What is Nia?

 “An emotional fitness odyssey, Nia is just plain exhilarating.” The New York Times

 

Nia (pronounced nee-ah) is a holistic fitness practice that allows you to tap into your creativity and discover new ways of moving.

 

 

Created by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas in 1983, Nia’s philosophy is rooted in “The Joy of Movement,” teaching people of all lifestyles to use the sensation of Pleasure as a map toward physical, mental and emotional health.

 

 

Nia's barefoot, grounded approach maximises body efficiency and teaches you to consciously move in a gentler way. Modern dance movements are mixed with heart-pumping karate kicks and and visualisation techniques that help you develop awareness and heighten sensation. The result is a fusion of movement styles that is incredibly free and liberating. Moving between simple choreography (form) and freedom of movement (freedance), Nia classes combine the grace and expressiveness of dance, the power and explosiveness of martial arts, and the wisdom and stillness of yoga and tai chi.

 

 

Revolutionising the world of fitness and wellbeing, Nia is today taught to over 100,000 students by 2,500 practicing Nia teachers in 45 countries.

 

You can now train to become a Nia teacher in Scotland. Next Nia White Belt Intensive 7th - 13th April 2012.

 

 

Nia classes are gentle on the joints and are suitable for all levels of fitness and flexibility. There is no pressure to do things in a certain way...Nia encourages you to move in 'your way' and in your own 'natural time'.

 

 

How does Nia work?

Practiced barefoot to music, Nia is self-guided, adaptable and safe for any fitness level, from stiff beginners to highly fit athletes. Delivering cardiovascular, whole-body conditioning whilst developing and improving whole-body awareness, Nia is based on creating a loving relationship with the body and following The Body’s Way – the innate intelligence of the body.

 

Nia draws from the martial arts (Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido), dance arts (Jazz Dance, Modern Dance, Duncan Dance) and healing arts (Yoga, Alexander Technique, The Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais).

 

Benefits: 

  • Greater cardiovascular fitness  
  • Stress reduction  
  • Improved muscle tone 
  •  Greater flexibility 
  • Improved Stamina 
  • Postural alignment 
  • Weight management 
  • Increased vitality 
  • Increased mobility 
  • Improved mental and emotional health 
  • Greater sense of centering, grounding and well being

 

More about Nia

What is Nia?

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