Nia with Nicole Black

Nia is an expressive body-mind-spirit practice, a fusion of movement forms from the dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts. Nia promotes joy, pleasure, and awareness in dynamic yet uncomplicated one-hour routines to rhythm-based music. Classes are designed to offer opportunity for creative manifestation and self-healing at any level of intensity desired by each participant, from mild exertion to full-tilt sweat-a-thon. Dance training is not in any way necessary, and Nia is also enjoyed by dancers. Nia is most often practiced in bare feet.

All fitness levels welcome.

Fridays 8:30 – 9:30 AM

however, no class on july 30 (back to regular schedule in August, plus NIA will meet on Wednesdays in August--same time--yes, two NIA classes per week in August 2010!) One exception: no classes the week of August 16-10 (floor refinishing)

about Nicole
I loved Nia at first dance. I fell in love with how Nia encourages fun, pleasurable movement and self-expression, as well as acceptance and love for the body just as it is. I became a Nia instructor because I believe in the power of Nia to transform lives and the relationship people have with their bodies. In addition to my formal training and certification as Blue Belt Nia Instructor, I also bring to my teaching a knowledge of the technique and craft of Nia that stems from eight years in Portland, Oregon, where I had the pleasure of studying and dancing with Debbie & Carlos Rosas, the creators of Nia, as well as with many other inspiring and skillful teachers. I have studied and practiced several varieties of yoga and dance, all of which help me to create safe, effective, innovative, and healing movement experiences for my students.

Nia is a path to condition, heal and express yourself through movement and sensation. With the philosophy, Through Movement We Find Health, Nia is a dynamic blend of dance arts, martial arts and healing arts. Nia balances technical precision with free-form expression, bringing the body, mind, emotions and spirit to optimum health through music, movement and self-expression, guided by the sensation of Pleasure and the Joy of Movement.

The first things you’ll notice in a Nia class are the smiles, fun and genuine sense of joy – in addition to the sweat! Nia is designed for any body: you’ll see bodies of all ages, shapes and sizes, and people from all lifestyles, professions and movement backgrounds in a Nia class. Every Nia class includes both structured and free-form experiences, a harmony of movements soft and powerful, sharp and fluid, linear and spiraling, explosive and relaxing. Vocalizations are used to release tension, activate the imagination, and engage the physical body to increase cardiovascular endurance. Each person’s movement is guided by the voice of his or her own body.

For more information, please contact Nicole: nicolethablack@yahoo.comFor more information about Nia: www.nianow.com