Everyone has a Story, What's Yours?

Nia with Beth Giles - Newsletter for January 22nd, 2015

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So Many Nia Stories... What's Yours?

How did you find Nia? Nia is not meant to be the best kept secret in the fitness world, but often people have not heard of it. Often at class I'll start a conversation with someone about how and when they found Nia. Everyone has a story! My own story I've told many times and it is such a part of my personal growth and well being. I found Nia in 2003 when a dear friend introduced me to it. I was immediately hooked by it. It was exercise and movement like nothing I had ever experienced. I loved to dance so that was the draw, but Nia is SO much more than dancing. The mindfulness practice that I've gained, the self-confidence, self-love, weight loss, body toning and flexibility are all part of Nia's many benefits. My brain and body crave the time when I step in to class. It's pure joy!

Here's a story from a Nia friend, Lauren. That's her adorable photo above.

“I began attending Nia classes at the YWCA in 2013. I was looking for a community oriented class to add a new dimension to my exercise. As a person who can't help but include the spiritual and intuitive in every area of my life, I was intrigued that 'joy' and 'holistic' were highlighted in the Nia class description, and found myself hooked after my very first class. Nia truly is the joy of movement, and listening to your body while grinning through an hour long workout that you're surprised to find makes you sweat quite a bit. I love how the classes include folks of every age (though I am often one of the youngest at 28), and are so adaptable to the abilities and needs of each and every participant.

Attending Nia once or twice a week has not only helped me stay committed to the joy and presence I also find in my daily morning yoga practice, but I've also found myself dancing around the house to records more often than not, whether during a break from work on the computer, or in between chores at home. I'm also on the seemingly endless journey to body self-acceptance--something that is incredibly challenging in our culture of consumer fashion and insurmountable beauty ideals-- and Nia has supported me here as well. You do not need to be shaped any particular way to shimmy and punch and duck walk, only to be present in your body and willing to open up to your own energy and beauty.”

What's your story? I'd like to hear it! Send it to me here and I'll feature you in a future e-newsletter. And you'll get a gift certificate for a free class for sharing your story!

See you in class!

If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society will benefit from our peace.
- Thich Nhat Hanh

Want to learn more about Nia?

Several students have asked me about the music I play in class. Almost all of it comes from NiaSounds. Here's a link to checking out the CDs of music that Nia sells: https://nianow.com/nia-music. Each of the CDs has a preview option so you can hear the songs first. Enjoy!

For resources on learning the 52 Moves, you can click on this link.
http://www.ehow.com/video_4949757_what-nia.html
Nia Black Belt Instructor Donna Starnes takes you through all 52 Moves in these eHow videos.

Another wonderful resource on the 52 Moves is the book, The Nia Technique, by Debbie and Carlos Rosas, founders of Nia.

©Richard Marshall Photography

Share the Love in February!

Invite a friend to come to Nia classes during the month of February. When someone you invite comes to class in February, both you and your friend will be entered into a fabulous prize drawing! Prizes for the referral month include free classes, discounts on class packages, a hand knitted scarf by yours truly... and other great goodies. Your word of mouth helps me to grow my business and shares the joy of Nia. Thank you and keep on dancing!

Dance Break!

For the past several weeks I've played a lot of Native American inspired music in class. Sacred Spirit is one of the groups in my playlist and this is one of my favorite songs, That Noble Dream. The evocative nature of the music, the use of natural sounds, and chanting touches me deeply and makes me want to dance! How about you? What sounds or styles of music make you want to dance?

Click on the image to hear the song/watch the video.

Nia White Belt Intensive in Minnesota
April 2015
Step Into the Joy and Fullness of Life!

Do you find yourself saying to friends or to yourself, " I love Nia!" "Nia gets me through the week." "If I don't get a chance to dance, I'm so bummed." It may be time for you to delve deeper into the practice of Nia! A Nia White Belt Training opens your mind and body to the intimate world of physical sensation. The personal time, reflection and immersion in movement is life changing. You don't have to want to become a teacher to take a White Belt training. Become a master student. Tap into Universal Joy. Discover your purpose in life.

Barb Wesson, Nia Trainer from Wisconsin, will be here in April 2015 teaching a White Belt training over two weekends, April 10-12 and April 18-19 held at Studio TimeOut in Minneapolis. For more information go to www.nianow.com or click on the link in the headline above.

Private Nia Sessions Available

Would you like to dive deeper into your Nia practice? Or maybe take more time to work on technique to help you get the most out of your Nia classes? I am now available for private Nia sessions in my South Minneapolis home. Email me at bethgilesnia@gmail.com for more information or to set up a session.

Studio Locations and Addresses:
Social Dance Studio, 3742 23^rd Ave. S. MInneapolis

Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Av., Minneapolis

Single Class: $15*
Step In -- 5 classes $67 (expires in 8 weeks)
Joyful Mover – 10 classes $127 (expires in 12 weeks)
Express Yourself – Unlimited one month pass $87 (30 days from purchase)
Nia Rock Star – 12 month package, billed monthly, $77 per month, unlimited classes (can be cancelled in writing with 30 days notice)

*First class free for new students
**Please note that these class prices and packages are only for use at Social Dance Studio and Center for Performing Arts.

Keewaydin Recreation Center, 3030 53rd St. E., Mpls. Register online: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/, $45 for a six class session

Downtown YWCA, 1130 Nicollet Ave., Mpls, a YWCA membership is needed, but you can come as my guest, message me to let me know you'd like to come.

Tula Yoga and Wellness, 99 Snelling Ave., St. Paul, suggested class donation, $10-$15 dollars, class packages are available for purchase through Tula.

The Marsh, 15000 Minnetonka Blvd., first visit is complimentary, $15 to drop-in or class packages are available.

Ready to Feel Good in Your Body?
Come dive into the joy of movement! Nia is a unique combination of nine movement forms drawn from dance, martial arts and healing arts. We move our entire bodies in a healthful, sustainable way and become aware of sensations in our bodies. We dance and move in Nia to sense joy and pleasure, not pain. Nia is for all fitness abilities and all ages. Nia can be an intense aerobic workout or more easy and gentle depending the level of intensity you bring to the movement.

Dress in comfortable clothes, shoes are optional. Bring a water bottle. Bring a yoga mat if you like that for the floor play part of class.

If you have any questions about Nia or the classes/events listed here, please send me an e-mail or give me a call, 612-802-9127.

Yours in the dance of life,
Beth