Adelle Brownlee Brewer

Connection

On July 13, 2012

This is a piece written by Madisyn Taylor… beautifully written, expressing in words my thoughts and feelings…. we are all connected. A glorious web of sacred beings…

Earth is home to a web of living things that are connected to each other through a kaleidoscope of relationships.

Picking a leaf off the ground and contemplating it as an object in and of itself is very inspiring. Its shape and color, the way it feels in your hand, its delicate veins and the stem that once held it fast to the branch of a tree—all of these qualities reveal a leaf to be a miniature work of natural art. As we contemplate this small object more deeply and consider where it came from and what purpose it has served, we find that the leaf is one small but essential part of a system that harnesses the energy of the sun, plumbs the depths of the earth, and in the process brings into being the oxygen many living things rely on to live.

A leaf transforms the elements of its environment—sunlight, carbon dioxide, rain—into nourishment for its tree. This beautiful, nearly weightless, ephemeral piece of nature is a vital conduit to the branch that is a conduit to the trunk that is a conduit to the roots of the tree. The roots, in turn, draw nourishment from the earth to feed the trunk, the branches, and the leaves. The living beings that inhale the oxygen that comes from this process exhale the carbon dioxide that feeds the leaves through which the tree is fed. It is difficult to know where one cycle ends and another one begins.

One of the many gifts that nature offers us is a clear demonstration of the interdependence between all living things. The person who exhales the carbon dioxide, the clouds that produce the rain, the sun that gives light, the leaf that transforms all these things into sustenance for a tree—not one of these could survive without being part of this cycle.

Each living being is dependent upon other living things for its survival. When we look at the world, we see that this is not a place where different beings survive independently of one another. Earth is home to a web of living things that are connected to each other through a spinning kaleidoscope of relationships. We need each other to survive and thrive.

Healing the Soul

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On July 8, 2012

In Uncategorized

“Movement is good for the soul…”
Do you ever ask your soul, your spirit, what it needs? A lot of talk today centers around the ‘Mind, Body, and Spirit,’ and practices that engage in the healing of the ‘holistic’ self.
What does that mean to you?
For me, it means asking the different realms how they are doing, what do they need in this moment, and also recognizing what brings healing, happiness, joy and life to each one. Engaging in stimulating conversation, reading books, challenging and going beyond the known is fulfilling to my mind. Dancing, working out, rolling around on the earth brings my body into a place of equilibrium and calm. Spending time with nature, and in gratitude for my life is what brings my soul the peace it loves.
From Nia Principle #5, we play with the triad Awareness, Stimulation, Self-healing and also the triad Dancing Through Life, Living Meditation, Life as Art. We play with them in relationship to our body, yet our physical body has it all… our Mind… our Body… and our Spirit. Giving time, asking what is needed, and recognizing with gratitude the gift of life is healing to every part of us.
Bring your questions to the dance floor in Nia and Journey Dance this week… ask your mind what it needs… your body… your soul. Let’s dance it and rejoice in the unknown, the questions, the healing.
I spent two days in the hill country this past week with nature, healing my soul. Check out the pictures below and go pick peaches! Talk about lifting the spirit!

Blessings, Adelle

My classes this week… Sunday (today!) Journey Dance 10:00am, and Nia 4:00pm… Tuesday 6:45am… Wednesday 9:15am… Fun Friday 5:30pm. Tricia Messinger will be joining us on Wednesday after class to answer questions about Protandim. Many of you all have asked and she can speak eloquently about the science behind it… I know I love it, feel great, and believe in the reduction of oxidative stress.
AND… This was in my inbox today… I loved it and wanted to share…’The older the soul, Adelle, the softer the glance, the quicker the smile and the sooner to say “I love you.” They also skip and wink more than normal, and hold hands with those they walk beside.’

Picking Peaches! A Texas adventure…

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On July 5, 2012

In Uncategorized


		My 5-fingers are good for peach pickin’ too… love feeling the earth as I walked the rows


Harper, Texas, lined with American flags on the highway… a beautiful drive!

Rows and rows and rows in the early morning light

I LOVE peaches!

Hiding in the shadows of the trees

This way!

A beautiful sunny day in Fredricksburg, Texas!

My spoils for the day… homegrown tomatoes, cantalope, hand-picked peaches, and fresh honey… well, yum!

They sell a lot of veggies

Nothing more beautiful than a peach saying ‘pick me!’


From Hwy 87… follow the signs to Marburger

     When I was raising my four beautiful children, we took many road trips to Fredricksburg, Texas to pick peaches in the early morning hours. I would pile them in the car (many times with friends or cousins) and away we would go… they would sleep, and I would drive the hour to Marburger Orchard.
     After returning to San Antonio, they would set up a peach stand in our neighborhood and sell peaches and coca-cola, making their own spending money for our upcoming cross-country car vacations and summer adventures.
     Now with four wonderful adults, and two beautiful daughter-in-laws, life is different… and I still love my peach picking! After a glorious 4th of July evening that started in Comfort, Texas with lots of people, I drove to a friend’s ranch close to Harper and spent a restorative quiet evening in the Texas Hill Country… night sounds, full moon, cool breeze, crisp smells, thunderstorm! … you can take the city out of the girl, but not the country… I love to be outside. This morning found me heading through Harper to Fredricksburg, and Marburger’s… ahhhhh! Peaches!!!!
Treat yourself to a road trip… a de-light for the senses

Fascinating Fascia!

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On July 2, 2012

In Uncategorized

Dancing Friends!
I am fascinated by our fascia, our connective tissue in the body. Visualizing the body as a network of flowing connection and sensation has brought greater appreciation for this gift, and heightened awareness of the importance of the daily dance of movement. The daily dance keeps my body in a continued state of transformation. The Freedom that grows from the Form.

Fascia is pervasive. It is everywhere in our body. Fascia lines our organs. It lines and infuses with our muscles. It helps attach our muscles to our bones. It lines our bones too. It forms pathways for our delicate nerves, arteries, and veins to run through – tunnels to transport the fluids that sustain us. Fascia is a 3 dimensional web connecting every structure in our entire body – from head to toe – without interruption. It is a continuous unit, flowing from one form to the next, changing shape and tone depending on the structure it surrounds… on how we move!

Fascia is designed to protect us, to keep our internal structures properly positioned, to allow the different parts of our body to slide and glide around each other as we move, and allow our body to maintain it’s shape. If we took away everything except our fascia, we would still maintain our shape!

Our body and its fascia matrix is a metaphor for life and community… we are all connected… through the air we breathe, the thoughts we think, the love we feel… I decided to attend a meditation group this weekend, and I went by myself, not expecting to know anybody. After I sat down, a woman in front of me turned around and said, “I know you!” After a short discussion, we discovered that she came to the studio years ago… and as we spoke the person in front of her turned around and exclaimed, “Adelle! I’m your banker!” hahhaha… I had never met the person who gave me the loans for the studio. And THEN, someone got up from across the aisle, came over and grabbed my hand, looked me in the eyes and thanked me for the studio, and told me how instrumental it has been in the healing of her friend who has battled breast cancer. All of this happened in less than a minute… synchronic connections… life as fascia… connective tissue.

We keep our friendships, connections, and community strong with conversation, and dance. We keep our fascia healthy, strong, and fluid through movement. Sharing stories, adventures, tears and happiness keeps our spirit free and connection to others open and honest. Like friendships, when our fascia is sedentary, it becomes sticky, fuzzy, knitted together, like scar tissue, and our shape takes on a different form. A form with less freedom that desires to break loose and fly.

Nia is full, systemic, body movement, helping our fascia mold, shape, re-shape, change and be in a state of constant transformation.”Through Movement We Find Health”… Let’s celebrate the freedom of our fascia this week… Moving our Form into Freedom.
I will be teaching my Wednesday class on July 4th at 9:15, and I am going to begin all my classes this week rolling around on the earth, so get ready to don those knee pads! Its a week of dance, of moving our fascia, of celebrating our connection… Form into Freedom. See you on the dance floor!

Loving the transformation, Adelle

My classes this week… Nia~~~Tuesday 6:45am, Wednesday 9:15am, Fun Friday 5:30pm, Sunday 4:00pm
Journey Dance ~~~ Sunday 10:00am

Community comes in many forms

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On June 27, 2012

In Uncategorized

Hi all… I wanted to share two community thoughts… one extremely sad, and one humbling and awesome…
     Beginning with the sadness… I spoke and heard through texts from our extended dance community in Colorado, and they shared pictures….
     I wept in the early morning, after I saw the pictures. I could hear the wildlife crying, the trees moaning, feel the earth shaking and the hearts breaking. My heart is hurting.
We are all connected and our friends in Colorado need our positive thoughts, prayers and waves of love… a beautiful state being devastated by fire, one of Earth’s natural elements.
     I believe that each one of us can make a difference… we are not helpless. I believe in the power of positive thinking, in the power of prayer, in humanity’s innate divinity. Its all love. Spend a moment proactively sending love, thoughts, prayers, and hopes to Colorado, other Western states, the Earth, the rain clouds, and all the other beings who are affected… the energy will shift.
     And now for the humbling, appreciative, joyful emotion…
When I built The Synergy Studio in its present location 5 years ago, I believed that ‘they will come.’ I believed that community would grow… that together, we would make a difference…. And we are.
     The studio, our community, San Antonio, and Nia are being honored in this summer’s issue of Conscious Dancer magazine. I was interviewed and they featured us and others as leaders in the conscious dance movement… in making a difference one Body at a time. The studio and I could not have done it without you… without your presence, your support, your love.
     I am deeply grateful for you, for life, for the gift of movement and opening pathways for healing… Thank you!
Click here for the link to the article in Conscious Dancer magazine. I highly recommend subscribing to this great publication, and supporting what we love! It comes quarterly and is full of information about dance, movement, positive energy… a real feel-good magazine… and beautiful.
I am sharing three pictures that were sent to me today, not to be sensational, but rather to bring the reality of what our dear friends are facing… our community… our humanity. The third picture shows the Air Force Academy football stadium in the foreground, to give the picture perspective… our Air Force Academy is also threatened by the devastating fires.
     We are all connected and the world needs us now more than ever.

With deep love and devotion, Adelle

Mar de Jade

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On June 23, 2012

In Uncategorized

Sacred… Natural Time… You

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On June 23, 2012

In Uncategorized

Sacred… Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person.
I have had the blessing of being in a sacred place all week, experiencing a part of the west coast of Mexico that Mother Nature has chosen to devote for the spawning ground of sand crabs and giant sea turtles. When Joanie and I chose this place to do a White Belt over a year ago, we had no idea.

Natural Time in its most sacred expression…
The crabs were not present on our first day. The second day we woke up to hundreds. The fourth day they were no where to be seen. I sought out the knowledge of a local shaman who came to volunteer his time protecting the sacred grounds, the crabs, the turtles, the natural cycle of life.
He explained that every year the crabs come, lay eggs, and then lead the tiny crabs back out to sea when they hatch, not to be seen again for another year. Two weeks later the giant sea turtles arrive, make nests, hatch their young, and return to the water, babies in tow. They are only seen in this sacred space for two weeks a year. He explained that he had arrived to protect them from local harvesting for souvenirs, and food.
We experienced the natural time of the tides, the moon, the stars, the afternoon thunderstorms.
We were amazed at the men and women who read about our retreat on facebook and traveled for the purpose of taking Nia classes while being surrounded by natural beauty. We ate splendid organic meals grown locally…. in the natural rhythms of the sun, rain, wind and salt air. Every meal was a unique experience… A beautiful array of colors and flavors served very simply on the plate… natural beauty in its essence.
Walking on the beach at the end of the day… Listening to the waves crashing in… Swimming in the ocean’s salty water… Observing the dark clouds thickening… Gathering the heart rocks that spoke to me… A sacred experience.
Sacred… Natural Time… Becoming a sacred athlete, devoted to the health and wellness of our body, the sacred vessel that has been gifted to each one of us.A full experience reinforcing my hope for humanity. Open. Honest. Clear. Loving. Raw.

Humanity grounded in natural time… All love.

See you Sunday at 4:00pm, Tuesday at 6:45am, Wednesday at 9:15am, Friday at 5:30pm.

And join us next year when we return to this sacred place for a Nia retreat… Dedicated and

devoted to you, your body, your purpose.
November 9-16, 2013… we are on the calendar!

From my heart to yours…. All love. A

Bathe in it, Bask in it, Be in it

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On June 13, 2012

In Uncategorized

“Nia is manifestation of Joy through music, movement, and magic. Your body is the source of the Joy of Movement. If anything distracts you, come back to the body. “… the White Belt Embody and Share Manuel

Hello Friends,
Nia is the manifestation of Joy, a joy that is with us through sorrow, pain, happiness, anticipation… any emotion. Nia teaches us that life can be lived with the Joy of Movement everyday… every moment… as a physical sensation in our body… a voice coming from the body knowing itself.
This has been a week of pure joy for me… emotional joy as well as the big “J” Joy. Surrounded by family and friends, and basking in the love of two young people getting married, many emotions sprung forth. As pictures, memories and stories unfolded, I felt happiness, sorrow, elation, loss, excitement, anticipation, longing… well, you name it… it was all there… and Joy was always present as I took a deep breath, and sensed my body supporting me. As Cameron was about to escort me down the isle before he met his bride, I looked at him and asked if he was ok. “I’m not sure Mom.” I whispered, “Breathe Cammy… exhale completely… feel your feet.” He smiled amidst teary eyes and I knew he was fine. It was a glorious weekend, and so much fun to have all of my (now 6) children with me!
I’m eternally grateful for my training and practice of Nia… the lessons and support that pop up everywhere I go, even as I’m about to be escorted by my handsome, soon-to-be married son. 🙂
In class, we encourage you to stay connected to Joy, sustaining it, regardless of the images or emotions that surface. Sustaining the Joy of Movement is a wonderful metaphor for life. With daily distractions, especially during emotional times, if we come back to sensation and back to our body’s pure joy of movement, we stay connected to our true spirit, our divine soul.
Look to the goodness and divinity all around you, within you, and express the full Joy of living right now.
Join me Tuesday morning at 6:45am, Wednesday 9:15am, and Jan on Friday at 5:30pm for a Joyous Fun Friday! I will be traveling to Mexico for a Joy-filled White Belt and Nia re-treat. We have an amazing community of teachers who will be supporting Joanie and me while we are away… keep the Joy alive in your body! Dancedancedance!
With lovelovelove, Adelle

Adelle Brownlee Brewer
Owner, The Synergy Studio, San Antonio, TexasNia Black Belt Teacher; White Belt Trainer
Nia Training Faculty
Journey Dance Guide; Professional Fiber Artist
www.thesynergystudio.com
www.nianow.com/adelle
www.journeydance.com
Learn more and go deeper into the connection with you body and your life by taking a Nia White Belt Intensive. Check out my trainings with Joanie Brooks at: http://www.nianow.com/adelle

What do you choose?

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On June 4, 2012

In Uncategorized

Wow!
It was an amazing weekend dancing with so many of you… Friday, Saturday, Sunday… Nia, Journey Dance… Dancing to the music of your heart, your soul… dancing with joy.
I arrived home a little while ago after a packed class with Joanie… smiles, claps, sharing, community… it was magical….
And I realized how each one of you made a choice to be there. To dance with abandon. To share your positive energy…. and I am so grateful for your choice. Thank you for sharing you, with me.
We all make choices everyday… hundreds of choices… and if we choose based in love, life will shine. Take notice throughout your day, with every movement, if you are making a choice in love… or fear.
When you brush your teeth, eat dinner, console your hurt puppy, smile at a stranger… are you making a choice from the energy of love, or fear? No judgement… just notice.
Do you know others who live their life and make choices out of fear… of rejection? not belonging? not pleasing others? Invite them to class… share your spirit… share your love choices… and notice the transformation.
Make the choice, and bring your intentions to class this week… what love choices are you making for your life? Energy follows attention, so give some ‘attention’ to your love ‘intentions’ … and we will see you on the dance floor!
Adelle
I LOVE this quote: live with intention. walk to the edge. listen hard. practice wellness. play with abandon. laugh. choose with no regret. continue to learn. appreciate your friends. do what you love. live as if this is all there is… mary ann radmacher
My classes this week: Tuesday, 6:45am, Wednesday 9:15am, Friday 5:30pm

Take a deep FULL breath… Smell the moment!

By Adelle Brownlee Brewer

On May 20, 2012

In Uncategorized

Dear Friends,
Breath… our gift of life-force energy… Prana…
In Yoga, we have a practice called Pranayama. In Nia, we say “smell the moment” and bring awareness to your breath, to living, to the wonderful sensations of your healing breath traveling through your body. It can also be called Pranayama, for our life force energy is our ever-present gift that brings us healing, energy, life, our spirit!
Join me in class this week as we celebrate our breath… Prana… extension of our life force. The music is powerful, native American drums, shakers, voices… healing music for the soul.
Our voice is part of our breath… we will sound, hum, sing, create vibrations that massage our inner organs…they will love it!
I will be teaching Journay Dance at 10:00 this morning, and we will send Angie healing sound and vibration as we focus on our fifth chakra, our voice. She is recovering from mouth and sinus surgery from last week.
Its a week of Prana… a week of breath… a week of sound… a week of living!
I have copied more below on the rhythm of the breath, meditation, and bringing calm and serenity… words that resonated with me.
All love, Adelle
My classes this week: Sunday (today) Journey Dance at 10:00am and next Sunday at 10:00am, Nia: Tuesday 6:45am, Wednesday 9:15am, Friday 5:30pm, Sunday 4:00pm

“You might feel that it is difficult to control your actions today. It could seem like your emotions are overwhelming your ability to make decisions, and you may feel a need to ground yourself. Spending time in meditation today may be a good way to still your mind and gain more control over any racing thoughts you may have. Find a peaceful place and begin to focus on your breath. With each inhale, imagine that your awareness expands outward and is filled with light and energy. With each exhale, picture your mind emptying itself of all thoughts and concerns. As you get in touch with your breath, you may notice that your mind becomes stilled by the flow of your inhalations and exhalations.

The rhythm of our breath is a powerful tool that helps us gain serenity when our thoughts seem out of control. There are times when our minds get the better of us. We are unable to think about anything rationally or focus on anything around us. Our breath then becomes a means to calm the mind. As we notice that our breath moves through our lungs with swelling and receding waves of air, we begin to realize that our minds work in a similar way. Our thoughts also tend to move in a set pattern, rising and falling. Watching our breath allows us to observe the flow of our thoughts without becoming attached to them. They then lose their power over us. Noticing your breath today will help you gain control over any uncontrollable thoughts.”

Adelle Brownlee Brewer
Owner, The Synergy Studio, San Antonio, TexasNia Black Belt Teacher; White Belt Trainer
Nia Training Faculty
Journey Dance Guide; Professional Fiber Artist
www.thesynergystudio.com
www.nianow.com/adelle
www.journeydance.com
Considering taking the Nia White belt intensive? Whether you want to teach Nia or take Nia for personal growth, it is an amazing experience! Check out my trainings at: www.nianow.com/adelle and click on “My Trainings”. An intensive and retreat on the West Coast of Mexico is coming soon for everyBody… the beautiful Mar de Jade!