As you get older, your body is not able to move as it used to and you’ll probably begin to experience several symptoms affecting your wellbeing that accompany old age. Things like limited mobility, dementia, pain in your back or neck area, depression, loss of sight or hearing, diabetes, and muscle and joint problems are just some of the health and wellbeing effects of growing older.
Luckily, thanks to numerous studies and research, there are many other ways alongside modern medicine to prevent or relieve some of these health symptoms, the most popular of these alternatives being exercise. Nia Dance is a holistic practice in the form of dance and fitness that is a mixture of martial, dance, and healing arts. This exercise targets multiple areas of healing, such as your physical body, mental health, emotional well-being, and self-connection.
Nia With Belinda is a Nia Dance company based in Raglan and Hamilton, and online for New Zealand and internationally. The most ideal class Nia With Belinda offers for seniors is Gentle Nia, which produces softer movements and exercises to work around limited joint flexibility and mobility, while still providing the same health and wellbeing benefits.
Gentle Nia
All classes are open to any individual (except Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance) although Gentle Nia dance is most suited for beginners, those with mobility restrictions, and seniors.
Nia Dance has numerous benefits for your mental wellbeing, physical health and adds to your lifestyle as a senior. When practiced accurately and consistently, Nia Dance exercises can provide improvements to your posture, help strengthen core muscles, eliminate tension or anxieties, enhance mental coordination, sensory functions, and balance, aid in circulation, reduce symptoms of depression and boost your mood, and expand your level of mobility and flexibility within your joints.
Depression is common in seniors, and one of the largest root causes of this is a lack of social connections. Gentle Nia classes and groups are a great way to expand your social circle and create new, long-lasting friendships. The socialising, support, and enthusiasm you receive from not only your peers but your teacher too is a great way to help with loneliness and other symptoms of depression.
Accessibility
Nia With Belinda Gentle Nia classes are every Wednesday at 9:30 am and are held at the Raglan Town Hall, located on 41 Bow Street, Raglan. If you live in the area and have means of transportation, it’s a great idea to come to Nia Dance classes in person if you can. You can form social connections better with your group and feel far more involved and connected in participation. Gentle Nia in-person classes are open for booking here.
If you don’t live in the area, are currently house-bound, or for any other reason cannot make physical classes, online Zoom sessions are the perfect solution that Nia With Belinda has to offer. Gentle Nia Wednesday Zoom calls occur at the same time as physical classes (9:30 am) so you can still maintain a close connection to the classes themselves and interact with your teacher while performing the exercises. Zoom sessions for Gentle Nia are open for booking here.
Purchasable 24-hour class replays are another option available if you want to review classes, don’t have the time in your schedule to commit to a specific time slot, or want the freedom of picking your classes to watch with the ability to pause, rewind, and fast-forward.
Book Now
There are many other classes to participate in if you’re interested in something with more movement, end up experiencing some type of injury that further restricts your mobility, or know a friend or family member that would love Nia Dance.
We’ve written blogs that go more in-depth about each class, such as Classic Nia, Nia Dance to Heal, and Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE, so you can pick or recommend the class that’s the most ideal! As a side note, please be aware that Nia for Parkinson’s FREEDOM DANCE is only open to individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.
If you’re still unsure as to whether Nia Dance is suitable for you, or if you have any questions, contact us here. Wanting to book now? All Nia With Belinda classes are listed below:
Term Three Classes (27th of July till 1st of October)
- Nia Dance Move to Heal Tuesday classes (11:15 am) are held at Saint Aidan’s Hall (located on the corner of Thames Street and Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton), and can be booked here.
- Nia Dance Move to Heal Tuesday classes (11:15 am) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
- Classic Nia Tuesday classes (5:30 pm) are held at the Waikato Sports Fishing Club (located on Grantham Street, Hamilton), and can be booked here.
- Classic Nia Tuesday classes (5:30 pm) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
- Classic Nia Friday classes (9:30 am) are held at Saint John’s Hall (located on 20 Wellington Street, Hamilton), and can be booked here.
- Class Nia Friday classes (9:30 am) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
- Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance Friday classes (12:00 pm) are held at Saint John’s Hall (located on 20 Wellington Street, Hamilton), and can be booked here.
- Nia for Parkinson’s Freedom Dance Friday classes (12:00 pm) are also accessible via Zoom and can be booked here.
Do you want to learn more about the Nia Technique? Visit nianow.com.