Are you an experienced dancer that has had their classes or dance studio comprised due to the New Zealand lockdown? Perhaps you have more spare time and are looking to try a different form of dance? This blog will discuss a unique dance practice that’s different from any other fitness or dance form, the benefits it provides, and amazing advanced classes and how to access them.
What Makes Nia Dance Different
Nia Dance is a one-of-a-kind technique that combines martial arts, healing arts, and dance arts, making it unlike any other dance practice or dance fitness form. The Nia Technique’s movements were also developed following closely the complex makeup of the human body (i.e. muscles, nerves, etc).
This means that each movement within Nia Dance is targeting your body in a highly efficient way and can provide you with greater benefits than high-intensity or more complex workouts. Unlike other dance classes, you may have tried, Nia Dance is a low-impact technique that can be tailored to suit any individual’s needs or abilities.
Nia Dance is about being in-tune with your body and listening to what movements feel right and what don’t. This is what makes it different from other dance or fitness classes, like Zumba or Crossfit, as you’re not forcing movements that don’t feel right within your body.
It’s a highly adaptable movement practice, and therefore doesn’t leave you feeling tired, sore, or sweaty after a workout compared to other dance forms. It offers a wide range of benefits within your life, such as mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being, as well as teaching you skills and tools to help you improve your lifestyle and mindset outside of classes.
Some of these benefits include a deeper spiritual connection, improved circulation, increased muscle gain and toning, reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, improved posture, enhanced cardiovascular and immune systems, better levels of organ and cognitive functioning, supported balance and coordination, and weight loss.
Nia Dance Classes For Experienced Dancers
Classic Nia is available in two classes, each occurring at a different date and time of the week. These classes are carried out by Dance NZ, a Hamilton and Raglan-based Nia Dance company. There are also other classes available, ideal for other scenarios, that you can find listed below the Book Now heading of this blog.
Classic Nia, although suitable for all individuals, is most ideal for experienced dancers. The movements within this class require higher levels of mobility and flexibility although movements can be adapted. Your teacher for Classic Nia, as well as all other classes at Dance NZ, Belinda Goodwin, ensures you get the most out of each class and strives to teach Nia Dance at various levels in a supportive, non-judgemental and positive environment.
She has recently received her brown belt in the Nia Technique, making her a highly advanced and knowledgeable Nia Dance teacher. Belinda provides different levels of difficulty that routines can participate in each class, so you know there’s a level that is right for you. You can even challenge yourself and your abilities if you want to grow.
Accessibility
Currently, Classic Nia as well as other Dance NZ classes are only available online due to lockdown. However, in-person classes will be returning after lockdown has moved back down to Alert Level 2. Online sessions at Dance NZ are held via Zoom, a video-sharing website that can be downloaded here.
Below you can view a video of what Nia Dance classes will look like from home. You can find out more about how to make the most of your Dance NZ classes online here. If you can’t commit to a class time and date, not to worry!
There are 24-hour purchasable replays available of numerous different classes. Once purchased, the replay is available for you to watch as many times as you like. Online classes and 24-hour replays will still be open, even after lockdown, if you wish to continue participating in Nia Dance that way.
Book Now
Options are extremely limited for fitness and dance classes, and especially so within the niche of experienced dance classes at Alert Level 3. So, don’t wait until lockdown is over. Participate in a Dance NZ class today and allow yourself to feel happier and healthier with Nia Dance.
Have a query? Submit your questions in the contact box below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Weekly Dance classes to choose from , dancing Live Online or In person at our Dance Venues
In order to book a class, you must be signed up to Dance NZ as a member. Become a Dance NZ member for free here.
• Nia Dance Move to Heal: This class is at 11:15 a.m, each Tuesday. This Move to Heal class is offered at Saint Aidan’s Hall. Zoom sessions are also available here.
• Classic Nia One: 5:30 p.m, every Tuesday. This Classic Nia class is offered at the Waikato Sports and Fishing Club. This venue is on Grantham Street in Hamilton. Zoom sessions are also open here.
• Gentle Nia: 9:30 a.m, every Wednesday. This Gentle Nia class is offered at the Raglan Town Hall. This venue is at 41 Bow Street in Raglan. Zoom sessions are also open here.
• Classic Nia Two: 9:30 a.m, every Friday. This Classic Nia class is offered at Saint John’s Hall. This venue is at 20 Wellington Street in Hamilton. Zoom sessions are also open here.
• Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance: 12:00 pm, every Friday. This Freedom Dance class is offered at Saint John’s Hall. Zoom sessions are also open here.
Learn more about the Nia Technique at nianow.com.
Still got questions? Contact us here.
Raglan Growers Market Dance
I hope you are all having a lovely start to your week! We have our outdoor Nia Dance class at the Raglan Growers Market, on February the 18th at 5.30 pm. It will be a fantastic evening and I hope to see you all there! I also have a lovely spot prize to give away so...