Nia: body-friendly joy of movement
Local dance instructor Lynne Udell. Photo: Ina Holst.
The newly introduced Nia dance movement is gathering students in growing numbers.
Nia incorporates components from Tai Chi, Aikido, Taekwon Do, yoga, Feldenkreis, Alexander technique, Jazz and contemporary dance into modules of expressive movement.
Urged on by a friend, instructor Lynne Udell trained in Christchurch in January to get her “white belt” in Nia. Lynne’s enthusiasm is indeed catching, and she fervently points out that Nia is for everyone.
“It’s for all ages and all fitness levels, but it is important to stay with what we are at. There is someone in my class who is 82 and we found ways so that she can be in the same place as everybody else without stressing any of her joints. Nia is about joy of movement, and it is about finding that joy through different forms, and I am cueing people to go to different places in their body.”
Lynne believes that to keep moving is part of the recipe for staying young and what Nia offers is far more than just another form of dance.
Nia creators Carlos and Debbie Rosas described it as a body-mind-spirit fitness and lifestyle practice. The former fitness instructors had begun to question the traditional models for exercise as early as 1983, and contemplating the increasing number of injuries resulting from the no-pain/no-gain fitness mentality they began to craft a more holistic way of staying fit and healthy with awareness and without stress on the body.
The various sets of movements are accompanied by music chosen specifically for Nia, with accompanying sounds and visualisation, which is also part of the teaching.
“Without getting technical about it, Nia uses the energy of those components and this is carried into full body movement. It extends beyond the class too; when I go about my day I am becoming more aware of my movement, and this was important to me, to carry it into my life,” says Lynne.
Nia student Kristina Kahn enjoys the classes because of the variety they offer.
“I like how Nia is bringing together all these different disciplines and I was very quickly drawing on all these resources and beautiful movements.”
Introductory classes are held on Saturday mornings at 10.30. Please ring Lynne Udell on 525 8844 for venues and follow-up class times.
Ina Holst
