Thursday, June 11, 2009
Neuromuscular Integrative Action class: An exercise class 'with purpose'
Laura Pole's Nia class is influenced by movements from around the world.
JARED SOARES The Roanoke Times
Nia instructor Laura Pole leads a class at the Brambleton Recreation Center in Roanoke County. Pole, a blue belt, learned of the exercise in 1998.
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Laura Pole gracefully rocked her body back and forth, from heel to toe. Six class participants followed her movements. A few hooted and hollered, letting neighboring classes at the Brambleton Recreation Center know that the dancing had begun.
This class is called Nia, which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action and also translates as "with purpose" in Swahili.
This low-impact class is influenced by movements from around the world, including tai chi, tae kwon do, aikido, jazz dance, modern dance and yoga. These widely diverse actions are designed to do more than exercise the body, aiding the mind, emotion and spirit, too.
When Nia class participants learn new dance movements, their nerve endings are nourished, Pole explained. "Don't let Nia get on your nerves but let it get in your nerves," she said.
The class can be adjusted to meet each participant's needs. As Pole begins a new movement, she shows the class levels one, two and three so that they can increase or decrease the movement and balance involved.
Dot and Betsy Briggs are mother and daughter. They began taking Pole's Nia class at their local YMCA in 2004 and have enjoyed it ever since. When the class moved to the Brambleton location last year, they followed.
"I love it," exclaimed 57-year-old Betsy Briggs. "It's really good exercise and it's lots of fun."
Nia is meant for people of all shapes and sizes, and Pole pointed out that it can also help anyone facing an emotional or physical crisis. She's had a participant with fibromyalgia and another with multiple sclerosis.
Kenna Bayer attends Pole's Nia class weekly. "I've had back surgery, so there are limited exercises I can do," Bayer said. "It really helps me, and she's a fantastic teacher."
Pole first learned of this low-impact form of exercise while visiting a friend in Hendersonville, N.C., in 1998. She didn't want to attend another exercise class but was glad she did. One hour later, Pole couldn't believe how much more energy she had, without feeling tired or sore.
A few months later, Pole attended a weeklong training class where she completed her white belt level training. Not qualified to teach a class at that level, Pole just wanted to learn more about Nia for her own benefit. There are six belt levels, beginning with white and ending with first-degree black.
During that week of training, though, Pole's father died in Louisiana, and Pole used Nia to channel her grief. This life-changing event essentially hooked Pole on Nia and its benefits. It was then that she decided to continue with her training so she could teach others.
Pole held her first class in Bedford 10 years ago and became the first and only instructor in the Roanoke Valley. Pole is now at blue belt level, the third level. Her Nia class is still the only one in this area.
