Nia Seattle, Seattle

One of the best parts about being a travel writer is that I get to experience things that fall outside of my usual activities. I could be the poster child for the saying, "creature of habit." I have eaten the same breakfast nearly every morning for five years (onion, red pepper, garlic, and steamed broccoli scrambled with one egg and topped with salsa, a piece of Essential Baking Company's Mille Grane bread toasted with peanut butter, and fruit), and if left to my own devices I might never leave the comfort of my neighborhood and simple day-to-day routine. I am also aware, however, of the importance of not allowing oneself to get stuck in rut, which is probably why I chose this gig: it forces me to try new things. Like one evening in late winter when I left my running shoes behind and headed East for the Sammamish Plateau to join in on my first Nia class.

But if one of the best parts about my job is taking adventures, one of the hardest parts is writing about these adventures, and Nia is no exception. Before venturing to class, I asked friends who had taken Nia before to tell me about it. They all gave virtually the same answer, "It's hard to describe, but you'll like it." They were right.

Nia stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action, but in Swahili the word translates to "with purpose," and in Hebrew nia means, "a small, tiny movement." These three definitions give a glimpse into what a Nia class is like. Nia is a form of exercise developed by fitness professionals Debbie and Carlos Rosas on the premise that movement can be a healing force. It incorporates elements of dance, martial arts and energy work, with movements that are smooth and give virtually no impact to the joints. You flow easily around the room to music that is filled with tribal beats, meditative chords, and sacred chants. Nia is full of creativity and throughout my various classes I have been asked to imagine myself with a large, bushy tail to shake, I have played sky drums and air guitars, I have sent my fears floating off to the horizon and let my anxiety melt into the sea, and I have yelled "yes" and "no" with forceful intention. Nia is exercise without push, dance without complicated choreography. Nia is magical movement. Enter with an open mind and you will leave energized and full of bliss.

Nia Seattle
Classes are held at various locations throughout the Seattle Metro area