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Are you familiar with NIA?
If so, please demonstrate the best
moves for the water
based on the NIA technique

Yes, I am familiar with NIA. Debbie and Carlos Rosas, the founders of the technique, live in Portland Oregon, so I have been fortunate enough to attend some of their workshops. I love their work, and I would encourage all of you to take a NIA workshop if you ever get the opportunity.

"NIA is a mind-body movement practice and lifestyle program that integrates martial arts, dance, exercise and body integration therapies. Emphasis is on cardiovascular conditioning and mental, emotional, physical and spiritual development."

I am curious if the person asking this question has any experience with NIA. To integrate NIA principles into water, I feel the instructor should have some experience in the technique. NIA is about mindful movement. It is not about transferring moves into water. Every move we do in water should be done mindfully. We can incorporate spiritual and emotional elements in everything we do. The Rosas do use eastern and western concepts, with movements drawn from yoga, tai chi, tae kwon do, and dance. Whatever the action of the movement is, all their work is expressive movement.

I will not demonstrate the 'best moves' for the water, but I can share some of those elements of expressive movement. The person asking this question needs to take some NIA classes. You need to 'experience' this way of moving to be able to share it with others. To find out more about NIA, contact Debbie and Carlos Rosas at: www.nia-nia.com, or 1-800-762-5762. They have a series of books and videos.

Carol Argo, who lives in Palos Verde, is an aquatic exercise presenter, who has developed a workshop called Aqua NIA. She would be an excellent resource for ideas and water specific moves. Contact Carol at 310-544-0508, AquaCarol@aol.com, or www.CarolArgo.com