COMMON GROUND
Nia and Pilates both effectively develop strength and flexibility as well as coordination and balance. They both use images and phrases (called ‘pearls’ in Nia) to enhance the effects of training and to activate and work with deep muscles – sometimes the metaphors even help you find these muscles in the first place.
If you are a Pilates fan then you know that a physical workout is also often a workout for your mind, giving you clarity and concentration. You will experience this in a Nia class too.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF NIA
A Nia class uses structured, choreographed sequences, and concentration on specific images, but unlike Pilates, it also includes free dance segments, during which you can follow your own intuitive way of moving. This freedom trains you to listen more closely to your body and to learn to respect its movement needs. The free dance segments, which Pilates fans may find a little unfamiliar, allow you not only to experience fun and variety during the class, but also to continually improve your awareness and control of your body. You will often leave class with a sense of the beauty and integrity of your body.
WHAT NIA CAN OFFER YOUR PILATES
If you do Pilates then you will likely already have built up strength in your Powerhouse. Nia offers a perfect complement to the strengthening, reinforcing exercises of Pilates. The holistic training concept behind Nia will address all your muscle groups, and in particular, dance elements and the martial arts-based kicks and punches will provide new, dynamic training stimuli to reinforce the core work of your Pilates.