My Path to Nia

I tried my first Nia class about two and a half years ago, and immediately, I knew I was in love. For me, finding Nia was like discovering a magic potion:  amazing music and choreography, the invitation to move in my "own body's way", and the freedom and connection of dancing in bare feet.  Never before had I found myself smiling during a workout.  Nia transformed my idea of exercise from work into joy.  The emphasis on movement in "your body's way" was completely counter to my former belief in "no pain, no gain".

I enjoyed Nia class so much, I began rearranging my schedule to get there.  Not an easy feat with a full time job as a teacher, a 50 minute commute each way, and a 2 year old, but I did what I could to make it happen.  It was a radical shift for me to see exercise as a reward rather than a duty.

Ten years earlier, I had lost about 85 lbs. over a year and a half through diet and exercise.  I had tried every machine at the gym by the time I found Nia, and I had settled into a regular routine of huffing away on the elliptical and distracting myself from the fact that I going nowhere for 45 minutes, or doing a "feel the burn" DVD at home. In Nia class, I am never bored.  No class is the same.  I become a dancer, a yogi, and a warrior, exhilarated, centered and completely present in my body.  

Over time, Nia’s blend of yoga, dance, and martial arts, connected me to  a creativity, power and grace I never knew I had.  After a year of Nia, I was much stronger, more flexible, and I had outstanding balance.  One of the greatest side effects is that I am no longer obsessed with my weight and I see my body in a much more positive light.  I am curvy, fit and strong, and I am proud of my body for all of its new found grace and strength.  

In June 2008, I took the Nia "white belt" training to become a licensed Nia instructor.  I consider myself a lifelong student of Nia, it's principles and movement forms.  They are rich for study, and, in some way or another, every idea in Nia applies to some aspect of life as well.  It has been a good teacher to me.

I now teach Nia classes at the local YMCA and a yoga studio in town.  I love leading people in exercise they enjoy.  I love seeing them come in to class looking serious and stressed and watch them leave sweaty and smiling.  And it still amazes me that someone who used to be obese and spent most of her life at war with her body is now standing up in front of people and proudly saying, "Follow me."