicing since 1988. I would love help spreading the word and building community.

Anita's September Schedule
AS is my studio @ 4625 SW 53rd Avenue, now on Mon and Wed at 9 am!
HQ is the HQ StudioNIA, 918 SW Yamhill, 3rd Floor, Wed 5:45 pm

9/2  Wed 9 am AS
9/2  Wed 5:45 pm HQ
9/9  Wed 9 am AS
9/14 Mon 9 am AS
9/16 Wed 9 am AS
9/16  Wed 5:45 pm HQ
9/21 Mon 9 am AS
9/23 Wed 9 am AS
9/28 Mon 9 am AS
9/30 Wed 9 am AS
9/30  Wed 5:45 pm HQ

And yes I am still teaching at the MAC 9 classes a week.   Crazy and I love this body of work and so does my mind, body and relationship to life!

xo
Anita

August 2015 schedule update!!!!!

I am shifting our remaining August dance and partial September schedule to just Wednesdays.  Several of you are going on vacation on Fridays and I think I will too!

So here are the classes for August and Sept.  

8/12 Wed 

8/19 Wed 

8/26 Wed  

9/2 Wed

9/9 Wed

9/14 Mon

9/16 Wed

9/21 Mon

9/23 Wed

9/28 Mon

9/30 Wed

Also note,  another shift.  Beginning Sept 14th we will have class on Mon and Wed.  I took a poll and this seems to work with everyones schedule.  

See you on the dance floor!

Class Dedication #livingnia #throughmovementwefindhealth

Good Morning,

Please join me  tomorrow at our 9 am NIA Class for a MAGICal healing Dance for Del and Kaki Brenneman.  Kaki dances with all of us on a regular basis in our classes at the MAC.  We will be dedicating the class to Del, whose life force has been shifting into a "new normal" with Adenocarcinoma, yep the big C, stage 4. The optimal  treatment for Del is a new trial immunotherapy treatment and SUPPORT.  

I have thought long and hard about what can we do for Kaki and Del as a tribe.  The answer ~ a NIA class dedication ~ a collective and powerful way join together to create a healing dedication as we purposely dance  "Through Movement We Find Health".

If you like, wear something colorful and healing ~ pinks and purples are lovely but really express yourself in your own unique way.  Show up for yourSELF and for Del and Kaki.  

I will see you on the dance floor.

Thank you and Experience the Joy of Movement,

Anita

Anita's Studio July Schedule

Hi JOYful dancing beings,

Ahh! the dance floor awaits you!

Here is the July dance schedule for Anita's Studio in SW Portland:

7/1 Wed
7/8 Wed
7/10 Fri
7/15 Wed
7/17 Fri
7/22 Wed
7/24 Fri
7/29 Wed
7/31 Fri

9 am- 10:15 am

Come and join the DANCE there is plenty of room on the dance floor.

I look forward to dancing with you in July.  I will send out the August schedule towards the end of the month.

See you on the dance floor!

xoxo
Anita

Summer Classes are happening

Hello Lovelies,

Dancing has been ongoing and strong since summer.  I recently completed our first MoveDeep Intensive at Anita's Studio on May 29-31st.  Eight beautiful women transformed their body mind and spirit through tuning in to their own body's wisdom.  We used the 52 Moves as our technical springboard and experiential exercises to Dive Deeper into our own Conscious Personal Trainer.

So the dancing at Anita's Classes continues on Wed and Fri at 9am.  Drop-ins are welcome to join in this 75 minute class.  On the first of every month we dance on Monday as well!

Classes at the MAC Club are expanding again too.  I will be adding a 9th class on Thurs at 7 am ~ MoveIT.  This 52 Moves interval class is also offered at 7 am on Tues and the members have been rocking at it!

Personally, my own body feels supple and free of pain ~ oh yes I do have achey joints at times when I just can't sit down during my 15 hour days.  To be expected.  Come and do this practice.  It will keep you healthy, happy and you will leave with a smile.

Always,
Anita

Spring is here ~ I have been so busy!

I can't believe I have been so busy.  I am teaching Sunday thru Friday ~ 12 classes a week and loving every class.  Beautiful tribes dancing the melodies of life!

I have added a MoveIT class at the MAC club on Tuesdays at 7 ~ and it is a hit!

I have created a few mail chimp email newsletter about the happenings ~ please click here to see more.


http://us10.campaign-archive1.com/?u=e7b0a00715a74a444532d10a1&id=5cc4a5401e&e=d503985d06

Gotta run!

xoxo
Anita

Happy New Year

ReCalibrate

Begin with your breath to ReCalibrate.  Feel every cycle of the breath as a recalibration for your mind, body, emotions and spiritual self.  Align to your breath and dance to recalibrate.  Enjoy!

Class Schedule for the remaining 2014!

Hi Dancers!

December has been lively at the MAC and at Anita's Studio.  Thank you to those of you who attended the doTerra Essence Oil Event at my Studio.  It was educational, full of divine smells and a lovely ladies afternoon.  I just received my order and am having Frankenscence oil tea.  Yum!  If you are interested in having another event please let me know and I will set it up with Yamuna!

Thanks to YOU classes in December were well attended and full of energy.  The MAC Studio and Anita's Studio feels so vibrant when you "show up", boogie in your "bare feet" and "tune" your energy with the Joy of Movement.  I look forward to rounding out 2014 more energetic classes.  I love dancing with you!

For the remaining month of December here is where you can find me teaching:

At the MAC

Sun Dec 21     9am FloorPlay and 10 am NIA

Mon Dec 22   7 am NIA

Tues Dec 23   8am FloorPlay and 9 am NIA

Wed Dec 24   7 am NIA

Sun Dec 28     9am FloorPlay and 10 am NIA

Mon Dec 29   7 am NIA

Tues Dec 30   8am FloorPlay and 9 am NIA

Fri Jan 2  7am NIA NIA

Sun Jan 4    9am FloorPlay and 10 am NIA

normal schedule resumes for Jan 2015

At Anita's Studio, 

Mon Dec 22   9 -10:15 am

Mon Dec 29   9 -10:15 am

My normal schedule which will resume Jan 5th and I will teach Wed and Fri 9 -10:15.

You are always welcome to attend my classes at Anita's Studio.  If you are interested let me know and I will add you to that mailing list for the continuous class schedule.  I occasionally will add a Monday class in 2015!

A note about Floor Play ~ this class is continually evolving and in a creative process.  Speak up ~ I would like to hear from  you as to what you need or desire during that hour. 

Look forward to seeing you before 2015 begins!

With Love,

Anita

Fall is Here!

Some great dancing is happening here at Anita's Studio.

Every day is a dance day.  

I love this vibrant growing community!

Awareness of Fingers, Hands and Wrists Sensing Touch

JUNE FOCUS

Fingers, hands and wrists 

make it possible to have extraordinary experiences 

that come from sensing and feeling the immediacy of touch. 

In this workshop you will learn how to use both the physical and energetic mechanisms, 

your fingers, hands and wrist joints assist you in moving energy 

in and out of the upper extremities, and in maintaining balance 

between your upper and lower body.

at

Anita's Classes

and 

the MAC

Awareness of Forearm Bones ~ May Focus and MAC Workshop

Awareness of Forearm Bones

Healthy forearm bones are strong, stable, mobile, and free to spiral. 

They have a dynamic, pain free relationship with your upper arm bone, 

your elbow and wrist joints, fingers, and hands. 

The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons 

easily support the elbow and wrist joint and forearm bones 

in moving at any speed and in any direction. 

Our May Focus

MAC workshop 5/6 

8 am, Studio 3

Anita's Classes

Wed and Fri

9 -10:15 am

Spring into your body with health and beauty!

Dance NIA with Anita at Anita's Classes

With Love,

Anita

APRIL Focus ~ Awareness of Elbow

Awareness of Elbow

Sensing Precision

Tuesday, April 8 am Studio 3, $8 MAC Club

followed by 9 am NIA Class

Through the month of April 

at the MAC Club and Anita's Classes 

we will focus on the elbow joint!

Throughout April we're exploring the elbow joint,

a shallow hinge joint formed by your upper arm bone;

the humerous and your two forearm bones;

the ulna and radius.

Surprise yourSELF by mastering the technique of using the elbow to initiate hand and arm moves, 

such as executing martial art blocks, hand strikes, punches, and elbow strikes. 

Be able to deliver the movement with greater precision, control, power, and grace. 

And here is the surprise: the wear and tear sensed in the shoulders and back may magically disappeared, 

all because theThe Body’s Way becomes present — respecting the intelligent function of your body. 

An Invitation to SoulCollage Happy Hour March 14th at Anita's Studio

Awareness of Upper Arm Bone ~ Sensing Direction ~ March Focus

Awareness of Upper Arm Bone

 

Sensing Direction

A healthy upper arm bone is sensed as hanging,

free to swing, turn, swivel and fluidly rotate in many directions

while smoothly moving through space at various speeds. 

In the Month of March,

we will learn what it means to

sense relaxed holding,

to sense core support from underneath,to sense expression of power and grace,

ALL through dynamic ease.

MAC workshop 

Tuesday, March 4th, 8 am Studio 3, $8

followed by 9 am NIA Class 

(see MAC for full schedule of NIA and Floor Play classes)

or 

Anita's Studio

NIA Classes

Wed and Fri 

9am-10:15 am

Valentines Day, Loving Yoga and a Potluck at Anita's Studio

I have been asked to create a special event on Valentines Day. 

Please join solo or as a couple. 

This day can feel odd for many 

who are solo and even those who are in a significant other relationship.

Let's soothe OURSELVES and ease our EXPECTATIONS 

of what LOVE should be. 

Spend this evening in relationship with our own selves 

in a guided loving yoga experience followed by a potluck with friends.

I will provide the loving space, soothing, safe yoga and a pot of soup.  

Bring something to drink (alchohol or non-alchohol) and a salad.

Time 6:15 - 7:45 pm yoga

7:45 - 9:45 pm potluck

$30 per Couple or $15 solo

RSVP by 2/11 and If you already have ~ thank you!

With Love,

Anita

I have 4 spaces left

MORE NIA AND SOULCOLLAGE DATES

Hello Everyone,

In January, Kathy and I offered this lovely, soulful play shop 

and I am still sweetly floating from the day.

We have been asked to offer it again before we move to the

Happy SoulCollage Hour and the 2nd workshop in the Series ~ Dance and Connect.

Join us if you missed the 1st worshop or if you attended the January workshop please encourage your

loved ones to INDULGE on Feb 22nd, 9am -2pm at Anita's Studio.

This is a lovely event to have a play day with a friend or to connect with lovely women

just like you!

We will NIA Soul Dance for 75 minutes

eat a healthy lunch lovingly prepared by Kathy and I,

and create your dazzling SoulCollage cards.

With Love,

Anita

Anita's Studio

Mark you Calendars for more SoulCollage (requires the first NIA and SoulCollage Workshop)

Happy Hour SoulCollage ~ and evening of card creating 3/7 6:30-9pm 

Dance and Connect to Your Inner Wisdom ~ Your larger life theme! ~ 4/26 9am - 2pm

More info to come on these workshops!

Sense Freedom within the Shoulder Joint

A healthy shoulder joint must coordinate your shoulder blade muscles, chest muscles, rotator cuff, and the upper arm muscles. 

Having body literacy of the shoulder joint is critical to upper body comfort.  

In order for your shoulder girdle to be in comfort your shoulder joint must have 4 healthy articulation points: 

Sternoclavicular joint, Scapulothoracic joint, Acromioclavicular joint and the Glenohumeral joint.

Join Anita at the MAC on 

Tues, Feb 4th @ 8 am in Studio 3

$8

We will unravel the mysteries of the shoulder joint

using X-Ray anatomy and practice movements that

keep the shoulder joint healthy, stable and mobile.

2014 is the year of Self Care!

The Shoulder Joint will be our February class focus at 

THE MAC

and

Anita's Studio 

I look forward to seeing you!

Anita

NIA and SoulCollage ~ 2nd offering for 2014

Special class this week and schedule for Anita's NIA

Hello NIA dancers at Anita's Classes and the MAC Club …

I will be out of town on Fri 1/31-Sun 2/2 for a sister's weekend ~ so excited! 

I will not have class:

Fri 1/31 @ Anita's Studio

Sun 2/2 @ The MAC 

I am proposing that I hold a special class:

Mon 1/27    9 -10:15am     @     Anita's Studio

for those of you who want that extra day of "Joy of Movement".  

Please let me know if you are interested in this Mondays "Joy of Movement" 

NIA Class at my studio by replying YES to this email.  

All other classes are AS scheduled at my Studio and at the MAC.

With Love,

Anita

Classes at Anita's Studio are $12 and parking is free

Shoulder Girdle ~ Sensing Your Wings

Set Your Wings Free

and 

F   L  Y

"When you have tension anywhere in your body you can’t fly. 

You can’t even stand up straight, 

breathe deeply, 

or for that matter, 

feel really good." Debbie Rosas

Discover how to release tension in your body

through your shoulder girdle.

We will visualize, walk, dance, take off and soar with our wings!

Bring your Sensation Scientist!

Workshop and Classes at the MAC

Jan 7th, Tues, 8am, Studio 3

$8

Regular Classes 

NIA

Mon 7am

Tues/Thurs 9:00

Sun10:00

FloorPlay

Tues/Thurs 8:30 am

Sun 9:30 am

Anita' Studio

Wed and Fri

9-10:15 am

contact for address

With Love,

Anita 

NIA and SoulCollage Workshop Jan 18th! EARLYBIRD $75

Oooh! It's cold outside ~ Come and Dance!

Oooh it's cold outside!

Warm up those joints

Come and Dance NIA

at Anita's Classes 

Tomorrow ~ Fri

9-10:15 am

Love 

Anita

Awareness of the Head: Sensing Up

"In Nia, 

we perceive the head as the place where energy is directed; 

the chest where energy is exchanged; 

and the pelvis where energy is contained."(Debbie Rosas)

Join me in opening up to movement of your head.

"Over time, you will be able to tolerate larger amounts of energy moving in your head and neck and through the vestibular system. 

You’ll be able to turn, spin, and move up and down from the floor 

and at different speeds without getting dizzy. 

You’ll also be able to change directions quickly without feeling nausea or fear." (Debbie Rosas)

We will release tension and move up!

Come prepared to move with intention.

AWARENESS OF THE HEAD

December Focus

Anita's Classes

Wed and Fri

9-10:15 am

MAC Club 

December Focus

Awareness of Head Workshop Dec 3rd 8-9am

My Best

Anita Stark

NIA Black Belt Facilitator

Dancing Gratitude

We will have class 

Wed and Fri of Thanksgiving week at Anita's Classes

9am -10:15 am

and on Thanksgiving Day 

at the MAC Club 8:30 - 10:00 am

Dancing in the bliss of sunshine!

Love

Anita

Awareness of the Spine ~ Workshop and OCT Class Focus

Yes, I have scoliosis AND I have a healthy spine  

~thanks to The NIA Technique~

 and my on-going quest to find comfort and pleasure in moving my spine.

NIA has helped me realize that regardless of how my bones are shaped,

my body is designed to move and feel shapes and space.

I choose NIA daily as my movement meditation and 

to not ignore misalignments 

but to sense through movement what a healthy spine feels like

so that I maintain heathy nerves, muscles and joints.

Join me in "X-raying" our spines with NIA dance

and recognizing the many NIA movement approaches 

for keeping your spine in tip-top shape. 

Anita's Classes

Wed and Fri

9 am - 10:15 am

Or join me for a MAC workshop

AWARENESS OF THE SPINE

Oct 8th, Tues, 8 am - 9 am

THE MAC, Studio 3

And classes at the MAC Mon, T/Th and Sun

My Best

Anita Stark

NIA Black Belt Facilitator

Anita's Classes ~ Starting on Time 9 am - 10:15 am

Hello Lovely Dancers,

Today the fall light in the dojo was brilliant and the dancing was divine.  Thank you all so much for dancing at Anita's Classes.

From this day forward we will begin class at 9 am. 

The dojo opens at 8:45 am.  

If you come late ~ that is OK ~ 

come in and go through the Cycles that you may have missed on your own

There are 7 cycles to your class.  Cycles take into consideration that you are never the same on any two days, or, for that matter, from moment to moment. The seven cycles remain the same, however the Nia experience changes continuously based on the focus, music, moves and class intent.

Cycle 1: Set the Focus and Intent – What You Place Your Attention On

The focus is what you place your attention on. The intent is your desired outcome. The first 3-5 minute cycle is designed to share both objective and subjective information that will enhance your awareness and experience in class.

Cycle 2: Step In – Create the Space to Workout

Stepping In is the act of leaving behind distractions. Stepping In stimulates the body, mind, emotions, and spirit connection by helping you create space to workout. Activate your sensory awareness as the starting point for all body-centered action. 

Cycle 3: Warm Up – Prepare Your Heart, Lungs, and 13 Joints

Warm-up by consciously activating the flow of energy through your heart, lungs and thirteen primary joints. Warming-up increases body heat and respiration, and initiates your movement through all three planes: low, middle, and high. 

Cycle 4: Get Moving – Energize the Moves to Reach a Peak

Get Moving is the action of using increased ranges of motion, speed and intensity to condition the heart, lungs, muscles and joints. Activate your cardiovascular system using speed and shorter and longer splashes of intensity. Move more dynamically through space and the three planes of movement: low, middle and high. 

Cycle 5: Cool Down – Calm, Harmonize, and Re-center

Cool Down by decreasing your intensity level, slowing your speed and allowing your heart rate to cool down. Activate your Conscious Personal Trainer to stretch, re-center, reflect, and prepare to move your body towards the floor.

Cycle 6: Floorplay – Fitness on the Floor

Floorplay uses the elements of play, gravity, the floor, space, time and sound to condition the body with FAMSS–flexibility, agility, mobility, strength and stability. Take advantage of the heat and pliability generated from your previous movements; this allows you to stretch and open your joints more fully. In Floorplay, use your body as free weight to condition your muscles and joints. 

Cycle 7: Step Out – Transition Into Your Next Activity                                                                                                                                  Step Out by transitioning into your next activity with an awareness of the fitness and self-healing benefits you have received from your movement. Stepping out is a physical action you take to symbolize the end of every class,  creating a container for movement to carry with you throughout your life.  

Cycles from the NIA White Belt

I hope to see more of you in classes.  Let's continue to create joyful community together:) 

Love 

Anita

Wed and Fri are back at Anita's Classes

Now that Fall is arriving, I am back into the swing of dancing 6 days a week.  You can join me at the MAC or my Home Studio.
At my home studio classes are once again Wed and Fri 9 -10:15 am.
Look forward to seeing you soon!

Anita's Classes Summer Schedule

Hello Darling Dancers,

Thank you all for your schedule input.  Our lives are full and our desires are many ~ but our bodies can only attempt to do so much in one Oregon summer!

Through August 30th I will teach only on Wednesdays from 9-10:15 am at my home studio.

Here are the Wednesdays that I will teach:

6/26 Wed

7/3 Wed

7/10 Wed

7/17 Wed 

7/24 Wed 

8/7 Wed

8/14 Wed

8/21 Wed

8/28 Wed

Beginning on Sept 4th, I will return joyfully to teaching on Wed and Fri morning from 9 am - 10:15 am.

I hope to see many of you throughout the summer.  T

The classes in the summer will be $12 per class.  You are welcome to pay in advance or pay as you come to dance!

See you Wed morning.  Bring a friend to class anytime!

This week we finish up the knees and next week we start with the thigh bones ~ mmmm sexy!

Anita

Awareness of Knees Tips!

This morning I completed the "Awareness of Knees" workshop at the MAC and had a magical turnout.  I thought I would share a few simple tips from the workshop! Love this body of work ~ thank you Debbie Rosas! Here you go:

A nice image of the bones forming the knee to keep in mind while using this powerful hinge joint.  Print and put it somewhere so you can understand your knee movement. My image  is currently  taped up on my kitchen refrigerator.

Using the 3 stages of learning ~ Look, Listen and Imagine ~ to help you to become aware of the design and function of YOUR knees.

3 Simple techniques from today's workshop to practice to help you feel the sensation of healthy knees:

1.  Become aware of the healthy knees by softening the knees to feel the joint space rather than protecting the knees and locking the knees. Go to your hip and ankle joints and find mobility and stability ~ hese two joints have a great deal of mobility and space and stability.  Imagine yours knees being "supported" by the ankle and knee joints.  Then you can relax the knees just like your elbow joint.

2. Stand, Walk, Sit with feet hip width apart and parallel.  If your feet are turned out or turned in without intention then the hip is pointing forward but the foot is turned out or in.  This leaves the knee torquing to balance out the two directions of the foot and hip creating strain on the knee joint, ligaments and tendons.  This is a simple technique and a process of re-learning and re-leasing from habitual movement.  Be Parallel and Hip Width Apart. Look at your feet when you are standing, walking and sitting ~ look.  Then look/listen in the direction your feet are pointing while you are standing, walking and sitting ~ listen.  Look, listen, imagine your feet on two tracks like a train or cross county ski's ~ imagine.  

3. Wag your tail.  If you cannot wag your tail then your knees are locked, which leads to stiff knees, which leads to tight ankles. Wag your tail, unlock your knees and feel the space under your femur, behind your patella and above the tibia.  Look, Listen, Imagine.

My goal as a NIA Facilitator and Educator is to help you move comfortably in your body!