There is something indescribably delicious about the body sensations I experience in a Nia class. Yesterday was no exception, as I was lucky enough to take a class with the founders, Debbie and Carlos, during their 25th Anniversary Nia tour.

Quite simply, Nia is my foundational movement practice. I've taken many forms of dance over the years -- African, Indian temple dancing, Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban, various ecstatic and free forms... but for me, Nia stands out clearly as a way of educating the body which is simultaneously healing and also an entire philosophical approach to movement. It is my primary source of somatic education. All it's principles are universal, celebrate the divine feminine values of pleasure and ease, and can easily be translated to any other form of dance to take it to the next level...

Last night I attended day 1 of Brecken's hoop workshop here in San Francisco. I've watched Brecken before and been intrigued by her movements so it was GREAT to get a step-by-step explanation of her techniques! There was a super sweet assembly of hoopers present: Shakti Sunfire, Khan Wong, Rich and Lauren Porter, Ariane Conrad, Kerrin Lanahan, Julie Greicius, Jennifer JennaLuna Anderson, Krista Borst, Jan Camp and Cassandra... so it felt like a sweet family gathering. Read on for the details...