Creating Loving Communities, With Debbie Rosas.

I always dreamed of Nia becoming an extraordinary and loving culture, as well as a healthy social and transformational healing organization. One where elders, such as myself, and dedicated teachers lead others in Body + Life education; helping them learn, embody and if they choose, share Nia. I have always dreamed of creating a community that understands what it means to protect the message and meaning of Nia, which is that, “Through movement we find health,” In Nia, we want to help people live a healthy and meaningful life in their body, no matter what their age or their level of health and well being.

No one person is ever expected to emerge through any level of transformation without getting knocked down a few times and then getting back up, going back in, and getting on with the walk of Body + Life education.

I believe the challenge we face in creating an extraordinary and loving Nia culture comes from the fact that people come to Nia in need of personal work, and as they study and learn about their bodies and lives through Nia, at the same time, they are learning about themselves through their whole being, which is their body, mind, emotions and spirit. It’s a given, that people come to Nia with their personal challenges and even though people come to Nia with a dedication to transformation and growth; the mixture of beliefs, attitudes, personalities and customs require sensitivity and inclusivity for the very best outcome for all.

Facing one’s own, as well as, the thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs of others requires, in my experience, much forgiveness and much compassion on our collective journey that we must each travel together and alone.

I believe no good comes when hate and punishment are a part of the communication, and that good comes when love, forgiveness and compassion are a part of the communication. As we learn, it is natural to fall down, make mistakes, even do terrible, hurtful things, but we can always “take-two” and “re-do.” We can apologize and change course. We can be guided by a philosophy that helps us take conscious action, and choose love and patience when we are hurt by unkind words and when we feel attacked. My over forty plus years in Nia means that I, especially, know that no one is perfect. Not me, not faculty, and not teacher.

That includes consciously releasing anger and pain. But if we are unable to forgive, it is easy to slip into resentment, believing that others are “wrong” and worse, “bad,” the end result of which is feeling victimized. 

And yes, sometimes, we are even victimized, but we do not have to remain a victim. If we hold on to anger and pain we can remain feeling victimized. But if we forgive and if we have the courage to ask questions such as, “Why did you write this? or Why did you say this? then good communication, which requires wisdom and courage may prevail. It takes a willingness and it takes a power to believe in people and in the practice of transformation to change and become better at being human. I believe in this. I believe in Nia and I believe in the power of Nia communities to emerge into creating an extraordinary and loving culture and society.

What do you believe?

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