Dear 2011 Jenn (from you, to you),

Dear Jenn,

Before we jump ahead to 2011, I want you to sit back and reflect on the growth opportunities you had in 2010.

This has been a monumental year, hasn’t it? You certainly rocked it and had lots of fun doing it. Come on, don’t be shy, it’s TRUE! You have worked and played hard, and we should review it all… So sit back while I brag about you for a bit.

You started off the year in Portugal after traveling to Spain and Morocco with your funny and supportive hubby Paul Kralik, enjoying adding more stamps to your passport and feeding your travel addiction!

Your first focus at the beginning of 2010 was pitching an article for Moods Magazine which was published in their Spring 2010 edition. Sharing your story of your experience as someone with Bipolar Disorder who has found a wellness tool through Nia is really important to you, isn’t it?  I think that’s swell! I guess that’s why you attracted so many sharing opportunities in 2010 (The Globe and Mail, Creative Living with Jamie,  Balance My Life and more. And that whim of a video contest by Shawn Byfield that you entered to get more business support? You WON (even though it was the first video you EVER made!)!

Oh, and what about the firsts for 2010? Remember that fundraiser you organized for Good News Toronto? (You raised $3000 to help founder/publisher/editor Eva Karpati keep that inspiring paper going to press!). And don’t forget about being commissioned to choreograph for the amazing songstress Shazia Islam. Talk about taking your Nia practice to the next level!

For the 3rd year in a row, you and your Nia crew were part of International Dance Day,  Hillside, Withrow Park Farmer’s Market, and Taste of the Danforth. Can you believe how comfortable you are on stage sharing Nia?! I never thought I’d hear you saying what a thrill it is for you…

What ever happened to that shy, self conscious and introverted Jenn? You’ve really stepped into your self-confidence and power!!!

And for the second year in a row, you took your love for Nia to the 2nd Annual Lakeshore Nia Poker Run,  Pride Toronto and the Vegetarian Food Fair. It’s so obvious that taking Nia outside of the studio is really important to you! And remember how special you felt when your darling nephew AGBK came to Pride and couldn’t take his eyes off you while you taught? He really makes your heart burst open, huh?

And your new website. Don’t forget about that! Dara Skolnick (designer) and Virginia MacDonald (photographer) made it all possible. The photo shoot was SUCH fun! Getting pretty with Suzanne Cyr, dancing with Chris Fraser, Danette Relic, Jill Hewlett, Jamie Ridler & Sydney Patterson, doing Reiki with Trixie Montanile and working with Mr. MacDonald (who did a great job pretending to be a client).  And that Dara, wow is she a gem! She’s been keeping everything all fancy schmancy on this site and has been teaching you so much!

Despite your mini-breakdown this fall over the changes, you have thus far figured out how to manage the FSCO legislated cuts to Medical/Rehab Benefits on our Auto Insurance Policies here in Ontario which impacted both your job as a Speech-Language Pathologist and your risk as a driver. And, the transition to using HCAI (an electronic system for transmitting auto insurance health claim forms) has tested your patience, but you’ve persevered. You have great supports and leadership through Marla Feldman, Elyse Shumway and Justine Lear Hamilton – they have been really helpful in supporting you through this. (BTW, if you haven’t looked at your insurance policy since Sept 1, PLEASE do so and take necessary precautions to protect yourself in the event of an accident. Check here to find out how).

I was so proud of you for arranging the Nia booth at that NationalHealth Show along with your fellow “get-things-done” girl Denis Karda.  And the way you presented Nia in 5 mins at the CARP Conference (after receiving a personal invitation from Moses Znaimer to do so)? You sure showed them!

To beat off the beginning of winter, you enjoyed a fantastic week in Palomino, Colombia at La Sirena Eco Hostel where you co-facilitated a Nia/Yoga retreat with the lovely Trixie Montanile.  What an adventure!

Oh, and Jenn, you have to remember the amazing support you’ve received through your Creative Women in Business Group/Art Picnic Tribe (written about here). Through tears and celebrations, these wonderful ladies have been such a HUGE part of your business and personal growth:  Amy Sedgwick and Kim Sedgwick of Red Tent Sisters and Ecosex, Chris Kay Fraser of Firefly Creative Writing, Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler Studios and Danette Relic of Danette Relic Coaching and Workshops. They are so wonderfully inspiring and are your (chosen) creative business co-workers! Here we are, at Danette’s Halloween Party in 2009

And now? What’s in store for 2011?

Thanks to Karen Walrond for this inspiring direction to engage in BADASSERY in 2011.

Badassery? Karen says: “badassery is an absolutely noble goal to pursue”, and describes the full definition here.  My personal favourites in her definition:

*Someone who isn’t afraid to wish good things for herself.  Someone who believes she’s worthy of being happy;

*Someone who realizes that taking care of himself isn’t selfish or egotistical, but that sometimes you have to put the oxygen mask on first before you start helping others;

*Someone who, when life knocks her down, does what she can to pick herself up, dust herself off, and try, try again,

*Someone who works hard at reframing the things that make him different, recognizing them as attributes that are sources of great beauty, and when used for good, maybe even superpowers.

Thanks Karen.

In 2011, Imma be a BAD-ASS!

Why? Here are just a few reasons:

• I get to continue teaching and practicing Nia 7 days a week! Check my regular teaching schedule here or visit the Nia Canada or Nia International website to find a class in your area.

• I’m maintaining my practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist with NRC Feldman & Associates, Inc and look forward to blogging for the company on issues related to Brain Injury, Neuro-Rehabilitation and Auto-Insurance in Ontario.

• I’ll continue writing a monthly column with my darling hubby for Good News Toronto (it’s called Rhyme & Reason).

• I’ll continue volunteering for Sheena’s Place (as an Eating Disorders Awareness Rep) and the Nia Instructor’s Association of Canada (as their Marketing Rep).

• I’m asking the universe to guide me about how to make my Reiki practice blossom and flourish. Don’t know how yet, but I’m open to that being part of my regular practice.

• I’m guest blogging over at Meditative Arts on January 7 about my experience participating in their FREE Dance N Doodle event.

• I’m hosting a Nia Spa weekend at Grail Springs Retreat Centre and Spa Jan 28-30, 2011

• I’ll be blogging about fitness, wellness and mental health for Generation GO to help them deliver daily inspiration, the inside scoop, an online community and word of mouth service to promote active living in Canada. My profile is up, and my first post has been submitted (but is not yet published).

• I’ll be co-facilitating a Nia “Movement Music & Magic” workshop with Charlotte Kerr Jorgensen of Austin, Texas (Nia Blackbelt and Trainer Trainee) (date TBA)

• I’ll be delivering Nia as part of a collaborative QOL research study between the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Living with the Arts Program and Baycrest Centre for 12 weeks this year.

• I’m gonna be a motorcycle rider this year! Vroom, vroom!

(This is me on a scooter in Hvar, Croatia in 2009. I’ve had the motorcycle riding bug since I was 16 and my then boyfriend rode and put me in the driver’s seat once…)

• Finally, and most importantly, I’ll continue to take care of myself and make any changes or modifications to the above plans if my health is in any way compromised. Promise. Double stamped it, no erasies.

With love from me, to me.

2011, this is gonna be a fun ride!