Nia Dance, or more commonly known as the Nia Technique, is a unique and carefully designed holistic movement form. Its composition follows the design of the human body closely, including the nervous system, cognitive and organ system, and muscle and joint structure. This blog will be talking about the 7 cycles of Nia Dance, the benefits that are a result of consistent participation, and special Nia Dance classes available at Dance NZ.
If you’ve never heard of Nia Dance before, don’t worry! Although commonly practiced worldwide, there are still a large majority of people who don’t know what Nia Dance is. Nia Dance is a style of dance fitness that consists of 52 non-impact and highly adaptable movements.
Just one Nia workout can leave you with several benefits. But you may be wondering how Nia Dance is able to accommodate to such a diverse range of individuals yet offer so many advantages. Well, Nia Dance, including its teachings and movements, is inspired by 3 martial, 3 healing, and 3 dance arts. Some of these movement arts include tai-chi, yoga, Duncan dance, and aikido.
This combination that lives within each Nia Dance movement, as well as its careful attention to the human body, is what opens Nia Dance up to be practiced by anybody in hundreds of different styles while still providing fantastic health, mental, social and spiritual benefits.
Floor Play in Nia Dance
Many different techniques within Nia Dance also help provide healing benefits to all aspects of your life. Floor Play is a part of the 7 cycles of Nia Dance (the sixth cycle) and utilises the floor, gravity and other tools that enhance the experience of performing Nia Dance. This unique technique affects and strengthens your entire body, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.
By using the formation of creating the focus, stepping in, warming up, get moving, cooling down, floor play then stepping out; Nia Dance Floor Play, by blending all movements, provides further relaxation, fun, stronger agility, improved mobility, increased energy, and more flexibility. Floor Play in Nia Dance also allows individuals to be able to move in a completely new way in a safe, positive, and energising environment.
Cool Down Cycle in Nia Dance
The Cool Down Cycle is the fifth cycle within the 7 cycles of Nia Dance that significantly benefits you. This part of the cycle was incorporated to re-centre you, and calm your body in beautiful harmony. The routine within this cycle involves easing the body into stretches, generally after a full-body Classic or Gentle Nia. The Cool Down Cycle momentarily decreases the level of intensity and speed of the workout which allows for your heart rate to slow down and for your body, including the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular system, to cool down and create stability.
The Outdoor Spring Series at Dance NZ
Dance NZ is one of the few organisations in New Zealand that provides Nia Dance classes. Based in the Hamilton and Raglan region, Belinda Goodwin is your mentor and teaches all the classes available at Dance NZ at various in-person locations, as well as online through Zoom.
There are many class options to choose from to cater to a diverse range of people; there are classes specially designed for, and only open to, those with Parkinson’s (Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance) and their caregivers. If you’re a beginner or a gentle mover, Gentle Nia is an ideal class to pick. Maybe you’re an advanced dancer or confident in the level of your mobility (Classic Nia). For bodily healing and pain relief, try Nia Dance Move to Heal.
Starting new and soon at Dance NZ is the fabulous outdoor spring series. This new class will be performed outside on the lawn of the Waikato Sports & Fishing Club, every Tuesday at 5:30 pm, replacing the Tuesday Classic Nia class temporarily. This new class starts next week on the 9th of November and will be running until the 7th of December, meaning 5 weeks of glorious Nia Dance fun in the sun! The outdoor spring series is also available to purchase as a 5 class deal on the Dance NZ website.
Please also note, to our regular participants as well as new Dance NZ dancers, the Gentle Nia class will also temporarily be held outdoors. This new Raglan venue is located on 49 Cliff Street at the Raglan Scout Hall. These new classes and locations provide the perfect opportunity to soak up the spring, and soon-to-be summer, rays!
Book Now
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience Nia Dance in the beautiful sun. The 7 cycles of Nia Dance will accommodate all your needs and provide your body, mind and soul with amazing benefits. So, don’t wait! Book your Dance NZ class today!
Have a question? CONTACT Dance NZ with these questions or concerns and we’ll get back to you soon.
Kind regards, Belinda.
Brown Belt in the Nia Technique. A Certified Parkinson Dance Teacher.
Weekly Dance NZ Nia Dance Classes: In-Person and Online HYBRID-Style Courses
Become a free member at Dance NZ by signing up through our website here. This gives you access to book in-person and online HYBRID-style classes.
• Nia Dance Move to Heal: Reserve your class here. The class starts at 11:15 a.m. Weekly days are Tuesday in the location of Saint Aidan’s Hall (detailed address: corner of Thames Street & Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton).
• Classic Nia: Reserve your class here. The class starts at 5:30 p.m. Weekday dates are Tuesday at the venue Waikato Sports Fishing Club (detailed address: Grantham Street in Hamilton).
• Gentle Nia: Reserve your class here. The class starts at 9:30 a.m. Weekday dates are Wednesday at the venue Raglan Town Hall (detailed address: 41 Bow Street, Raglan).
• Classic Nia: Reserve your class here. The class starts at 9:30 a.m. Weekday dates are Friday at the venue Saint John’s Hall (detailed address: 20 Wellington Street, Hamilton).
• Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance: Reserve your class here. The class starts at 12:00 pm. Weekday dates are Friday at the venue Saint John’s Hall (detailed address: 20 Wellington Street, Hamilton).
Nia HYBRID-style classes and 24-hour replays with Belinda Goodwin can be booked and purchased here.
Information and other details about HYBRID-style classes and 24-hour replays that can be purchased can be accessed here.
Discover more about the Nia Technique at nianow.com.