Nia: Moving Toward Health and Happiness

I do a lot of talking with my clients, which often results in substantial improvement in life satisfaction, interpersonal effectiveness and self-esteem. My practice has also benefited from incorporating less talk-centered therapies such as EMDR and Brainspotting. Although I don't often use the hands-on techniques of my Reiki training, I'm respectful of the healing available through that approach. I can heartily recommend the numerous physical and mental health benefits from Laughter Yoga. But I have also become fully convinced that many healing processes can be greatly strengthened and accelerated through movement therapies, and the approach that stands out for me is called Nia.

Nia (which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action) is a personal growth, body-mind-spirit fitness program that combines a diverse blend of Eastern and Western movements, concepts and philosophies from the healing arts, martial arts, and dance. It helps develop self-awareness, range of motion, and physical and emotional well-being. Nia uses components of various movement disciplines and healing practices such as taekwondo, aikido, t'ai chi, dance, yoga, Feldenkrais and the Alexander Technique. I didn't know what some of these techniques were until I researched them, and it really doesn't matter. Nia looks a little like an aerobics class, except that the movements are generally softer, gentler and have more "flow". An instructor guides the class with the use of music, and participants put a lot of their own "personality" into the movements.

What I have found to be of utmost benefit is the connection Nia gives between the physical, emotional and spiritual components of body movement. Some exercises bring in energy while others release it. I've personally experienced peace, joy, tranquility, humility, heroism, compassion and tears of emotional release during a single Nia class.

I am so convinced of the benefits Nia can bring to people involved in personal growth and healing that I am willing to write off the $15 per-class fee for clients who take a class offered in nearby Decatur by the wonderful Sandy Bramlett of Nia Atlanta.

There are several other movement-based techniques that go a long way toward integrating the mind, body and spirit. These include not only t'ai chi and qi gong but also Bikram hot yoga (the links will direct you to local studios not far from my office). But in my experience Nia is unique in its vision, scope and unique combination of power and gentleness.