When it comes to getting involved in the world of fitness, the first steps are always daunting.
The contemplation over what form of exercise is best for you, whether you should attend a gym or classes, or need the assistance of a personal trainer; the start of a fitness journey can be the hardest, especially for individuals just starting.
Not knowing where to even start can be stressful but luckily, there are a few practices that exist which can cater to all individuals, no matter abilities or experience!

Nia Dance is Perfect for Beginners
Nia Dance is one of these few practices, a holistic movement and fitness technique that is comprised of 52 actions that originate from various styles of dance, martial, and healing arts.
This technique is an ideal form of fitness for beginners wanting to get proactive as the movements involved with Nia Dance are non-impact and highly adaptable, meaning you don’t need to perform everything perfectly and can incorporate your flair into the moves.
This puts let stress on you worrying about doing movements right and instead allows you to focus on your self-connection (mentally and physically), and the connection to those around you.
If you’re just starting you’re fitness journey or just wanting to expand your list of hobbies, Nia Dance is a far more suitable choice compared to high-intensity exercise groups, such as Tabata or Boxfit, as you’re probably not looking to tire out your body.
Chances are, you’re probably instead looking for something enjoyable and social, or something that provides good health benefits without putting immense strain on your body. Unless you regularly work out, your body isn’t used to such intense, forced movements, which is why Nia Dance can help satisfy any fitness goal or reason for starting you might have, while ensuring your body is not under pressure.
Depending on your reason for wanting to get involved with dance or fitness, the benefits of exercise may be very important to you. Nia Dance provides not only physical and mental health benefits, but also spiritual, emotional, and lifestyle benefits.
This practice is a great tool to help improve your mind and body during class, but it also teaches you the skills you need to keep this up in your day-to-day life.
The benefits of Nia Dance include mental clarity, self appreciation, enhanced coordination, and balance, improved cognitive and organ functions, decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression, increased mobility and flexibility between joints, deepened self-connection and spiritual connection, calmer mindset, pain relief, newfound pleasure and joy in life, decreased tensions or worries, and much more.


Gentle Nia at Dance NZ
Dance NZ is a New Zealand Nia Dance company, with classes based in Hamilton and Raglan, as well as online through Zoom. They provide a class ideal for individuals who are completely new to dance, beginners in fitness, or who require movements that don’t use high levels of mobility.
This class is known as Gentle Nia, and is specialized for those with less mobility or are newcomers to dance and fitness. If you’re a beginner and need reassurance, just like all other classes at Dance NZ, Gentle Nia provides a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment for all who attend.
You’ll find your peers and teacher, Belinda Goodwin, to be enthusiastic, supportive, and extremely easy to form new social connections
Another great thing about Dance NZ is that if you don’t feel comfortable participating in front of others, or just aren’t located in the area, you can attend through live Zoom sessions that capture physical classes so you can still feel connected.
With no requirements of leaving your microphone or camera on, you can let loose and feel completely comfortable learning Nia Dance in the comfort of your own home.
You can book Gentle Nia classes below:
• Gentle Nia classes are at Raglan Town Hall, Wednesday at 9:30 am (located on 41 Bow Street, Raglan). Physical classes and Zoom sessions are open for booking here.
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Nia Dance can provide you with the same benefits, and more, that you’d find in high-intensity classes, so why not consider Gentle Nia at Dance NZ for a workout that gives you numerous benefits to your health, wellbeing, and lifestyle, but doesn’t push your body to its absolute limit. There are other classes available too, which you can find listed below with blogs about each class attached to each bullet point.
If you have any other concerns or questions, feel free to contact us below!
Weekly Dance classes to choose from , dancing Live Online or In person at our Dance Venues
• Nia Dance Move to Heal classes occur at Saint Aidan’s Hall, on Tuesdays at 11:15 am (corner of Thames Street and Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton). Physical classes and Zoom sessions are available for booking here.
• Classic Nia classes are at Waikato Sports & Fishing Club, Tuesday at 5:30 pm (Grantham Street, Hamilton). Physical classes and Zoom sessions are open for booking here.
• Classic Nia classes are at Saint John’s Hall, Friday at 9:30 am (20 Wellington Street, Hamilton). Physical classes and Zoom sessions are open for booking here.
• Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance classes occur at Saint John’s Hall, Friday at 12:00 pm (20 Wellington Street, Hamilton). Physical classes and Zoom sessions are open for booking here.
Still have more questions? Check out nianow.com.