New Year’s Refections
A long time ago, my mother told me that it is a wonderful thing to leave ambition behind as you grow older. She said that it is freeing. I listened to her in disbelief. I was young and ready to step into my power and the world. I had much to prove. Nowadays, when I am out on the mall downtown, people often come up to me and ask, “Are you still teaching Alexander Technique, Chris?” Or, ” Are you still doing that Nia thing?” Or, “Is your Stretch/Yoga class still happening, all these years later?” I wonder if I should have moved on, if I should be doing something else at this phase of life? Why do I do what I do?
Just today, talking with a Nia colleague, I explained that, now in my 6th decade, I know that what I teach works. I don’t need to prove it; my knowledge comes from the experience of many years of personal practice and teaching. And I realize that I say this without ambition. I say this because I want to share what I have learned that is true. I couldn’t have said for sure, 15 years ago, that the health and fitness path that I had chosen would yield the benefits that I hoped for. But now I know they do. Three central practices – Alexander Technique, Nia, and Yoga – form the core of Studio 206, and these have been my personal practices for many years. The truth I want to share is that the balance of these three practices creates lasting health and fitness.
The Alexander Technique provides a method for using yourself well in any activity (such as Nia or Yoga or sitting at a computer or walking down the street or singing a song), so that injuries, stress to joints, and postural problems can be avoided and the body can function optimally. Nia is a fabulous fitness program for coordinating, strengthening, and experiencing the joy of being a living being. Nia is downright fun to do. I teach gentle Stretch/Yoga because it provides a balance to the liveliness of my Nia classes, but I also enjoy Vinyasa Yoga classes, as they challenge my strength and flexibility.
When I began my fitness journey, I was not strong, or flexible. I had terrible posture. I was depressed. I was not remarkable in any way. My future did not even look bright. Over these years, I have learned that showing up, doing it, and showing up and doing it again and again, staying in practice, leads to transformation. It is that simple. These three amazing practices are available to you at Studio 206. Please try them all! I hope you will look into Alexander Technique to guide you to better understand yourself in action and reaction, that you will join a Nia or other movement class to find the Joy of moving again, and that you will explore and develop yourself through Yoga. I hope you will allow all of our teachers at 206 to help you in this process, at whatever stage you find yourself now, working with whatever physical limitations you might believe to be your obstacles.
This month we are highlighting Stephanie Morrell, an impressive new yoga teacher at the Studio. Because we want you to learn more about Stephanie and her Wednesday noon class, we are offering a special: take 2 classes with Stephanie and get 2 more for FREE!! This special is good through the month of January. Please read what Stephanie has to say about her love of Yoga and what our esteemed Vinyasa teacher Hilary says about Stephanie’s class!
From all of the Teachers at Studio 206, we wish you a Very Happy New Year!!
Love,
Chris
Chris Friedman is the director of Studio 206, an Alexander Technique teacher & Black Belt Nia instructor. chris@studio206downtown.com or 434-296-6250
