Nia Technique and Background
... dynamic movement with strength, joy, grace and fluidity
Done barefoot to diverse and inspiring music, Nia is a transformational practice that teaches you to be more JOYFUL, EXPRESSIVE, and ALIVE in your body, both inside and outside of the studio. Nia is holistic: the carefully crafted routines combine a mind, body and spirit approach to fitness with the proven benefits of cardio, stretching, and the use of natural body weight to build strength.
Nia creatively integrates movements, concepts and philosophies from both Eastern and Western traditions. Martial arts and meditative techniques teach mindfulness, a powerful tool for self-discovery. Dance techniques teach how to move with grace and fluidity. Integrative body therapies help us understand how to self-heal through awareness and alignment that improves functioning.
Black Belt* instructor Jan Jensen guides the choreography; students personalize movements to maximize their experience of comfort and joy. Find Nia class schedules HERE.
How Is Nia Different From Other Exercise?
Nia presents an entirely new philosophy of exercise: whole-body, expressive movement, rather than repetitive jogging or lifting. Nia's barefoot, grounded approach maximizes body efficiency, cultivates energy, and teaches you to consciously move in a gentle and integrated way. Jan offers choices to adapt all movements to suit all fitness levels.
Every Nia class uses movements and concepts from nine movement forms: the expressiveness of the Dance Arts (Jazz, Modern and Duncan), the power and explosiveness of the Martial Arts (Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido), and the functional movement techniques of three of the Healing Arts (Yoga, () Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais). The blend of these arts, elegantly supported by unique, varied musical styles and sounds, makes Nia Technique a holistic fitness program and path that stimulates the nervous system in a healthy way, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and fully alive.
Exercise is almost always part of the prescription for healing, no matter what the disease or imbalance. The Nia experience, which is exercise and beyond, not only provides healing for the body, it also provides healing for the mind, heart and soul. Nia is movement medicine, because at the same time it heals, it teaches people to cultivate moving and living in joy, pleasure and comfort; to express themselves using emotional energy, and to connect to their own unique spirit, whether alone or in community. Just one dose a day, for as little as ten minutes, can make any body feel better.
Nia Belt System
There are four levels of Nia Training: White Belt, Blue Belt, Brown Belt, and Black Belt. This system provides a developmental process that is fashioned after the martial arts. Everyone begins with White Belt training which is joyful, transformation, and unlike any other educational training you have ever experienced. Nia White Belt Intensive Training is the first step on the Nia Training path. All Nia training is highly interactive and delivers foundational principles through both cognitive and experiential learning models. Upon completion of the Nia White Belt Intensive Training, you are eligible to license as a Nia Teacher .
Jan Jensen teaches and coaches from her Black Belt expertise.
Please visit Benefits of Nia to learn more.
