After tallying the votes, we're thrilled to announce Dana Hood is the 2011 Nia Teacher of the Year. This award reflects both a dedication to the Nia practice and a strong community of students who have been personally moved by that commitment.

Located in Denver, Colorado, Dana is a Black Belt certified Nia teacher who has loved dance since she was a child. After her first Nia class in 2006, Dana knew she had discovered a new path to pleasurable fitness. She fell in love with how Nia encourages fun and energetic movement with self-expression, while also emphasizing creativity, conditioning, community, spirit, acceptance and love for the body just as it is. 

It is Dana's passion t...

NiaWear is growing very fast, so we are expanding the line to include a wider range of items that promote both active and leisure lifestyles. The Yoga Pants are one of our newest designs, and are unique and sleek. Wear them to Nia, yoga or lunch with friends. You'll never feel under- or over-dressed. At 50% off their retail price, these pants are a steal at $57.50. View more photos, check out our sizing chart, and order yours now! This is a limited-time offer.

Details: Our Yoga Pants sport a modern look with detailed seaming that flatters all shapes. The legs feature a bootcut design instead of a flare opening. A fold-over wa...

The year 2011 started with a tremendous rush of Nia excitement for me. The Next Generation Trainer (NGT) Program was being launched, and a great expansion of Nia was beginning. I was there, part of it, on many, many levels. This expansion also meant advancement for me, as I prepared to begin teaching Green Belt and Blue Belt Trainings. Alongside the next generation of Nia trainers, I was studying and preparing to step forward and up.

My studio in Santa Fe was also expanding. Classes were full, teachers were developing their craft, and relationships were being cultivated. It was, and still is, a rich Nia environment. I had a vision of...

Janet Shook Leitâo is a White Belt certified Nia teacher located in Lisbon, Portugal. She first found Nia while working as a dancer and dance teacher in Istanbul, Turkey.

Nia: How did you first begin practicing Nia? Where were you and what was your mind-set at the time?

Janet: Even though I grew up in Oregon, I had not heard of Nia before. I moved away in 2005 and was living abroad in Turkey, working as a dancer and dance teacher of Orientale and Turkish Gypsy. Then I came home for my sister's wedding in Corvallis. I was looking at a notice board for some sort of exercise class just to get my body moving, and the only thing that caught my ...

We are pleased to announce that Holly Nastasi is the 2011 Nia trainer of the year!

Holly is honored as trainer of the year for many reasons. As a Nia teacher, Holly has been successful at creating strong and vibrant communities in Austin, Texas, Sante Fe, New Mexico, and now Lincoln, Nebraska where I have no doubt she will rock the house as she always does.

I remember Holly's first White Belt Training. She was the one sitting on the floor with piercing eyes that questioned what we were doing. Made sense to me, as she is a trained, educated Kinesiologist. As life would have it, she fell in love with Nia, and went on to teach classes at the University of Texas and...

This article is written by Wendy Rappaport, who is a Green Belt certified Nia teacher in Rhode Island. Deidre Sharp is owner of Horse Play, a non-profit horse rescue and sanctuary in Sunderstown, RI.

One morning one of my students brought a friend to class. After class she was so happy with her experience she just came out and said, “Would you do this with the horses?”

Well, I knew Deidre had something to do with horses and a farm where she took care of them, but that was the last comment I was expecting to hear that Monday morning. With no fear in my heart I immediately answered, “YES, how ‘bout this Saturday!”

It&rsqu...

For this month's continuing education focus, Awareness of Muscles, we're excited to feature the following masterful voices from the worldwide Nia community. Read on to hear what they have to say about sensing action and relaxation by exploring The Body's Way. Be sure to also listen to this month's telecourse call with Debbie Rosas and Kevin VerEecke.

Debbie Rosas, Nia Co-Creator, says:

In the world of fitness, muscles get a lot of attention. Whether you’re wanting to lose weight, define your upper body, walk across the room or pick up a cup of coffee, it’s muscles that do the work. Thanks to ...

Every year we honor an outstanding Nia teacher with the Nia Teacher of the Year Award. However, this year marks the first time that members of the Nia community may choose the recipient by voting online. Everybody can vote, including students, teachers and trainers. Votes may be casted through December 30th, 2011, and the winner will be announced in January.

To vote:

• Search for your favorite teacher
• Click on their profile page
• Press the red "vote for me" button

Here are a few things you might consider before casting your vote:

• Does (s)he inspire students?
• Does (s)he model the w...

For this month's continuing education focus, Awareness of Connective Tissue, we're excited to feature the following masterful voices from the worldwide Nia community. Read on to hear what they have to say about sensing stimulation by exploring The Body's Way.

Debbie Rosas, Nia Co-Creator, says:

Ask anyone what my passion is and they will tell you it’s the body. I believe this is why I created Nia. I love the body – all parts of it. I especially love researching how the parts integrate, communicate and connect, which is why I believe there's nothing quite like connective tissue.

For those of us who dance and move, connective tissue is fascin...

For this month's continuing education focus, Awareness of Movement, we're excited to feature the following masterful voices from the worldwide Nia community. Read on to hear what they have to say about developing body literacy and self-knowing by exploring The Body's Way.

Tracy Stamper, Nia Trainer and Teacher, says:

When did you last twirl just to twirl? Move purely for the pleasure of moving? Are you merely going through the motions, or are you consciously moving through your days? How we move (or don’t move) our bodies is a metaphor for how we move through our lives. Do you move fluidly with ease, or are your motions restricted, stiff, lacking in v...

After a beatiful evening spent celebrating our latest line of NiaWear at StudioNia, we've been crafting a new photo gallery where you can browse all kinds of images from Nia, purchase prints, and get free downloads. We'll be posting some of our favorite moments from Nia trainings, events, classes and more. Below are a few of our recent additions from the Portland NiaWear fashion show.

All NiaWear looks can be worn on the dance floor, around town or out for a night of wining and dining. It's this kind of flexibility that makes NiaWear truly adaptable to any style. Mix and match our signature pieces with your own wardrobe, and never ...