I had the unique pleasure of being part of Grail Lady Faire at the most exquisite Grail Springs 2 weeks ago. I was there to use Nia to help participants connect to fun, pleasure and joy through their bodies. And that we did! Every morning in fact!

Grail Lady Faire was an incredible gathering of women who were there to share ideas about being the change.  In other words, women who are doing and becoming and helping others to fulfill their own call to action.

I was particularly inspired by Madeleine Marentette, our host and founder of both Grail Springs and Grail Lady Faire. Following a beautiful smudging ceremony led by Shaman Vera Lopez, Madeleine welcomed presenters and attendees to the Faire and reminded us that  His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: “The world will be saved by the western woman.”

I got shivers when she said that. If you’ve visited my blog before, you know how deeply the Dalai Lama’s messages resonate with me.  Needless to say, that was a reminder I clearly needed.

The week was really special. Where else would I have been able to learn from women who are making changes as politicians, musicians, healers, intuitives, physicians, astrologers, mystics, songwriters, and writers? The wisdom and support was enormous and generous and palpable.

The energy I was able to cultivate through my morning Nia classes was really incredible. After an indescribably delightful vegan breakfast, we all headed out to greet the morning with the

morning Grail Mantra

… please take a look at this video to get a sense of it.

It truly opened the participants to experience BLISS through their bodies and their movement.

I am NOT exaggerating! Keep in mind that I have taught literally thousands of Nia classes over the years. Yet this was a career FIRST. For the first time, I did NOT have bodies dancing with me. Instead there were SOULS that met mine through our feet, hips, hands and beautiful spirits wrapped in skin. Personality, joy, exuberance. Literally, an orchestra of FUN.

Suzana Marques being “ladied” by Tara Green as “Lady of Change”

How incredibly lucky was I to be part of this?!

A post Nia “pose”!

Will I see you at

Grail Lady

Faire  in 2012?

Here are my playlists from the Faire – enjoy!

Monday June 27

Thank You For This Day ~ Karen Drucker
The Littlest Birds ~ The Be Good Tanyas
Beauty In The World ~ Macy Gray
Good Morning Starshine ~ Serena Ryder
Say Hey (I Love You) ~ Michael Franti & Spearhead Reggae
Man in the Mirror ~ Michael Jackson
Be the Change (Niraj Chag’s Swaraj Mix) ~ MC Yogi

Tuesday June 28

Beautiful ~ Christina Aguilera
And It Stoned Me ~ Highland Heights
One World, One People ~ Xcultures
One Tribe ~ Black Eyed Peas
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing ~ Scissors Sisters
What I Got ~ Michael Franti & Spearhead
You’re Not Alone ~ Michael Jackson

Wednesday June 29

All Is Well ~ Karen Drucker
Braided Hair ~ Speech
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes ~ Paul Simon & Ladysmith Black Mambazo
A Little Bit Of Riddim ~ Michael Franti & Spearhead
Waka Waka (Time For Africa) ~ Shakira
Free ~ Illumine
Gloria (feat. Cherine Anderson) ~ Michael Franti & Spearhead
Hallelujah ~ KD Lang

Thursday June 30

Idje-Idje ~ Angélique Kidjo
Wambo Lombo ~ Angélique Kidjo
Brick House ~ The Commodores
No Quiero Nada Mas ~ Sancti Spiritus
Rock Your Body ~ Music Instructor
Born2bWild (Original Mix) ~ Nia Technique
How Does It Feel ~ Afterlife

Friday July 1

Take the Long Way ~ Po’ Girl
We’re All In This Together ~ Ben Lee
I Gotta Feeling ~ Black Eyed Peas
Bodyrock ~ Moby
Suddenly I See ~ KT Tunstall
Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous ~ RuPaul
You Are the Best Thing ~ Ray LaMontagne

Oh and I’ll be at Grail Springs again in November for a Nia Weekend Retreat. Maybe you’ll join me? More details are here.