August 2006

From the CEO

The Shift of Body-Mind Fitness

It’s amazing what 10 days in the sweltering heat of Las Vegas — combined with communing with thousands of like-minded fitness and wellness professionals — can spark.

Fresh off the plane from attending two of the most renowned conferences in the field of fitness and wellness (Inner IDEA and IDEA World), I am even more motivated in sharing Nia’s unique body-mind-spirit education with the world. Why? Because what we have been doing in Nia for more than 25 years – teaching the benefits of holistic body-mind-spirit practices – is becoming the exciting “new” science that the fitness industry and wellness industry are beginning to explore.

Over my eight years as CEO at Nia I have been aware of shifts in both industries that have been pointing to the day when the two would converge. I believe that now is the time, and it is a good and welcome development in the evolution of both industries. It is long overdue that the health/wellness and fitness industries are understood not as separate, but as integrated. The concepts that drive each of these fields are universal and interdependent. It is essential for us — spirits living in bodies — to be able to understand the whole picture relating to our needs in body, mind, and spirit on a holistic level–to gain what we say in Nia is a “heightened state of well-being.” I am excited and inspired that we are on the verge of a major shift in consciousness in the entire fitness and wellness industries.

I had the privilege of speaking directly to the participants at Inner IDEA where I was asked to give a speech on the subject: The Business of Body Mind Fitness. I prepared a speech with a PowerPoint presentation focused on the intricate business aspect of things — on the growth potential and strategies of addressing the needs of the demographic that the industry is looking to fuel its growth over the coming years.

Yet, as I began my speech, I took a deeper look at the issues at hand. I asked the audience to talk with me not about business, or fitness, but about changing the world. I did this because it is my experience that the majority, if not all, of the people I have ever spoken to in the body-mind-sprit industry have become involved in the industry because they themselves have experienced a transformation of some kind as a result of their personal practice, be it Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Qigong, Nia or another modality. These people then decided that they wanted to share this growth potential with the rest of the world. That’s what we were there to do – learn from each other and take our new energy and share it boldly with the world, to inspire others to greatness.

I suggested that people involved in the body-mind-spirit business are not in it for the business aspect at all, but for the opportunity to expand their relationship with personal mastery and to share this with any and all willing to join in the quest to be the best that we can be. Working from a place of inspiration is what is needed for being successful in oneself, and from that core foundation one will naturally align oneself with successful business practices. That’s what I find most inspiring.

Being able to stand and speak to an audience that was not only aligned with that aspect of how they address their business, but also their lives, was a great honor to me. It was so exciting to see so many people committed to the cause of personal mastery, and assisting others in their journey of self-development. I admire them all, and every person who is on the path of mastery. I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Sincerely,

Jeff Stewart
CEO Nia Technique, Inc.

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