During this morning's hoop practice, I continued to work with the first principle of Nia, the Joy of Movement. With every nuance of movement, I looked for joy as a conscious entity. In my mind, I telepathically sent out a message, "here I am joy! come and get me! I'm ready!" I let my movements be fun and playful instead of trying ot achieve anything. Sometimes I just danced while holding the hoop, imagining joy was my dance partner and we were waltzing and having a romantic whirling dance together. Sure, I got distracted a bunch. My mind would go to bills and projects and then I would reign it back in and focus, focus, just trying to be in the moment. Back to what matters. Back to joy.
I imagined my hoop was a shining incarnation of coalesced joy and visualized that when I lowered it around my body, it flowed bright white joy into my cells. I let myself smile, feeling joy in every part of my body. Feeling the joy of total happiness, complete security, complete creativity, complete love. Then my imagination let the hoop become a huge bubble wand I would dip into an imaginary pool of shimmering joy and swing around to create massive joy bubbles which drifted down, popped on my floor and plants, and nourished us all. Next, the hoop became a round sparkler which sent out crackling white light of anticipation, elation, positive expectation and smiling. I would slip into drills for a moment, doing repeated moves, but let my body sigh into comfort and pleausure with each expression. It was nice that the sun was shining so brightly into my dance studio/living room making the light yellow walls glow and the whole room felt warm and wonderful. Jai Uttal (the music I was dancing to) was singing kirtan and when I could I would sing along with the mantra refrains while moving and imagining. I love my personal hoop practice. It is such a wonderful time just for me. I can be so spontaneous and there is always such a universe of things to do, and such a variety of music to lead the way.
I am so grateful for the ease with which I join my practice time. It feels so natural to slip into hoopdance time. I see the ease and joy of my hooping slipping into every aspect of my life! I feel the ability to change directions being easy and effortless... part of the flow. Life is becoming easier and easier because my hooping is teaching me how to flow with each moment and stay centered. Hooping gives my mind time to relax and let go while my body's sensations awaken. Hooping gives me time to slow down or speed up, whatever I need. Hooping teaches me how to be in relationship with a partner... how to lead and how to be guided and flow. Hooping allows my body to lengthen and stretch and my muscles to gain strength and power. Hooping sparks my creativity and makes me feel radiant. Thank you!
The image on today's blog is from Tony Scheving (www.heartsoulvision.com)