Meaning “with purpose” in Swahili, Nia is short for both non-impact aerobics and neuromuscular integrative action. It is described as a transformational movement practice that teaches you to be more joyful, expressive and alive in your body. Performed barefoot to diverse and inspiring music, Nia is holistic in that it engages your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Because it is guided by the body itself it works by stimulating your self-healing abilities.
Dorit Noble (niadorit.co.uk) is a brown belt Nia instructor as well as being a trained opera singer. She first came across Nia when on holiday and, at the time, was very overweight so she did not enjoy ordinary exercise classes. But she found Nia to be so fun and energising it made her feel good in her body again. Dorit wanted to continue with Nia back in London but couldn’t find a teacher. “In the end all I could do was to train as a teacher myself and persuade others to do so, too. My weight just dropped off without any dieting and I feel great.”
Nia makes you focus on experiencing the pure joy of being in your body. Therefore, vibrant health and healing are by-products of a pleasureable, not painful, exercise.
In the early Eighties, Nia founders Debby and Carlos Rosas were running the Bod Squad – a number of successful exercise studios in Northern California. But they became bored with the monotonous, mechanical moves and canned music of high-impact aerobics, and initially turned to martial arts. Following their bodies’ wisdom they then blended martial arts, healing arts and dance, in an invigorating mix, while playing a soul-nourishing cocktail of music, including salsa, soul, jazz, classical, blues and rock in a single class. Nia has none of the problems associated with the high-impact moves of aerobics – no chronic shinsplints, tendinitis, or sore joints. They felt that in marrying movement and spirit, Nia harnessed healing energy. The first students were dancers, and gradually more and more people recognised the profound effects of Nia.
Feel fabulous
Today, Nia incorporates nine movement energies, 13 primary principles, and 52 basic moves. Classes are rapidly growing because of the increasing awareness of mind-body fitness. People who are seeking a whole-person workout rather than just aerobic fitness may want to give it a go, as unlike aerobics it integrates the mind, body, and spirit and is said to facilitate personal discovery. It helps students make peace with their bodies and experience the joy of exercise again.
TESTER’S VERDICT:
“About ten minutes into the class I felt myself welling up with tears of joy”
“UK teachers are still far too thinly spread – worldwide there are only around 1500 teachers at present – and I had to drive 40 minutes to attend my nearest Nia class with Sonya Leite, a blue belt Nia instructor, who offers classes in Putney and Notting Hill, London. About ten minutes into the class I felt myself welling up with tears of joy. I had arrived in my body and was discarding the need for permission to move in any way I wanted. There was no air of competition like you get at gyms, but a sense of community and playful anticipation. This extraordinary class left me feeling empowered, energised, centred and elated.”
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