Nia Glow Blog - Nia in Johannesburg

A Nia student's comments - "my bone density has improved"

January 3, 2011
    "I discovered Nia over a year ago and I am totally hooked!  At first I was worried that I wouldn’t cope, with being in my mid-50’s and never having danced before.  I needn’t have worried as I am able to go at my own pace and when I fumble, I have a good laugh and feel no judgment. 

The benefits I have received from going to Nia are great.  After a class I feel totally relaxed, happy and in tune with myself.  I have shed a few kilos and have toned some.  My bone density has improved and my cholesterol levels have come right down.  I had a bad break in my left arm a few years ago, a pin was put in extending from the shoulder down to the elbow and I never regained full movement of the arm thereafter.  Since attending Nia the range of movement in that arm has greatly improved.
 
With Nia I am able to feel pure joy again - dancing and moving to beautiful music is pure nourishment for the soul.  My appreciation and taste in music has broadened ~ pre Nia my taste in music was very “safe”!
 
Another huge benefit ~ I have met the most wonderful people and made some good friends.  So anyone in doubt about doing Nia, doubt no longer ……….. and get to a Nia class, you won’t regret it!!! 

I have been dancing with Carmen and she inspires her students with her talent and dedication to Nia.  Her classes are always varied, interesting and playful and she fills the room with her energy, fun and love.  I have learnt so much from her and am grateful to have her as my Nia teacher."

[Maritta Odendaal - Nia student]
 

What to remember when waking - poem by David Whyte

October 17, 2010
In the first hardly noticed moment in which you wake, coming to this life from the other more secret, moveable and frighteningly honest world where everything began, there is a small opening into the day which closes the moment you begin your plans.

What you can plan is too small for you to live.

What you can live wholeheartedly will make plans enough for the vitality hidden in your sleep.

To be human is to become visible while carrying what is hidden as a gift to others.

To remember the other wo...
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The Nia Fitness Philosophy: Forget the Burn!

October 12, 2010
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/10/12/734933/the-nia-workout-dont-feel-the.html?ref=nf#storylink=misearch
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Nia: EveryBody is a Dancer

September 8, 2010
http://webtalkradio.net/2010/09/06/claim-your-voice-own-your-life-%e2%80%93-x/

Click to listen to internet radio interview with Nia Black Belt Lisa Geddings
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While I dance I can only be joyful & whole - Nia

September 8, 2010

“While I dance I cannot judge,
I cannot hate,
I cannot separate myself from life.
I can only be joyful and whole.
That is why I dance.”

- Hans Bos

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Dance me to the end of love - Nia

September 8, 2010

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me ...


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Beginner's Mind: Zen in a Nia class

August 25, 2010
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." - Shunyru Suzuki

Taking a page from martial arts, we teach you in Nia to maintain a mental attitude that is open to the new and is curious and fascinated by what is happening in the Now.  We consciously choose to leave preconceptions, expectations and judgements at the door and enter into every Nia class willing to explore, discover and just "be" with our bodies in the moment.

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Sweat your Prayers: Dancing in Nia classes

August 25, 2010
Whether we turn to dance with steps, rave all night in clubs or aerobicise until we have buns of steel, the idea is to get moving.  Once your body surrenders to movement, your soul remembers its dance.

You have to dance through the dark in order to see the light. You have to go to the source of all our wounds, the big wound, the divorce of spirit from flesh, and heal this wound if you ever want to fulfill the longing for a real self, a soulful self, a big, huge self, one that sleeps with the B...
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The Nia Technique is also about personal growth

August 25, 2010
The beauty of Nia is that we don't only benefit physically and have a fabulous time, we can also experience personal growth. 

For me personally Nia is a great package deal for my busy lifestyle!  A Nia class is my one-stop, one hour "tick" for the day.  Sweat - tick.  Stretch - tick. Have fun - tick.  Tone and condition my body - tick.  Sense - tick.  Feel alive - tick.  Release and express - tick.  Know myself - tick.  Be present - tick.  Be social - tick.  Laugh - tick. 
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Nia Glow Class Focus: Moving the Body in ways to Sense Stability

August 25, 2010
I did a lot of swaying of the hips and tail bone to engage the muscles between my hip bones.  Walking through the rest of the day I had a sense of my upper body, especially the area between my pelvis and chest, LIFTING UP & OUT OF MY PELVIS.  Activating the Sensation of Stability enabled my spine to "float" up - having a positive, graceful effect on my posture.  Aha!!

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