Somatic Glossary for Nia & Yoga

Body Literacy

translating the language spoken by the body, sensation, into vocabulary and dialogue.

5-Stages: embryonic, creeping, crawling, squatting to walking.  The foundational development of the nervous system in movement, emotion, security and physical well-being

52 Moves:  Lower Body, Core, Upper Body Nia moves that lend somatic completion for the body/mind;  also for ease of learning and instruction.

8BC: musical listening system using a map, a logical notation system of 8 counts and 16 beats.

13/20: code for Natural Time held within the 13 joints and 20 digits

 

A
Allow: to surrender; to withhold judgment; to release preconceived images and guide rather than direct.

Awareness: a state of being free of judgment and thought.

B
Body’s Way, The: an understanding and honoring of the organic intelligence and laws of the body’s natural design.

Brain, Left: rational, logical, ordered and linear aspect of the brain; thinks in parts.

Brain, Right: spatial, sensing, connecting and intuitive aspect of the brain; feels the wholeness.

Breath:  inhalation or exhalation of life force; spirit; inspiration and surrender.

C
Conscious: self-guidance with purpose.

Core: three body weights – the head, chest and pelvis – that act separately or collectively; when used properly, strengthen, stretch and realign the body.

Creating the Space: consciously using your whole being to prepare the environment; creating presence and awareness for new learning to arise; meditation to clear energy and set forth intention within a particular space.

D
Desire: a strong wish; longing of the soul.

Dynamic ease: moving with mindfulness and consciously directing your energy along the most efficient, least resistant path; effortless effort; to connect with effortless movement, one must be centered in the tan-tien and be physically. aligned.

E
Embody: receiving information consciously in your entire body, aware of sensation at all times; a state of being that precedes emoting.

Emote: movement based on the sensations and impulses that arise from embodiment.

Explore: to revel in the wonder and curiosity of an endeavor; to move beyond perceived limits by allowing the imagination of possibilities.

F
Freedance: authentic independent movement that arises from embodiment of the music.

Freedom: independence; unrestricted expression.

G
Guide: the presentation of possibilities and signposts.

H
Hara: physical and energetic center two inches below your navel, a physical center from whicg you physically receive, transmit, connect and direct energy; tan-tien.

I
Inner Intelligence: natural wisdom, consciousness and insight present within every cell that guides the whole; information regarding our connectedness available in every moment.

Inspire: to inhale; to draw in energy or chi; to let an experience in, to let it affect us.

Intention: underlying purpose to an action, may be conscious or unconscious.

Insight: an inner clarification; “aha”; understanding.

J
Joy: a quality of aliveness; an attitude that stops resisting and embraces the reality of the body.

L
Lifestyle practice: to apply a body of knowledge to enhance the art of living.

Listen: art of receiving multi-dimensional information; art of receiving layers of music; use of entire body and the 6th sense.

M
Movement form: a system of movement used to translate dynamic quality and essence in a kinesthetic and energetic sense.

Natural Time: the ability to move at a pace and depth guided by inner intelligence; an energy field that physically feels fuller, less hurried; like being moved by an ocean wave rather than against the tide.

P
Plane of movement: low, middle, high ranges of motion to move and connect energy in waves to provide systemic motion; opens and closes the joints and moves the bones and muscles appropriate to beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Play: creative exploration without preconceived end results.

Present: aware, involved but unattached.

Process: conscious involvement in successive exploration leading to gradual integration and change.

R
RAW: a Nia triad to prepare oneself for the dance by listening with the qualities of Relaxed Body, Alert Mind, Waiting Spirit.

S
Science, Art, Craft: science is observation of the way the information can alter energy, chemistry or body language; craft is the exploration of the science through sensation; art is the application of the science and craft into choreography to achieve a desired result.

Self-healing: a practical recognition of the (multi-level) reality that is taking place; proactive awareness continuously returning one back to integration and wholeness.

Sensation: transmitting information; messages formulating language, emotion, action and thought.

Sensation Scientist: to consciously enter the experience of the self through the body like a research lab, with the spirit of exploration and of science.

Sense: to be or become aware of; to detect automatically within one’s being.

Shift: a conscious transference of body weight originating at the feet and translated through the core

Spiral: turning lines into circles, spiraling energy; creating vortexes allowing more powerful movement of energy with greater economy.

Systemic movement: connected to the wholeness or oneness, both in sensation and thought; moving as a whole, full-bodied being; consciousness infused with movement.

T
Trust: a basis of reliance, faith or hope; at deeper levels; the action of surrender is the result of understanding the laws of the universe coupled with the ability to sense Natural Time.

W
Witness: a detached part of you that observes your motion to gather information; does not judge.

X
X-ray anatomy: process of using your eyes, imagination and intuition to see and perceive movement beneath the skin; discovering the energetic content – emotional, mental and spiritual – of physical movement.

Y
Yes/No: self-affirming removal of doubt or fear.

For more terms visit:  http://www.niawellness.com/nia_glossary

 

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Gloria Gonzalez is CCO/Founder of Eight Elements West, an Institute for Somatic Education and Integrative Wellness.  Her nutrition and trauma therapy practice include working with nutrition, accumulated stress and trauma through:  Nia, Yoga,  PULSE 21-Day Detox, Somatic Experiencing, Organic Intelligence, Visceral Manipulation and Craniosacral Therapy.