This morning I thought I’d branch out and try something new. So I took a Nia class.
A friend of mine had been encouraging me to go for quite a while and now that I can actually come up for air after launching WANA International, I decided to check it out over at Urban Yoga. And boy am I glad I did.
Within the first few minutes of class I had a smile beaming from ear to ear. My body was elated. And rightfully so. I felt like I’d taken on the shape of my office chair lately since that’s where I’d been stationed for the past several weeks in a row with hardly any break.
Not good for a very physical person such as myself. And again I’m reminded of the importance of balance in our daily lives. At times we’ll need to sacrifice certain parts of our lives, like when we’re starting up a new business, but it’s so important to get back to a well-rounded routine as soon as possible. Our body, mind, and spirit crave that balance. And need it to remain at their optimum levels of performance.
Nia was the perfect segue for me back into the “land of the living” and allowed me to just let loose and dance. It combines martial arts, dancing arts, and healing arts all in one by melding Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, jazz dance, modern dance, Duncan dance, yoga, Alexander Technique and Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais. Amazing, right?! All my favorite physical modalities in one.
Toward the end of class we were on the ground, swimming through the air with our limbs, and our instructor said, It’s your journey. Take your time. Go your own way. And the encouraging honesty of her words really struck me.
It IS our journey. It IS our path. WE get to choose how we spend our days.
And instead of rushing through the motions, we need to remember, life is a dance. Each step, each movement, is meant to be enjoyed. And savored. For one day the music will end and we want to look back and know, we were present for the gift we were given.
So what workouts make your body do the happy dance? What helps you find balance in your life?
Photo courtesy of Lynn Kelley
Ingrid Schaffenburg's Blog 
LOOOOOVE nia…. been doing a class from a video for years now!
It’s divine isn’t it!?
Ingrid: I recently took a yoga class after falling out of practice for a while. I wept. I have been so busy, planning lessons and planning for my son’s bar mitzvah, planning meals, always looking to the future instead of living now. My body knew what it needed: it missed the mat. I’m glad you got to try a Nia class. I don’t want to get that out of whack again.
Me neither! I’m making strides now to make sure my workout routine never gets sacrificed. I just signed up for a friend’s online pilates classes at http://pilatesology.com/ Ever tried pilates? I love her site because you get to choose from a ton of classes ranging from 10 minute ones, for those short breaks during the day, or up to 80 minute classes.
Glad you finally got back to yoga. Keep it up 🙂
Love Pilates! 😉 I have a friend with a studio here in town.
Oh nice! I’m just getting back into it 🙂
I’m with you and Renee…it’s a relief to do what the body loves.
I love to dance and I adore kickboxing classes. Plus, I miss SCUBA diving. Some of these things have fallen by the wayside with health issues, some from the time constraints of being a new mom. But a little bit of it is pure laziness and not making the time in my schedule – that’s the part I can fix.
I needed to see this post today!! 🙂
Yay! Glad I wrote it then 😉 And you have that amazing beach at your fingertips. Maybe take baby girl on walks?! You’re right though. For many of us we just get lazy. I probably still could’ve fit it into my schedule during launch but I didn’t deem it as necessary as it actually is. Without our physical health, everything else wanes.
How true Ingrid. May I say a well written Post. For me it is the early morning walk – when I say early, it is at 4.30 in the morning! The air at that time is fresh and clears the head and by the time I get back home by 6, I have forgotten all the troubles and there is a smile on my face and ready to face another day. Every one has to make a conscious decision to let go of the daily grind for a period where you let your mind wander aimlessly. It is easy to forget and very difficult to get off the treadmill of life.
Thank you for reminding us!! Keep up the good work. I am glad you found your place of Nirvana!
Thank you! And so true. We all need that daily outlet. Life is too crazy not to have it. You inspire me with your 4:30am walks. If only I were a morning person, LOL!
I loved this post, Inge!!!
Love,
Mom
Thanks Ma 😉
Beautifully said!
For me, it’s doing just about anything outside. Something about being active outside that just makes me feel connected and empowered.
Love it. Me too! When I lived in California I just adored my hikes into the hills. It’s a very organic way to work out.
I really enjoyed this post, Ingrid, especially the line, “WE get to choose how we spend our days.” It is so important to remember that we choose every moment of our existence. Recently, I discovered the concept that every moment is free, unattached from whatever situation is occurring; for me, it gives new meaning to living in the moment. Your post reminded me. Thanks.
Karen
That’s exactly what I recently discovered. Non-attachment and just being present. Letting things flow 😉 Thanks Karen!
Great post. I’m so glad to see you write about nia, it’s something my friend in Boston was doing a lot of and I just haven’t checked it out here. It sounds like something I would really like.
Oh good! Let me know how you like it 🙂
Ingrid- thank you so much for your shout out for Urban & Nia. We are delighted that your experience spoke to & moved you. May we all find balance in our own unique dance. Many blessings, Brook & Urban
Thank you Brook! You’re so welcome. I’ve really enjoyed coming to your studio. The classes are fab and the environment reminds me of being back in LA or New York… such a rich, soulful vibe that place has. 🙂
I so love Urban Yoga and their Nia classes! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you 🙂 It’s a really special place.
I’m going to try one of the weekend Nia classes at Urban very soon. I found Yoga when I was looking for a Pilates studio 4 years ago and realized that I really wanted to do Yoga instead. I’ve been tested the waters recently with related disciplines. I tried pure Barre and Power Plate this summer so Nia’s the next thing to check out. What if I’ve been doing Yoga all long and Nia is really the thing for me? Urban has such a good vibe. Have you noticed Ganesha and friends live in the brick walls of that place? Literally. When I saw them initially I thought I was imagining things so I had to look again and there they were for real. Fun.
Such fun! I noticed those little guys too 🙂 Have you tried Nia yet? I’m there often so perhaps we’ll connect!