Nia is a movement practice that
enlivens the body and spirit. It has
elements of dance, martial arts and healing arts. In this article published in NiaAustralia, Sophie Marsh expresses the health,
fitness, beauty and power of Nia.
Photo credit: StudioNia in Portland, Oregon
Health, fitness, beauty + power
Posted 16th August, 2016 by Nia
Australia
In a society that generally promotes an image of
health, fitness, beauty and power that is air-brushed, ageless, homogeneous and
unattainable, Nia says, ‘Come as you are, in your glorious wholeness and
imperfection, learn to listen to your body’s wisdom, be kind to yourself, and dance
like no one’s watching.'
No more apologies,
guilt, comparison or shame. What if ‘Health’ was about choosing Joy and
expansive self-love? What if ‘Fitness’ was measured as your capacity for
pleasure playfully expressed? What if ‘Beauty’ was defined as inner peace? What
if ‘Power’ meant owning your magnificence and honoring your temple body?
Nia is a movement practice that begins
with tuning IN, accessing that powerful inner-sense that holds the beauty +
essence that is YOU. There’s no pressure to perform or any expectation
around keeping up. There is an invitation to leave distractions behind and Be
Here Now. There is permission to play as big or small as feels safe for you.
There is a delicious mix of music and movement, designed to condition and heal
in your body’s own way and natural time. There is freedom for you to fully
express all that you are. There is a wonderfully supportive community. There
are 13 White Belt principles that can guide you into ‘Embodiment in this Lifetime’.
Nia welcomes without judgment your saggy
and wobbly bits (and tight and toned bits too). It makes space for
your 2 left feet (or wherever your coordination is at). It supports your
nervous system to relax, adapt and create. Nia invites you to pay attention to
your pain and bring your intention to heal and feel pleasure. You can move
through your disappointments and celebrate your determination to be the best
version of yourself. There’s no story around your tight shoulders, your dodgy
knees, your shitty mood, your busy mind, your ‘hell yes’ or your ‘f*@# no’.
Dance whatever is real and true for you in this moment. Seek inner stillness.
Sound your authentic voice. Laugh. Cry. Be Seen. Disappear. Sweat your prayers.
Move through your fears… or come home to your comfort zone. For it is ALL
welcome for you to explore on the Nia dance floor.
It
is exciting to be part of a global movement that is pioneering a
multi-dimensional, inclusive, and empowering perception of health, fitness,
beauty and power.
Step in (again and again) to a Nia class, retreat or training
and remember how good it can feel to move, create, express and be in your
amazing body.
by Sophie Marsh
Sophie
Marsh is Australia’s first Black Belt teacher and only Nia White Belt
Trainer. She has dedicated nearly 2 decades to educating and inspiring people
to move, heal and transform through Nia, while collaboratively building a
vibrant Nia Australia community.
To learn more about the Nia Australia follow the link.
Currently, Mary Lee teaches Nia in Winona at the Friendship Center, 221 Main Street :
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
She teaches Nia at the YMCA on Sundays at 1:30pm.
- Monday and Wednesday 4:00pm
- Thursday 5:00pm
- Sunday 1:30pm
For additional Nia classes in other locations, check with NiaNow and type in your address to find a class near you.
Hope to dance with you soon!
