What is Nia? Debbie and Jennifer Tell All

What is Nia? Instructing partners and long-term Beijing residents Jennifer Schwerin and Debbie-Lee van Ginkel explain.

What is Nia? Can it be summarized in one sentence?

Nia is a masterful fusion of different movement forms – from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts, that is simultaneously an hour of pure fun, a stress-busting workout and a healing journey that brings you home to the self – a full workout for the body, mind and soul!

When and how did you discover Nia?
Debbie-Lee van Ginkel: I came across Nia in an addiction center in Cape Town, South Africa, where it was being offered as a type of dance therapy for people with all sorts of eating disorders and alcohol and drug addictions. I was amazed at the therapeutic and healing effects that Nia had on these people who had obviously disconnected from their bodies in a serious way, and moreover, on myself. I decided to find out more and it just so happened that there was a teacher training running at the same time. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a Nia instructor, or what I wanted to do with this training. But I did know that I wanted Nia in my life, and so just jumped in the deep end.

Jennifer Schwerin: I discovered Nia in 2001 when a friend took me to a class at Nia HQ in Oregon, USA with Carlos, one of the founders of Nia. I fell in love with how it uplifted me and gave me so many tools for my life. I felt amazing after Nia class and I wanted that feeling in my life every day – alive, vibrant and inspired. I didn’t train until 2003, right after I had directed the first locally produced Broadway musical here in Beijing. During that experience I watched so many people, non-professional dancers and actors, transform their lives by being involved with music and movement, and I wanted to offer that experience on a regular basis. Since there were no Nia teachers or students here, I realized I would have to be the first teacher.

What are Nia’s benefits as a fitness regime?
People are starting to find that many traditional exercise forms are just not effective, or that there is something missing. Often exercise works on only one part of the body, or only one part of fitness – building strength, for example, but not flexibility. Some people simply find their workouts boring and repetitive, with the result that people find it hard to stick with their programs. More importantly, many of these traditional exercises are based on the “no pain no gain” approach, which is outdated and ineffective, and often results in serious injury. In Nia, we work with the “body’s way” – listening to and following the body, which is why Nia is adaptable, safe and effective for everyone, no matter what your fitness level, age or gender.

Nia really gives the body and soul what it craves – joy, movement and relaxation, and the five sensations of functional fitness – flexibility, agility, mobility, stability and strength. It also gives the body variety and play. The art that goes into the creation of choreography, and the journey where each individual can adapt the form with their own creativity and spirit is what keeps Nia fresh, surprising, fun and profound. These benefits are lasting, and are tools that can be applied in daily life.

Nia is also not a regular “dance” class. People often get put off by the word “dance,” thinking that they have to follow all the steps and rhythm. Once people try Nia, they realize that they really have absolute freedom in the class to move how they want to move, and there is no judgment! Of course, people must try it to know for themselves how good it makes them feel. The benefits of Nia can be explained, but the feeling of Nia simply has to be experienced. This is why people should try it!

Is there any particular demographic or type of person that you think Nia is more appealing to?
The beauty of Nia is that it’s a workout for everybody! From super fit athletes who want to increase flexibility, condition holistically, and try something new, to people who haven’t exercised in years … men, women, young and old … in one class we had a 12 year old girl and a 74 year old man doing the same workout, but in their own unique way!

What are some positive changes people may notice once they’ve been doing Nia for a while?
Increased fitness and endurance, weight loss, increased strength and flexibility, more toned muscles, more energy, more pleasure and less pain, a feeling of aliveness and vibrancy – basically everything you could want from a fitness program. Since the body is the primary source of information that sends us constant feedback about what is wrong and where we need to heal, for most of us who are so disconnected from our bodies, this awareness can be life-changing. People appreciate and get to know their own bodies, and that is what ultimately leads to healing, health, balance and true fitness.

Is music a regular part of the Nia workout? If so, what kind?
Music is integral and important for Nia. Any kind of music is good for Nia – if you can move to it we use it! In Nia we go on a journey of exploration and discovery of our own awareness, of our bodies, of our sensations and of ourselves. Our relationship with the music is one of the many ways that we work through the body in Nia; we get out of our minds and we can go to a deeper relationship with movement and music. Our music is so popular that our students are constantly asking us where they can find it. We use a whole range of music in Nia – world music, jazz, reggae, upbeat dance music, soothing instrumentals, soaring vocals, rock and pop music, new music and ancient music.

Could you describe to us your favorite Nia move or movements?
JS: I love creeping like a lizard. I can never get enough of it. I enjoy playing with all the different movement energies – the lengthening and stretching of yoga combined with the childlike play of Duncan dance combined with the strength of a taekwondo punch and into the spirals of Aikido. The shift from one move to the next and the shift of energies is something you cannot get anywhere else.

DVG: Difficult! I’ve always danced so I like the dance element of Nia, but lately I especially like the taekwondo moves – kicking and punching – it’s a fantastic way to get rid of pent-up emotion and stress, and is also very empowering.

What are some of your favorite venues, businesses or resources for living a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle in Beijing?
DVG: Coming from South Africa, I really do miss being surrounded by nature and fresh air here in Beijing. However, I think there is a very strong trend towards health and wellbeing that is emerging here. If you look you can really find gems in this city – body/mind workshops and classes, organic food shops and restaurants serving more health-conscious food, and so on. Some of my favorite gems are Sanyuanli Market with all its amazing veggies, fresh fish and nuts and other produce for a fraction of the price in stores, Bodhi for massage, and Panino Guisto for salads. I also love the YinYang Center (where Nia classes are also held) for its tranquil, calm ambience – it’s a place to hide away from the bustle of the city, and it also has a great range of books on health and healing.

In what ways do you see yourselves evolving over the next five or ten years?
As guides and mentors to all the Chinese Nia teachers and students! Jen plans to make a hit drama series and blockbuster feature film revolving around Nia, Nia students and teachers, and Debbie plans to run a studio in Beijing with sister studios all over China where classes and workshops are brimming with 50 people in every class! In short, we plan to rock!

Nia Beijing class schedule available on www.niachina.com

The Yin Yang Community Center Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-5pm. The First Courtyard, Hegezhuang Village (across from The Orchard; call for directions), Chaoyang District. (6431 2108) www.yinyangbeijing.com 朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村一号院(果园对面)
Panino Giusto Daily 9am-12pm. 1/F, 55 Jiezuo Dasha, Xingfu Zhongjie, Chaoyang District. (6417 7515/7531) 朝阳区幸福中街杰座大厦55号1层
Sanyuanli Market Daily 5am-7pm. Shunyuan Jie (opposite Jingkelong Supermarket, west of Sanyuan Dongqiao), Chaoyang District. 三源里市场， 朝阳区顺源街（三元东桥往西京客隆超市对面）
Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat Daily 11am-12.30am. 17 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6417 9595) 菩提会所, 朝阳区工体北路17号