I’ve been contemplating the idea of blossoming for the past few days. Blossoming, unfolding, opening to the light, to your own radiant spirit, to new experiences, to a greater understanding of yourself and how that leads to a deeper compassion for others. I’ve been nurturing my garden, really it consists of a few potted plants and very dry dirt with some brave plants on our back patio, but they are blossoming. They are receiving loving attention, water, air, sunlight, shade, touch; yes I touch and talk to my plants, encouraging them to grow, bloom, blossom, and not wilt and crumble under the bight Central Valley sun. Two of my potted plants are Gerber Daises; one orange, one purple. When I brought them to my garden, they both had robust, beautiful blooms, and then the sun scorched them, I didn’t yet know what I needed to provide to them so that they could thrive. Careful attention and a little TLC has them blooming again, I’m so excited that my brown thumb is slowly turning green.

Last Friday, at my Nia class, one of the Nia tribe approached me and said “Edie, I have to tell you, when I take this class I am so happy. It’s perhaps the happiest I’ve felt in 50 years.” Needless to say I crushed this man in a hug. I was so touched, tickled that the joy of movement connected him more fully to himself, opening this space in his mind, body and spirit, allowing him to connect with his radiant joy. Blossoming, I keep thinking about it. How my spirit felt like it was blossoming with each Nia class I took. How my soul feels like it is blossoming with each Nia class I guide. And how elated I feel to hear that this space I am so fortunate to share with the Modesto Nia tribe is allowing each student to blossom in their own way.

Nia is this amazing mind, body, spirit movement technique, I know it’s not for everyone, but for the people who connect with it, allow their childlike curiosity to open, it is a gift, it is a moment to be, truly in their body’s way. They come to class as they are that day emotionally, physically, spiritually, and begin to move. Movement shifts our emotions, it shifts our thoughts, it allows us to let go and be; to connect with something greater than ourselves, to be in the flow of life. It unlocks something primordial, held deep within the body or right on the surface. It allows us the opportunity to truly be present with ourselves, and each other, in the moment, moving from the inside out or sensing from the outside in. Feeling our feet connect to the earth, our hearts connect to our Nia tribe and the greater community, and our eyes looking around, seeing. Perhaps catching our own reflection in the mirror and noticing our spirit dancing, eyes shining, celebrating life.

Connecting with the radiant joy within our beings, blossoming, this is often the focus and intention of my class. Connect with radiant joy, a true sense of happiness, I believe this stems from the sensation of experiencing love, divine love, pulsing though ones system. The heart blossoms, blooms, and unfolds as we dance the joy of life.