The ancient discipline of Hatha yoga has created dozens of new expressions such as yoga-on-the-ball, Yogilates, hot yoga and aqua yoga. Joining the wave of those fitness enthusiasts who developed a new system of exercise were the creators of Nia -- neuromuscular integrative action -- Debbie Rosas and Carlos AyaRosas.
The Origins of Nia
Rosas met AyaRosas when he applied to work at her aerobics studio in 1979. First colleagues and then friends, they began taking martial arts classes where they discovered that pain does not necessarily equal gain. That led them to pursue another way to achieve their fitness goals without pain or stress. They developed a system of movement that drew on dance, martial arts and yoga. In Rosas words, a Nia exercise is, "... fluid, body-centered, sensory-based and creative."
The Exercises
Borrowing from the traditions of yoga and dance, Nia exercises are meant to be performed barefoot. The main aim of the practitioner is to have a sensory experience through movement set to music. Fifty-two basic moves can be combined in a different manner by the trained and certified instructor according to the needs of each class.
The Joy Factor
The Joy of Movement is the first of 52 principles that govern the Nia methodology. Connecting to joy through movement, which in this case is a euphemism for universal energy rather than a fleeting feeling of happiness, lays the groundwork for a successful Nia experience. During a Nia class, you'll be asked to perform stretches similar to yoga, tai chi and the Alexander Technique. You'll execute moves based on tae kwon do and aikido, sometimes accompanied by the same powerful grunts you hear expelled by martial artists. And during every Nia class, you'll be allowed to move across the studio floor in a free form dance. Nia exercises are designed to work every muscle in your body in order to build strength, endurance and flexibility.
The Belt System
The creators of Nia also studied the belt system usually attributed to the martial arts tradition in order to incorporate a similar system of achievement in Nia. Students of Nia exercises can opt to receive further training and achieve the white or first belt in a series of five. You'll be indoctrinated in the 13 white belt principles while learning the nine movement styles used in Nia consisting of jazz dance, Duncan dance, modern dance, aikido, tai chi, tae kwon do, the Alexander technique, the work of Moshe Feldenkrais and yoga. The Nia exercise system is a whole body, mind and spirit sensation that has a little bit of everything to appeal to every age group, body style and fitness level.
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