Dance Like No One's Watching

Some people are born to dance. They have the grace, rhythm and physique to delight the observer. I am not one of those people. Returning me to my seat after a dance at a sales and marketing meeting, Scott, one of my employees suggested I'd do better to watch in the future. When the instructor at a yoga retreat announced a Nia dance class, I planned to follow Scott's advice and watch. What a mistake that would have been. Drawn into the dance with a group of swaying, relaxed goddesses, I enjoyed the music and my own movement.

Called No Impact Aerobics and then Neuromuscular Integrative Action before becoming just Nia, it was created in the early eighties by a couple of aerobics instructors who wanted to reduce injuries and increase enjoyment.

The 52 basic moves are drawn from three healing arts: yoga, Feldenkreis, and Alexander Technique; three dance arts: Jazz, Modern, and Duncan Dance; and the Martial arts of Tai Chi, Tai Kwan Do, and Aikido. This sounds more structured than it feels when you pull off your shoes, close your eyes and feel the music. It's a little like tai chi with more flow or yoga set to music. The concept is not only to sculpt the body, aid in weight loss, it also tones, tightens, and lengthens muscles, while it brings back the childlike joy of movement.

Proponents, and there are lots of them, say that Nia helps balance the autonomic nervous system through the rhythmic movements. The stretching improves posture and improves the function of heart and lungs. The mindfulness helps reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. The blend of movement, mindfulness, and cardio activity heightens all the individual benefits to improve concentration and cognitive function and strengthen the immune system.

Nia teachers are certified and licensed. Trained to work with the body, mind, and spirit, teachers are responsible for the safety, education, and empowerment of students.

The good news is that Nia works for all body types and sizes, all ages and all level of dancing ability. It's a no impact, but high cardio workout based on the "pleasure principle": if it doesn't feel good, stop and do it another way.

To learn more about Nia, check your local yoga studio or take a look at the national website, www.nianow.com.