What is Nia?

Nia is a non-impact, expressive movement programme designed to achieve whole body fitness and cardiovascular conditioning. Drawing on the movement and philosophies of dance arts (Jazz, Modern and Duncan dance), martial arts (Tai Chi, Aikido and Taekwondo) and healing arts (Yoga, the Alexander Technique and the work of Moshe Feldenkrais) Nia promotes the development of a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the body.

Within the hour-long class, you’ll experience many styles of music to engage the brain developing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual connections to your body as well as experiencing a sense of community with fellow dancers.

Most importantly, you’ll have a lot of fun! All levels of fitness welcome, no experience necessary. Nia is danced barefoot in comfortable clothing so come as you are.

Classic Nia: the focus is on cardiovascular movement designed to elevate the heart rate.

Moving to Heal Nia: The routines are designed to allow the participant to focus on their own personal healing journey; they are simpler, gentler and even more focused on moving in The Body's Way and Your Body's Way. We are still conditioning our bones, muscles, nerve endings and senses; still developing our flexibility, agility, mobility, strength and stability; still seeking the magic that comes from the confluence of music and movement.

Class information

In person classes here at Maitri Studio:

• Wednesday, 6-7pm, Nia: Moving to Heal
• Thursday, 7.30pm-8.30pm, Nia: Moving to Heal
• Space is limited so please email Rose to check availability
• Please note classes restart on Wednesday 17th April and Thursday 18th April 2024

In person classes elsewhere:

• Helen's Bay, Crawfordsburn on Saturdays, 11am-12pm, Classic Nia
• The Crescent Arts Centre on Wednesdays 3-4pm and Saturdays 10-11am, Classic Nia

• In-person classes @ Maitri can be booked monthly or as a weekly drop in
• All classes are £9 each

About Rose

Rose has been dancing Nia since discovering it whilst living in Beijing in 2015 and it transformed her life. She went from thinking that exercise had hurt if it was going to do you any good to discovering magic through music and movement.

A secondary school language and literature teacher by trade and a traveller at heart, she is now a Blue Belt and Moving to Heal trained Nia instructor bringing the Joy of Movement to Northern Ireland.

For more information and to book you can contact Rose on nia.in.northernireland@gmail.com / 07476 529934 / via her website.