By: Debbie Rosas Stewart

For those of us “of a certain age,” it will be nice to know that the Smile Line in Nia Technique refers to something that we want more of-  as we age.  Working the Smile Line becomes more desirable the more you know about it.  It is revealed in White Belt Principle #7: Three Planes of Movement ~ Sink and Rise. To understand it envision a smile, end to end – starting from a high point, dipping, curving and returning to it’s original height.  All the while moving forward (or sideways) to create a curved line.  Imagining this will enable you to see what your body is going to do in order to follow the Smile Line.

Debbie Rosas writes: When practicing Nia steps, imagine your hara (located 2 inches below your belly button) following the Smile Line every time you shift weight. This will support you in sinking and rising with ease.

This is a good Smile Line to follow, and the more you follow it into the different planes (Low, Middle and High) the more conditioning you will receive from your Nia Dance. Read More→

This morning’s classes (5 stages and Nia) were both focused on connective tissue.  In essence, it is everything.  At the foundation it is the biggest tissue in the body.  It is in, around, and through everything in me.  It is bones, ligaments, blood, water, skin, muscles, air, everything.  It is actually – in a macro sense – the energy between all of us. 

In the dance of Nia class, I sensed my tissue as a seamless connection of all parts that move.  The music, the dancers, the choreography, the body I am in, my thoughts and the space of the studio (within the space of the universe). Read More→