 Sometimes you think you have a plan in place and then...life happens.
As we've been letting folks know over the past few weeks, we originally intended to shut down the studio through August due to overlapping absences at the start of the month. Ann is heading to glorious Scandinavia to enjoy a fabulous once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and Mel was supposed to be gone for two weeks for a work trip. The good news is Ann is still going on her vacation. However, Mel's work trip canceled at the last minute. That means that instead of closing down the studio as we had originally planned, Move2Center will be offering a reduced schedule through August 28.
What does this mean for our 8:15am weekday? We have you covered. If you normally come to our 8:15am classes, simply sign up for one of Mel's classes and you'll get the replay link to dance on your own time. This means that if you usually dance on Monday morning, sign up for Mel's 10:30am Sunday class the day before and you'll have the link ready for you on Monday morning. We realize that some people who dance the replays from Monday classes do so on Tuesdays as well. Email us if you're one of those folks so we can accommodate you. Who is teaching morning classes during the last week of July while Ann's gone? We're very excited to offer several subs Zooming in from cities around the country! On Wednesday at 8:15am, First Degree Black Belt teacher Claudia Solomon is stepping in. On Friday at 8:15am, you'll have the opportunity to dance with First Degree Black Belt teacher Dr. Virgie Thorn. And on Saturday at 9am, our dear friend Black Belt Sandra Caldwell will be stepping in for Ann. Wait...why are some classes on a break and not others? We wish we could keep our full schedule going through the month, but the reality is that August tends to be a low ebb time across the board for studios. Which we get -- people want to travel and enjoy the outdoors! Also functionally, Mel's day job doesn't make it possible for her to cover weekday morning classes...or Saturdays, when she usually collapses. Ha! What does this mean if I want to come into the studio? All of Mel's classes will have an in-studio option, so if you want to dance in-person, just sign up. We are limiting our studio capacity right now to 10 students, and some weeknight classes have become popular, so do sign up if you intend to swing by. As a bonus, on hot days the studio stays in the low 70s. That's one of the benefits of being underground. We have fans and two HEPA-filtered air purifiers, so come on down if you want to dance. I have other questions. How can I reach you? The usual way: Email us at info@move2centerstudio.com. Happy August, and we hope to see you soon...whether in person or online!
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 In honor of National Go Barefoot Day, Move2Center joins Nia teachers from around the world hosting dance-a-thon fundraisers online and in-person to help empower the millions who live without shoes.
So we hope you'll join us for a special class in support of global non-profit Soles4Souls at 10am Saturday, June 25. Entry is FREE with your donation to this global non-profit organization that partners with women's shelters, veterans organizations, children's programs and schools to get shoes and clothing to those who need it most. This includes ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine. $1 = 1 pair. **Limited In-Studio Slots Are Available. Click the link below to secure yours!** In exchange for participating in this special class, please make your tax deductible* donation to Soles4Souls by clicking here or by using the button below. Nia has led the way in barefoot fitness for nearly four decades. While science has shown tremendous benefit in being barefoot – including improving balance and awareness, relieving body pain and building foot and ankle strength – the Nia community recognizes the privilege of being able to CHOOSE if and when to move barefoot. “Millions of children and adults living without shoes around the world do not have this choice,” said Debbie Rosas, founder of Nia. “Shoes provide a plethora of benefits, including opening up opportunities for school and work that are otherwise unavailable. At Nia, we want to do our part to empower people and help them acquire at least one pair of shoes they can use in their daily lives, when and if they choose.” Hope to see you on Saturday, June 25 at 10am! *Soles4Souls is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization.  Move2Center is proud to be the hosting studio for the Black Teachers of Nia's 2022 Juneteenth Jam! Join us on Saturday, June 18 at 10am PT/ 1pm ET to commemorate the 156th anniversary of the first Juneteenth Celebration, which was held on June 19, 1866. *Move2Center is donating a portion of its Jam proceeds to the African Heritage Food Co-Op, which is raising funds to open a flagship location in Buffalo, NY., and is actively assisting the community impacted by last month's tragedy at Tops Friendly Market.* Known as the country's “second Independence Day,” Juneteenth celebrates the freedom of enslaved people in the United States at the end of the Civil War. For more than 150 years, African American communities across the country have observed this holiday as a celebration of Hope. Last year, Juneteenth was designated as an official U.S. Federal holiday. This year, Black Nia teachers from across the U.S. and the diaspora are celebrating with a special playlist and communal movement. Join us for this celebration of liberation. Tickets are $20 and available via Eventbrite. Click the button below to purchase your entry. *Please note, this event will be recorded and will be available for 24 hour replay for all who register to attend the Jam. Sorry, all in-studio slots are full. About Nia Technique As a holistic somatic movement practice Nia celebrates the body, inspires the mind, frees the spirit and embraces personal expression. A powerful fusion of dance, martial and healing arts, Nia is a holistic movement & wellness practice designed to address body, mind, emotion and spirit. With Nia you are guided to move in Your Body's Way. No prior experience is necessary. All fitness levels and abilities are welcome. www.nianow.com.  Move2Center is delighted to welcome 2nd Degree Nia Black Belt and teacher trainer Casey Bernstein (choreographer of 'Selfless,' co-choreographer of 'Feeling' ) to our studio for a special Master Class taking place on Tuesday, April 26 from Noon to 1:45 PT.
Tickets are $25 (plus tax, to be added at time of purchase) and can be purchased by clicking one of the buttons at the bottom of this post. (Move2Center 5-Class Passes and Unlimited Memberships do not apply.) Casey is visiting Seattle from Albany, New York, and will debut a new, original choreography playlist for our Seattle community. In this “mini” workshop, she'll discuss the crafting and importance of sustaining the focus and intent through a Nia class to deepen the awareness of sensation. The focus is sensing the spiral and rotation with the intent to sense systemic movement and alignment. This class is open to every body, from newcomers to seasoned Nia practitioners. Regardless of your movement experience level, Casey's gentle guidance will help you connect with Joy and feel wonderful. Don't miss this special one-time opportunity! Please note: In Studio attendance is available for a limited number of participants. By signing up for this option, this means you are committed to coming to our studio in West Seattle to dance with Casey. We are asking that in-studio participants be fully vaccinated and willing to provide proof of a negative result from an at-home COVID test taken within 24 hours of this event. This is to ensure everyone's comfort. Online access via Zoom will also be available to anyone who can't attend in person, and can be purchased using a different link. See the buttons below. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe and healthy. About Casey Bernstein Casey Bernstein, RN, dancing and sharing Nia’s JOY for 32 years. 2nd Degree Nia Black Belt, Nia Teacher Training & Nia Moving to Healing Teacher Training and Moving to Heal apprenticeship. Creator of The Art of Stepping In program: creative-class-crafting for special applications. Owner of The Center for Nia & Yoga since 1993 in Albany, NY www.caseybernstein.com  Meditation is about a compassionate openness and the ability to be with oneself and one’s situation through all kinds of experiences. In meditation you’re open to whatever life presents you with. It’s about touching the earth and coming back to being right here. ~Pema Chodron
Several Move2Center community members have inquired about restoring meditation classes to our schedule. In response to this request we're delighted to offer a FREE two-week online Introduction to Meditation series at 10:30am Saturday, April 17 and 10:30am Saturday, April 24 facilitated by our dear friend Lilliana Zuyovich. About Intro to Meditation "Meditation is easy to learn and can be incorporated into any lifestyle or busy schedule," Lilliana says. Whether you are new to meditation or if you’re already familiar with meditation and want to get a refresher, this is a perfect opportunity. "There are many wonderful and effective forms of meditation. I teach Shamatha sitting meditation as taught by the Buddha. Shamatha is a Sanskrit term meaning “calm abiding”. It is the practice of training the mind to be present, settling into the here and now, and letting go." In this session Lilliana offers instruction on the fundamentals: how to settle into your meditation practice, how to sit, position your body and posture, how to align with your breath (conscious breathing), and how to work with your mind and thoughts. Ultimately the intent is to help you gain a clear understanding of what meditation is, how it works, and how to start and establish an effective meditation practice. When: 10:30am Saturdays April 17 and 24 Details: Sign up on our calendar and a Zoom link will be provided to you by Lilliana prior to each session. Be prepared for this one-hour class by setting up a comfortable place to sit, using cushions to sit cross legged. Or you can sit on a couch or a chair in whatever way is comfortable for you. Move2Center and Lilliana are delighted to offer these sessions to all participants free of charge. However in the spirit of "calm abiding" we encourage participants to support one of these organizations working to bring health, wellness and equity into people's lives. TreeSisters.org: Click here to donate. Asian Americans Advancing Justice: Click here to donate. Black Women's Health Imperative: Click here to donate. Meet Your Teacher: Lilliana Zuyovich CHT, CHN I first learned to meditate when I was 5 years old, I remember feeling and exclaiming it was “one of the best days of my life!” I loved learning to meditate as a child, and then as a teen I had the fortune of being taught several illuminating forms of meditation that profoundly changed my life. My devotion continued to flourish which led me to the Shambhala Meditation Center in Seattle where I formally trained for 4 years. I deeply value meditation, and have had a dedicated and consistent practice for many years. It continues to inspire me and I feel privileged to share its benefits. I also provide private one-on-one and group meditation instruction. Click here to visit Lilliana's website.  Once again Ananta Yoga Studio is offering a unique opportunity in collaboration with Move2Center:
Everyday Yoga! with Susan Westlund Everyday Yoga is a six-week course dedicated to helping you to craft a practice suited specifically for you. Each of our bodies is different and requires focuses specific to our needs. As such, Susan is presenting a package of private lessons along with group lessons with other participants, allowing you to co-design soothing, energizing, and awakening techniques that serve as invaluable tools for your well-being. Everyday Yoga uses an eclectic approach that draws from several schools of yoga to find practices designed specifically for you, and is suitable for Beginners and Experienced yogis alike. What you can expect: •Three 60-minute private lessons (individually scheduled) to take place in January and February, starting on the week of January 4, 2021 •Three 60-minute group lessons with those in your cohort, schedule to be determined •Handouts •Blog entries directed at the Course •Brief small group Q&A sessions Tuition: $180 (tax included)* *For an idea of cost comparison, we Googled the local cost for private yoga sessions alone... they can can range up to $90 per hour... so this is a steal! So—you say you can’t do yoga? You think your hamstrings are too tight, belly too round, your birthdays have marked too many decades--and now you can’t get out of the house? Bendy or not, men, women, children, elders, healthy and sick, short, tall, heavy, thin, procrastinators and all shelter-in-placers can do yoga. Yoga is for Everybody. Still have doubts? Google these guys: · Michael Sanford, paraplegic yoga teacher from Minnesota · Tao Porchon-Lynch, at age 101, she taught a weekly yoga class in NYC and led programs across the globe. ·Keith Mitchell, Former Texans linebacker turned yoga teacher · Allan Nett, “Yoga with your boots on”, “Toolbelt yoga for construction workers · Shruti Pandey, who started teaching yoga to adults at age six. Yoga adapts well to the individual which explains the many and varied styles of yoga. We have slower, quieter forms in Yin, Gentle and Restorative practices and more vigorous, active forms in Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Power yoga. We build relationships with our community and draw energy from our peers in group classes. We deepen our relationships with ourselves and integrate our practice into our lives in one-on-one lessons and personal practice. Stress and tension making you feel stagnant?
MELT it away with Jill Pagano's six-week Intro to MELT course -- online! This is an extraordinary opportunity to refresh your self-care routine in 2021. When: 4pm to 5 pm Thursdays starting January 7th Cost: $99.00 for Non-Members and Pass Holders Unlimited Members Receive a 10% Discount -- Please E-Mail Us To Receive the Link! All classes held live, via Zoom. Class recordings will be available for 24 hours after each class takes place and will be emailed to participants after each class. To participate you must be able to get down on the floor. MELT is a simple and unique soft foam rolling exercise that rehydrates your connective tissue, aids in decompressing joints and can help you feel more relaxed and centered. Each week you'll experience immediate changes to how your body looks and feels. You will learn simple self-care techniques, right from the MELT book, that you can do at home to remain active, healthy and pain free. •Reduce inflammation. •Ease neck and low back strain and discomfort. •Improve structural alignment. •Keep your whole body feeling great at any age. Please note that equipment is required for this workshop (and it is worth the purchase!)* However, if you'd rather not purchase a roller or MELT balls, Jill is offering six sets of sanitized equipment available on a six-week loan for a deposit of $150. Click here to email her if interested. Loaned equipment must be picked up in south West Seattle (Jill's house). The MELT Method is the very first Hands-off Bodywork® method developed for the general public as a self-care tool to prevent and relieve chronic pain. It’s an affordable addition to any wellness routine. This all-levels class will use specialized soft body rollers and small MELT Hand and Foot Balls to eliminate stuck stress before it accumulates causing chronic aches, pains, and unwanted signs of aging. *You'll need the MELT Soft Foam Roller plus MELT balls (mini kit) or Full MELT Hand and Foot Kit or the Super Bundle to participate in this class. Purchasing the e-book or paper book is recommended so you can follow along each week and have pictures of all the MELT moves.  Now more than ever, we need as many treats to look forward to as possible.
This philosophy should also apply to your workout. But does it? Do you view maintaining your fitness routine as an obligation instead of a joyful pleasure? If you answered "yes" to that question...we'd like to welcome you to Nia. Nia flips the old guilt-driven, "no pain, no gain" workout script on its ear and is a perfect fit for those of us who desire community and are ready to craft a more positive relationship with their bodies -- and, by extension, their lives. While circumstances prevent us from hosting newcomers in our studio, Ann and Mel are moving the Intro to Nia experience online. It is designed for absolute beginners or newish Nia-lovers who want to find out more about the practice. Details: $10 for first-time visitors to Move2Center Studio. Current pass holders may attend for free. All fitness levels, ages, body types and abilities are welcome! What to expect: In the first part we'll discuss and move through the basic concepts and principles of Nia. Then we'll experience a beginner-level Nia class that puts it all together. Please note: While the actual Nia class will last for an hour, the presentation may be shorter. This is our first time presenting this workshop online, and we want to be considerate of screen burnout. In Nia classes, we start from a place of pleasure and feeling good. We dance, we kick, we execute punches and blocks, and we laugh -- a lot. In doing this, we become more connected to our flexibility, strength and mobility, increasing our level of agility and improving our sense of stability. With regular practice, you'll experience an increase in stamina and have more energy. Questions? E-mail us at info@ move2centerstudio.com.  On Saturday June 13th, we invite you to dance and reaffirm that Black Lives Matter. This event is focused on providing self-care and healing while also raising funds to benefit organizations that are leading the fight against injustice. Participants will be guided through an hour of movement that blends dance, martial arts, and healing techniques by four Seattle teachers: Melanie McFarland, Ann Nicolaysen, Juliann Taube, and Jeanna Wheeler. To reserve your spot and receive the event Zoom link, please pre-register at this link or by clicking either the picture above or the button at the bottom of this post. Suggested minimum donation is $25, but nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Larger donations are encouraged from those who are able. All proceeds collected by the event organizers, will be split equally between Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and Color Of Change. Donations can be made via Venmo at @Jeanna-Wheeler. Participants may also make donations directly to these organizations via the links provided here or the buttons below. When: Saturday June 13th 11:00am - 12:30pm PT (2:00pm - 3:30pm ET). Where: Online Event will be held on Zoom, so please ensure that your setup is adequate for viewing prior to the start time. Attendees will be muted throughout the event, and are welcome to dance with their camera either on or off. Who: All ages and ability levels are welcome to join us. If you are new to the movement, we hope that this event will inspire you to join the fight for Black lives, or refresh and energize you for your continued efforts. Through this dance, we heal ourselves, strengthen our community, and affirm our commitment to working for justice in the world. A special thank you to Jeanna Wheeler for organizing this benefit and Aubrey Pullman for designing the graphic.  Ready to dance your way to a happier body? Maybe you're thinking, "Aren't I doing that already with Nia?" Well, sure! But as Wellness Visionary and Author Jill Pagano's new movement series "Happy Body: Move!" shows us, there's so much more we can explore. And it all culminates in a fantastic two-hour workshop on Sunday, April 5th from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Move2Center Studio. All levels encouraged. NO experience needed. Jill's "Happy Body: Move!" Sunday classes are at 9:15 a.m. on March 8, 22, and 29th. They are included in all class passes (unlimited, 5 class pass, 3 for $30) Drop-ins are welcome for $18 plus tax. The two-hour workshop on Sunday, April 5th from 2 pm to 4 pm is priced separately. $35 via pre-registration (available by clicking the button below), $40 at the door. Read on for more details. The Classes: "Happy Body: Move!" is a guided, easy dance meditation class that will leave you feeling grounded, relaxed and deeply connected to your body. In this three-Sunday series, Jill will guide you through her signature approach to getting to know your body through consciously-connected, pleasurable movement. Explore how to "Be with your Body" while being creatively lulled by soothing and inspiring music. As a former Nia Teacher and Faculty Trainer, these dance meditations are designed to enhance your Nia practice and class experience. The April 5th Workshop: Dance, Discover and Feel Happier! Join Author and former Nia Teacher & Faculty Trainer Jill Pagano for a fun afternoon of getting happy with your body! During this two-hour workshop, you'll play with Getting to Know your Happy from Section One of Jill's new book Getting Happy with your Body: How to Live in, Learn from and Love your Body Once and for All.
We'll seal our experience with a one-hour happy body dance class! *Handouts included. Books available separately ($20) Questions? Contact Jill directly by email (click here) or call 206-999-1743
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