Walk by and the pulsing sea of people will catch your eye. Barefoot and free flowing - some with their eyes closed - this mass of movement miraculously dances, twirls and punches, all without running into one another. Is it sped up yoga? Aikido to music? Or a new kind of modern dance class?

It's called Nia (pronounced 'nee-uh'), and it's actually a combination of all three (and more).

Created in 1983 by Debbie and Carlos Rosas of Portland and taught at West Seattle's 8 Limbs Yoga and Allstar Fitness by instructor Jill Pagano-Carr, Nia is a blend of movement forms practiced to the rhythm of music.

It practices expression, drawing from dance arts such as jazz. It also focuses on form, strength and precision by incorporating martial arts like tai chi and tae kwon do. It brings awareness to its participants through healing arts such as yoga and Feldenkrais.

"Come on in, spread out, and make sure you have your water," smiles Carr. "Today I want to you to focus on staying connected to pleasure and the presence of joy in your body."

Sounds pretty fun for a fitness class!? Isn't it usually about 'feeling the pain' and 'pushing it till it hurts?' Not according to Carr.

"Nia is more than a fitness class, it's a lifestyle path," she calmly says. "It's about self-expression, gaining awareness and confidence."

In Hebrew, Nia means, a 'small tiny movement.' In Swahili, it means 'with purpose.' As an acronym it also stands for, Neuromuscular Integrative Action. And though most agree that Nia is a true connection of mind, body and spirit on a level where thinking seems to melt away and natural body rhythms and movement take over, it also means a little something different to every participant.

"I am fairly new to Nia, but I have a dance background," says Heidi Reynolds of West Seattle. "When I moved to Seattle, I was looking for something that offered dance and cardio. I found this in Nia, but I also connected with Nia on another level - for me it's a very spiritual way of exercising."

"I discovered it this summer," says student Lesley Tinker. "There was something in me that wanted to move to music in a non-judged way, and when I saw how martial arts moves were integrated with music, I felt like my body was being fed with the masculine energy and precision of martial arts and the more feminine fluidity of dance."

Tinker also explains how, after practicing Nia for just a short time, she is comfortable enough to do it with her eyes "closed."

"I have terrible distance vision, but once I get into routine, I take off my glasses," she says. "It's hard to explain but Nia taps into a whole different knowledge about how to move. You can simply hear the directions and go with it. It takes away the left brain aspect for me and is very freeing."

"It's very tribal to just close your eyes and let it go," agrees Carr.

Tinker also compared Nia to be a toddler and learning to walk on your own, while it reminds others of their adolescent years.

"With Nia, I feel like a teenager again moving to the music - strong, graceful and really alive," says student Susan Terjeson.

Whether you're a newcomer or a well-practiced pro, the class is open to everyone. Simultaneously students practice at levels one through three going from smaller, less-accentuated movements to bigger and bolder movements in a larger space or "bubble" as Carr calls it.

Interested in connecting your mind, body and spirit through Nia? Carr's class is offered to members of Allstar Fitness and 8 Limbs Yoga (which also offers a pre-paid punch card for non-members). Carr is also conducting a "New to Nia" workshop open to the public at Allstar on Feb. 4th. Please inquire at Allstar for time and price information (932.9999).

(Information Box)

What:

Nia

Where:

8 Limbs Yoga

4546 1/2 California Ave SW

206.933.9642

Allstar Fitness

2629 SW Andover Street

206.932.9999

When:

Visit www.niaseattle.com for times.

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