July 2011 NIA Student of the Month- Bess Welden

July Nia Student Spotlight

Getting to know Bess Welden

What do you love about NIA?
I took my first ever NIA class last October and started to dance regularly in January, so I am a new member of the community. What I love about NIA is how I can lose myself in the movement and music. I have tapped into a freedom and exhilarating joy in movement that I had somehow forgotten about but experienced frequently as a kid. Even in these short six month I can feel how NIA is helping reshape my relationship to my body not just physically but also by connecting me on an energetic level.

What brings you joy?
Other sources of deep joy for me are creating theater and partnering with my husband to raise our astonishingly wonderful children.

What would you like us to know about yourself?
I am an actor, writer, director and teacher and am currently involved in two summer theater projects. I am directing a cast of 11 young actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Freeport Shakespeare Festival, which will run August 6 & 7 at the Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens and August 9, 10 & 11 at LL Bean's Discovery Park in Freeport.
www.freeportshakespearefestival.org/content/shakespeare-bootcamp-2010

Then August 18-27, I will performing my one-woman comedy, The Passion of the Hausfrau(www.thehausfrauplay.com), at the brand new Freeport Factory Stage (http://www.freeportfactory.com/?page_id=41&event_id=34). Please come enjoy these two creative and entertaining events.

May 2011 NIA Student of the Month-Allice Haidden

May Nia Student Spotlight

Getting to know Allice Haidden

What do you love about NIA?
One evening in the mid 80's I was asked to facilitate a small group focused on exploring their hearts' deepest longing. In the middle of the process one of the participants asked me about my own hearts' deepest longing. I was suddenly flooded with an image of myself moving in joy. I didn't recognize the form, I had never seen it in 'real life'. I simply answered him, "I would be dancing." Thankfully, our hearts are patient. I love NIA because it is the answer to my hearts' deepest longing. Thank you Maggie, for bringing NIA to us all.

What brings you joy?
My two small grandchildren, Eamon and Elsa, bring me great joy.
My garden, the forest, and all plants bring me joy. The ocean, lakes and rivers and any view or touch of water brings me joy. Kayaking with friends, scootering with my husband Larry, bicycling and swimming all bring me joy. Being with others experiencing joy brings me joy.

What would you like us to know about yourself?
About me: (a Jill of multiple trades)
I have kept myself busy and growing in my profession of Astrological Counsellor for about 33 years now. I truly enjoy teaching a magical 12 week experiential learning group called Astrological Plays. allice.haidden@gmail.com

Other healing modalities that I have incorporated into my work with clients include flower essences that I have created here in Maine and a sweet, powerful energetic healing process called Soul Centered Healing, which I also teach with three wonderful women.

On the business side, I represent a one-to-one and internet marketing company called marketamerica. Visit my portal, www.allicet.com whenever you need to shop. We offer comparison shopping from 3,500 of your favorite retailers and at least 2% cashback on most purchases. Here you can also find the super-antioxidant nutraceuticals and anti-aging skin care that have supported me in so many ways for the last thirteen years.

Thank you all for the wonderful feeling of community that we have with NIA.

March 2011 NIA Student of the Month- Lea Cyr

March Nia Student Spotlight
Getting to know Lea Cyr

What do you love about NIA?

What I love most about NIA is the camaraderie of dancing the same dance, together. I love to squint my eyes and look in the reflection and not know, or care, which one of those beautiful dancing women is me!

What Brings You Joy?
I experience myself as an artist, inventor and archivist. I spend my days making things. I work as an artist, deisgner, and organizer for my own business, Design for Use. I love space and creating ease and methods that work so that home feels like home and life as it is lived can support our broader desires. Artistically, I focus on accessibility which I translate into public art and affordable art.

What would you like us to know about yourself?
I am a mother to a 16 year old son.....Graceson....who at 6'2" refers to me as the "shrinking person". He is a joy and I love being his mother!

FreeDance Playshop with Julianne Corey-March 13 Portland Maine

Free Yourself with a Fabulous FreeDance Playshop
"Playing with Potential" with Julianne Corey
Sunday March 13th 2-4pm

Dragonfly Taijiquan Rm#240
Railroad Building
222 St. John St, Portland

Pre-registration Price $20 ($30 package includes routine music CD Butterfly)

Price at the Door $25($40package with CD)

"When I think of what FreeDance provides, I think of the possibility of human form. I choose the word "possibility" because possibility is the gateway to our true potential. "Potential" means there is a possibility for me to change, to transform and grow into a physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually developed human being." from Debbie Rosas, founder and CEO of the Nia Technique.

Nia FreeDance is more than just doing your boogie. It is an 8 stage process intended to stimulate movement creativity. FreeDance is an expanded experience that takes you out of "just dancing" and into the river of the unexpected. Practicing FreeDance allows you to witness your own movement habits and develop body awareness, which gives you access to your body's messages. FreeDance provides you with the space to listen to your body, mind, heart and spirit to make choices, to direct the kind of healing and conditioning you need, and to be in conscious relationship with yourself.

In this 2 hour playshop, you will go deeper into the Nia 8 stage process of FreeDance, we'll have some time for journaling our experiences and we will bring our exploration into a full hour-long Nia class. Join us to play and explore the possibilities of who you are and who you dream to be.

Megan Jo Wilson-February NIA Student of the Month

What do you love about NIA?
Nia is the most powerful form of therapy I've ever experienced (and as a Life Coach, I've experimented a lot!). It's a chance to shake off the muck and stress, and embrace freedom and pleasure. Plus you can sweat as much or as little as you want. We all need to practice being more gentle with ourselves, and at the same time giving ourselves full permission to shine. Nia is a big part of that process for me.

What brings you joy?
Reading on the beach. Cuddling with my man and our cat. Stretching. NIA! Laughing. Swimming in the ocean. Being on stage. Coffee in Mexico. Teaching and Coaching. Dressing up. Jewelry. Making soup. Collaborative projects with a purpose. Traveling with my Mom. Singing in church... (There's so much!)

What would you like us to know about yourself?
What you may not know is that I am a singer / songwriter / performer, I have a Black Sash in Martial Arts, and I have been working as a Life Coach for almost 7 years! I coach ambitious thinkers who are committed in having a BIG impact on the world. Most recently I joined Team Northrup, http://www.teamnorthrup.com/ , an incredible group of women entrepreneurs who spread health and wealth and have a great time doing it. I describe it as "a project-based personal growth program" because we are all business owners who approach the ups and downs of running a business as a chance to grow and nurture and love ourselves and our customers. We are proving that true financial freedom is born from generosity and service rather than manipulation and greed. Talk to me, sisters! little as you want. We all need to practice being more gentle with ourselves, and at the same time giving ourselves full permission to shine. Nia is a big part of that process for me. http://www.meganjowilson.com/

February 2011 NIA Schedule with Maggie Bokor

Bring a friend FREE days: Saturday Feb 5th and Monday Feb 7th

February 2011 Schedule
Mondays
Dragonfly Taijiquan Studio-Railroad Building
6:00-7:00pm*
Drop in $12/ Class cards apply

Tuesdays

South Portland Community Center

Gentle NIA 7:30-8:30am

We are in the middle of Winter Session 1- Drop in anytime

W2 6 week session starts Feb 15th

$96 session ($10 non-resident fee and senior discounts available)

Drop in $12 (class cards do not apply)

Wednesdays
South Portland Community Center
6:00-7:00pm*
We are in the middle of Winter Session 1-Drop in anytime

W2 5 week session starts Feb 23

$50 session ($10 non-resident fee and senior discounts available)

Drop in $12 (class cards do no apply)

Thursdays

South Portland Community Center

Gentle NIA 7:30-8:30am

See tuesdays Gentle NIA for details

Drop in $12 (class cards do not apply)

Saturdays
Dragonfly Taijiquan Studio-Railroad Building
9:00-10:00am*
Drop in $12/ Class cards apply

3 Month Class Cards*
$50 for 5 Classes ($10 per Class) $90 for 10 classes ($9 per class) $160 for 20 ($8 per class)
Class cards can be used at Dragonfly Railiroad Monday and Saturday Classes only.
Class cards will expire after 90 days after purchase.

Location Information:

South Portland Community Center
21 Nelson Rd South Portland 04106
(sign up for session at desk. Drop in $10 anytime)
http://www.southportland.org

Dragonfly Taijiquan-Railroad Building*
Room 240 222 St. John St Portland
Park in back near Margaritas and take the elevator to 2nd floor

Lois Curtin- January 2011 NIA Student of the Month

What do you love about NIA?
NIA has transformed my life! I began my NIA journey in 2009 following a difficult divorce from a 20 year relationship. It was a grieving year and I needed something passionate in my life just to feel alive again. My life coach suggested I check out Nia since she knew I loved to dance. I remember meeting Maggie at my first class and being struck by her beautiful energy and bright spirit. The first routine I ever danced was "sexy" and I was delighted with the bold and sassy dance moves... I was hooked. The energy I feel when I step into the room, along with all the laughter when Maggie somehow empowers us to be our silliest selves, is indescribable! My heart is filled with gratitude for being part of such an amazing dance community. I continue to be inspired by Maggie's enthusiasm and creativity.

What brings you joy?
Nature, angels, stones, cooking, slow dancing and eating good food (which is not always what I've cooked) put a smile on my face. I also have fun hanging out with my two grown sons who make me laugh and make me proud. Music changes my mood in an instant as does being silent in nature, body surfing in the beautiful Maine ocean on a warm August day, and enjoying the company of my amazing sisters and good friends. I am blessed to also be a member of another loving community, the Center for Grieving Children, whose mission is to provide loving support to grieving children and their families.

What would you like us to know about yourself?
I recently created my own business, Healing Hearts, and offer transitional life coaching to people who have experienced some form of loss in their life. My passion is to be of service to those who are trying to navigate major life transitions such as divorce, sudden or chronic medical illness, loss of a job, or the death of a loved one. My career background is rather diverse and includes medical advocacy, hospice & bereavement, peer support group facilitation, Clinical Medical Assistant and human resources/employee benefits management. Although my approach comes from an intuitive, heart-centered space, practical steps are incorporated as one moves forward to create resonance and harmony in their life. I am fortunate to share a lovely space at Union Station with Nancy Frederick and Baylight Homeopathy. If interested, I can be reached at healingheartinme@gmail.com or (207)-400-1175.

P.S. As part of another venture, I will be conducting Angel Card readings in the Spring!

January 2011 Nia Schedule with Maggie Bokor

Bring a friend FREE days: Saturday Jan 1 and Monday Jan 3

January 2011 Schedule
Mondays
Dragonfly Taijiquan Studio-Railroad Building
6:00-7:00pm*
Drop in $12/ Class cards apply

Tuesdays

South Portland Community Center

Gentle NIA 7:30-8:30am

W1 5 week session starts Jan 11th

$80 session ($10 non-resident fee and senior discounts available)

Drop in $12 (class cards do not apply)

Wednesdays
South Portland Community Center
6:00-7:00pm*
W1 6 week session starts Jan 12

$60 session ($10 non-resident fee and senior discounts available)

Drop in $12 (class cards do no apply)

Thursdays

South Portland Community Center

Gentle NIA 7:30-8:30am

See tuesdays Gentle NIA for details

Drop in $12 (class cards do not apply)

Saturdays
Dragonfly Taijiquan Studio-Railroad Building
9:00-10:00am*
Drop in $12/ Class cards apply

3 Month Class Cards*
$50 for 5 Classes ($10 per Class) $90 for 10 classes ($9 per class) $160 for 20 ($8 per class)
Class cards can be used at Dragonfly Railiroad Monday and Saturday Classes only.
Class cards will expire after 90 days after purchase.

Location Information:

South Portland Community Center
21 Nelson Rd South Portland 04106
(sign up for session at desk. Drop in $10 anytime)
http://www.southportland.org

Dragonfly Taijiquan-Railroad Building*
Room 240 222 St. John St Portland
Park in back near Margaritas and take the elevator to 2nd floor

Nancy Frederick-December Dance Nia Student Spotlight

Nancy...What do you love about NIA?
Nia (and Maggie!) has been an important and integral part of my life since my first class, about over four years ago. Having spent a grueling few years with work and travel, I was aching and creaking in every conceivable moving part. The last thing I thought I could do was dance, let alone barefoot on a tile floor, no less! In my previous life, having spent hours in the gym, doing aerobics, spinning, and long distance running, I found it hard to believe that a few hours a week of pure enjoyment and fun could restore my strength, flexibility and faith in my body. Maggie's enthusiasm for Nia, authentic approach to teaching and desire to help each person discover her own body's way of moving has been truly inspiring for me.


What brings you joy? My life is filled with enjoyment on all levels. I find it in my children and grandchildren and their rich and amazing lives, in my husband of almost forty years who still never fails to surprise me, and in my work as a homeopath, which is a delicious combination of detective, naturalist and shaman. I live in a beautiful spot in the country and thoroughly enjoy finding the balance between spending time with the woods, the water and the stars, and working in my ever-expanding garden.


What would you like us to know about yourself? A few years ago, I realized the dream of starting a homeopathic school which offers programs for those interested in self-care, and also for individuals who wish to become practitioners. Baylight Homeopathy graduated it's first four-year class of practitioners in June of 2010 ! Anyone interested can find out more about classes at www.baylighthomeopathy.com. In addition, I'll be traveling to Tanzania in 2011 to bring homeopathy and attunement to AIDS patients and orphans in a clinic started by a colleague who is having remarkable results.