Embrace The Body’s Wisdom,

With Debbie Rosas

As a Sensation Scientist, I cherish the opportunity to learn from the genius of Gil Hedley and others who are passionate about exploring the profound gift of the body’s form. Each study session with Gil transforms my perception of the human body, inviting me to question where my body begins and ends. I’ve come to understand that my heart is not a mere organ. It is a connection linking me to all hearts, to nature, and to the vastness of the universe. Through my body, I transcend the illusion of separation and step into a divine state of oneness.

Gil has taught me to see the layers of the body not just as physical structures, but as a dance of movement, connection, and fluidity with each layer a textural skin performing feats of speed and precision beyond my comprehension. The concept of “nested systems” has become an integral part of my understanding. I sense and feel these systems through my mind, heart, and senses. As I listen to my body’s wordless messages, I interpret its signals of pain and pleasure, which reveal insights about my life and well-being. The more I learn, the more compassionate I become, empowering me to co-create a life filled with comfort, love, and light.

Welcome Sensation Through Movement

In my Nia practice, welcoming sensation is the cornerstone of developing mindfulness and sensory awareness. Anatomy wisdom and body-centered practices are essential for sustaining my health and well-being. By applying methods from the philosophy of phenomenology, the biology of anatomy, physiology, as well as, the ontology of Nia, I cultivate a consistent feeling of well-being through my body’s felt sense. Welcoming sensation enhances my experience of movement and refines my skills. As my sensory awareness deepens, my movement becomes more intuitive and fluid with consciousness emerging as a natural outcome of sensing.

Gil’s approach to anatomy is systemic, whole, and respecting of the diversity of each body, while Nia’s systemic approach to the same employs various movement forms and modes of thinking. Logical analysis of intuitive insight, holistic synthesis, and imaginative exploration are a perfect recipe to support body diversity. And while subjective experiences are prioritized, a solid foundation of objective knowledge about the body provides the necessary framework for experiential learning and shared understanding among different populations. This objective knowledge, particularly in anatomy, is crucial for understanding and welcoming sensation for making informed fitness, health, and well-being choices.

Transform With The Power of Nia

Like Gil’s Nia’s holistic framework which asks that we honor and encompasses the four realms of being human, or Whole Being, which includes the body, mind, emotions, and spirit, Nia especially honors the body-mind-emotion-spirit and lived experience of everyone. From personal growth and enhanced body wisdom that come from working with the 13 Principles of each of the core Nia education programs that are outlined in the DNia Code, each contain the essential qualities for enhancing body awareness and welcoming sensation.

As we move, we catalyze sensation, anchoring our awareness in the present moment. The variety in Nia from nine movement forms in three key disciplines leads to a richness in welcoming all kinds of sensations, thereby fostering holistic self-knowledge through experiential learning. This process allows everyone to condition and self-heal their bodies while embracing their own living rhythm. Welcoming sensation into your practice opens doors to a deeper understanding of your body and the interconnectedness of all life.

Use Weekly Sensation Exploration

Embrace this journey of self-discovery, and let your sensory experiences guide you toward greater health, well-being, and creative expression. Each week, you can deepen your connection to welcoming healthy feel-good sensation through targeted Nia moves and stillness.  The following steps will guide you in creating a personal movement journey that allows for self-healing, conditioning and healthy movement exploration.

STEP 1: Self-Healing Focus

Choose specific areas of your body to self-heal and condition through movement.

STEP 2: Create Your Movement Art Journey

Select a home move (where to begin) and destination move (posture you want to end) or use these suggested moves to personalize your journey. 

Allow yourself to move, and staying in each posture as long as needed to absorb the welcoming sensation benefits.

Step 3: Body Awareness Walk

Always been a movement session with Body Awareness Walk. Walk, sense and verbalize your observations about areas in your body that need attention. 

Welcoming Sensation Practices

Bow Stance Play with The Yoga Child’s Pose, transitioning to Nia Bow Stance. Loosen your joints and explore balance, engaging your thighs as you rise.

Cat Stance Start in Nia Cat Stance and move into Yoga Eagle pose. Focus on stability and balance by pressing your foot against your standing leg.

Sink + Pivot Table Wipe From Nia Sink + Pivot Table Wipe, move into Yoga Extended Triangle. Sense alignment through your joints and explore various ranges of motion.

Stepping Back Onto the Ball of the Foot Begin in Yoga Dead Man’s Pose and transition to Nia Stepping Back Onto the Ball of the Foot. Play with pressure and release, connecting to gravity.

Cross Front Start with Nia Rocking Sit Ups, moving into Nia Cross Front. Focus on rocking movements and core engagement as you rise.

Cross Behind Transition from Yoga Cobra into Nia Cross Behind, exploring movements that engage your spine and maintain balance.

STEP 4: Movement and Reflection

After five minutes of movement, practice Body Gratitude Walk. Acknowledge the changes you’ve experienced.

STEP 5: Journaling

Reflect on your movement experiences and journal. List body wisdom to track your growth and insights.

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