Hot Nia News

Free Nia TeleCourses™

Looking for a way to improve your health and well-being? Nia’s free TeleCourses are a must for everyone – and everyBody™ – who is looking for a way to stay motivated, inspired, and educated about how to love your body, live in your body, and choose pleasure as a way to stay fit and healthy. Nia TeleCourses are our way of Sharing the Joy with anybody who is looking for an excellent resource for fitness, personal growth, and health and wellness. Join us and change your body and life!

Top

The Body’s Way Education

In Nia, we use The Body’s Way as a map to guide us through the stages of becoming fit, experiencing personal growth, and creating a lifestyle practice of well-being.

Walking—The 5th Stage of Self-Healing, Continued

Introduction

Last month we introduced you to the final stage of the Five Stages of Self-Healing, Walking, and guided you to Learn the Architecture of Walking.

This month we will build upon the knowledge of previous issues by exploring how to Move Walking using the information provided in:

• Move the Architecture of Walking
• More on The Body’s Way Principle 5
• The Voice of the Body – The Ankle Joint

Move the Architecture of Walking

In the stage of Walking, you are upright, vertically moving about freely. In this last stage of the Five Stages of Self-Healing you have the freedom to walk, run, and even squat down. What will give you the most health benefit is to maintain a dynamic walk – a walk that feels and looks alive when in motion and in stillness.

Here are a few tips to Move Walking and keep it dynamic:

1. As you walk, sense all of your 13 Main Joints as spring-loaded. Sense the movement of energy as it flows into and around all of your joints, energetically feeding your bones and your walk. (See The Thirteen Joint Exercise in the Nia book, Page 11.)
2. Maintain the movement of a vertical wave-like flow in your whole body by activating the vertebral spaces (the spongy spaces between each of the 26 facets in your spine).
3. Breathe fully and deeply to keep your whole body and spirit relaxed while you walk.
4. Take steps that allow you to shift your body weight and lead with your heel rather than dropping weight onto your feet.
5. Let your feet do the walking and allow your arms and your hands to hang, as if they are pieces of clothing hanging freely off a hanger.
6. Propel your walk by pushing with your back foot, and then let that leg swing freely before you land.
7. Sense the spaces inside of you growing, your joints opening and muscles lengthening, with each step you take.

Next month we complete the Five Stages series with tips to “Energize the Architecture of Walking.”

More on The Body’s Way Principle 5

The Body’s Way is guided by five fundamental principles that keep the body functioning optimally. Read about all five principles in our book The Nia Technique, and review the principles in past newsletters.

The Body Itself Reveals The Body’s Way

Through the language and design of the ankle joint, the body reveals to us that we are meant to move from the ground up. Therefore, we must be responsible to keep the movement of our base, our feet and ankles, moving. Use the lessons and focus of this newsletter to self-heal your body. Keep the movement in your ankle joints alive to increase your mobility and stability. Take the Mobility & Stability Test in Nia Self Assessments.

The Voice of the Body - The Ankle Joint

Each Voice of The Body is defined within a structure made up of the Cognitive, Symbology, and Sensory Awareness aspects. Each aspect is defined by particular elements that impart the scientific components and deeper meanings of the Voice of The Body. Review each aspect to better understand this issue's Voice of the Body.

Cognitive

Who Am I: I am your ankle joint. My job is to support you in moving.

Voice of the Ankle Joint: I am the voice of your ankle joint. I am an integral part of your foot’s foundation. I am the essential space that supports you in standing, walking, and dancing.

By design, I am a hinge joint. My hinge is made up of the ends of your two shinbones, the tibia and fibula, and the talus, the biggest bone in your foot. I am the space-keeper for the ends of your shinbones. I help absorb shock and allow you to lead with your heel and rise onto the ball of your foot. My space makes it possible for you to circle your foot and to flex and point your toes. Move your foot and you will feel me assisting your motion.

I rely on a partner for movement stimulation – your foot. Move your foot, and my joint receptors — voices in your joints — respond to angle, plane, and force changes. I teach you to monitor these changes through sensations of pain and pleasure. Opening and closing me keeps me healthy. I will guide you with my partners, your feet, into safe, functional, balanced, and harmonious stability and mobility.

My rubbery cartilage padding and my special lubricating fluid, called synovial fluid, help reduce friction and absorb shock between my bony ends. I gain stability from the ligament and tendons connected to your shinbones and feet. They hold on just enough and give me room to move. I work together with your foot to provide a flexible and firm foundation.

My movement sends messages to you from your feet and from my mobility that helps you comfortably adjust to even and uneven surfaces. When I am doing my job, I provide equal distribution of weight and force for the body from the ground up. Slip off the curb, and I am designed to release. Stand and wait in line, and I am meant to dynamically sustain your posture. Walk and run and I am constantly opening and closing to allow for movement.

I can flex, extend, circle, and create forward and backward motion and limited movement side to side. When I release, I help protect your knees, hip joints and spine. I add grace and elegance to your walk and dance.

My Gift to You: I make it possible for you to gracefully move or be still, walk in flat shoes, high heels, on flat terrain, and uneven surfaces with grace.

Symbology

Imagine Me As: Visualize me as energetic rainbows that support your left and right sides from underneath.

Sensory

In Nia: In Nia, the craft and techniques you use to connect to your ankle joint are the Base, including all foot motions, Steps, and Stances, as well as Awareness and X-ray Anatomy.

Perfect your technique by integrating these suggestions into your movements:

• To move your whole body vertically, become aware of the sensation of an open, buoyant ankle joint.
• To sense dynamic ease in your feet and knees during steps and stances, sense spring-loaded ankle joints.
• To stabilize and mobilize your ankle, use your whole foot, sensing the inside and the outside edges of your feet. (See the 52 Moves chapter in the The Nia Technique Book.)

When Dancing Through Life: Touch the earth with your feet. Energetically feed them by keeping your ankle joints mobile and agile. Sense your ankle joints rocking as you walk. Keep them pliable and strong by dynamically using your feet. When you stop moving, shake your feet to release any tension in your ankles. Keep your feet and ankles relaxed to receive energy from the earth. Sense your ankle joints and feet as partners, working together as one system.

To help avoid stiffness and water retention, which can limit ankle mobility and stability, put your feet up in the air five minutes a day. Avoid wearing clothing that binds your ankles. Always wear shoes that allow your feet room to spread and breathe. Rub your ankles and feet to improve circulation. When you talk on the phone, practice these two foot motions from the Nia Book: Squish Walk and Duck Walk. (See The Nia Technique Book page 113.)

Take your Nia practice to the next level. Download the Educational Handout The Ankle Joint: Your Pot of Gold of Mobility and Stability.

Top

The Power of Nia

Nia in a Piano Teacher’s Life

Jeanne Jackson, Nia White Belt
Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

I adore Nia! It’s what my body and soul crave. Ever since I stepped into my first Nia class, I have felt the healing power of Nia in my life. In 2005, with Nia instructor Susan McCulley’s encouragement, I signed up for White Belt Training to deepen my practice, and truly give myself a gift.

I am an independent music teacher with a sizable class of piano students. Although many people choose to become Nia teachers at the end of their White Belt training, I chose to simply take the White Belt as something just for me. It’s very important to me to keep Nia as a “play” activity in my life. Just as a small child’s “play” is actually important work, that enables them to make discoveries about themselves and the world around them, I’ve discovered my weekly Nia “play” and White Belt Training have enormous benefits for myself, and my work as a music teacher.

During the White Belt training I found my mind racing with all the possible connections I could transfer what I was learning in Nia to my work with my piano students. The ideas were coming so fast, I sometimes had to stop right in the middle of class to quickly jot down notes so I would remember it all! I learned early on that Nia had a remarkable effect on unclogging my brain. Frequently, solutions or revelations to challenges have presented themselves with stunning clarity in the middle of a dance when least expected.

After my White Belt training, on my first day back teaching piano, I immediately began using Nia techniques with my first student of the day, an 8th grade boy. The results were amazing…

Read the rest of Jeanne’s Story, and more Nia Stories in Testimonials.

Events & Happenings

Enjoy Nia with the Founders at These 2007 Events

International Conference on Science and Consciousness (9th Annual)

April 20-25, 2007

La Fonda Hotel
Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
To register, visit: www.bizspirit.com

Explore the frontier of consciousness with other physicists, medical researchers, psychologists, anthropologists, shamans, healers, meditators, movers, and dancers.

Master Class & Teacher Workshop in Albuquerque Just added!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Alburquerque Convention Center
Alburquerque, New Mexico, USA
For complete details contact Beth O’Neall, Nia Black Belt, nialithic@earthlink.net

IDEA World Fitness Convention (25th Annual)

July 6-9, 2007

San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California, USA
To register, visit: www.ideafit.com/world

Debbie and Carlos will present two Nia sessions at IDEA World, one of the world’s best fitness conventions. Join us in helping IDEA celebrate 25 years of “Inspiring the World to Fitness.” Also visit the Nia Booth at the Fitness & Wellness Expo, open each day of the convention.

National Wellness Conference (32nd Annual)

July 14-19, 2007

University of Wisconsin
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA
To register, visit: www.nationalwellness.org

Debbie and Carlos are pleased to once again bring a full-day pre-conference presentation – as well as breakouts session presentations and daily Nia classes – as part of a wide variety of programming options. This conference is designed for anyone who wants to advance their professional skills, as well as enrich their spirit. This year’s theme, Creating and Sustaining Wellness Cultures, encourages consideration and new knowledge of the impact cultures have on health and wellness promotion.

Inner IDEA (2nd Annual)

September 7-9, 2007

La Quinta Resort and Club
Palm Springs, California, USA
To register, visit: http://w2.inneridea.com/conference

Nia is proud to announce that for the second year, Nia is a sponsor of Inner IDEA, which is limited to 600 participants. In addition, Debbie and Carlos will be presenting six programs. Based on last year’s sold-out experience, this is a convention not to be missed. Be sure to check out the complete schedule of offerings that premier the best from the body-mind industry.

Visit the Events area to learn more about Nia events around the world.

Top

The Passion of Nia

Nia Saved My Life

Shannon Day, Nia Black Belt
Portland, Oregon, USA

I am so thankful for Nia in my life. When I began Nia I had no idea that it would become not only a source of personal development, but also one of the fundamental practices I would use to heal myself from a nearly fatal accident.

In 1994, while I working as an actress and musician in Los Angeles, CA, my sister called me and told me about a new dance practice she was doing. She said every time she danced this dance, she thought of me. When she said the dance was called Nia, I felt energy shoot through my body like a bolt of lightening. Something about what she was telling me made feel emotional, and pushed me to begin to assess what my perceptions were like at the time. Even though I was living a happy successful life, I energetically felt something was needed.

A month later my father developed cancer. I felt it was important to be near my ailing dad, so I moved back to my home town of Portland, Oregon for what was to be a short-term visit. I began taking Nia classes with Debbie and Carlos, and something just clicked for me — that energetic void was being filled. I stayed in Portland and never looked back.

In 1997 I took the White Belt Intensive. At one point during the training Carlos asked me why I had chosen to take my White Belt, and I said, “I want to be an ambassador for Nia.” I didn’t know what that meant at the time, yet I knew that I wanted to share the power of my Nia practice with others. Little did I know that my Nia practice would also be the foundation that would save my life…

Read the rest of Shannon’s Story, “Nia Saved My Life” and more Nia Stories in Testimonials.

Top

From the Founders

Staying Connected

Continuing our discussion on “Nia is for everyBody” brings us to the science of Nia – The Body’s Way. If you are new to the Nia newsletter, you’ll want to check out last year’s series, which describes The Body’s Way as the map we follow to arrive to the destination of self-healing, body awareness, personal growth, and holistic fitness. The Body’s Way was not something we set out to create; it was something we discovered as we went about creating Nia. The body was the only place we had to go. We chose to fill ourselves with body sensation to gain insight into wellness, rather than fill our heads with information from books. With nothing to guide us but the body itself, we quickly learned that the way of the body was the path of ease and efficiency. To the body, ease and efficiency feels like pleasure and comfort. Our curiousity kept directing us to look deeper, ask more questions, and on our own, through our bodies, find out why and how the body functions.

At first we thought this process would be arduous and overwhelming; however, when we began to look at the body one part at a time, discovering how each part was in relationship with the other parts, we soon discovered the brillance and simplicity in the body’s anatomy. The body is complex, yes, but so simple when observed from the perspective of a child. We used our child-like perspectives and kept our questions simple to learn The Body’s Way.

We invite you go on your own journey and to step on the path of The Body’s Way – a path that, as you will hear, has positively effected the lives of many. You will hear Jeanne’s story – a piano teacher whose journey with the body she thought was only for her, and from Shannon – an actress whose relationship with The Body’s Way turned into healing she never imagined. You just may discover that The Body’s Way can change the way you move and Walk – from the ground up.

Regardless of how deep you dive into The Body’s Way, remember this: The voice of the body – sensation – is the voice you want to listen to. It will always lead you in the right direction. It will remind you to always choose pleasure and comfort. We look forward to speaking with you on March 5 when we kick off our first series of TeleCourses: Sharing The Joy. See Hot Nia News for the call in number.

In pleasure,
Debbie and Carlos

Top

Nia In the Media

From the Editor: Nia is featured in the media all over the world. Below are just a few that have recently been published or aired. To see more articles about Nia, visit Nia in the Media .

Hello! - November 2006

Pleasure Principle – Meet Nia: the new feel-good workout regimen” - by Susan Catto

This article describes how Nia improves the quality of life for participants, including devotees such as designer Donna Karan. From a “mini-vacation” for your mind, to decreased social dancing inhibition, to playful, sensual expressiveness – Nia is designed to arouse “the senses, our child within, and our inner athlete, warrior and dancer.”

“Nia’s emphasis on expressiveness and pleasure make it the most sensual mind-body workout around today.”

“Nia is an alternative to traditional workouts that emphasize the body and give no room for personal growth or self-expression of healing.”

“The minute you put an emotion into action, your tissues engage in a totally different way.”

San Antonio Express News - November 2006

“Holistic Workout” - by Nicole Lessin

This article describes people with ailments such as pain, eating disorders, and sexual trauma who have benefited from Nia. This article also touches on the sustainability of an enjoyable Nia practice.

“Health-wise [Nia] has been perfect for me, for the rest of my life.”

“I get high from Nia without hurting my body… I am as strong as I’ve ever been.”

The Oregonian - January 2007

“Indoors or Out, She’s Always on the Go. Active Mom – Nia classes and yoga help a Tigard woman keep the “joy of movement” in her life” - by Nancy Dow.

This article details the workout of a new mom, whose routine includes Nia. She’s lost pregnancy weight, found the joy of movement, and “me” time with Nia.

“I always leave class feeling better than when I came. My baby has so much energy; I need to work out to keep up with him. And I don’t get sore carrying him around if I keep up with my routine.”

USA Weekend - January 2007

“Fit Smart Alternative Workouts – You can beat boredom by sampling the latest in fitness trends.” - By Jorge Cruise

“Trends are constantly changing.” This article provides information on six current workouts, including Nia. It describes the Nia workout as a mix of dance arts and martial arts that anyone can do. Combinations of 52 basic moves that provide a cardio and strength workout.

“Not only will you be more likely to stick with an exercise program if you keep it interesting, but you’ll also see better results because you’ll continually challenge your body in new ways.”

Top

Tip of the Month

Take Off and Landing

Walking is all about “take off and landing.” How you take off and land as you walk determines the level of power and grace you feel and people see. By paying more attention to the sensation of walking in two phases – the Swing Phase and the Stance Phase – you can add more power and grace to your walk.

The Swing Phase can be sensed by walking around the room and sensing your airborne leg swinging freely. The Stance Phase can be sensed by connecting to your swinging leg’s foot as it lands. Additionally you can achieve more grounded power by pushing off with the back ball of your foot.

Walk around the room and become aware of these two phases, Swing and Stance. As you practice Walking, say, “Swing” to keep your walk dynamically relaxed. As you practice Walking, say, “Stand” to keep your walk powerfully grounded. Appreciate the sensation of each phase , the Swing Phase, where your leg swinging freely from your hip joint as it dances in the air, and the Stance Phase, where your feet make a connection to the earth as they push and land. Appreciate the interaction of your ankle joint dancing with your foot.

Don’t miss the gift you receive by connecting to the swinging leg. Letting your leg swing freely is how you maintain dynamic vertical alignment.

Top

Top