Posts Tagged ‘Nia’
Posted by terrepruitt on February 5, 2011
I teach Nia. I found Nia while looking on the internet for a workout that was exercise as well as dance. Dance is exercise and with so many people enjoying dancing I was hoping to find a combination of both that I could teach. Nia is a non-impact cardio dance. The “non-impact” often causes people to think that it is low intensity, but with Nia you regulate your own intensity. Nia was created using The Body’s Way, and designed so that you can practice is in Your Body’s Way. So participants receive the workout their body needs at that moment.
I believe that is one of the great things about Nia, but it is also one of the things that greatly challenge people. Some people do not know how to listen to their own bodies and give them what they need. They are accustomed to being told what they need and what to do. So Nia might not be for everyone. But there is something out there that is.
In the Fall 2010 issue of Conscious Dancer, they shared 100 modes of movement. They highlighted movements from A-Z. They pointed out AcroYoga, AlivEmotion, BeachDance, Bellyfit, Biodanza, Chakradance, Dancing with Pain, DolphinDance, 5Rhythms, Gyrotonic Expansion System, Hoop Dance, InterPlay, Jazzercise, Laughter Yoga, Nia, Pilates, Shake Your Soul, Soul Motion, SpritisDancing, Trance Dance, Wowzacise, Yoga Booty Ballet, YogaFit, Zumba, and more.
From yoga to yoga dancing, spiritual exercise, water workouts, healing, structured, non-structured, standing, sitting, rolling, running, jumping, bouncing, everything from here to there and anything you can thing of and more. So what is your excuse? Maybe there isn’t a Nia class in your area or that is convenient to you or your schedule. What about a Zumba class? Get some of your Latin on. Zumba not your thing? What about BellyFit? Maybe there is a class near you and a form of fitness that has a bit of yoga, meditation, and Pilates in it is something you would like? Laughter Yoga (who doesn’t like to laugh?) is in 60 countries. Maybe you would like the group type of moving mediation that is 5Rhytms. Or you wanna take it back to your childhood circling your hips and other body parts in a Hoop Dance. Have you tried Jazzercise lately? Even though it has been around since the 60’s it has kept up with the times. Like Nia, you learn that the joy of dance that is Shake Your Soul can be a healing experience. What about Wowzacise? Created by Wowza it is a form of fitness done on different size stability balls. Yoga Booty Ballet is a set of workouts that is yoga, cardio, and ballet and there are DVDs so you don’t even have to go out to do that one.
See? So as I am often saying there is soooooo much out there. If you don’t like one thing try another. Take into consideration your goals and what you really like to do, then go out there and find it. It has to be there. Even though Nia is for everyBODY, it really is not for everyone, but please find something that is for you and do it and stick to it!
Posted in Exercise and Working Out, Nia | Tagged: 5Rhythms, ballet, Bellyfit, Biodanza, cardio, cardio dance, Chakradance, Councious Dancer, dance exercise, Dance Workout, DolphinDance, Gyrotonic, healing, Hoop Dance, http://www.consciousdancer.com/, InterPlay, Jazzercise, Laughter Yoga, meditation, modes of movement, Nia, Nia class, Nia Dance, Nia exercise, Nia workout, non impact ardio dance, non impact workout, Pilates, Soul Motion, spiritual exercise, SpritisDancing, trance dance, water workouts, Wowzacise, Yoga, Yoga Booty Ballet, yoga dancing, YogaFit, Your Body's Way. AcroYoga, Zumba | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on February 3, 2011
Just recently, I learned that one of my Nia students is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. She has been attending my Nia classes for about two years and when I first met her she said she taught Pilates, so I thought that was her primary job. It is actually funny because I have been looking for a holistic doctor. One day after class she asked how my toe was doing and said something like, let me think about it and see what I have and I’ll let you know. I thought, ok. The next class she brought me a sample of something and a homeopathic treatment/instructions where it stated she was an ND. Ha, the things you learn.
Anyway, the second I got home I looked for cotton socks and wool socks. We didn’t have any that I could accurately identify. And I really didn’t think that walking around shopping was the best thing for my foot/toe. There were times that I had to do things, as in get groceries or take care of some bank business, but shopping was not a high priority. I waited until I could enlist the help of mom! Yup. She ran around and got me some wool socks.
Anyway . . . the therapy is this:
1. Warm your feet, either by soaking them or by taking a bath.
2. Dry your feet.
3. Wet a pair of cotton socks. Make sure they are completely wet with cold water.
4. Wring the socks out so they are not dripping.
5. Put the socks on. Yes! Put the socks on your nicely warmed feet.
6. Cover the cold wet cotton socks with the dry wool socks.
7. Go to bed! Cover up like you normally would.
All of the various instructions I have read said to make certain that you don’t get chilled. So the idea is to put the wet socks on, then the dry socks and go directly to bed.
When you wake up the socks will be dry and your feet warm.
This treatment is said to aid with congestion and upper respiratory infections. Information says it helps with headaches, migraines, colds, infections, sore throats, ear infections, cough and bronchitis. Also, helps with cold feet due to poor circulation. Some things say it helps relieve pain and promote healing.
Since your feet have cold wet socks on your body has to keep your feet warm so it sends the blood to your feet. This wet sock therapy gets your blood moving!
I found it made my feet really soft. Same as putting lotion on then putting socks on. I found that I slept really well. At first I was thinking of this treatment as just something to do for my toe, but now that I actually tried it. I can see how it could help with other things. It was a momentary challenge for me to think of putting on wet socks, but then I realized my student wasn’t just making this up to help me, this is a TREATMENT. It just took me awhile to get the right socks. Neither my cotton nor the wool socks are 100% but they are as close as we could find. I would think the higher the percentage the better.
The instructions I’ve read suggest you do it at least three nights in a row. I did that. I was too tired on the fourth night, which I think is good, but I might try it again tonight. I think it really helped. Oh, also, I skipped the warming step. I started at #3. Maybe if my feet were cold in the first place I would warm them first.
So what do you think? Are you willing to try it? If you do, please let me know your results.
Posted in Helpful Hints, Misc | Tagged: cotton socks, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, holistic doctor, homeopathic treatment, ND, Nia, Nia class, Nia students, Pilates instructor, wet cotton socks, wet sock homeopathy, wet sock therapy, wet sock treatment, Wet socks, wool socks | 16 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on February 1, 2011
I love Nia because I think of it as a way I can help people change their lives. I believe movement is the key to maintaining flexibility, agility, mobility, strength, and stability in the body. I believe that FAMSS are necessary components to leading a high quality life. I also believe there are other way people can inspire others.
One day in the mail I received a card. Here are pictures of it.
It is obviously a handmade card. The flowers sparkle, not just the “gems” in the middle but the flowers are sparkly. I love this card. I had it in my kitchen in the middle of my peninsula so that I could see both the front AND the back. It ALWAYS — no matter what — makes me smile.
This was sent to me from a fake friend. I say “fake” just so people who qualify their friends with labels such as “real” and “in real life”/IRL can understand that I have never met this woman face to face. I have only become friends with her through online portals or social networks. First I believe it was a friend’s blog. Then my blog and her blog or her blog and my blog, then Twitter. Or maybe it was Twitter then the blogs. Then Facebook. Yeah, I am sure Facebook was last. There was even some e-mail. And let’s not forget . . . . US Mail . . . . snail mail. My card.
My card that was made for me and sent to me by someone I have never met f2f (face to face), although the card proves that she is real. Very real. Also, the card is real life. I live my life and I look at that card. I actually have it in my office now which is much better because I see it for longer periods of time. It is in my line of sight. I have it to make me smile. I have it to inspire me. It inspires me to be inspired. It inspires me to want to inspire people.
It sparkles at me, reminding me to count the happies.
Aroused by divine influence, filled with reverent emotion, stimulated into action all by a true friend that filled a place I didn’t know was empty.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: agility, F2F, face-to-face, face2face, Facebook, fake friend, FAMSS, FB, flexibility, FMASS, in real life, inspiration, inspire people, IRL, Mobility, Nia, nia help, snail mail, social networks, stability, strength, Twitter | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 22, 2011
So, I have been teaching my Nia classes with my injured toe. I love it! It is such an awesome lesson, an amazing reminder. I have very good balance. I have such good balance I am always shocked that there are times when I get off balance. At those times — when I am standing on a BOSU using dumbbells, or doing squats — I am reminded that there is always room for improvement. Because I DO understand there is always room for improvement I always try to work on my balance. Nia is so, so, so, so good for balance. With the challenge of my injured toe I am reminded what a great job Nia does in allowing for balance practice.
While walking around the room if you engage your arms in a constant dance of movement you can sense how your full foot is used. Lower leg muscles can be sensed. Walking on the balls of your feet, moving fast then slow, moving your arms requires you to engage your core. All of the movements in Nia help to increase your balance and also require you to use so much of your body that we don’t always exercise throughout our day. All the movements also serve to remind you that your entire body is connected. Such as I mentioned before – walking and moving your arms you can sense your entire foot working to balance your body.
It is amazing to add the extra challenge of balance by moving your arms or moving fast then slow, or walking on a different part of the foot, or standing taller or moving lower. I am thinking that I have said this or something similar in previous posts, but since I am being challenged with my balance lately it is coming up again. I am using my whole left foot, but only the inside of my right foot. With this unstable base every action of my arms requires a great test of balance. It is a great reminder to me. Nia is a great way to practice balance and since it is a dance and we are moving so much, it never feels like work.
Even though I would love for you to join me in one of my Nia classes, I know that is it not possible for some. But it is possible for you to work on your own balance while going about your day. Easy things you can do; stand on one foot while cooking/taking a shower/vacuuming/whatever, move your arms about while you walk around, walk on the balls of your feet, hop on one leg, what else? What can you come up with to help practice your balance?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: balance practice, dance class, dumbbells, exercise class, Nia, Nia balance, Nia Classes, Nia Dance, Nia exercise, Nia Lesson, Nia Movement, Nia Practice, squats for balance | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 20, 2011
Look what my parents bought me for Christmas. Yup, I asked for dumbbells, but I did it at the last minute so then gave me cash instead—WAIT! I just realized that. Hmmm? Maybe I’m onto something . . . . Sorry, I digress. Anyway . . .they gifted me more than plain dumbbells cost so I got a weighted bar too! Yay! I just got it and I can’t wait until my toe is COMPLETELY healed so I can really use the bar.
A weighted bar can be used in so many ways. It can be used as you would use dumbbells. You can use it for bicep curls, bent over rows, dead lifts, lunges, triceps extensions . . . . pretty much like dumbbells. The length adds to the effort of having to keep it stable. So, I can use it now, sitting down, but since it does add an additional balance element to it, I need to wait until my toe is healed (and I can actually balance my foot) before I start adding that extra weight.
One reason wanted this was so that I could do Good Mornings, because that is one exercise that needs a bar. Holding the bar over your shoulders just makes more sense.
For now I am able to still do Nia in my classes, but I am limited until my toe heals. I am not doing much with weights at the time being. I am very excited to really get to work with my bar, though. So stay tuned.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: balance exercise, bent over rows, bicep curls, Christmas, dead lifts, dumbbells, lunges, Nia, Nia balance, Nia Classes, Nia exercise, triceps extensions, weight bar, weighted bar | 6 Comments »
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 »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 8, 2011
On Wednesday after my Nia Class in San Jose I was talking to one of my students. Some how we ended up on a subject that had her telling me about a friend of hers who is blind but has no issue navigating the step that is not too far from her front entry way inside her home. She was explaining that people have no problem with it on the way in, but on the way out they forget about it and usually stumble on it when leaving the house. This led to many other tangents in our conversation but one thing it had me thinking about was sight/seeing and our focus.
I was thinking that the sighted people were focusing on the door on the way out of the house. For me, I imagined myself leaving her house, part of my focus on her and saying our goodbyes, then another part on the door—–but with the door a multitude of other things would come into my mind and into my focus. I would see the door and begin to think about my car, which would make me think about my drive, which would lead me to think about what I need to do on the way home, which (depending upon the hour of the day) might have me thinking about what to cook for dinner and if I needed to stop at the store on the way home—-all of which would make me trip. I would not be focused at all on my feet and on the step and I am sure that I would stumble into the door.
With that in mind I had a focus and an intent for my next Nia class which was the one in Los Gatos. The focus was Awareness, the intent was to connect to one’s body. While I have used awareness as a focus before, and I have probably even used the same intent before, and I have even invited the participants to close their eyes, this time I did it more frequently. With this routine there is a song where we are completely stationary so closing one’s eyes to allow for complete focus on one’s body is perfect. There is also a song where we turn and face different walls (in line dancing it would be called a four-wall dance). When we turn it often takes me and other people out of the line of sight which can often lead to one “having” to be aware of one’s own body.
To me one of the fundamentals of Nia is being in one’s body and dancing in your own body’s way, but I think that we often get distracted by the things we see. I know that while I teach sometimes I will get distracted because I see my hair sticking up or I see something else I should not be concentrating on. So I think that having Awareness, with the intent of connecting to the body and adding “eyes closed” to be a great tool. We did not dance the entire routine with our eyes closed, just when it was safe to do so, when our movements were not far from our spot and there was no chance of bumping into someone. Also, it was just an invitation to assist with the focus and intent it is not something that was required.
As the teacher I do not close my eyes as much as I would if I were the student because I am teaching and making certain that all is well in the class, but I know that the few times I did I was able to really embrace the focus and the intent.
What do you think? Do you think that if you close your eyes you can focus more on your body?
Posted in Nia | Tagged: body's way, dance class, focus and intent, four wall dance, fundamentals of Nia, line dancing, Los Gatos Nia, Nia, Nia class, Nia dancing, Nia fundamentals, Nia Los Gatos, Nia participant, Nia San Jose, Nia student, San Jose line dancing, San Jose Nia | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 4, 2011
When I first started teaching my Nia classes I was doing it three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the studio in Willow Glen. Not every class had many students. I remember talking to different people about the low numbers. Some of them suggested not having that many classes in a week, not having that many dance lessons a week. Understandable. Most people didn’t know what Nia was. Since it is dance many people thought of it as a dance that you learn. But Nia is not like Salsa or Tango where you are shown steps, then asked to mimic them, then instructed to practice, then allowed to practice to music. Nia is not a dance lesson type of dance.
Even though Nia incorporates nine different movement forms, Nia is more comparable to Zumba or Jazzercise where the music is playing and the participants follow the lead of the teacher. No experience in or with any of the movement forms is required. Nia is a cardio dance workout, it is exercise so it is GREAT to do it three times a week. It is recommended to participate in a form of cardio exercise at least three times a week to maintain heart health. Depending upon your individual needs and goals cardio more often might even be in order. So Nia three times a week is great.
When I had the opportunity to hold a third class in a week that is exactly what many of my Monday and Wednesday students said, “Nia three times a week is great!” Now I have a third Nia class on Fridays in Los Gatos. (I know I have said that before, but I am excited. Plus I need to get the word out!)
Another point about Salsa and Tango is a partner is needed. Nia does not require a partner so it is often easier to actually do it three times a week since you are not trying to coordinate with another person to meet and dance three times a week.
Participating in Nia with any regularity participants will learn, but it might not be dance steps. There are many things to learn when participating in Nia, but it is not taught as steps and or patterns are taught in a dance lesson. Instead of Nia being a dance lesson, you will learn lessons as you dance Nia. 🙂
Posted in Nia | Tagged: cardio dance, cardio dance workout, cardio exercise, cardio workout, dance class, dance class Willow Glen, Exercise classes in Willow Glen, heart health, Jazzercise, Nia, Nia class, Nia Music, Nia participants, Nia Practice, Nia students, Nia studio, Nia Teacher, Nia three times a week, Nia Willow Glen, Salsa, Salsa partner, Tango, Tango partner, Willow Glen Jazzercise, Willow Glen Nia, Willow Glen Salsa, Willow Glen Tango, Willow Glen Zumba, Workout in Willow Glen, Zumba | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on January 1, 2011
So how was your New Year’s Day? Did you get to a Nia class? Do you think that the first day of the New Year dictates how the year will go for you? I was thinking about that today when I started to make something to eat. I went into our closet that we use as a pantry — we had ants. They were after a particular box of cereal. The entire closet had to be emptied out so that we could find out where they were coming from. I believe we live on an ant hill because every time it rains they get washed up. Anyway, I didn’t want to spend my entire New Year’s Day cleaning up after ants. I have other household chores that need to be done, but I am trying to rest my toe. So I thought for a moment, “Great. If this is any indication of how the year is going to go — oh my!” But then, my hubby jumped in to help.
He emptied the entire closet . . . . which was awesome because as you can imagine emptying a closet is just a lot of walking back and forth. As silly as it may sound (and it sounds pretty silly) I thought that it was pretty great that we had this project to do together. He seemed pretty happy to be helping and I was so glad to have the help.
So, I am thinking of two ideas:
The first day of the year is not really an indication of how the year is going to go. It is just a day and if was covered in ants, oh well, move on and make it a great year.
OR, the first day is an indication of how the year is going to go and spending the day working on a project – no matter that it wasn’t a fun one we would have chosen – with my hubby gives me an idea of what a great year this is going to be. I’ll get projects done and I’ll be with my hubby.
That leaves me with questions for you:
How was your New Year’s Day?
Do you think that the first day of the year might serve as a hint into how the year will go?
How is your year going to go?
NOTE: Please remember my Nia Class in Los Gatos has a new start time beginning Friday, January, 7, 2011 – the class is now at 10:30 am.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: 2011, bad days, Happy New Year, Los Gatos Nia, Los Gatos Nia Class, New Year, New Year's Day, Nia, Nia class, Nia Los Gatos | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on December 30, 2010
Tomorrow morning is my last Nia class of 2010, it will be in Los Gatos at 9:30 am. I mention this because I am ending 2010 with three classes a week. I mention that because someone was reminding me that the end of the year Holidays (Christmas, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, Advent, Yule, Pancha Ganapati, Hanukkah, Yalda, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Hogmanay, and the New Year – just to name a few) are difficult for some because it is a time of reflection and sometimes dwelling on all that was not accomplished in the passing year and maybe even dwelling on 
some of one’s failures. Once when I was sharing with one of my Nia students all that I still had to learn just in regards to Nia, she reminded me of how far I had come. Instead of listing my goals and resolutions for the new year, I am going to share some of the things I did accomplish.
–completed my second year teaching Nia
–consistently taught Nia at least twice a week all year
–taught up to four classes in one week
–subbed several Nia classes
–taught classes at a Park and Recreation Center
–consistently posted to my blog
–penned at least 200 blog posts (I post on other blogs)
–witnessed an increase of number of participants in my Willow Glen Nia class
–paid studio rent with funds solely collected from teaching Nia
–taught at a few Nia Jams
–held a Nia workshop
–raised over $300 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society
–been married for 12 years
–went from two Nia classes a week to three classes a week
–started up a new Nia class in Los Gatos
While some of these may seem small or as if they didn’t require a lot of effort, that is not the point. The point of this post / exercise is to celebrate things no matter how big, how small, how easy, or how difficult. It is just a moment to do a Snoopy Dance because they are. It is a way to not dwell on all that has not been done or all that has yet to be done. It is just to say, “Aahhh.” and with that ahh turn my face towards the future and the excitement of what 2011 will hold.
So? What about you? What is on your list of things you did?
Happy New Year.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: 2010, 2011, Boxing Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Happy New Year, Kwanzaa, Los Gatos Nia, Multiple Sclerosis Society, New Year, Nia, Nia class, Nia Jam, Nia Los Gatos, Nia sub, Nia Teacher, Nia workshop, Park and Recreation Center, Snoopy Dance, teaching Nia, time of reflection, Willow Glen Nia class, Winter Solstice, Yule | 4 Comments »
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