Learn Nia Steps Online: "The Cross Behind"

Commentary by Sandy Enke, Certified Nia Instructor for Castle Rock Nia Fitness Studio

One of Nia's 52 Moves, The Cross-Behind, reminds me to embrace the Joy of Level 1 in my movement. Cross Behind involves bringing one foot in a small "x" behind the other foot.
Often, when the music invites us to move bigger, my students' and I "x" gets bigger and the body leans to one side or the other, thereby creating knee and hip complaints when I overextend.

To energize the Cross Behind move, focus on:

(1) using one of Nia's 9 Movement Forms to energize your arm movements as Helen Terry suggests, such as Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Jazz or Duncan Dance; or

(2) moving energy upwards, as opposed to sideways, in the body (imagine a string is pulling your head and skeleton upward). Alternatively, when moving downward in Cross Behind, imagine the tailbone leading you down to activate healing in the low back.

Remember: keep the "x" small whenever possible. Less is more. Have fun with this move!

- from Sandy

Stay Tuned for More Virtual Nia...
Here you can learn Nia online, a Virtual Nia studio, if you will. These videos are presented by a very dear woman, Helen Terry. Helen is a Nia trainer (she trains Nia teachers and leads personal development seminars that are Nia based). She is a great person to learn from because she's been practicing Nia for a long time and she is very enthusiastic about Nia. If you ever have a chance to take her classes or trainings, I highly recommend it. She is so funny that I've decided that her idea of an abs workout is to be so funny that you sides ache. - from Allison


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Castle Rock Nia Fitness Studio
http://www.niafitnessclasses.com/
Do you have questions about this class? Do you wonder if it is right for you? You are welcome to take a Nia class for free to see if it is right for your fitness routine.

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Listen to the music and see what Nia is like, watch a Nia video.

How Does Yoga & Nia Help a Golf Swing, a Backhand in Tennis, or even Picking Items up off the Floor?

No one can deny the thorough stretch yoga provides your body.

As you bend and hold a pose, and breathe deeply; you can feel an elongation of the muscles. Depending on the tightness of your body, you may even feel the soothing rush of stress leaving your body.

Nia, also a healing physical art, takes the best of yoga – the deep stretches, long slow breaths, and meditative mind states and then Nia builds on them.

In Nia (pronounced "knee-ah"), yoga is a foundation. It is a beginning, a way to open and awaken your body but a Nia teacher wants you to do more than elongate your muscles.

A Nia teacher wants you to experience a full range of motion – to be able to safely turn and hold your spine in side movements.

Nia strives to create stability in your body no matter how you move. Strength training (this time without the weights) as you move your body in an arc, can not only help your backhand in tennis but also your golf swing.

Our bodies need to experience a full range of motion, not just the elongation yoga provides.

The creators of Nia recognized this need so they added the influence of 19th century dancer, Isadora Duncan, and some circular movements from the Japanese martial art of aikido to the Nia moves.

The result is that your body is not only strong and limber in your central midline – along your spine – but it is also strong and stable when you reach off to the side to pick something up – whether it is your shoes or a grandchild.

The wonderful benefit of a fusion fitness routine like Nia, is that like fusion food, you can take the best elements of many things, combine them, and create something even more powerful and flavorful. Nia takes the best principles of yoga, adds Duncan dance, aikido, and several other disciplines, to create a unique, free-flowing fitness routine.

Now you can experience Nia and see if it makes your body feel good again. Your first class is free. Get your coupon for a FREE Nia class by CLICKING HERE. There are no obligations – just come, try it, and see if you have fun.

Castle Rock Nia Fitness Studio - Classes begin March 31, 2009
303.522.4740
http://www.niafitnessclasses.com/

Nia classes now in Castle Rock. Serving the south Denver metro area.