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by Tracey Fenner
The start of a year brings the opportunity to make a shift, to change and renew. To take time to reflect on how far you have come to get to this exact point in your life. New Year resolutions are sometimes difficult to keep. We start of with every good intention and then if we are not mindful we slip back into old habits. We are after all creatures of habit.
So I invite you to be kind to yourself. You can be motivated to make the changes in order to live the life you desire. Keep it simple and don’t be too hard on yourself, everything moves in natural time. We all have our own nature pace and rhythm and in some areas of our life we just need more time.
In a Nia class experience we move through 7 different cycles, each cycle ends as another starts. Each cycle has a particular purpose in delivering the promise of holistic fitness. I invite you to move through each cycle with me now as we explore creating the happiest and healthiest year yet!
- Cycle 1 ~ Focus & Intent
Create a vision board for what it is you want in your life. Be detailed, the more details the clearer the vision will be. Dream big. Put your vision board up somewhere where you can look at it often and be reminded. Another way is to journal, write down your short & long term intentions. What can you let go off in order to step into your potential? What is no longer serving you? By recognizing what to let go of and focusing on what you desire you will then manifest this faster, and it will soon become a reality.
- Cycle 2 ~ Step in
Then take a step in, connect with your heart centre and make choices out of love for your self. I invite you to choose out of love not out of fear. Love is expansive, an open accepting energy, fear is contracting. Loving thoughts and actions will attract more love into your life. Make a commitment to your self to practice at least one act of self care every day. What is the most important thing you have to do today? Do that first.
- Cycle 3 ~ Warm Up
Enjoy every moment, do not dwell on the past. Live in the ‘now’ moment. Recognize that life is full of ups and downs. In a Nia ‘warm up’ cycle we move through different planes (low, middle & high), sensing the body’s ability to change position and direction with ease. Every moment we have a choice, to choose positive thoughts and to invite more joy into our lives. Tapping into universal joy is the first principle in a Nia White Belt Training (The Joy of Movement). Joy is all around us and I invite you to choose to welcome it into your life in every moment.
- Cycle 4 ~ Get Moving
I invite you to get moving, moving your body every day is so vital to maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. In Nia, we ‘dance through life’, everything we do in life is a dance, feel the aliveness in your body. Moving just 30 minutes a day can help to strengthen your cardiovascular system. The intent in the ‘get moving’ cycle in a Nia class experience is to deliver cardiovascular conditioning.
- Cycle 5 ~ Cool Down
Slowing down and taking time to rest is vital. Breathe long slow, deep belly breathes. This will help to calm your mind, your emotions and relax your body. Let go. Letting go and going with the flow will create more relaxation in your life. Sometimes not getting what you want is an incredible stroke of luck! Principle #2 in the Nia White Belt Training is ‘Natural time’. Allow things to unfold in their natural time…
- Cycle 6 ~ Floor Play
Spend time in nature, immerse yourself in the beauty of this incredible planet which we call home. Sitting peacefully, connected to the earth, can help you to feel safe, rooted and more grounded. In Nia, we call our feet ‘the hands that touch the earth’, reminding us of this connection to earth in every moment. Experience sitting and meditating and feel the benefits that this will give your health & well-being. Be kind to your self.
- Cycle 7 ~ Step Out
See a path that is yours. Be courageous, step out of your comfort zone at least once a day and let your spirit propel you forward. Embrace the unknown and be bold. Enjoy the journey. Do something everyday that your future self will thank you for, start small and soon those small seeds will grow and flourish.
Before, during and after any great workout drink lots of H2O, feel refreshed, renewed and re-energized!
Feel the benefits of these 7 simple tips and become your ‘best self’. Be the change you wish to see. In my mind this is already an amazing year. It’s what I do with this gift of another year of life that is important…
About Tracey Fenner
Dancing has been part of Tracey’s life since the age of 3 years. Tracey left home at 16 years to attend the Northern Ballet School in Manchester, England. After extensive classical training Tracey graduated & danced professionally for a number of years. Tracey now has almost 2 decades of teaching experience, traveling extensively worldwide. In 2007 Tracey discovered Nia, a path that would change her life forever. Tracey is trained by the Co-Creators of Nia, Debbie Rosas & Carlos Rosas as well as International Master Trainers Helen Terry & Ann Christiansen. Now based in Hong Kong, Tracey has been instrumental in introducing the Nia Technique to the city, and is currently the only Certified Nia Black Belt in Hong Kong. Tracey is the Founder and Artistic Director of Nia Hong Kong and facilitates transformational Nia class experiences, workshops, & retreats around the planet at renowned yoga conferences, academies for performing arts, multi award winning health resorts & destination spas, creating a sacred space for her knowledge & wisdom to inspire others.
Website: Nia Hong Kong
Facebook: Nia Hong Kong
Twitter: Tracey @ Niahongkong