Moving to music attracts so many students to Nia. Music offers so much to the spirit and stimulates endless movements. It is healing. It is celebratory. It is emotional. It conjures up ideas, thoughts, images. It takes us on a journey to different landscapes. The power of music makes it a powerful component of the Nia practice.
I’ve recounted to my students how there was one time years ago that I received a Nia routine with a CD that I didn’t like. I wanted to exchange it for another one. The Nia staff member heard my concern and gently encouraged me to listen a few more times before deciding if that is what I really wanted. So I did. To my surprise on the fifth play of the CD, I broke down in tears. How could I not have felt this before? I realized it took playing the CD five times for me to relax, open up and let the music touch me, away from my judgments about it. I could not stop crying. Since then I have loved the routine (“Leap of Faith”). I bring it out to help students connect to emotion.
Music unravels. Music heals. Music uplifts. Have you let music touch you recently? Take the time, listen purely, receive its power.
What a powerful story. I’ve been thinking about that lately as I prepare to teach Opal and wonder what my students will think of the songs.
Hi Laura,
I love the routine “Opal”. What I have experienced in Nia is that many songs take on a whole different feeling when moves and steps are added, it’s like my body puts it together and finds a new pathway that is different than when listening to the music alone. For many years I avoided getting “Diva”, thinking I would not like it since it is to music by Celine Dion (which I thought I didn’t like). However when I experienced the routine, I wished I had bought it as it moved me tremendously and brought back a memory which I was then able to heal.
I’m so excited to discover your blog! Thanks for sharing yourself in this creative and open way. I look forward to reading more!
Thanks for reading and commenting Alana! Much appreciated. This is going to be fun.