Nia Training Overview

• Nia is a physical conditioning movement journey of self-discovery, self-healing and self-mastery.
• Nia education is for all ages and fitness levels.
• Whether your goals are personal or professional, there is a Nia training for you.
• Nia is for every body!

Nia's unique, somatic approach to education stems from two triads: Body-Mind-Spirit and Science-Craft-Art. These triads provide the structure for a profound, ongoing journey of self-knowing and self-mastery.

All Nia education is based in applied anatomy (The Body's Way) and the Science-Craft-Art of movement, music and philosophy. The technique includes 52 principles, 52 moves and the Five Sensations of Fitness to develop holistic conditioning for the body, mind, emotions and spirit.

Stepping in...

Nia Intensive Training supports each person's unique potential and transformation through body-centered movement education. While many who attend Nia trainings become professional Nia teachers, the program is designed to support growth and transformation for all people and purposes. For many students, Nia principles and philosophy become a lifestyle practice devoted to loving one's body and Creating a Sacred Livelihood.

A Holistic Approach: The Nia Way

Nia applies a somatic (body-based) approach to learning, transmitting cognitive information while engaging the whole person via physical experiences.

Body is used for exploration, discovery and sensory-based learning.
Mind is used to focus, witness and direct attention.
Emotion is used to create a personal connection to experience and is the conduit of body-mind connection.
Spirit (that which is unique to each person) is used to direct personal power, foster self-healing and expand each person's potential.

Nia Belts: A Journey of Self-Mastery

The Nia Belt System follows the traditional martial arts model, moving students through progressive levels of education and proficiencies. The first level, White Belt, is the foundation of Nia's entire course of study. White Belt is followed by Green, Blue, Brown and Black Belt, respectively. With the exception of Green Belt, students learn 13 Nia principles per training.

• White Belt focuses on physical sensation.
• Green Belt (for Nia professionals) develops specific skills for teaching Nia classes.
• Blue Belt focuses on communication.
• Brown Belt focuses on working with energy.
• Black Belt focuses on creativity and transformation.

Nia Intensive Trainings are 7 days* in duration and include 50+ hours of somatic education. All intensives include public class experiences and address five core competency areas: Movement, Music, Anatomy, Science and Philosophy. Due to the depth of information and time needed to embody each belt level, a period of 12 months between belt trainings is required, with the exception of Green Belt, which can be taken anytime after the White Belt.

The full path of personal mastery involves learning all 52 principles and takes an average of 5-7 years.

*Some exceptions based on individual Nia Trainers apply. (Please check the schedule for the specific course of interest.) Green Belt course is structured differently and is conducted over five days.

Nia Trainers

Nia Intensive Trainings are offered internationally by a team Nia Trainers, including co-creators Debbie Rosas Stewart and Carlos AyaRosas.

Personal and Professional Paths of Nia

Ultimately, we are all on the same path. We begin together in the White Belt Intensive, working alongside a wide range of people exploring their own personal purpose. How you use the work of Nia and bring it into your life will be unique to you and your life purpose.

Nia Intensive Training for Personal Growth

The complete training program for personal growth practitioners includes four belts and Intensive Trainings: White, Blue, Brown and Black Belt. All advanced Nia students, including professionals, sustain a solid personal growth practice, energizing their livelihoods with the Nia principles. This is is the highest expression of Nia.

Nia Intensive Training for Nia Teachers / Professionals

The complete training program for Nia professionals includes five belts and trainings: White, Green, Blue, Brown and Black Belt. While professionals primarily teach Classic Nia movement classes, the work of Nia is applicable to all areas of life, thus "professional" includes any person using the principles, techniques and/or philosophies of Nia in any range of applications. Examples of this include using Nia in one's life coach business, psychotherapy, human services, personal training, motivational speaking, children's programs, etc.

Green Belt is an optional training and is explicitly focused on the art of teaching Nia. This course is highly recommended for all Nia professionals. As with all belt trainings, Green Belt covers the study of Nia's five core competency areas: Music, Movement, Anatomy, Philosophy and Science.

Prerequisites

Completion of White Belt is required to attend any subsequent belt trainings, the 52 Moves Training and Nia 5 Stages Training.

For Green Belt trainees, we strongly recommend you teach a minimum of 10 live Nia classes prior to your first day of training. This experience will give you a foundation from which to receive the most from the curriculum.

Intensive Training Price

All Nia Belt Intensive Trainings cost $1599 USD, which includes all materials. (Price does not include lodging or travel.) For more information, schedules and registration, click here.

Additional (non-belt) Nia trainings vary in price and duration. For more information, schedules and registration, click here.

Nia Livelihood Package: Investing in Your Personal and/or Professional Growth

The Nia Livelihood Package includes a comprehensive Continuing Education program, designed to support your journey of self-discovery, self-healing and self-mastery throughout the course of a year. This education keeps you connected to your Nia path, guiding you through deeper exploration of the tools and concepts from your Nia Intensive Trainings.

This package also includes a professional license, which provides the legal privilege to use and represent the Nia name and mark in a professional capacity. To teach or deliver Nia in any professional context, purchase of the Nia Livelihood Package is required.

The cost of the Livelihood package is $520 USD, renewed annually.

Prior to 2010, the Livelihood Package was referred to as a "Teacher's License." The program has now significantly expanded to include new educational tools, providing more value and support for every person's practice and lifestyle, whether you teach Nia or not. While we have changed the name to reflect the new education and benefits included, the price remains the same.

Nia Livelihood Package: Inclusions, Privileges and Benefits

New for 2010!*

Nia White Belt Book: Embody and Share

This exciting new book is your resource and manual, guiding you through Nia's self-directed continuing education process. The manual reinforces and expands on the education delivered in your White Belt with triads, illustrations, principle definitions, catch phrases, stories, pearls, cognitive exercises, embodiment exercises, and all the tools you need to deepen your personal and professional practice. Throughout 2010, White Belt graduates will receive this book electronically, receiving one chapter each month for 13 months. Each chapter will relate to the Continuing Education Lesson Plans released on the second Tuesday of every month.

*The Nia Blue Belt Book: Embody and Share will be released in 2010, with the Brown Belt and Black Belt books following in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Professional License*

The Nia professional license provides legal permission to teach and represent the name, work and mark (logo) of Nia (and any Nia programs such as Nia 5 Stages, 52 Moves, etc.) in a fitness class or applied professional setting.

4 Continuing Education Routines:

Four choreographed Nia routine DVDs and accompanying choreography booklets (booklets include the 8BCs, Focus and Intent for each routine)
Four NiaSounds licensed music CDs (to accompany each routine)
Access to purchase additional Continuing Education routines.

Discounts and Free Audits

4 FREE session audits: Attend any four Intensive Training sessions in your current or previous belt level for free, with any Trainer and at any location.
50% off full audits: Refresh and renew your tools! Audit any Intensive Training in Nia International Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. We can't wait to dance with you!
your current or any previous belt level for just $750.
Unlimited Free Nia Classes at StudioNia: You are always our welcome guest at

Telecourses for Graduates

Mentoring from the source! Participate in monthly Telecourse calls hosted by Nia Co-creator, Debbie Rosas Stewart and guest Nia Trainers. Each call focuses on a specific Nia topic and includes a 15 minute discussion followed by 15 minutes of interactive Q&A. For a list of topics, schedules and audio files of previous courses, visit click here.

Subscription to Nia's Monthly Continuing Education e-Newsletter

Stay connected and integrate Nia into your body and life! Each month, you will receive Nia's Continuing Education e-Newsletter. This interactive email features educational tools, self-assessments, multi-media experiences, and monthly lesson plans to educate, motivate and inspire you.

Nia Shopping Discounts

Receive exclusive discounted prices on NiaWear, NiaSounds and other Nia products. Increase your profitability by offering a diverse range of retail offerings to students, friends and associates.

Nia Business Cards

Promote your Nia classes with beautiful Nia business cards. All first-time purchases of the Livelihood Package include 100 FREE customized business cards.

Nia Livelihood Card

Your personal, permanent Nia identity card represents your accomplishments and professional affiliation with Nia Technique, Inc. (Card has the language "Licensed Teacher.")