COMMON GROUND
Just like in a good strength training session, every Nia class includes muscle-strengthening exercises for the arm, leg and torso muscles. Martial arts elements include a lot of precision punches and kicks, which are particularly effective for the coordination and strengthening of core muscles. The ‘floorplay’ segment, a concluding segment on the floor, is strongly influenced by strength training exercises using the body’s own weight. Push-ups, bridges and strengthening yoga postures are incorporated into the floor choreography, strengthening deep-lying muscles.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF NIA
In addition to the stimuli for muscle development, Nia also includes relaxation elements. These stretching and relaxation segments are not only beneficial to your wellbeing; they are also proven to have a positive effect on muscle development. Since a Nia session always involves stimulating music and you move easily and playfully with the groove, you frequently don’t notice how much, how long and how effectively you are working your muscles. So there is virtually no feeling that you are punishing yourself when doing Nia!
WHAT NIA CAN OFFER YOUR TRAINING
If you use equipment and weights when training or work with your body’s own weight at the gym to create muscle definition then Nia is a good, joint-friendly complement. Nia will help you to further train your strength and flexibility and will offer new training stimuli. In Nia we work a lot with the awareness of physical sensations we call the ‘FAMSS’ – flexibility, agility, mobility, strength and stability. The different qualities of alternating fast and slow, hard and soft movements strengthen muscles effectively. Even after a few sessions you will notice the difference – your muscles will be more toned and more defined.