Posts Tagged ‘Nia Teacher’
Posted by terrepruitt on November 9, 2010
I teach Nia which is a cardio-dance type workout and I say cardio-dance “type” because it is a cardio workout that we do to music. Yet, it also allows the opportunity for strengthening of the muscles, increasing flexibility, improving stability and agility, and boosting mobility. All of this could happen without you even realizing it because it is all done to music in a type of dance. Or you could actually try to improve your abilities in progression. In other fitness modalities they call it progressive overload. You can actually decide to increase your abilities and work towards that.
Progressive overload is increasing the challenge in increments so that the body keeps adjusting accordingly to the new stress. As long as the body perceives it as new the system will continue to adjust. The challenge in Nia could be a variety of things; you could put your arms up higher to give you greater mobility in your shoulders, you could move them faster to increase your agility, or you could do all of this continually to increase your cardio vascular health. There is always an occasion in a routine where you can bend deeper which could strengthen the lower body and again this is a way to raise your heart rate especially if you do it at a great speed.
If you are doing something other than Nia the changes could be another wide variety of things; actually changing the exercise you are doing, doing exercises longer, doing more during a workout session, or increasing the amount of workout sessions. If using resistance increasing the resistance would be considered an overload. Whatever you want to improve you would increase the challenge in increments giving the body something new to learn and overcome.
Posted in Food | Tagged: cardio dance, cardio vascular health, cardio workout, Dance Workout, exercise session, improving agility, improving mobility, improving stabilitym, increasing flexibility, Nia, Nia exercise, Nia routine, Nia Teacher, Progressive Overload, strengthening muscles, workout session | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 9, 2010
In my last post about the Nia workout I referenced an index I created for the Nia Technique Book. I want to point out that some of the section titles you see might be different than some of the information you hear now coming from Nia. The Nia Technique Book was published in 2004. The creators of Nia – Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas wrote the book to explain how Nia came about and to share its principles and moves. As you read the book you will see how Nia was not just thought up over night — actually it wasn’t thought up at all — it was born and it was grown and continues to grow and change. That is my point here, the names you might see of sections or principles in the index and in the book, might be different now because Nia is always moving, changing, and growing.
The basics remain the same. The core principles themselves have not changed but, they might have morphed a bit. In my post about Principle #11, I have said some of this before. I try not to repeat myself in entirety but often times it is ok to repeat some things. I like to repeat that Nia has been around for 26 years, the main ideas of moving to increase health, moving as the body was designed, and many more are still the same, but at the same time Nia has changed.
As I was typing up the index for the Nia Technique Book I noticed that, aside from Principle #11, Principle #9, #12, and #13 had different names then when I learned them and as we move forward the names change. But that is just a natural way of things. Things need to adapt a bit in order to survive. The core of it does not have to change, but it might need to be tweaked a bit. Even as the things have changed the book is still great information. Things have not changed enough for the book to be obsolete or have to be rewritten. The book is still an excellent starting point if you are just beginning and an excellent tool if you’ve been doing Nia for years.
Another thing I like to remind people is that I am a Nia Teacher and Nia Student. I post information on my website and blog about Nia. I might voice my opinion or my understanding about Nia, but the concept and the idea of Nia originated with Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas. I am just helping to promote Nia. It is a workout, an exercise, a dance that makes one feel energized and happy. It is something I love to share. Come to one of my Nia classes or find one near you!
Posted in Nia | Tagged: Carlos Rosas, concept of Nia, dance exercise, Dance Workout, Debbie Rosas, exercise dance, how Nia originated, Nia, Nia book, Nia class, Nia Dance, Nia exercise, Nia Principle #11, Nia Principle #12, Nia Principle #13, Nia Principle #9, Nia principles, Nia student, Nia Teacher, Nia Technique, Nia workout, The Nia Technique book | 7 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 5, 2010
I teach Nia in the San Francisco Bay Area. One thing I am trying to do is increase awareness of Nia and also, at the same time, increase my class sizes. So recently I hosted a Playshop in San Jose at the studio in Willow Glen where I hold my Nia classes. My topic for the Playshop was some of the 52 Moves of Nia. It was a success. I felt good about it, even though I put my students to work.
I had spent a day and a half or so preparing what moves I wanted to go over in the Playshop and what Nia katas from the various Nia routines I wanted to use in the Nia Class. I wanted the class routine to include all the various moves we explored in the Playshop. I spend a couple of days between doing other things reviewing to make certain I was comfortable with my presentation and to make certain I could get through it within the allotted time. So I was confident the Playshop and the Nia Class would go smooth. What I was nervous about was being able to get in and set up.
If you are a teacher of almost anything, you know that here is time needed to set up. Showing up early to set up and be ready to greet your students is not always possible with the time allowed in between workout classes. In exercise class situations sometimes there is NO time in between classes. They are scheduled to end on the hour and start at the same time. So I had scheduled 15 minutes in between, but there was still things that needed to be done and I wasn’t wanting to rush the class before us out.
So I came up with an idea . . . . now, I would bet I am not the only one to come up with this and I bet if I were to do minimum research I would find all the “Planning a workshop” information to tell me exactly this, but I am still going share it.
I realized that I could put my students to work! So I did. Most of the time people are more than willing to help. One of my students showed up really early—before me even. So I knew she was ready to do something. So I set her on one task. Then two of my students who I had been plotting to do this work all along were assigned tasks.
This assigning of tasks can also be connected to my post about “If You want something done right“. Because I had to be willing to “let go” and let my students do the tasks. And I have to say they did them beautifully. I was so proud. I was proud of myself for having thought of having them do it and I was proud of myself that I just let them do it. And I was especially proud that they did it so well. I believe they did better than I could have–it was awesome.
It was a great learning experience for me.
My hubby (thanks, Hubby!) also came to help. With him mopping the floor and some of my students setting up the room, I was able to concentrate on the participants coming in that needed to sign waivers and get settled. All of this allowed us to start on time . . . which allowed us to end on time — for the Playshop at least. The Nia routine I put together was a little longer than an hour so we went over on that. But all-in-all it was my students that allowed me to have a successful Playshop.
(Thanks Students!)
Posted in 52 Moves (of Nia), Nia | Tagged: exercise class, katas, Nia 52 moves, Nia class, Nia exercise, Nia exercise class, Nia katas, Nia participants, Nia Playshop, Nia routines, Nia San Francisco, Nia San Jose, Nia students, Nia Teacher, Nia Willow Glen, Nia workout, Nia workshop, San Francisco Bay Area Nia, San Francisco Nia, San Jose Nia, San Jose Nia class, SFBay Nia, Willow Glen Nia, working students, workout class | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on September 9, 2010
Whether I am teaching a Nia class or participating in a Nia class I sweat . . . . a lot. I used to think I sweat too much, then I heard that when you sweat your body is sweating out toxins. So then I went on thinking that it was good and ok that I sweat a lot because I was ridding my body of toxins. My plan for the post today was to jump on the computer and find all kinds of information regarding the toxins that are sweated out and to provide information about why we sweat. The first thing I read said there is no scientific evidence that proves bodies sweat out toxins. What? Did you know that?
Sweat is not just water, it does contain other things (minerals, lactate, and urea) but it has not been found to contain toxins or maybe more accurately, it has not been found to contain enough toxins to conclude that we actual sweat toxins out. Sweating is the bodies way of cooling us down. The mechanisms that produces sweat is not constructed to filter out toxins like, say, the liver or the kidneys.
When our bodies get hot the 2.6 million sweat glands (average person) produce perspiration or sweat. There are two different types of sweat glands and they produce two different types of sweat. There is the armpit and genital area type and then the rest-of-your-body type. Sweat itself does not have an odor, it is mainly made up of water. It is the bacteria in the areas of the body that mixes with the sweat that sometimes causes odor. Our bodies constantly sweat, but for some, most of it is absorbed back into the body before it even reaches the outer layer of the skin. When too much is produced to be reabsorbed that is when it comes out of the body. When it does come out of the skin some of it is evaporated to help produce a cooling effect. When there is more perspiration then can be evaporated it rolls or drips off the skin (or soaks into clothing).
Like many, many things there is just not scientific evidence showing that toxins are sweat out. Many people swear by saunas and bikram or hot yoga to sweat out the toxins. When you are sick some of us have been taught to sweat it out. I am just surprised that I have heard it for so long, but when I go to find supporting evidence I can’t. Maybe I just can’t. Maybe it is out there, but I am unable to find it.
The only information I found that supported the idea was webpages that had to do with the sale of saunas or one that has to do with a Detoxification Program created by the late L. Ron Hubbard. What do you think? Do you believe that we sweat out toxins?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: bikram yoga, Detoxification Program, hot yoga, kidney toxins, L. Ron Hubbard, liver toxins, Nia class, Nia Teacher, perspiration, saunas, sweat out toxins, sweaty yoga, teaching Nia, toxins, yoga classes | 7 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on August 19, 2010
As a Nia teacher I am entitled to listen in on a monthly Nia Teacher Continuing Education call. These teleconference calls are included in the cost of licensing. So I am familiar with teleconference calls and that they have value. I received an e-mail from “The Difference” and it was an invitation to listen in on a teleconference call. The calls were happening at times that I was unavailable so I was unable to listen in on the live call. But they recorded the calls and sent out an e-mail instructing us how to listen to the call.
This is a service. Regardless of how you feel about teleconference calls, you have to know that people sign up for them and pay money to listen. You have to know that all types of information is distributed this way. Regardless of whether you would have paid for a call that has to do with ‘Re-energise & Fall In Love All Over Again’, you have to know that others would. So The Difference provided a type of service.
I was not told that I could not share the information, but I don’t want to get involved in possibly disclosing something I shouldn’t have so I am not going to get into specifics. I am certainly not going to spend my time contacting “The Difference” to see what I can disclose. My purpose for this post is to continue the conversation about “The Difference”. So many people are saying it is a scam and I am not ready to conclude that. I have no proof that it is. This is me sharing that they are doing “SOMETHING”. They offered a call that might not have value to all, but it does have value.
This phone call goes along with my original assessment that being involved as a paying collaborator on The Difference is a type of “self-improvement”/”self-help” thing. In the call Jacqueline Bignell the Founder of The Difference™ interviewed two Australian Difference Makers. One was Heather Yelland (her claim per her website: “Australia’s leading female personal development and mindset specialist”) and the other was Lisa Ippolito, a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner.
They brought up the main point of loving oneself will assist in the enabling of loving fully and of attracting love back. It is not a new concept and more and more people are starting to talk about it. I just read a post today that was about the very same thing. The blog was saying that is what he saw in the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”. That Elizabeth Gilbert the author of the book came to that realization. Funny how all of this connected in one day. This type of thinking is what Jacqueline is trying to promote with her project The Difference.
The conference call that they did is just an example of what they are doing to help this “opening of your heart” type of thinking along. Again, they are doing something, they are providing something of value. I didn’t even become a collaborator and I still got something out of it.
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: "Eat, collaborator, conference call, Difference Makers, Elizabeth Gilbert, Heather Yelland, Jaceline Bignell, Jackie Bignell, Jacqueline Bignell, Lisa Ippolito, love, Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Nia, Nia Continuing Education, Nia licensing, Nia Teacher, NLP Practitioner, personal development, personal development specialist, Pray, self help, self improvement, service of value, teleconference call, The Difference, The Differnce | 6 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 November 28, 2009
As you might now be aware Nia includes elements from three disciplines from three different arts. From the martial arts, we borrow from Tae Kwon Do. Not just “moves” from Tae Kwon Do but also some of the other elements of it. With its kicks, punches, blocks, and stances it helps allow Nia to be a great leg workout and provide a stable base for some of our other moves. Tae Kwon Do can also contribute to one’s confidence by providing exercises that allow one to become strong and stable. These are the things Nia gains from Tae Kwon Do.
Nia calls Tae Kwon Do the Dance of Precision.* So when delivering a punch, block, kick, etc. with the energy of Tae Kwon Do, it is done with precision and intent. However, Nia likes to play so at times even though we might not be executing a punch or a kick, but we might choose to energize our movement with “Tae Kwon Do” like energy, and be forceful and aggressive even adding sound to our movement.
Adding the energy of one form to the moves of another is one of the things that make Nia fun and keeps is challenging. It takes different muscles to skip with force and authority than to skip like a child without a care in the world. That is an example of how Nia incorporates different moves with different energies.
In Nia we don’t “DO” Tae Kwon Do, things have been gleaned from it and brought into Nia and mixed in with aspects of Tai Chi, Aikido, Jazz Dance, Modern Dance, Duncan Dance, Yoga, the Alexander Technique and the teachings from Feldenkrais, and the combination from each form is Nia. A lot of Nia routines include moves and concepts from each discipline, but not always. In an effort to keep each workout fresh, fun, and joyful teachers often mix things up.
If you are near San Jose, come to one of my Nia classes. If not, I hope that you will find a Nia class near you and give Nia try.
*Both the Nia Technique Book and The Nia Technique – White Belt Manual state this. Both books are by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas. **V3 of The Nia Technique – White Belt Manual
Posted in Movement Forms of Nia, Nia | Tagged: Aikido, Carlos Rosas, Dance of Precision, Debbie Rosas, disciplines, Duncan Dance, exercise class, exercise classes, Feldenkrais, Jazz Dance, joyful, leg workout, martial arts, Martial Arts Disciplines, mind, modern dance, movement, movement class, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia Movement, Nia Practice, Nia San Jose, Nia Teacher, Nia Technique, Nia White Belt, Nia workout, Nia Yoga, San Jose Nia, San Jose Yoga, sounding, T'ai chi San Jose, Tae kwon do, Tae kwon do San Jose, Tai Chi, the Alexander Technique, White Belt, White Belt Manual, workout class, Yoga, yoga classes, Yoga Exercise, Yoga Nia, yoga poses, yoga pracitce, Yoga San Jose, Yoga workout | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on November 19, 2009
As a Nia teacher there are prescribed steps we are to take to learn a routine. It is easy to skip steps in the interest of time. We all learn in different ways and as humans we tend to follow the easiest path. No matter what we are doing our tendency is to do it the easiest way possible. So some of the steps might be skipped.
I recently attended a FAB*, it was short workshop that covered some of those steps. Being in a workshop with everyone focusing on the same thing made it a lot easier to learn. At home, when I set about working on learning a routine, I get very distracted by things. So being in a room where there was no cat, no computer, no dirty dishes, no laundry, and no cleaning that needed to be done was awesome. It really enabled me to focus.
The routine that we were working on is called Aya (one of Carlos AyaRosas, FKA Carlos Rosas). It is very Latin based–it has both Latin music and Latin moves allowing for a lot of hip swaying and sexy moves. One of the songs that we reviewed was not in English and someone translated it for us. I have to say that sometimes when you know the words of the song it can make the movements different.
This workshop was a shortened version of another workshop that was recently held in Concord. That was a two day workshop where they reviewed the entire routine. The one I attended in Nevada City was only four hours. We reviewed two songs. I will be honest and tell you that I could not do the songs without seeing them again. But I am confident that once I purchase the routine and set out to learn it, these two songs will be a snap.
I also returned to San Jose with a renewed sense of knowledge. I might KNOW something, but it always helps to review and to look at it from different angles. I enjoy hearing how information filters into people differently.
Nia is so wonderful because it is so many things. It is a workout, it is a practice, it is exercise, it is something that brings people together, it can be the basis of a workshop, it is just fabulous.
*FAB = For all belts. Nia White Belts, Blue Belts, Brown Belts, and Black Belts.
NOTE: The pictures are actually from the little birthday acknowlegement we had for the owner of the studio.
Posted in Nia | Tagged: and Nia Black Belts, Aya, Carlos Rosas, exercise, exercise routine, FAB, For all belts, latin moves, Latin music, Latin routine, latin songs, Nia, Nia Blue Belts, Nia Brown Belts, Nia Concord, Nia exercise, Nia Nevada City, Nia Practice, Nia routine, Nia San Jose, Nia Teacher, Nia White Belt, Nia White Belts, Nia workshop, San Jose exercise classes, San Jose Nia, San Jose Nia classes, San Jose Workout, workout, workout routine, workshop | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 10, 2009
Here is the bow stance. Now there are a lot of practices and movement arts that do the bow stance—at least I knew it before I came to Nia, so . . . please keep in mind that I am presenting it as one of the Nia 52 Moves because we do it in Nia and that is what I teach primarily.
I consider this somewhat of a deep bow. One does not need to come down this low. Usually with the bow stance we are placing a leg back, placing the ball of our foot on the ground and leaving the heel up. But there are times when we will step forward into a bow stance. Even if we are stepping forward into the bow stance, we are leaving the heel of the foot that is in the back off the ground. It is somewhat like a lunge, but the back foot remains on the ball of the foot.
The bow stance can be deep or not, and it can be a stance that we move quickly into or out of or a stance where we settle in and move our arms. It all depends on the music and the workout routine. It is great exercise for increasing balance and strength in the core and lower body.
Keep in mind that the feet are not in line. There is stability by keep the apart, at least hip joint distance apart.
Posted in 52 Moves (of Nia), Nia | Tagged: Bow Stance, deep lunge, exercise workout, hip joint, increase balance, increase core strength, increase strength in the lower body, lunge, movement arts, movement practices, Nia, Nia 52 moves, Nia exercise, Nia Practice, Nia routine, Nia Teacher, Nia workout, routine music, stability, teach Nia, workout routine | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 3, 2009
A Nia workout includes elements from three disciplines from three different arts.
From the healing arts, we use moves and ideals from Yoga. As with all the movement forms incorporated into Nia, Nia does not claim to be practicing Yoga. It is understood that years of studying and practice can be involved in the practice of Yoga, and Nia respects that, that is why I say that we “use move and ideals”. Nia recognizes the benefits that can result from Yoga and with that does its best to utilize some of its amazing power. Nia calls Yoga “The Conscious Dance of Alignment”.* It helps with the proper alignment of the bones. It also assists in increasing flexibility for all fitness levels.
We use the aspects of Yoga to help find balance in the body. In Nia we can also call upon the focus that is evident in Yoga.
The White Belt Manual 3/2001 V3 states:
Witness the value this form provides to increasing and restoring the natural flow of energy throughout the entire body. Recognize the specific principles that help to clear and calm the mind, bring balance to the nervous system, improve breath and posturing, and strengthen specific body parts. Acknowledge the way Yoga unifies the body, mind, spirit, and emotional being, and how the internal, core body becomes soft and supple to provide real “energy” strength from the inside out.
So we might do some exercises of twists, bends, and poses in our workout, it is to help increase strength, flexibility, alignment and our conscious connection.
The breathing in Nia reminds me more of Pilates than to Yoga. We inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, often times sounding. I have not participated in a Yoga class that does chanting or is vocal so that is why I am reminded more of Pilates than Yoga.
Many of Nia’s teachers are also Yoga instructors or they attend Yoga classes. I sometimes attend a Yoga class in San Jose. The two forms of movement are a great compliment to each other.
***V3 of The Nia Technique – White Belt Manual by Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas
Posted in Movement Forms of Nia, Nia | Tagged: Carlos Rosas, Debbie Rosas, exercise class, movement class, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia Movement, Nia Practice, Nia San Jose, Nia Teacher, Nia Technique, Nia White Belt, Nia workout, Nia Yoga, Pilates, Pilates breathing, Pilates class, Pilates San Jose, San Jose Nia, San Jose Yoga, sounding, White Belt, White Belt Manual, workout class, Yoga, Yoga chanting, yoga classes, Yoga Exercies, Yoga exercises, yoga instructor, Yoga Nia, yoga poses, yoga pracitce, Yoga San Jose, yoga stretches, yoga teacher, Yoga workout | 2 Comments »
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