Looking Back on 2011

I realize that I have been rather lacking in the posting department.

We've been focusing on the "could've, should've, would'ves," this week in class. Do I wish I would have blogged more? Yes. Are there a few other goals I wished I accomplished in 2011. Most definitely!

But focusing on the things that didn't happen as opposed to the things that did happen is an energy-sucking exercise. 2011...2012...they're just numbers. And as we cruise along through our lives wishing we had done this or that, summon forth the things that make life so precious.

Forget the "could've, should've, would'ves," and give yourself a little love for offering your gifts to the world!

The studio will be closed 12/20 to 1/1/2012. Dina will be teaching special Nia classes on 12/29 and 12/30 at 10 am. If you can't dance then, we'll see you in the new year!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Dancing Doggie

This little fella just made my day. Enjoy!

"Pause"

We've been having a lot of fun with the new Pitbull single at Zumba. As promised, check out Zumba Fitness creator, Beto Perez, in the new video!

Hand Dancing!

Things have been crazy busy at NU with our new software and Groupon deal. Now that the dust has settled, I find myself back in the blogosphere with this great vid....Sound familiar????



Thank you community members Heather and Ingrid for sharing!!!

Donate Now! Earthquake and Tsunami Relief

As many of you know, Nia Underground has partnered with LivingSocial in the past, offering great deals for dance.

Now I'm asking you to make a small donation to the Red Cross though LivingSocial. LivingSocial will match your $5 donation.

Just $10 can make a HUGE difference.

This disaster affects everyone! Just imagine if you lost your home, a family member, your whole town. And now you live under the threat of radiation poisoning.

$5 IS A CUP OF COFFEE THESE DAYS! Skip the coffee just this once.....donate today!

Friday AM Playlist

Everybody's workin' for the weekend! Ok...maybe not everybody but I will be rockin' it all weekend long while Sweet D is taking a much deserved break in (hopefully) sunny California.

I've been having a blast teaching and this morning was no exception. I had a few students asking for song titles so I figured it's just easier to post the playlist!

"Passing Through" - Bob Holroyd
"Peace Pipe (feat Jean Shapherd)" - Nickodemus
"Paper Doll" - P.M. Dawn
"Hips Don't Lie/Bamboo (2006 FIFA World Cup Mix)" - Shakira feat Wyclef Jean
"Beat Goes On (feat Kanye West)" - Madonna
"Switch" - Will Smith
"Celebration" - Madonna
"Waka Waka (Esto es Africa) - Shakira
"Lovers of Light" - Afro Celt Sound System
"Crazy Benny" - Safri Duo
"Alejandro" - Lady Gaga
"Going Home" - MoZella
"Sweet Tides" - Thievery Corporation

I'll be teaching my 10:30 am Nia class tomorrow and the Zumba class at 11:45 am. I'll also be covering D's Sunday 1:00 pm class and Monday's 9:00 am class! Woot! Woot!

Hope I get to groove with you!

Saturday Nia Playlist

This morning we focused on the five sensations in Nia - agility, mobility, flexibility, stability, and strength! Here are the songs that helped us with our intention to plug into physical awareness:

"Throw Off the Shackles" - Moodswings
"Moodswings Overture" - Moodswings
"Nungadunda" - Ganga Giri
"African Dream, African Beats" - Zumba Fitness
"Mandala" - Thievery Corporation
"Freefall (Friend's Electric Remix)" - Pitch Black
"Culture" - Ganga Giri
"Qalanderi" - Cheb I Sabbah
"Luna" - Ganga

All of the songs can be found on iTunes except for "Luna" by Ganga...you can find that on Amazon!

Thanks for a sensational class, everybody! See you Monday night!

Birthday Boy and Girl!

Another year, another birthday......the hubby and are off to our annual birthday excursion. Yes, we have the same birthday and if you must know, I am older. Go cougar!

We've been staying at the same place on Orcas Island for the last ten years! Look!!! Here we are in an extreme close up shot on the beach!

The incredibly talented and fabulous Sweet D (that's Dina to you) will be teaching my classes on 2/7, 2/8, and 2/9. All the deets are on NiaDu.

I'll be back 2/12 for a double shot of Nia and Zumba!

Have a great week, folks!

Soooo Hot!!!!

Dina and I kicked off our month of free Saturday Zumba classes as a Valentine's gift to our community and Seattle. Holy cow! Can you say "Muy caliente???"

We lost the body count after the 55th person walked through the door but I have to say this was our biggest turnout ever.

Thanks to everyone who brought their friends and family and made our first Saturday Zumba experience so incredible. But a great big special thanks to my NiaDu partner, D! I love ya, girl!

This Week's Focus: KICKS!

YAY!!!! KICKS!

We had a great first "Learn the Moves" class with our TaeKwanDo: Kicks focus. We'll continue to focus on kicks in evening Nia class all this week!

Tonight we're setting our sites on front kicks and side kicks. We'll briefly review form and then jump right into movement. In Nia, we refer to TaeKwanDo as the dance of precision. Its kicks create base strength and build confidence!

Harness your power and kick some butt!

Learn the Moves: KICKS

Which one of these is not like the others?????

Can you tell who might have a sore back after this Nia class????

Kicking incorrectly is one of the most common ways you can injure yourself in Nia. Prevent achy backs and creaky knees by joining Dina and I this Saturday at 11:45 am for our first Learn the Moves class, focusing on KICKS!!!!

Increase precision and ease while learning the Tae Kwan Do aspects of Nia. Break it down and enjoy your Nia practice even more!!!! Front kicks, side kicks, knee sweeps...oh my!!!!

Class is $10 at the door or 1 punch on an 8 class punch card!

Be there or be a square!!!!

2010 Ends with a Bang!

Niadu is "balls-out nuts!" Just ask the lovely folks at The Stranger.

In all the holiday hubaloo last week I missed picking up a paper and thus, missed this hilarious plug for Nia Underground.....


I'm not sure what video the writer is referencing since there are none on our site but there are a lot of Nia videos out there. Lord only knows what she/he saw!!! I'm sure it was a dandy!

Thanks for sending me the image, D! Wish I could make it a little bigger in the blog post for clearer reading but hopefully y'all get the gist!

More "batshit crazy" times ahead!

2011....here we come!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!