Posts Tagged ‘Nia Classes’
Posted by terrepruitt on November 6, 2010
Since I started teaching Nia classes I have received the question of what to wear to Nia quite often. For those that have not heard of Nia or done Nia, it is a valid question. People are not sure what it is and what you do in a class, so they have no idea how to dress. I have seen a lot of people wear a lot of different things. I have seen people wear clothes that I would consider fancy “going out” clothes, I have seen people wear “jogging outfits”, yoga clothes, and all types of dance clothes. I wear a variety of things. It depends on where I am doing Nia and what it is for. Most of the time I wear “workout clothes” because I do get sweaty. Plus we do get on the floor. So for my “everyday” Nia I wear my tie-dyed T-shirts. I have a little collection. And I wear loose pants. I do have a few outfits that I think of as “Nia outfits” and I usually save those for Nia playshops, Nia workshops and Nia events. I am working on expanding my Nia outfits.
My answer regarding what to wear is whatever is comfortable to move in. Whatever makes you feel good, but that you don’t mind sweating in or getting on the floor in. I like flowing sleeves and pants that swing. Nia to me is even more fun when your outfit flows and swings. But most important is to be comfortable and safe. Some pants are so so long that they can be stepped on and that could be an issue so you want to make sure you can move freely.
Nia is a workout. In class we move, we sweat, we get on the floor . . . . .so knowing that wear something like that you want to workout in yet that makes you feel good. One thing you don’t have to think about is shoes.
Nia also has Nia clothes in case you are interested. They can be purchased through the Nia website, NiaNow.com.
Below is a picture from a Nia Jam* and as you can see people wear what they want. Nia is about moving your body at your level and in comfort so wearing something that allows you to do that is exactly what you want to wear.
*this Nia Jam was held at the Cupertino YMCA
Posted in Nia | Tagged: Cupertino Nia, dance classes, dance clothes, jogging outfits, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia Clothes, Nia Cupertino, Nia events, Nia Jam, Nia outfits, Nia playshops, Nia website, Nia workshops, NiaNow.com, workout clothes, YMCA, Yoga, yoga clothes | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on November 2, 2010
I did a post on inflammation, listing a few things that might contribute to chronic inflammation. A state that stresses the delicate balance of the body. It really seems as if overly processed foods and fast foods are the culprits which is just more reasons to avoid foods of that nature. There are some foods that studies have shown that help fight inflammation, foods we can call “anti-inflammation foods” per se.
Omega 3 oil cold water fish (salmon, mackerel, anchovies, herring, sardines)
Grass feed beef
Sweet potatoes
Onions
Olive oil
Hemp Oil
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Cherries
Blue berries
Mangos
Turmeric
Ginger
Garlic
Cinnamon
Apples
Red grapes
Carrots
Green leafy vegetables; dark green leaf lettuce, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens.
Now please keep in mind this is just a partial list. Everyone is different and with so many different bodies, one needs to take what they read and realize that it will not work for everyone. You have to work on yourself and your own diet. See how you feel when you cut some of the “inflammatory foods” out of your diet and add some of the “anti-inflammatory” foods in.
I teach Nia classes because I believe, in addition to food that helps, movement/exercise/being active helps. I want to help people.
Again food that might help the immune system balance itself and not react with inflammation, something worth thinking about.
Posted in Food | Tagged: anti-inflammatory foods, blue berries, broccoli, Cherries, cinnamon, garlic, garlic olive oil, ginger, immune system, Inflammation, inflammatory foods, Nia, Nia Classes, olive oil, Omega 3, teach Nia, Turmeric | 10 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on September 23, 2010
(Click here for CURRENT schedule!)
This week I went to San Carlos to teach my Nia Class for the San Carlos Park and Recreation Department. Only a couple of people had signed up but I was hoping more would show up and sign up. As with most Park and Rec Departments and community classes, there needs to be a minimum amount of participants. Well, in this case the people that had thought were going to make it didn’t. I had just tweeted @JohnPruitt that I was going to be leaving in a few minutes when a woman came in. She said something about she guessed no one signed up and how that happens with Park and Rec classes. People don’t sign up and they get cancelled. She was hoping to just watch the class to see if she wanted to take it. Ha! I invited her to BE my class, she was game.
We did the warm up song, then the next one, and part way into the third song she said, “WAHOOOO! I like this.” After the song was over she said that was her favorite, she loved it and she could do it all night long. Made me happy. Nia is like that. She loved it. With only a couple of people signed up though, we cancelled the class, but we will try again when the next six week session starts in November (2nd, 2010).
The enthusiasm of this woman was fun and very contagious. I am confident that we have a new Nia participant in our midst. I believe that she will excitedly join in the other Nia events that happen around the San Francisco Bay Area and the South Bay Area. I love that. I love that I decided to drive up there from San Jose, to give the people that had signed up for Nia at least one class and explain in person that we need more participants. I love that even though they didn’t show up I was able to share Nia with a new person. I love that she loved it. I loved that even though it was her first time she was not worried about how she was doing—-she was just doing—and loving it.
I really enjoy working with the people in San Carlos Park and Recreation Department. They are very kind and supportive. I sense they feel sad when a class has to cancel, no one likes to see classes and programs cancelled. So maybe we can rally the troops and make the next session on Nia classes in San Carlos a huge success. I am certain my new student would love to be able to take a class with more people, more energy, more people shouting “Woohoooo!” Because Nia is like that.
Posted in Nia | Tagged: @JohnPruitt, community classes, Nia Classes, Nia enthusiasm, Nia events, Nia San Jose, San Carlos Nia class, San Carlos Park and Recreation Department, San Francisco Bay Area Nia, San Jose Nia, San Jose Nia class, South Bay Area Nia | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on August 31, 2010
People can contact me about Nia through my website at HelpYouWell.com. Here is a communication that transpired:
(click for CURRENT schedule! Thanks!)
A consumer has submitted the Contact Terre Pruitt form on your website.
The details are given below:
I am looking to: obtain information about Nia classes
[Personal information deleted for privacy]
Comments: How does one learn Nia? If the classes are drop in but if I have never done this before how will I know the moves? Do you have classes for beginners? If so, when do they start? How many classes must one attend in order to learn all of the moves? What is the nearest cross street to your location on Lincoln Ave.?
My reply:
Dear Lovely Spirit Interested in Nia:
Do you like to move? Do you like to dance? Do you care what others think of you? You are a Lovely Being and I invite you to let go of caring about that.
Nia is not about “the moves”, Nia is about fun. And moving and learning and not caring what others think. Do you think you might like something like that? Do you think you might like to remove your shoes and just get down and shake your groove thing? What makes Nia different than other exercise classes (well, ONE of the things that makes it different) is that we don’t judge. If you are not causing yourself or others harm then it is ok.
If one person goes left, and the other person goes right—as long as there is not a collision—it really does not matter. We are not performing. Nigel, Mia, and Adam are not there. It is just us. Those who want to move. We have fun. We don’t mind if and when we don’t do it “right”.
You, Lovely Spirit, will know the moves because you will be listening to the best, most perfect, most honest teacher there is—-YOU! YOU will be in charge. You will be the one that tells you what to do and how much to do. I might say, “raise your arm” and your arm might say, “No Lovely Spirit, not today.” And you will be moving PERFECTLY because you will have listened, and I and everyone in the class will know that you respected yourself and did what YOUR body needed. That is part of what makes Nia great.
ALL of my classes are for beginners. All of my classes are for experts. Because all of us are beginners and experts. Nia is about YOUR BODY’S WAY!
Come and see. Try not to be concerned about learning the moves. If you have looked at Nia’s 52 Moves, and are thinking about having to know all of them—don’t! We move as the body was designed to move so when you come you will be amazed at how your body just moves on its own. And because of that,
it will feel fabulous!
The NEAREST cross street is Garfield (it is where Rotten Robbies is), the “biggest one” with a light is Coe. The studio is between Coe and Willow in Willow Glen. Does that help?
I want you to come and feel comfortable. Nia is about JOY and comfort and feeling good. It is not about “moves” and “perfection” and performing. We listen to the music and I lead a routine, but you are not required to do exactly what I do. You are encouraged to move as YOUR BODY WANTS TO MOVE!
Sorry, my reply was so lengthy, but I was hoping to help you understand that it is more fun than form. Our bodies were designed to move, in society we sometimes restrict movement, so when you participant in Nia . . . it is
fun!
So, when can I expect to see you? 🙂
Posted in Nia | Tagged: Adam, exercise class, Garfield Avenue, helpyouwell.com, Lincoln Avenue, Mia, Nia, Nia 52 moves, Nia Classes, Nia Dance, Nia exercise, Nia for beginners, Nia fun, Nia Moves, Nia Spirit, Nia website, Nigel, Terre Pruitt, Willow Glen classes, Willow Glen Nia | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 25, 2010
The first half of Nia White Belt Principle #7 is the Three Planes of Movement. The second half is Levels of Teaching. (You can learn more about Nia’s Belt Levels here) The three planes of movement in Nia can be easily described as low, medium, and high. The planes are used to allow our bodies to practice agility and mobility. We use the floor, the space in between, and the “high”. We bend and fold. We reach out and stretch up. We move in space both horizontally and vertically.
With all the movements available to us in the three planes we have the opportunity to experience energy as it moves around us. In addition to the possibilities of energies the journey should be to pleasure and comfort. As you move through the planes part of practice of Nia is to observe how our joints open and move more freely.
Just like the three levels of intensity Nia encourages everyBODY – regardless of fitness level – to work and play in all three planes. Keeping in mind everyone’s low, middle, and high is unique to their own body.
Moving through the planes can tie into the levels of intensity. For example if doing the bow stance, the lower or deeper you go could be considered a level of 3 intensity because going down and coming back up would require greater effort and be more intense than staying “high” and not lowering into a deep bow.
Strength, stability, and flexibility will also be a result of working through and in all the planes. The more we play in all of these areas we develop more ability in all of them, the more we can maintain balance in the entire body.
If you want to join me in a Nia class please look at my San Jose Nia class schedule or my San Carlos Nia class schedule. I look forward to seeing you.
Posted in Nia, Nia White Belt Principles | Tagged: agility, Belt levels, Bow Stance, City of San Jose, Levels of Teaching, Mobility, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia energy, Nia White Belt, Nia White Belt Principle #7, San Carlos Nia class, San Jose Nia class, Three Planes of movement | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 20, 2010
Part of the purpose of my blog is to share what Nia is and to invite people to take one of my classes. I have learned that when teaching people it is sometimes helpful to share what something ISN’T to help them understand what it is.
Nia isn’t a class where you won’t sweat.
Nia isn’t a class where the teacher shouts at you to motivate you.
Nia isn’t a class where you just think about moving.
Nia isn’t Jazzercise.
Nia isn’t sitting around.
Nia isn’t about pain.
Nia isn’t hard jumping.
Nia isn’t Tai Chi.
Nia isn’t Tae Kwon Do.
Nia isn’t Aikido.
Nia isn’t a mindless workout.
Nia isn’t Zumba.
Nia isn’t taught to Nia teachers in a day.
Nia isn’t new to the fitness world.
Nia isn’t Jazz Dance.
Nia isn’t Modern Dance.
Nia isn’t judgmental.
Nia isn’t a strict combination of linear movements.
Nia isn’t a class where you are told EXACTLY how to move your own body.
Nia isn’t Yoga.
Nia isn’t stiff.
Nia isn’t rough.
Nia isn’t (necessarily) just a workout.
Nia isn’t JUST Free Dance.
The BEST way to learn about what Nia isn’t and what Nia is, is to go to a class and see for yourself. Nia class finder. Want to find a class near you?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: Aikido, dance classes, Dance Workout, fitness, Free Dance, freedance, Jazz Dance, Jazzercise, Jazzercise classes, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia teachers, Tae kwon do, Tai Chi, workout, Yoga, Zumba, Zumba classes | 19 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 15, 2010
People always ask me how I found Nia. Here is my story: I had just begun exercising. I had found Turbo Jam and I liked it. I did the DVDs in my living room before work. At the time I worked in San Jose not too from where I lived so I would get up early in the morning and do it before work. The women I worked with always told me that they loved to dance, but they couldn’t get their partners to dance with them. They also would tell me that they wished they could find a dance exercise.
I was also seeing a lot of people — at that time — that were my age or even younger that couldn’t walk up the stairs or sit on the floor and get up again. Plus there were some young people around me that were going on High Blood Pressure Meds and experiencing other health issues.
So I started looking online for an exercise that was dancey. I thought maybe I could find something that I could learn to teach others. I found trance dance, but from what I saw and what I read, it said that you closed your eyes and just danced. It didn’t sound like there was ANY rhyme or reason. I sounded as if you were in a trance and you danced. The information talked of having people watch so the people dancing didn’t run into or hit each other. So that didn’t sound like what I would be interested in.
Somehow I stumbled . . . . literally, I don’t know how, just clicking on this link and that link . . . .I found Nia. I checked out the main site and it sounded interesting. I found a class that wasn’t too far. I went. I liked it. I bought the book. I went to another class. Then months later, I found another class at a different time and I tried that. Then months later, I talked my friend into going with me one more time*.
In between the second and third class I was thinking about taking the training that would enable me to teach. But I wasn’t sure. Nia sounded a bit “woo-woo” to me. So I kept reading. I really focused on the fact that it is based on science. It is based on research. The movements are movements that our bodies were designed to do. The movements tie into the way it is taught. Some of the words that are used might give the impression that it is really “woo-woo”, but it is not. There are also some elements of Nia that are like ancient practices. I kept thinking that some of these practices have been around for hundreds of years and they really have a basis in health and wellness. It was all very intriguing.
*My fourth class I attended was my “deciding” class. I went to make a final decision. I decided to do it. I decided to get sign up for the intensive that would allow me to teach. It took me so long to decide I was signing up within 30 days of the training.
I had NO idea what the training would entail. And that my friends is what another post is made of.
Nia. It is awesome. It IS an exercise. It IS a cardio workout. But I will not lie to you to try to keep you interested, it IS so much more. For some reason I cannot (nor can anyone else I talk to) put my finger on, it makes you happy. Try it and see for yourself. Try MY classes, or try someone else’s. Get a DVD, I don’t care. Just try it and then let me know what you think.
Posted in Nia | Tagged: cardio dance, cardio exercise, cardio workout, Dance Workout, high blood pressure, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia exercise, Nia Intensive, Nia San Jose, Nia Teacher, Nia training, Nia workout, San Jose cardio workout, San Jose dance workout, San Jose Nia, San Jose Nia classes, San Jose Workout, trance dance, Turbo Jam, Turbo Jam DVDs, woo-woo, workout DVD | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 4, 2010
Nia White Belt Principle #5 – Awareness – Dancing Through Life
I have been avoiding this principle because it can be very complex. To me, all of Nia’s White Belt Principles can be complex because they can be applied strictly to the cardio workout that is one aspect of Nia, they can be applied to Nia as a practice—which translates into, they can be applied to life, or they can just be applied to life.
Debbie Rosas Stewart talked about Principle #5 in this month’s Nia Teleconference for EveryBODY. She kept it simple. In all the calls she talks for about 15 minutes then she takes questions for the last 15. The call is 30 minutes. I will share with you what she said, but I recommend you listen to the call when they have it up on the site. They record each call every month.
Since I like to keep my posts relatively short, I have realized that I can post short summaries of Nia information and re-visit the information in additional posts.
One of the first things she said is very true, and I would like you to think about it. She pointed out that we are often aware of pain whereas we are not aware of pleasure. If we have a sore body part, we are aware of it. It makes its presence known and we listen. I personally don’t think we always listen to what it needs, but that is topic of another post. But we certainly don’t always pay attention to pleasure.
With Nia we seek pleasure. We seek to move away from the pain and go towards the pleasure.
There are a few things we can do to assist with that. One way is to be aware. Be aware of what brings us pleasure. As we move throughout our day we can make our movements a dance. While we are “doing”, we can dance through life. As you are reading this and you shift in your chair, notice the movement of your hips, notice to tilt of your head, do it like a dance.
While you are not moving, while you are “not doing”. Notice the stillness in your body. Allow the stillness to bring calm, relaxation, a sort of meditation, if you will. Notice what it is you are touching. Not just touching with your hands, but with your entire body. Are you sitting on a chair? Are you leaning on a desk? Benefit from that touch and that “not doing”.
Life as art so notice the art around you. Notice the noises and allow them to filter in as sound. Breath in the sensation of life. Not talking about “art” that would be in a museum art, but just the beauty of the world. Whatever you find beautiful.
There is so much about Nia I always find myself saying, “Another thing . . . one thing . . . Nia this . . . and Nia that. . .” but really. Another thing about Nia is that it is kind. Nia believes that we receive what we need to receive. We are not expected to hear something and walk away knowing it all or knowing it perfectly. With that in mind, understand that this is what I heard. These are the notes I took. Please, I invite you to listen for yourself and glean from it what you need. Focus on what resonates with you. Take away something you can share.
My site shows Nia class schedule in San Jose and San Carlos. On Nia’s main site you can look up classes in your area. There are classes all over the world.
Touching and Being Touched / May 3, 2010 Teleconference call is the call I have summarized here.
Presently in your life, do you dance through it? Do you practice awareness? Do you notice life as art?
Posted in Nia, Nia White Belt Principles | Tagged: Awareness, Cardio classes, cardio workout classes, Dancing Through Life, Debbie Rosas, Debbie Rosas Stewart, Nia, Nia Awareness, Nia cardio class, Nia Classes, Nia Dance, Nia movements, Nia pleasure, Nia Principle #5, Nia San Carlos, Nia San Jose, Nia Teleconference, Nia White Belt, Nia White Belt Principle #5, Nia workout, San Carlos Nia, San Jose, San Jose Nia, workout classes | 5 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 20, 2010
Some of the reasons behind Bay Area National Dance Week is the hope that the Bay Area will celebrate all the different forms of dance; to have the Bay Area be a place where people who love dance can learn, enjoy, and participate in all types of dance; to show that the Bay Area understands that dance is a part of an area’s identity and pride; to let the Bay Area demonstrate that dance is more than just fun and exercise, it is a large part of humanity, a part that helps define us.
The dance community in the San Francisco Bay Area, being one of the country’s largest, is offering hundreds of free classes and events.
There are going to be free Argentine tango classes, jazz dance classes, hip hop classes, hula classes, fire dance classes, Samba classes, modern dance classes, aerial classes, belly dance classes, Zumba classes, ballet classes, yoga classes, Nia classes, and more! There will also be performances and many other events.
The studio where I teach in San Jose will be celebrating Bay Area National Dance Week 2010. Several instructors are welcoming students to attend for Free, from April 25 – May 1.***
Sunday, April 25:
Three separate classes are free
Monday, April 26:
Six separate classes are free* including Nia
Tuesday, April 27:
One class
Wednesday, April 28:
Three separate classes are free* including Nia
Thursday, April 29:
Four separate classes are free*
Friday, April 30:
One free class
Saturday, May 1:
Two separate classes are free
*some classes are free to new students only, please see my site for more information, or contact me if you have any questions.
I hope you can make it to one of the free classes being offered. Plan your week. Get your workout on! Get your dance on!
***(04/21/10) Some classes have actually been added and the end date at the studio now matches the National Dance Week, Sunday, May 2, please see my site for the added classes. Thank you.
2013: (My site no longer contains information regarding the 2010 Bay Area National Dance Week, but you can see my site for Nia Class Schedule).
Posted in Exercise and Working Out, Nia | Tagged: aerial classes, ballet classes, Bay area dance classes, belly dance classes, fire dance classes, hip hop classes, hula classes, modern dance classes, Nia Classes, Nia San Jose, Samba classes, San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose Nia, San Jose Nia classes, San Jose Yoga, San Jose Zumba, Zumba, Zumba classes, Zumba San Jose | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on March 30, 2010
When I attended the Nia White Belt Intensive I had not heard of the Four Agreements so I was very captivated by what we refer to as our Energy Allies. When I decided to attend the Intensive I had only been to four Nia classes and I had decided I wanted to teach it. I had no idea what to expect. So these Energy Allies came in handy for me.
We call them friends and rely on them as you would friends. I am posting these because I often need to be reminded of my friends and I thought I would share them with you.
I was taught:
1–Speak with impeccability
–We were reminded to stay “on task”. Often times in a group setting questions are asked that do not actually relate to the subject being discussed. Or people like to tell stories about something “sort of” related to the subject.
–We were also instructed to use “I”. When we talk we often tend to project what we are saying instead of saying “I”.
2–Don’t assume anything
–Don’t “make up” stories in our head. We don’t really always know what the story is so we shouldn’t make it up.
-Quiet our inner mind’s conversation.
3–Don’t take anything personally
–Don’t get caught up in self-pity or self importance.
–Try not to get emotional about a comment.
4–Always do your best
–No holding back
–Follow instruction
–Recognize what is required
I thought this was a GREAT way to start a seminar or in this case an “intensive”. I wished we could have employed these agreements when I was a corporate trainer. I think they really assist in keeping the group on task. When people are allowed to share information that pertains to the subject yet understand that off topic issues will be put on a back burner, that helps keep the subject flow steady. Keeping the inner mind silent assists in hearing what is being said. Not taking comments that were made personally allowed the information to be given and received so that it could be useful and not destructive. Following instructions assisted with the energy in the room. When we all understood what was required we were all able to focus on the moment’s assignment.
Keeping these four allies around really enabled our group to keep our energy going. When listening is not at a premium and/or people are emotional about something it really can zap the energy of the collective.
These are friends that can be invited to anything in one’s life. Do you have these Energy Allies as your friends? Or are you familiar with the Four Agreements?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: Classes in San Jose, Energy Allies, Four Agreements, impeccability, Intensive, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia San Jose, Nia trainer, Nia White Belt, Nia White Belt Intensive, Nia workouts, San Jose Nia, seminar, trainer, White Belt, workout classes in San Jose | 11 Comments »
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