Ever asked the question why do you have to go through pain to get a great workout? Strain the body, muscles, joints to prove to yourself and to others you are fit, skinny, toned, capable and young. I can only speak for myself, and I can truly say I have never gotten that analogy and why so many people give into it. I question to myself, why would I push myself over the limit, so when finished a workout I am sore or in pain? what are the sustainable benefits for the body in choosing to do that? Its like saying in my life I choose and have to feel pain rather than pleasure to get great results in decisions about my life. Interesting comparison I guess!
When I ask this very question to “no pain, no gain” believers, I sense an auto pilot response, like they are convincing themselves that it’s good to feel pain after a workout, because it give them the ideal image that society demands. Yet I often hear these same people saying i have sore muscles, I have a sore back, neck pain, I’m aching etc, but it’s OK to feel this?! It’s acceptable to them because ‘I want to be FIT’. I’ve always wondered how this type of ‘no pain no gain’ MENTALITY workout conditions, stiffens and aligns the VOICE of the BODY, especially if fitness choices are unconscious.
It may be then a shift in listening to the VOICE of the BODY, instead of the mind. It’s always important to ask yourself these questions: Is the workout I am doing have my body saying YES? Does my body feel good when doing this workout? How often do we actually ask and listen to the bodies aches and pains? Can we identify what it is I have done to my body to receive this sensation in the body? How often in life do we choose JOY and PLEASURE as a sensation in the body and is it possible to feel this EVERYDAY? There is no doubt that it is great to condition the body for strength, vitality and well-being, yet I feel for everyday living is pain necessary to achieve success or body gratification?
I have tried many types of workouts myself from gyms and fitness /aerobics programs, Jazz dance, Hip Hop dance, Kung Fu, Pilates, different types of Yoga, Kundalini dance. I have even trained in Acting learning the Meisner technique for 4 years and including voice classes, which is a different kind of workout with the body, mind and soul, and all of these workouts have given benefits of their own which I love and have grown from. Yet for me, I was still seeking something which made me feel good in my life, that wasn’t going to make my body feel tired and in pain. Instead I was looking to be my true authentic self, that made me connect to the body, be present in the body and brought to me conscious living. I was seeking to find what it meant to live in The Body’s Way and feel JOY and PLEASURE. It was when I tried a sensory-based movement practice called Nia which gave me, my body all these things, and I truly started to sense what it feels to be in the body and learn through self healing I can be truly ALIVE and flow through life and it’s journey.
Nia is all about The Body’s Way. It provides a combination and essence of Dance arts, Martial arts and Healing arts. Nia looks at the bodies design, its skeleton function, to determine how the body can move, with self care and awareness. It is a deep look at what motions and sensations are happening in your body. Another important factor which I love about Nia is having a relationship with your own body and therefore others and life. A reminder of how I can CHOOSE to feel JOY on a daily basis and how my body can shift to sense this through movement. Nia has enabled me to let go of the pressures of what fitness level I am, my size, shape and age and encourages me to dance like ‘no one’s watching’, to release anything that may be going on for me in a positive and nurturing way. Nia also gives a cardiovascular workout that conditions the body, yet I feel complete happiness as I find my own dance and expression of being ME!
After 8 years since I discovered Nia and spent time understanding what it is all about, I then started training to teach about 5 years ago. I have now started teaching in the last 2 years as I feel Nia has so much knowledge and wisdom to shift ones life choices. I have seen it in myself, in particular the last 4 years. My body has shifted and healed in so many ways, my body is so much more aligned, and being able to identify, myself what I hold in my body from past pain and moving with it to experience transformation. Nia gives me the tools to awaken my senses and change anything that doesn’t feel good in the body with love. I feel so much JOY now in life and comfortable in my own skin. I see and feel it radiating in my mind and compliments my free spirit.
Nia is a practice that has been alive for 30 years in the US founded by the amazing Debbie and Carlos Rosas. You can find out the complete story here: http://www.nianow.com/company-story
Nia was introduced to Australia about 10 years ago and is continuing to grow in communities across Australia. Again you can find out more about the growing community in Australia here:
http://www.niaaustralia.com.au/about-nia/about-nia-australia and facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niaaustralia?fref=ts
Whatever you choose in life and in well-being, it’s all about living with purpose and giving yourself the gift of life in your body and creating your unique self, your spirit, and whatever it is you would like to do/be in your life. With many life demands how can you choose to live in your body to experience life? Whatever it is, try using JOY and PLEASURE in your BODY! Nia has certainly given me a understanding and embodiment of that!
If you are interested in finding out more about Nia, why not begin by try a class? Classes are running across Australia in various states and locations and can be searched through http://www.nianow.com
I am currently teaching at Rozelle Hannaford Community Hall on Sundays at 10am / Collaroy Swim Club at Collaroy Beach on Wednesdays 6.30pm and Amusu Studio in Balmain on Fridays 5.30pm.
Further details of my personal classes can be found here: http://www.nianow.com/melinda-nassif
Please post and comment on this blog, I’d love to start a conversation! Also if you would like to keep in touch with me my email is melnas81@gmail.com and Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nia-with-Melinda/127653824094838?ref=hl
Hope to dance through life with you!
Warm Wishes,
Melinda
BEACH BUDHI BODY 
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