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Posts Tagged ‘Nia Moves’

Open Stance In Nia

Posted by terrepruitt on September 15, 2011

Nia is a cardio dance workout (it is really much more, but on the surface, that is what I call it). As with many cardio workouts done to music there are a lot of moves. Since Nia is basically a dance workout there are a lot of common dance steps and movements that many of us were taught in different forms of dance. Some are even from different forms of martial arts or other exercise classes and modalities. Nia has a base of 52 moves. We call them the 52 Nia Moves. What Nia has done is put them into categories to allow you to see what areas of the body are most associated with the move. One of the most common moves we use in Nia classes is the Open Stance. I have been familiar with the open stance for as long as I can remember. I took ballet and tap when I was young. I have done Jazzercise and other types of dance exercise classes. Many of these types of things have an open stance. From the first time I can remember being taught the open stance it was taught as “feet hip width apart”. Some of you might be familiar with that. Well, I don’t know if other modalities meant it actually that way or if I had been misled, but in Nia the open stance is actually hip JOINT width apart.

So you might be saying, “What?” Well, go ahead, if you can . . . . stand up and into open stance. I’m going to guess most of you don’t have a mirror in front of you . . . so look at your feet. What do you see? A somewhat wide stance? Are your feet hip WIDTH apart? Probably, because I believe that is the common instruction for “open stance”. Stay there. Touch your hips and thighs. Sense how that stance feels. Make note of the sensation of your leg muscles. Picture your leg bones. Are they at a slight angle?

Now bring your feet closer together. Picture your stance being hip JOINT width apart. Most of us have hips that are larger than where our legs meet our hip socket. Try this: Imagine someone gently lifting you off of your feet by you head, imagine your legs are just hanging down from your hip JOINTS. Then the huge hand that lifted you sets you gently down. Your legs exactly in the same position as when you were hanging. Your leg bones come straight out from your hip joints. That is what Nia open stance is.

For me, it is much more narrow than I was taught open stance was.

My pictures are showing the difference between what I thought was open (the first one) and what I now think of as open (the second one). I stood on the rug so the pattern would help show the difference. Please keep in mind that everyone, everyBODY is different so the width of your feet will differ from mine, but if you keep in mind that open is not really hip WIDTH apart, but hip JOINT width apart then you too, might have an adjustment in your “open stance”.

Well, did you? Were you taught open is hip width apart? If you stand hip width apart is there a noticeable difference when you stand hip JOINT width apart?

Posted in 52 Moves (of Nia), Nia | Tagged: 52 Nia Moves, ballet classes, cardio dance, cardio exercise, cardio workout, dance steps, exercise classes, Jazzercise, Jazzercize, martial art classes, Nia, Nia class, Nia Dance, Nia exercise, Nia Moves, Nia workout, open stance | 6 Comments »

Music as Motivation

Posted by terrepruitt on June 16, 2011

Music is a great motivator. Often times it is used to set a mood. Sometimes we even use it to memorize things. I’ve been putting on Lady Gaga’s album, The Fame or Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream album to do my Ten Minute Workout to. Such fun songs on both the albums. As you know the workout is only ten minutes so I don’t get through much of either album during the workout. Somtimes I am in a middle of a song and I just say or I’ll do some additional sit ups or whatever I am sensing I want more of. If not, like when I’m in a hurry, I carry the music about with me.

I often listen to Nia music (music that we use for Nia routines) because I am always wanting to learn it better. Or I am trying to learn a new routine (and sometimes that takes me awhile). But I don’t like to do a timed set of exercises to Nia routine music because I get distracted and start doing the Nia choreography or something else pops into my head and I move those moves to see it they fit. I do the same thing with other music — dance to it — but at least if I am doing specific moves new/other moves don’t pop into my head as with Nia routines which are always in my head so they just kind come out. 🙂

So this is MY placeholder. I will be back to report that I did my workout. What about you? How are you doing with it? What is your favorite song(s) to workout to?

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June 16, 2011 at 11:37 am

Ha! I am done. I was done awhile ago, but when I logged in to post I had a comment and I wanted to answer it. And as you can see it is longer than the original post. HA! I always do that when I comment. I do it on other people’s blog. My comment is longer than their post. Now I am doing it to myself!!!!

Well, anyway, today I did my little workout to Prince. What about you?

Posted in Ten Minute Workout check-in | Tagged: dance moves, Dance Workout, exercise music, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, motivator, Music as Motivation, Nia choreography, Nia exercises, Nia Moves, Nia Music, Nia routines, Nia workout, Prince, sit ups, Teenage Dream, ten minute workout, The Fame, workout music | 3 Comments »

If it doesn’t fit, try Again

Posted by terrepruitt on January 11, 2011

As I was putting Christmas Ornaments away (yes, I am still putting “Christmas” away) I was reminded of Nia. My thoughts then morphed to working out and exercise. Ya see, I was trying to put an ornament in its box. I have trouble with this ornament every year. Do you have any of those ornaments where you store them in the box they came in? I have a lot of those ornaments and every year there are some that give me trouble. I try putting it in this way, then I have to take it out and turn it, then try again, and try again, and after a few tries finally get it in the right way with a resulting “Ahhh . . . . . .”

That is what made me think of Nia. Nia is made for everyBODY. The exercises we perform, the movements we do, the entire workout is designed around the design of the body. Often times people are not accustomed to moving their body in the way it was designed. Some people don’t turn their heads which can loosen the spine and muscles in the back or gyrate their hips which can loosen the hips and possible allow you to stand up taller. It might not be for everyONE, because in Nia participants are not told exactly how to move. It IS one of those things that you have to ACTUALLY try. It also helps to try it more than once. Try going to classes when they have different routines. Try it with different teachers. Try treating it differently; treat it as a cardio workout, treat it like an exercise, or treat it like a dance. Try all different ways. If you don’t love it instantly, then don’t give up, try again. You could find that when you keep trying and do it a different way you’ll be saying, “Ahhhh . . . ”

If not, Nia, there are so many other things that you can try. Find something you like. Keep trying. Don’t give up and think you don’t like exercise or working out because it comes in so many different forms, I am sure you can find something you would like. You can always contact me and we can talk about it.

Posted in Nia | Tagged: cardio dance class, cardio exercise, cardio workout, Christmas Ornaments, dance class, exercise, exercise class, Nia, Nia class, Nia Dance, Nia dance class, Nia exercise, Nia Moves, Nia particpants, Nia teachers, Nia workout, Working Out, workout class | 8 Comments »

Can I Do Nia?

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:

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba

(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 »

Arms, Hands, & Fingers

Posted by terrepruitt on May 8, 2010

Nia White Belt Principle #9 is Arms, Hands, and Fingers. Through the years it has changed the exact name. My White Belt Manual says “Upper Extremities: Arms, Hands, and Fingers”. When I was in the training we actually learned it as “Creative Arm and Hand Expressions”. Whatever it is called it is using your arms, hands, and fingers in your workout and in life.

Ours arms, hands, and fingers can be used to hug, touch, caress, bringing comfort. They can be used to express ourselves to aid in communication. In the dance that is Nia, and in life they can be used to exercise our spirit with playfulness using our imagination to become wings, scarves, rain, water or whatever it is your arms, hands, and/or fingers sense.

When we use them to punch and block or catch our bodies as we push off from the wall or the floor we build strength both in our arms, hands, fingers, back, and upper body muscles. The many circular motions incorporated into our routines help condition our muscles as well as our ligaments and tendons. Nia is not a linear cardio dance class. The idea is to move to promote health in the entire body.

The hands have the capability to gather information and to move energy, to bring it in or send it out. We use our hands in Nia a lot. Not all movement classes include hands in the exercises. Nia understands the importance of hands and fingers.

In addition to moving our limbs to promote flexibility and strength Nia weaves relaxation into the mix. It is understood that many people can hold tension in the upper body, in the shoulders and neck. We benefit from the opening and closing of the shoulder joints. We learn to recognize the different ways to move to promote relaxation.

We can do all of this while we follow the moves of a routine or when we choose to activate the freedom that is encouraged in Nia. Either way, whatever you decide you will see how Nia does use the Upper Extremities: Arms, Hands, and Fingers a lot in Nia.

Posted in Nia, Nia White Belt Principles | Tagged: arms, fingers, Hands, Nia Moves, Nia White Belt, Nia White Belt Principle #9, Principle #9 | 2 Comments »

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Terre Pruitt's Blog

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I teach yoga, Nia, and stretch online!

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