Nia and Jazz Dance
Posted by terrepruitt on September 29, 2009
A Nia workout includes elements from three disciplines from three different arts.
From the dance arts, one dance we call upon is Jazz Dance. Jazz Dance allows us to bring in the fun! With Jazz it is about fun, showmanship, and expression. It is about big and little. Many elements from Jazz are incorporated into Nia. Isolations, syncopations, combinations, rhythm steps.* We could do a little flick of the wrist or full body shimmy, enabling us to exercise our intrinsic muscles and show the playful side, the sexy side. We could do a jazz square, a hip bump, or big arm circles allowing us to express ourselves. Bringing Jazz Dance into Nia helps bring in the rhythm and it can be a lesson in agility–where we start or move a body part and quickly bring it to a stop.
There is also facial expressions that can be associated with Jazz Dance; the big smiles, the teeth, the pout, the laugh, the wink—all can be jazzy! And of course, the hands, can’t forget “jazz hands” for one. With that it can be an expression of self, or beats of the music, or whatever you want. We can also do a lot of finger motions, pointing, flicking, “come here, Sexy!” gestures—all assisting in the health of the hand.
Jazz Dance brings a lot to Nia, it helps us be playful and have fun.
What moves, gestures, steps, etc. make you think “jazzy”? What movements do you do that you could add a “jazzy sparkle” to? And how?
Some of this information is from the Nia Technique Book and The Nia Technique – White Belt Manual, V3. Both books are by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas.
*V3 – White Belt Manual.
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
Jill Campana said
Hi Terre! Jazz is one of my favorite Dance Arts of Nia!!! Thanks for blogging about it.
To answer your questions, anything showy, frolicy and fun is Jazz to me — I use the Kick Ball Change (which I know is not one of the specific 52 Nia Moves, but it does employ a kick, the use of the ball of the foot and a change in direction). Some other movements that remind me of Jazz are the “hands” — fingers spread — big smile, showy, sexy, fun moves.
I use songs like “One” from Chorus Line or “Big Man From Mulberry Street” by Billy Joel and of course some of the specific songs from the Nia routines for the Jazz element of Nia.
Thanks, Terre. I love your informative, passion-filled blogs about Nia!!!
Jill
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terrepruitt said
Thank YOU for stopping by and commenting. To me the jazz aspect is fun because you can use it to mix things up. It can be BIG or it can be little. SHOWY so sly . . . it is fun.
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