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!

Santa is Coming!!!!!!!!!!!

Growing up, I had no idea that I could call Norad and they would tell me where Santa was. What were my parents thinking keeping that from me????

Thanks to this new fangled thing called the "internet," you can track Santa ALL DAY online.


So, guess what I've been up to today??????

I can't believe I'm only discovering this site now. It's got video updates, interactive games for the kids, to the second tracking with Google earth....it even tells you how many cookies Santa has eaten already.

The story of how Santa tracker started is also available on the site and it's really something else.

Share this with your kids now and thanks Colonel Shoup!

2011 Niadu Schedule Update!!!

In case you haven't heard the news, there a lot o'changin' at Niadu in 2011.

Our fabulous Miss Mollia is moving on, following her dream of starting her own program closer to her home on the south end. She'll be teaching at the Mount Baker Community Center come January. We're so very excited for her!!!!

What will happen to her classes you ask? D and I have decided to discontinue the 8 am classes, but you can still dance in the AM on MWF with Dina at 9 am! Hooray!

Other big changes include switching our Tuesday and Thursday Nia classes to Zumba classes! Now you can join the party twice a week! We'll be letting go of Friday night Zumba but don't fear Friday goers......Dina will be bringing back Nia on the 2nd Friday of every month!

We also have a bunch of great new programming lined up for 2011. Visit Niadu for all the deets!

Happy Hanukkah!

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Despite the snowy weather this morning, 33 of you brave Nia Undergrounders joined Dina and I for our 6th Annual pre-pigout workout! We're so thrilled with the turnout!

See? Look how happy we are.....

And thanks to all of you who brought in glasses - 55 pairs!!!! Woo hoo!!!! We're still collecting next week so feel free to bring a pair or two or three to your next class!

Don't forget, there is no Nia or Zumba class tomorrow but we'll be back to regularly scheduled classes on Saturday!!!

Be there or be a square!

Classes cancelled due to EXTREME weather!

Because getting on and off Capitol Hill is virtually impossible at the moment (and is expected to stay that way for a while), D and I have canceled classes tonight and tomorrow.

Our pre-pigout workout is still scheduled for 9:30 am on Thanksgiving but we may push the time out a little later as more snow is expected Wednesday evening. Stay tuned!!!!!

And if you don't believe how hairy things are, check out this video (I suggest muting it as I don't quite get the need for a soundtrack).......



Thank you, Slog, for sharing!

Teenage Dream

I am in no way a Katy Perry fan. In fact, I kind of find her somewhat irritating. However, that Teenage Dream song is pretty catchy, especially when it's covered by my new favorite Gleek!

I'll be swaying to this version on Saturday.....come get your Gleek on - 12:25, people! Be there of be........a square!



PS....How cute is Darren Criss belting out this tune??????

Halloween Playlist

Before I sign off for the weekend, I almost forgot that I promised to share my Halloween playlist. I'm already a week overdue! Enjoy!


Main Title Theme from The Shining
Nomah's Land - Metisse
Monster - Lady Gaga
Freefall (Friend's Electric Remix) - Pitch Black
I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
Jump in the Line (Shake Senora) - Harry Belafonte
Disturbia - Rihanna
Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat's Heavenly House Mix) - Nina Simone + Felix Da Housecat
Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna
Thriller - Michael Jackson
A White Demon Love Song - The Killers
Science Fiction / Double Feature - Richard O'Brien

Technology Sabbath

Being in Hawaii really helped the Mr. and I take a step back and look at how we've been spending our time. We've made a lot of changes together. Having self care time is really important which is why we decided to make Sunday our technology Sabbath.


Both of us are web junkies. I've lost hours of my life watching videos of snoring puppies. Lord only knows what he's doing with his laptop. I kid, I kid!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am no longer responding to emails or answering calls on Sundays. Don't take it personally and know that I'll be all yours the other six days of the week!

Thriller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Halloween weekend and you know what that means!!!!!!!!! Join me on Saturday at 12:15 pm for some spooky, Zombie fun. Get your Thriller groove on and who knows what else!

And now, the music video that thrilled and scared the be-jesus out of me as a kid:



Thought it was going to be Thriller, didn't you?!?!?!?!

Check out Niadu for all of the other fun Halloween shenanigans going on this weekend. Costumes, prizes, dancing....oh my!!!!

Hawaiian Dream

In case anyone was wondering why I haven't blogged in a while, it's because I was here:

This tiny picture doesn't really do Hannalei Bay justice but I'm sure you all get the gist. It was warm and beautiful and palm tree-a-rific! Basically......awesome.

Zumba tomorrow night!

So, you've probably heard the news by now! We've added Zumba to our programming! Woot! Woot!

We are really excited, especially me since I'm teaching the very first class tomorrow night at 6:30.

Use your punch card or drop-in OR if you have this week's The Stranger laying around, look for our ad on page 12! Why? Because it's a coupon for a free Zumba class! Hooray!

In the meantime, here's a video explaining a few of the basic steps! Enjoy!

Saturday Sub!

Come join the fabulous Mollia Jensen this Saturday as she takes over my 12:15 pm class!

Where will I be, you ask? That's a secret, but I can tell you it has to do with our new Friday night programming.

We're making an announcement next week so make sure you subscribe to our mailing list if you want to be in the loop!

Have fun y'all!

Last Chance for Friday Night Nia!

This Friday is that last evening Nia class with Dina!

Come join her at 6:30 pm at Dance Underground for one last hurrah!

New Friday night programming coming soon! Stay Tuned!!!!!!!

The Best of Western WA 2010!

King 5's Evening Magazine is holding it's annual "Best of Western Washington" competition!

Help crown your Nia home, Dance Underground, the best dance studio!

VOTE NOW!

Do it soon....your voice will only be heard until October 12!

Labor Day Class Schedule

WE'RE TAKING A HOLIDAY BREAK!

There will be no Nia on 9/3, 9/4, 9/5, and 9/6.

Our regular schedule will resume on 9/7 at 8:00 am with Mollia.

So, grab a beer and a weiner and enjoy the last remnants of summer!!!!

I Gotta Move!!!!

The healing process has been slow but I can't bear another day without Nia!

So, I'm kicking off my shoes and bringing it back tonight!

Thanks so much to Dina, Mollia, and Fran for giving me the time to take care of myself and thanks to all of the kind words that have been pouring in from the community. I know your generous love and support has played a huge role in my getting better.

I hope to see you all tonight!!!!

Who's Subbin'?!?!?!

While I rest up and allow myself time to heal, my extraordinary colleagues have come to support me.

Tonight is very special. The amazing Fran Kao will be teaching my 6 pm class and be sure to come because it's HER BIRTHDAY!!!!!

This Saturday, August 27th, the lovely and fabulous, Mollia Jensen will be your Nia guide!!!

I really need a bigger picture of Molls!

And on August 30th, my partner in crime, my trusty accomplice in all things Nia, my superstar and personal hero (she completely stepped up to the plate when I got sick), Dina Innominat0!!!!


I adore and thank you incredible ladies for getting my back. And to the Niadu crew for rolling with the punches and holding down the fort. My gratitude for this community is so great...there are no words.

I hope to be back next week before our Labor Day break but one never knows with skin stuff. Check back over the weekend for an update!

Cha cha cha!!!!!!!!!

Where Did I Go?

Greetings Nia Undergrounders!!! For those of you who take my classes regularly, you might be wondering where I was the last two nights? And if you really pay close attention to my ramblings before class, you might be wondering, "Isn't she suppose to be on a plane to New Jersey right now?"

It's true...I was suppose to be headed back East to visit family for a few days but I've had a little health hiccup that forced me to cancel my trip.

For those of you who know me well, you know that I somatically respond to any kind of stress or bump in the road.....via my skin. I took a nasty drug - Diflucan - most of us ladies know what it is and what it is used for.

Unfortunately, my body did not agree with it. So, I have been hiding out at home, swollen and covered head to toe with a intensely itchy rash. I'm going the homeopathic route to get back to optimal health but if you practice homeopathy, you know it can be slow going.

I miss dancing, I miss the community, I miss my family whom I haven't seen in three years. It's a major bummer, but tonight is the full moon. The halfway mark of 2010 and time to affirm what we want for the rest of the year and more importantly what we don't want.

I know what I'm leaving behind!!!!!!

Dancing with all of you in my heart! BIG LOVE!!!!!!!!!

Saturday Post-Nia FUN!

Hey! Got nothing going on after Nia today???? How 'bout a little charity work?

Rain City Soccer Club, the world's largest gay and lesbian soccer club, is hosting the 3rd annual Shirts vs Shorts match from 2:30 - 5:00 pm at the Bobby Morris Playfield in Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill!

You read that right....half-naked, sweaty soccer players!

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have agreed to ref the game and collect donations. All proceeds will benefit the GSBA Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships to queer youth who have been kicked out by their parents, as well as to the children of LGBTQ parents.

So, bring some money and enjoy your post-Nia bliss with some hot semi-naked folk!

Thank you, Slog, for the post and image!

Pick of the Week!

Hey everybody! We're pick of the week!

StrangerMart is the self-described "home for HALF OFF gift certificates to Seattle restaurants, stores, and services," and Nia Underground is their featured business of the week.

Yippee!

If you are wondering "Is StrangerMart affiliated with Seattle's beloved weekly newspaper, The Stranger?" The answer is "yes!"

We are very excited to be partnered up with The Stranger where, for a limited time, we are offering 4 class punch cards for $24!

This deal is for new clients only so tell all those friends who haven't yet made it to Nia to shop StrangerMart today!!!!

Free Acupuncture this Friday!

Most of my regular students know that I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy last October. It's been a very long, sometimes stressful, recovery. Acupuncture has really helped but let's face it, it's not cheap when the recommendation is to go 3 times a week.

As a result, my treatments tapered off until I discovered The Pin Cushion.

The philosophy behind The Pin Cushion is that acupuncture should be accessible to everyone. So, they offer amazing, affordable service in a relaxing group setting with sliding scale rates between $20 and $40 depending on your income.

And if you're unsure about community acupuncture, the first Friday of every month is free for new clients. Hey, wait! That's this Friday!

Lisa, Julie, and Susie are all fabulous at what they do - knowledgeable, professional, and nurturing - so give them a try! Do something great for yourself and support your local business, too!

LivingSocial Daily Deal

Holy smokes! Nia Underground is going viral....marketing that is! This Saturday, July 17, Nia Underground will be featured on LivingSocial!

LivingSocial offers one amazing deal every day with HUGE discounts at local merchants including bars, restaurants, spas and NIA UNDERGROUND.

Sign up now to receive all kinds of great deals and pass the word on to your friends and family who may need a little nudge to try Nia. You can even buy the deal as a gift (limit one gift per person).

The offer is $18 for 4 classes!!!! SCORE! But you have to be a registered user of Living Social and a new student!

Share the joy, people!!!

I Love Me a Techno Geek

I got back from my Brown Belt last Friday night - late - but still managed to make my husband's CD release party at the Electric Tea Garden.

He was (add your own expletive here) awesome!


Capitol Island officially comes out on July 23 and will be available on iTunes. Dave Segal of The Stranger calls Relcad's second release, "another phenomenal excursion into unconventional dance music," and "the most gorgeous electronic music you will hear all year."

Read the whole review here and check out Relcad's site for a little taste of the techno geek I call my husband!

Brownies are Back!!!!!!!!!

Dina, Fran, and I are back from Brown Belt, y'all! We come fully armed with a new set of tools to share with our communities making the Nia experience even better than before! Can you believe that!?!?!

41 of us gathered at Studio Nia for 7 days of intense training - they don't call them intensives for nuthin'!

Here's the fabulous Fran Kao with her new Brownie friend, Connie! Connie has the cutest southern accent!

People flew in from all over the world to receive this training - not just from the South. We're talking England, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Some more happy Brownies taking a well deserved stretch on the floor!

Jeff Stewart, CEO of The Nia Technique (and Debbie's hubby) took TONS of photos the whole week. Once those are posted in HQ's Flickr pool, I'll have more to share with you!

I'm so glad to be home and look forward to moving with you all soon! Enjoy the sunshine!

Brown Belt! Woot! Woot!

I'll be at Nia HQ in Portland gettin' my brown belt June 19th to June 25th! But don't cry! I've got awesome coverage for classes at NU next week.

The always fabulous, Mollia Jensen, will be taking over on June 19th. Come spend your Saturday afternoon with the goddess of rock Nia! (Dina will be at the training as well and Mollia will be covering all her classes. Check out Niadu for a full schedule!)

Kat Gillett will be your hostess with the mostess for the 6 pm classes on 6/21, 6/22, and 6/23! Check out her "International Freedance" routine created just for you Nia Undergrounders! (Kat will also be teaching Dina's 6 pm class on 6/24).

I'll be back for June 26th for Saturday's class at 12:15 pm hopefully with lots to share!

Have a great week, y'all!

Spread the Joy!

Don't you want a super sweet bumper magnet for your car? How 'bout your fridge, your filing cabinet? You know you do!!!!!!

Get'em while they're hot! Awesome new bumper magnets just for you! Only 5 bucks!!!! What a bargain!

Always wanted to shout from the rooftops, "Nia rules! Nia is amazing! Nia changed my life," but had trouble finding a rooftop or overcoming your fear of heights???

Spread the joy and get a magnet for all of Seattle to see. Buy one, buy twelve! Put them everywhere and anywhere!

Magnets available at any Nia Underground class. Cash only, please! Woot! Woot!

The Dirty Dozen

The Environmental Working Group just published it's 2010 list of the the "dirty dozen," the list of the 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest content of pesticides. They also list the "clean 15," the 15 fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide content.

Why care about pesticides? According to the EWS, "The growing consensus among scientists is that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human health..."

Buying all organic can be pricey for many so having both lists the next time you hit the grocery store can be very handy when you are working within a budget. A convenient wallet size shopper's guide or an iPhone app can be downloaded here!

And don't forget that the Seattle Farmer's Markets are in full swing. Buy organic and local - it's good for you and good for your community!

No Evening Class Memorial Day!

Hey Nia Undergrounders!

Looking to get your groove on this holiday weekend? Well, you can!

Saturday 12:15 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm
Monday 9:00am

But no class Monday evening at 6 pm!

See you on the dance floor!

Be the Bubba

I read somewhere that the internet is all about cats.....

This is Bubba. She came with my husband and after many moons, we are finally friends. She is not the brightest of animals but sometimes when I catch her sleeping like this, I like to think of her as a wise old soul wrapped in a fur coat.

Occasionally, I think she just might open her mouth and impart some serious, mind blowing, life altering advice but usually when her mouth opens, it's just to yawn and share her horrid kitty breath, and then stretch her paws completely into my personal space.....like this.

Be the Bubba.....

Get on Your Bike and Ride!

Friday is Bike to Work Day organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club and sponsored by F5. Last year 24,000 of you participated but we all know that number can be much bigger.

Great events are happening that day! Join Mayor Mike McGinn at 7:40 am at the University Bridge and ride to the Bike to Work Day rally at City Hall. And don't miss the after party in Ballard.

Get a rockin' booty and have a positive impact on your community and environment just by getting in the saddle!

In the great words of Freddy Mercury, "Get on your bikes and ride!"

Unlimited Nia...for 6 MONTHS!!!!!

Spend the rest of 2010 at Nia Underground!!!

We are so grateful that we have such a strong community to share our deep passion for Nia.

We're offering the best price in town for the greatest Nia in town!!!

Write your check on or before June 15th and get UNLIMITED Nia for the rest of the year for only $499!

52 Class Challenge!

This past Saturday marked the final day of the 52 class challenge! Whew!

Congratulations to all who participated and to the community for all of the wonderful support. If you feel you missed out, don't worry, there's always next year!

Dance with Dina this Wednesday Night!

Even Nia teachers deserve a night off, no? I've got a hot date with the hubby on May 12th so be sure to get your groove on with my fabulous partner, Dina Innominato!

While you're dancing, I'll be sipping cocktails at The Triple Door listening to the achingly beautiful orchestral work of Icelandic composer, Johann Johannsson.



Perhaps not as bumping as what will be going down at Nia Underground but pretty good for a romantic date with the man!

Julieta Venegas

A lot of you have been asking me about a particular song I included in my Cinco de Mayo routine.

Does this video help?



Beautiful song - not sure about the hotties eating flowers and farting butterflies but I guess all us girls fart flowers and butterflies, right????

Her videos for equally beautiful songs Me voy and Limon y sal are just as surreal but not quite as ....hmmmmm, what should I say? Gassy?

Check them out if you have the chance!

Kick! Punch! Cha Cha Cha!

Yay! I'm so glad you discovered "Kick It,"a little space where I'll be sharing class info, event info, musical musings, fitness tips, good food finds, and all things Nia!

Check back early and often! I look forward to dancing with you soon!