With New Zealand’s lockdown still underway and the likelihood of it being extended once again very high, you might be finding yourself growing a little bit bored. Most people saw this lockdown as short-term but with how events are going, you might want to focus on ways to have fun as your hunker down at home. So why not try an online social beginners dance class?
Lockdown is the perfect time to learn a new skill or participate in a new activity. With so much time on your hands, the possibility of trying new things is endless.
Dance NZ offers a class perfect for newcomers to Nia Dance or beginners in dance or fitness looking to learn. Available online every week over Zoom, you can get friends and family involved from different households too!

Nia Dance As A Social Activity For Beginners
First, you’re probably wondering what Nia Dance is. Well, Nia Dance is a non-impact practice that is adapted from 9 different movement forms that originate from the dance, healing, and martial art fields. Some of these movement forms include the Alexander technique, Aikido, and tai-chi to name a few. The combination of these practices is what makes up the Nia Technique and its 52 total movements.
Because of its high adaptability, Nia Dance is not only perfect for newcomers in dance but any individual. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mum, a student, or a senior, Nia Dance is the perfect activity for everyone. Nia Dance is about listening to your body and becoming in-tune with what movements feel right and what doesn’t.
This means that movements are never forced, and you won’t be left tired, sweaty, and sore after the workout. The Nia Technique doesn’t require you to perform exactly like your teachers or even your peers. Instead, you can adapt the moves to your own level of ability and mobility, and even incorporate your own style to each action.
Nia Dance Benefits
A great thing about Nia Dance is the numerous and wide variety of benefits it has to offer. So, no matter what your goal is for participating, Nia Dance will be able to meet you halfway. The practice offers physical and mental health benefits, as well as emotional and spiritual benefits. On top of that, Nia Dance helps teach you the skills and tools required to maintain these health and wellbeing benefits outside of class and add them to your lifestyle.
Some of the many benefits of Nia Dance includes pain relief, enhanced organ and cognitive functioning, supported posture and balance, improved hand-eye coordination, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, weight loss, increased muscle strength, higher levels of mobility and flexibility, calmer mindset, mental clarity, reduced tension and stress, and the opportunity to deepen your self and spiritual connection.


Gentle Nia at Dance NZ
Dance NZ is a Nia Dance company established in New Zealand, conducting courses in the Hamilton and Raglan area. Online classes held on Zoom are also available. Due to lockdown, online classes are the only classes open presently.
Dance NZ offers Gentle Nia, a class that is perfect for people who are new to dance, new to fitness, or who require movements that use lower levels of mobility. The class is specially adapted and designed for people who have limited mobility or are new to dance or exercise.
Gentle Nia provides a safe, fun, social, and judgment-free environment for everyone who participates, whether you’re a beginner or not. You’ll also find that your peers and teacher, Belinda Goodwin, be not only energetic, positive, and supportive, but also highly easy to socialise with and develop new social relationships.
You can check out our other blog here that focuses on how to download Zoom, access Nia Dance classes online, and the best ways to optimise your viewing experience and participation!
Book Now
Don’t wait to try something new! Lockdown provides the perfect opportunity to allow you to spend time doing the things you love and finding more hobbies to enjoy. Nia Dance will keep your mind, body, and soul happy and healthy so why not try it now!
If you have any further questions about Nia Dance, Dance NZ, Gentle Nia, or anything else, contact us below!
Weekly Dance classes to choose from , dancing Live Online or In person at our Dance Venues
• Saint Aidan’s Hall holds the physical lessons for Nia Dance Move to Heal. This event takes place every Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. (corner of Thames and Heaphy, Hamilton). Zoom sessions, which can be arranged here, are also available.
• Classic Nia physical classes are held on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Classes take place at the Waikato Sports and Fishing Club. Waikato’s Sports and Fishing Club is located on Grantham Street. Zoom sessions, which can be arranged here, are also available.
• Gentle Nia in-person lessons are conducted at Raglan Town Hall on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. This building can be found at 41 Bow Street in Raglan. Zoom sessions are also available and may be scheduled here.
• On Fridays at 9:30 a.m., Classic Nia lessons are offered in Saint John’s Hall. The location of Saint John’s Hall is at 20 Wellington Street in Hamilton. Zoom sessions, which can be arranged here, are also available.
• Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance in-person classes is available on Fridays at 12:00 pm. The location is also at Saint John’s Hall, which is at 20 Wellington Street in Hamilton. Zoom sessions, which can be arranged here, are also available.
Want to hear more about the Nia Technique? Head over to nianow.com.