One Billion Rising

If you haven't already heard about the movement "One Billion Rising" started by Eve Ensler, the playwright who brought us the "Vagina Monologues," you should definitely check out their website.  I first found out about the organization when I read the interview with Anne Hathaway featured in Glamour magazine.  Besides finding myself thinking "Gosh, I could totally be friends with Anne Hathaway," I felt really compelled by what I read about the "One Billion Rising" movement and it's goal to end violence against women through fundraising and awareness.  And they called me to dance.  I can answer that call.

I knew immediately that I wanted to take part in the day.  There is no place I relish dancing more than at the Center for Nia and Yoga in Albany where I've trained and take classes and as luck would have it two of my favorite teachers planned to host an OBR event there.  Better yet - it was a Dance Jam with live Djembe drumming!  Dance Jams are magical and only come around every two to three months, which probably has something to do with what makes them so special - scarcity makes them a treat.

At a Dance Jam any Nia teacher can "pick up the mic" and teach (I was brave enough to pick up the mic today! The second time I've ever done so at a Jam).  It's a loud and frenetic evening and the best Jams really tap into the group energy and I find the spontaneity and synergy to be both energizing and healing.  It was a good way for me to say "No" to violence against women - and violence in general for that matter.  One of the things I love about Nia is that it has helped me find the voice inside me that needs to say "no."  Feeling "no" on a cellular level has helped me set healthy boundaries in my life.  Conversely, feeling the sensation of "yes" allows me to focus on what I want to invite into my life.  Being able to say both allows me to share the best version of myself with the world around me.

In Nia, I can dance the "no" to things like violence against women.  I can dance the "yes" to growth, healing, love, and awareness.  I can say yes to being a part of change in myself, in my community, and in the world.

Disclaimer: This isn't actually from tonight - it's from the Dance Jam the week of my white belt training and it was my first time picking up the mic.   The good news is - I think we were even more packed in this evening.  It was amazing to see how many women and men (a somewhat rare sighting at the studio) came out to support this cause.