Nia - The Body's Way Education - An Overview
Posted: Jul 22, 10:04 AM
Introduction
Each year Nia Headquarters created an educational focus – a theme – to guide us in furthering our physical, mental, and spiritual development through Nia. In 2006 the theme was The Body’s Way, an education based on the science of the body.
Definition
The Body’s Way is a method of using the body in accord with its specific design and structure. It involves looking at the body as it really is, instead of viewing it in an idealized, conceptualized way. We use the science of the body as a map to guide us through the stages of becoming fit, experiencing personal growth, and creating a lifestyle practice of well-being.
The Body’s Way icon you see above is a holon , a symbol we use to represent the DNA of Nia. It is a design that shares with you the science, craft, and art of Nia when unified with the design of life, the human body, earth, and the universe. It is an image we use to represent life lived in a body the Nia way — in relationship to the sacred geometry of life.
Although we all start out with the same kind of body parts, each body functions differently. The Body’s Way is unique in that it works with the inherent, natural differences of every body.
What you see above is The Body’s Way Flower. It represents human life as a study of matter and energy, of space and spirit. It is a glimpse into the development of the human body. It begins with the smallest particle, the atom, and continues through the molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ systems, and finally the human organism.
Think of The Body’s Way as a map you follow to study The Body’s Way Flower in depth, gathering information essential to your development. This information will help you to understand how the body is designed to work and function.
What is unique about Nia is that it addresses each body’s inherent differences. It supports your body in shifting from its known way of functioning to the high organic functioning that is The Body’s Way. Regardless of how you have lived in, or treated your body, you can heal, get fit, and find health with The Body’s Way.
Philosophy
The Body’s Way philosophy is “Seek the sensation of pleasure and you will follow my design.” TBW philosophy leads us on a path where, along the way, we discover self-healing, fitness, and health. It is a philosophy that speaks of relationship, communication, intimacy, and empowerment. It offers a way of living and being in a body that respects the organic cycles and nature in all things. It is based on love, pleasure, joy, peace, and harmony. Like the martial way, The Body’s Way is committed to survival and longevity. Anyone who ventures into this territory is on the path of becoming a Sacred Nia Athlete.
Nia
The basic philosophy of Nia is to harmoniously integrate the body with the mind, emotions, and spirit. Nia aims to respect The Body’s Way while engaging emotions, images, thoughts, feelings, and the unique expression of one’s spirit. Cognitive, Symbology, and Sensory Awareness are methods Nia uses for learning, embodying, and sharing The Body’s Way information.
