니아

니아(또는 Nia Technique)는 춤, 무술, 마음챙김을 통합하여 표현력이 풍부하고 신체에 부담을 주지 않는 움직임과 웰빙을 추구하는 심신 수련 및 체력 단련 시스템입니다.

원래는 운동의 대안으로 개발된 니아(Nia)는 신체 감각, 즐거움, 자각, 그리고 지속 가능한 움직임을 강조하는 전인적인 움직임 수련법으로 발전해 왔습니다. 니아는 수업, 워크숍, 그리고 지도자 양성 프로그램을 통해 전 세계적으로 보급되고 있습니다.

기원

니아(Nia)는 1983년 샌프란시스코 베이 지역에서 데비 로사스와 카를로스 아야로사스에 의해 설립되었습니다. 이 운동법은 처음에는 '무충격 에어로빅'이라는 이름으로 등장하여 1980년대에 유행했던 고강도 운동 트렌드에 대한 더 안전한 대안을 제시했습니다.

시간이 흐르면서 니아(Nia)라는 이름은 시스템 내에서 신경근 통합 작용' ...

연혁

데비 로사스는 1972년부터 1983년까지 샌프란시스코 베이 지역에서 '보드 스쿼드(Bod Squad)'라는 운동 및 동작 컨설팅 사업을 운영했습니다. 여러 차례 스포츠 관련 부상을 겪은 후, 그녀는 안전, 즐거움, 그리고 신체 중심적 인식을 우선시하는 운동 접근법을 연구하고 개발하기 시작했습니다.

이 연구를 통해 유산소 운동, 표현적인 움직임, 신체 인식의 원리를 통합한 수련법인 Nia Technique이 탄생했습니다.

In 1991, Nia headquarters relocated to Portland, Oregon, where the organisation continues to be overseen by Debbie Rosas in her role as CEO.

Core principles

Nia is based on several guiding principles:

• Non-impact, sustainable movement — supporting long-term physical health and injury prevention.
• The Body’s Way — honouring the body’s innate intelligence rather than imposing external ideals.
• Pleasure and sensation — using pleasurable sensation as feedback for healthy movement.
• Mind–body integration — linking awareness, feeling, and physical action.
• Choice — encouraging personal responsibility and adaptability.

Movement is viewed not as performance, but as a relationship cultivated over a lifetime.

Practice

A typical Nia class is practiced barefoot and guided by music and verbal cues. While teachers demonstrate movements, participants are encouraged to adapt them to their own bodies, energy levels, and sensations.

Classes often include:

• warm-up and centring phases,
• expressive dance sequences,
• elements inspired by martial arts and yoga,
• integration and grounding.

There is no fixed choreography to memorise; emphasis is placed on awareness, enjoyment, and self-listening.

Movement influences

Nia integrates elements from nine movement forms, organised into three categories:

• Dance Arts — jazz dance, modern dance, Duncan dance.
• Martial Arts — aikido, taekwondo, tai chi.
• Healing Arts — yoga, Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique.

These influences are blended into a cohesive movement language rather than taught as separate disciplines.

Teacher training

Nia offers a structured international teacher training and certification programme. Training focuses on:

• embodied anatomy and somatic awareness,
• music and movement integration,
• teaching skills and class design,
• personal practice and lifestyle integration.

Certified teachers are authorised to teach Nia classes globally and are part of an ongoing professional community.

Community and reach

Nia is practiced internationally, including in Australia, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The global Nia community is supported through trainings, events, and online platforms coordinated by the Nia organisation.

Relationship to conscious dance

Nia occupies a bridge position between conscious dance, somatic movement, and mindful fitness. While often presented as a movement-based fitness practice, it shares key values with conscious dance traditions, including embodiment, choice, non-judgement, and expressive freedom.

External links

• Official website: https://nianow.com/
• Nia Australia: https://www.niaaustralia.com.au/