Nia Technique routines are always choreographed with a focus in mind. Sexi is about the spine. The Intent is to stimulate Mobility and Stability in the spinal cord. The Nia Technique moves that do this most effectively include:
chest isolations,
shimmy,
undulation and spinal roll,
hip bump,
pelvic circles,
head and eye movement.
And use those moves we do. There are three categories in that list of moves. They are divided into moves of the head, chest, or pelvis. These are the three body weights that are connected by the spine.
If you’ve danced Sexi, you’ve experienced what all these moves feel like. If you haven’t, you can do a quick jump up out of your computer chair and try them. I’ll wait for you to come back…
In class this week and last we’ve been “dancing our spines,” while shifting the intent of this routine. We’ve explored the use of the three body weights, awareness of sensation – new sensation while dancing familiar moves, being sexy, steps and stances, and chakra energy.
There is an endless supply of different intents, and every class builds to be an experience rather than just a class. When we start, I ask my students to step through an imaginary door. I request that they close the door behind them when they step in to the classroom and allow focus on their selves for an hour. I say, “Turn off your regular live life feed (your internal dialog) and be all about yourself for an hour. Be aware of breathing, how you respond to the music, the other dancers, me, and the body of work – Nia.” Students have said to me that they really like that idea and they commit to it each time.
Work on the spine is invigorating. Mobilizing all my vertebrae eases me into a place with no pain and lots of energy. Even intense moves, like a pelvic shimmy or chest isolations throughout a whole song can allow me to find ease within the work itself.
At the end of this routine, I always smile naturally. It feels like some magic has taken place and the only people who know are the ones in the room. Of course there are magical Nia moments, magical Nia classes all over the world, but in each one every student is experiencing his or her own version of magic. When you dance Nia together something happens to the group during the hour. There is a chemical exchange, an emotional transfer, a physical shift, an altered state-of-mind. The idea of a mind body connection is commonplace, but it really comes alive when you do something every day that is so powerful that you are aware of the connectedness as you spend each minute. Most students clap spontaneously, which is nice too. Overall, Nia Techique is just a really positive experience.