Martha Randall | Nia Toronto | Nia Canada

Summer Travels

Martha — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:57:49 +0000

I had the pleasure of connecting with teachers in Berlin while on our family adventure. Natali Olenberg and Lena Mendez were delightfully open to having me guest teach their students. Here is a photo in the lovely yoga studio that Lena teaches in…

Nia blasts onto Dupont Street in my hood!

Martha — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:49:16 +0000

Sanjana Classes across Canada!

Martha — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:37:20 +0000

Nia Canada Teachers UNITE March 20-26, 2011!

In honour of our inaugural Canadian Green Belt Training (with trainers Martha Randall and Roberta Mohler) Nia teachers from coast to coast will be uniting by teaching the Sanjana routine this week (March 20-26). Picture it: more than 50 Nia teachers will move thousands of Nia dancers this week to songs reminding them that “life is one big road” and that “the spirit of the earth continues”. Come experience a class and you’ll find out what it means to find the Joy of Movement when you hear the song from Sanjana called “Ooooh I’m in heaven”!

And for this time of Equinox consider bringing a friend for a free class March 20-26 and help them shake off winter and spring into Spring!

My kind of leadership!

Martha — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:29:18 +0000

I originally saw this as a video clip only. Now with the leadership commentary it brings it to a whole other level. Can’t help but think of all my Nia teaching friends/trainees feeling like the crazy nut at the front of the room. Thanks to all my students who gradually made my classes a happening!

The Next Generation of Trainers

Martha — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:43:17 +0000

Nia Headquarters in Portland has been buzzing since last August as over 40 Black Belt teachers from around the world accepted the invitation to study and train to become new White Belt trainers. As a faculty member in the first generation of trainers, it was my pleasure to join them for a week in Portland at Studio Nia to observe them teaching, to share my experiences as a Nia trainer and to support the Pod that I have been mentoring all fall. This picture is my group at our celebration evening (where we celebrated Debbie Rosas on her 60th birthday) where all the senior trainers were gifted a wand – yup, adding my sprinkle of Nia magic to this lovely group of Nia trainers in training!

Martha’s Mystery Gym

Martha — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:33:05 +0000

The idea of creating a space for a more spacious consideration of our Nia practices together has been with me for a long time so I am pleased to introduce my first one:

Please join me this Sunday, November 7, 10 am-4 pm

Conversation, education, quiet and robust movement exploration, creativity and a mystery guest! You will take away a deeper connection to yourself and your dance through life. Consider it a day at the spa with friends!

Can’t come for the day? Please join us for class at 11:15 am.

Bavia Arts, 898b St. Clair Ave. West, 2 blocks east of Oakwood, 2nd Floor

Cost $62.00

Class only: Series card or $17

Beyond Nia

Martha — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:09:07 +0000

In this section I post interesting links to books, Youtube, websites and more that I find inspiring and educational.

First up? World Gratitude. It is a 42 Day world-wide meditation. Go to www.worldgratitude.com to find out more and join me!

Nia School Begins!

Martha — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:09:08 +0000

At home listening to tunes as I prepare for my first classes of the fall season. Who is city-bound this long weekend and will come out to play? Can’t wait!

White Belt Gathering

Martha — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:31:46 +0000

The White Belt Gathering on September 19 was a great coming together of new and seasoned graduates of the trainings over the past 7 years that Roberta and I have been offering in the Toronto area. A major impetus for each person being there was a chance to connect with one another. Everyone off in their worlds teaching classes often feel isolated and disconnected so the day created a space to enjoy the stimulation and camaraderie that being together in our passion and play with Nia creates. Virtual connections just don’t offer that life-enhancing mystery juice that being in community together does!

Here is a brief outline of the topics we explored:

1) How to substitute music: We freedanced and then barred “No Quiero Nada Mas” from Aya. I chose a song a student had given me as the substitution. When I first listened to it and started to move I immediately incorporated the samba-style of the Aya song. A ‘click’! We then freedanced, barred and learned the choreography of “I Know You Want Me” by Pitbull. Other details: a substitute song should be .2 -.3 seconds slower or faster per bar to the original. Choreo can also be tweaked to fit the length of sections and style of the music. Does it flow with the cycle of the routine that you are fitting it in to?

2) Creating A Sacred Livelihood: Time was spent answering the questions through writing: what is sacred to me? what is sacred about me? what are the gifts I bring to Nia to create the magic? Through small group and full group discussion we shared our considerations. When we honour and bring forth the things that matter to us each as teachers a natural authenticity emerges and the magic of our gifts has a chance to move through our classes. Everyone did a lovely dance of affirmation to end the session.

3) Martha & Roberta teach. We used the routine Aya to bring all our discussions and practice together. Roberta and I focused on the original focus “Peaceful Stability” as well as highlighting all the elements of the 52 moves that we could during the class. We recommend working with the Teacher Routine: Nia’s 52 Moves.

4) In closing there were requests for more workshops and a question on how can we stay connected over time and space. The upcoming Niac meeting has a presentation of adapting Nia for Seniors led by Jane Markowitz – great professional development. The Niac forum is our best way at this point.

Blue Belt and public classes

Martha — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:55:36 +0000

The Toronto Nia community is having a rich hit of Nia mastery with International Trainer Helen Terry as she offers a Blue Belt and many public classes across the city. Www.terrakardastudio.com for details. So great to have her at 1443 Bathurst on Monday! Queen Latifah is sexy!