Simple Life: Nia

By Lisa Jones

Winter is on its way and while it’s tempting to spend the entire season curled up on the couch with hot chocolate, I might regret that when it’s time to shed the bulky knits. C’ville townies are famous for our running, hiking, biking and all things outdoor, but when the temperature drops, we can stay healthy and have fun inside, too.

When I started to hear everyone gushing about Nia a blend of dance, martial arts, yoga and the Alexander healing technique, I thought—oh, how nice for them. I was pretty sure it was not for me. I am not graceful. I break a lot of dishes. I get distracted and walk into things.

However, I kept meeting Nia teachers and devotees who told me about the stress relief, renewed energy and joyful experience in class. It seemed like I needed to get my two left feet into a Nia class.

I never knew that pretending to be seaweed could be this much fun.

Nia students are of varying ages, body types, abilities and no one pays attention to what anyone else is doing. Each person shows up because they want to get some exercise, loosen up and have a blast. The teacher will give you some instruction and movement inspiration but the whole idea of Nia is to be present and listen to your body and how it wants to move. This is total freedom in a space where self-consciousness is irrelevant.

You can make this as athletic and heart-pumping as you want, or you can take it easy and just float around at a calmer pace. What I love is the opportunity to let go of any fear of judgment and just move freely to the music; the last time I got to do that was after a few too many glasses of Pinot Noir at a friend’s wedding. Another upshot of Nia—no nasty hangover.


Sure, there are times when I mess up the steps and trip over my own feet but when that happens I just go all out dance party and I wave my arms and shake what I got. I can’t help but grin as I do it. After a little while you begin to notice that it’s freeing in many deeper ways, as well.

Isn’t that why we’re on this earth to begin with? To laugh and experience joy and to actually feel this moment that we are in? Shouldn’t we be celebrating life and dancing in the face of the challenges? Regardless of what else is happening, for this hour, right now, we can fully show up to our lives and we can move with complete abandon.

Check out Nia classes at Studio 206, ACAC, or A Place to Breathe.

For more information on my Nia teacher, Kristy, see her website Body Mind Joy. Kristy will be leading a retreat on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 1-5 p.m. at Body Mind Spirit in Preston Plaza. Recharge Your Battery will include Nia, yoga and other creative and healing projects. She is also leading a clinical trial on Nia for breast cancer survivors at the UVA Cancer Center. For more information, contact Kristy at (434) 924-1190 or .

Lisa Jones is a freelance writer and a yoga fanatic with a serious travel addiction. You can find more from Lisa at her blog Just here. Just now.
*Photo from nianow.com.