Healthy B.P.M.

A trip to East Lansing last week prompted memories of a fitness modality I was introduced to there, years ago. Have you ever heard of NIA? NIA is an alternative to traditional workouts. It stands for neuromuscular integrative action. It’s also sometimes referred to as non impact aerobics. NIA is a blend of ballet, jazz, yoga, the Alexander technique, modern dance and Feldenkrais. The workout is done in bare feet and the accompanying music is super non-traditional, at least where I learned it. There is no focus on tightening your abs or counting reps. The movements are free flowing with more emphasis on breathing and just and feeling comfortable with and in your body. It doesn’t matter that you don’t learn all the movements as you would in a step or hi/lo aerobics class. As long as you’re moving and breathing you’re good.

You won’t find steps, weights or boards in a NIA class, scarves maybe. When I did my intensive (instructor training) , my emotions were all over the place. That’s a polite way of saying; I wasn’t ready. I did make it through and graduated as a white belt instructor, the training wasn’t a problem. The problem was my perception. During training I was introduced to reflexology, meditation, channeling and found out how to clear and balance my chakras. I’d never heard of a chakra prior to that. Being the all or nothing kind of person I was at that time, I fully embraced all things metaphysical. Traditional workouts were pretty much thrown out the window as I released my inner goddess and tried to help my students do the same.

If my tone sounds a little off key, forgive me. NIA is a wonderful workout and had I approached it differently I would have received more from it and been able to teach it better. The concept of allowing each person to move in ways that are comfortable to them, is great; lots of people are intimidated by aerobic classes. I always felt that NIA was most beneficial to those that felt their size was a hindrance to fitness classes. In NIA there is no right or wrong way, and size is never an issue. The classes drew attention not only from the technique, but the ambience as well. When I taught there were candles all around the room and the smell of Nag Champa was heavy in the air. It received mixed reviews, but was accepted for the most part.

Everything happens for a reason and even though my stint with NIA left me with mixed emotions it was a good experience. The time I spent delving into the New Age movement gave me a different perspective on thought and the creative process. It was the first time that I’d heard in a non church environment; “As you think, so shall you be” and also became familiar with the works of Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss, Iyanla Vanzant, and Louise Hay. After my last class I vowed to never teach it again. Since then I’ve also learned to never say never. My bag of scarves could be easily packed again, and Mr. Dyer also taught me that when the student is ready the teacher will appear. Now I have to figure out if I’m the student or the teacher.

Namaste¢