Bodyfulness — Seattle Nia with Dina

Friday night’s Niability session focused the martial art of TaeKwonDo and how it has inspired Nia. Man, I created a kick-butt routine…and I mean KICK BUTT, and as one student said, “relentless!”. It is definatley for those people who love to pant.

Check out the music I used:

Song title; Artist

Gin And Juice (as made famous by Snoop Doggy Dogg); Hip Hop DJs United
Ghetto; Leela James
Numb / Encore; Jay-Z & Linkin Park
Beware of the Boyz; Jay Z
Lovers of Light; Afro Celt Sound System
Move Any Mountain; The Shamen
Hi Ya; Kung Flude
Maniac (BOF Flashdance); Michael Sembello
Lip Gloss; Lil Mama
Love Is a Battlefield; Pat Benatar
Fighter; Christina Aguilera
Let’s Get It Started; Black Eyed Peas
Poison; Bell Biv DeVoe
Drop It Like It’s Hot (as made famous by Snoop Dogg); Hip Hop DJs United
Why You Wanna (as made famous by T.I.); Hip Hop DJs United

Nia defines “The Base” as the feet and the legs.

Focusing on The Base promotes grounded, functional, and safe movement.

Song Title Artist
Thats the way love goes Janet Jackson
Do Something Macy Gray
Love will be your shelter Nikka Costa
We All Want the Same Thing Kevin Michael
Paper Doll P.M. Dawn
Where I Belong Sia
Tambourine Eve
Rock With You Brandy, Heavy D & The Boyz & Quincy Jones
Anything Van Hunt
Love and Happiness Marc Broussard
Kara Kum Banco de Gaia

I compiled my first DJ-style music mix using sound editing software!  I am calling my new mix “redemption”. This week with “redemption” we are focusing on elbow strikes, an upper extremities Nia move.  In this move, you grab your fist with the other hand and push your elbow to strike down, out or back in order to make contact with your target. Attention on elbow strikes can improve focus and coordination. Plus they look cool. 

Tips from Debbie & Carlos:  

• When striking down, imagine puncturing the space. Learn to ground your power and move with the intent to be precise. 
• When striking back, imagine poking holes through the wall behind you. Learn to move with your three body weights aligned, with the intent to stop and be still. 
• When striking out, imagine using your elbow with the energy of striking a match. Learn to look where you strike and move with the intent to keep your base and core aligned and grounded. 
   

For more info on elbow strikage, go to http://www.nianow.com/.