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Blue Heron Ranch Newsletter
Summer's almost here!
June 2008
Who are those welcoming Blue Heron Ranch dogs?

Dear Students - Happy June! The longest days are here and summer is coming upon us. Classes are in full force with new routines, new students and a new month to celebrate. We've had some wonderful Nia events in May that I'm featuring in this newsletter and a Nia Creativity Playshop coming up this weekend, Saturday June 7th at the beautiful Yoga Barn in Issaquah. We'll be closed one day this month, Saturday, June 28th, and again the week of my Black Belt training, Friday, July 11th thru Saturday, July 19th. I'll send out lots of reminders about that.

I know all of you have had some happy interactions with our professional doggie hosts, Wyeth and Lil'Ley, the friendly Yellow Labs who always greet you when you arrive for Nia and wag you goodbye when you leave. So I thought I'd introduce them to you. Wyeth, named after Andrew Wyeth's "Dog on Bed Sleeping" painting, is the more yellow lab. He's seven, turning eight in August. As you may have noticed, he is a ball and/or frisbee fanatic! He also likes to lay right at the door mat while we are doing Nia.

Lil'Ley is the whiter lab and is two, turning three in November. She's our old dog, Bagley's niece (went to heaven two years ago) - thus her name Lil' (Little) Ley (Bagley) - Lil'Ley (pronounced Lilly). She's also into balls and frisbees and just loves to be petted and hugged.

If you have black clothes on and choose to pet them beware, a little bit of Wyeth and Lil'Ley will go home with you!

Dance Donate for China Earthquake survivors a huge success!
Class co-taught by Susan Tate and Randee Fox raised $945.00!

Tuesday, May 27th: 18 of you showed up to dance and donate for China earthquake survivor relief. We raised $945.00 from donations. Four students gave in advance because they couldn't be there. Several of you brought friends. Thanks for being such a generous Nia community. I am certain that the money and energy raised for this will help the China earthquake survivors.

Learn more about Mercy Corps
Pilates Instructor Paula Ferris
Loves the combo of Pilates and Nia

You may have seen Paula Ferris in class. She's pictured here with her daughter Madison who also loves to come to Nia. Paula is a Pilates instructor with her own studio in Woodinville called Centered - A Pilates Studio. Her private studio was built as a personal oasis for each and every client that comes through her door. A spa - like studio was her intention. She loves her studio and she loves to teach Pilates. She also loves Nia!

"Nia is exactly what I have been looking for and never knew existed. I have been involved in fitness since I was 16 and am now 44. I teach pilates and pratice it regularly, but never have been able to find how to get my cardio and not feel like it was a chore. Years ago, I found a dance class in LA that I fell in love with and wished I could move there and take everyday. It was very empowering and I connected with it. When I got home in Feb of 2008 from my latest trip to LA, I was determined to find something that fed not only my body, but also my soul, as much as this out of state class did. I found the Nia website and I was impressed by Randee's commitment and qualifications. I took a class at her studio and was hooked. Randee exudes everything Nia stands for. She explained what to expect and made sure I knew the hour was mine to use as my body needed. There was no following of exact dance steps as I was used to in previous group classes. The community was welcoming and that was so different. Randee is energetic in her practice of Nia and I get a great workout every time I take class with her. If my work schedule did not get in the way, I would be at her class every time it was offered. It is a stress reliever and also a great mind-body connection. I no longer have to look for my place to dance. I found it with Randee and Nia. For that I feel very blessed."

Learn more about Paula's Pilates business and see pics of her gorgeous studio!
Dance with your daughter!
Moms and daughters at Blue Heron

It's been fun to have so many moms and daughters in Nia. Above from right to left are Nina and Kelly, Vicci and Sydney and Mariann and Mila. One lovely Mom- daughter team was traveling so could not be here for the picture, Celeste and Delaney Boyer. Paula Ferris and her daughter Madison are pictured on the left column.

Read a really good 'Families Work Out Together' story
Nia's Form and Freedom: An Expressive Movement Playshop
At The Yoga Barn, Issaquah - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 7

Come join Brown Belt Certified Nia instructor, Randee Fox in a fun, exhilarating and creative playshop where you'll discover the joy of movement through Nia's form and freedom - these two dynamics represent the Yin- Yang of Nia movement and create a perfect blend of organic skill. Form gives you the opportunity to develop movement skill and to repeat each step with accuracy. As a contrast, Freedom invites your spirit to play and create within the form and without loosing the structure.This workshop is for all levels of Nia dancers experienced or new. For more information contact The Yoga Barn at 425.427.0038 or info@yogabarn.com.

Learn more about The Yoga Barn in Issaquah
Twelve year olds celebrate with Nia!
A Blue Heron Nia birthday party

Sydney Kane (in the green t-shirt pulling her ears) loves Nia so much she asked her mom Vicci for her twelfth Nia birthday party at Blue Heron Ranch. Ten of her friends joined her on Thursday May 29th. They danced big, sounded loud and had a blast!

Exploring energy with our horses
Randee and Barb Apple join forces

We had a fun weekend May 31st thru June 1st with Barb Apple, Nia and our horses. We all learned about body language, directing energy, Natural Time and rhythm in our bodies and in handling our horses. From left, Janiece, Lindsey, Trainer Barb Apple, Randee, Kathleen and Sierra.

Learn more about Barb Apple's Horse Play

See you in class!

Warmly,


Randee Fox
Blue Heron Ranch