Recent Press
|
What others are saying about Nia? Whew! This invigorating workout allows for plenty of uninhibited expression for those so inclined and leaves you feeling ready to spread your wings and soar… “The International Dance Exercise Association rates the Nia Technique 4.9 on a scale of 5, measuring effectiveness, safety and creativity.” “Possibly the most revolutionary of today’s soft aerobics Nia’s movements are fuller, more controlled and more graceful than the typical watered-down aerobics of low-impact. Nia is designed to be easy enough that anybody of any age or skill level may participate, yet grow with the challenges of the technique and improve spinal flexibility.” “When I wake up in the morning, I know where to go and what to do. My body has a plan, a craving. My body knows that I love to throw off my shoes, throw a punch, do a downward dog, and dance until my buns shake. My body has learned the secret of fitness and where to revel in that secret.” “Perfect Pitch- Even without jumping around, the NIA technique burns calories. Terry dropped from size 16 to size 8 without any changes to her diet in a year. NIA gets the pulse rate up, but it does so without risking the injuries common in aerobics and other high-impact forms of exercise. Dr. James Garrick, director of the Center for Sports Medicine at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco, says he sends recovering orthopedic patients to NIA classes. ‘It’s a great way for them to get fit without reinjuring themselves,’ he says.” “Every week, sometimes several times a week, you will find a multiage group of about 25 people who are dancing barefoot in a midtown Toronto church basement. In my midlife , I have returned to something I used to love-and still love and need—to do. I discovered it with NIA, a fitness hybrid that blends dance martial arts and healing arts such as Yoga. And while those latter two forms are good for me, it is that first one that keeps me coming back: I gotta dance, and I get to dance at NIA.” “Beyond the fun and solid aerobic workout, adherents say they appreciate the focus on self-expression, healing, and developing mindfulness, Maria Skinner, dancer, brown belt Nia instructor, and manager of Yoga & Nia for life in West Concord, Massachusetts, says Nia has increased her mobility, flexibility, and agility. But beyond those benefits, she cites a greater awareness of the present. “My mind is quiet for more time than it used to be.” Skinner says. “As a result, when I am in Nia class, I can be in the movement, falling in love with myself, body, and spirit.” “Over four years, the benefits of Nia workouts have continued to surprise. I have learned to use movement and music to let go of stress. Focused attention has increased the benefit of the exercises. The attentiveness required for Nia began to spill over into the rest of my life. Posture improved , as did flexibility, circulation, balance, breathing, mental clarity, and mood. New music brought more joy.” “Rena Derezin, a former dancer, likened it to flying.” She said she had tried other exercise programs but didn’t like the rigidity. NIA, she said, “is kind to the body.” “People who regularly practice NIA report better balance, weight loss, increased endurance and improved concentration and cognitive abilities. Doctors have recommended the techniques as treatment for patients with cancer, firbromyalgia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, addictions, stress, depression, eating disorders and mental illnesses.” “Nia’s popularity stems from the common thread of joy that runs through the classes. People walk out happy, feeling good about themselves,” says Kathy. “The beauty of Nia is that you can do it at your own level.” Says Kathy. It’s noncompetitive, non-judgmental and non-threatening-everyone comes here to have fun.” “Bill Stewart was overweight and fed up with boring cardio machines when Nia entered his life and he dropped 80 pounds. ‘It was the one thing I enjoyed doing.’” ”’Diversity is the best thing about Nia because it keeps people interested, and it utilizes the whole body,’ says James Garrick, director of the Center for Sports Medicine at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. Unlike strength training on machines, for instance, ‘it uses the muscles the way they’re supposed to be used, in combination.’ Maureen Small, a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital, who teaches Nia to seniors over 70, is amazed by their increased mobility, balance, strength, and agility. ‘It works so many aspects of the nervous system,’ she says, ‘considering all the elements that most exercise physiologists say you need in a workout.’” |