When Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas gave birth to Nia in 1983, they had journeyed through dance arts (jazz, modern and Duncan), martial arts (Tai Chi, Tai Kwon Do, Aikido) and healing arts (Alexander, Feldenkrais, yoga) guided by their bodies’ natural desire for the joy of movement. As they began training other Nia teachers, they took inspiration from the martial arts belt system.
There are four levels of Nia training: White Belt, Blue Belt, Brown Belt and Black Belt. People participate in Nia intensives for personal growth or to become a Nia teacher. Everyone begins with White Belt.
The focus of the White Belt training is the physical body. White Belt Principle #1 is The Joy of Movement. The focus of Blue Belt is relationship. Brown Belt is the energy body. And the focus of Black Belt is stepping into the river of the unknown.
White Belt is the foundation; it is the web upon which all the other belts are woven. The practice of being in the physical body is the heart of our Nia practice.
5 responses so far ↓
1 sharry // Jan 24, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Hi Rachael,
I think it is very cool that we will get to share this journey with you. I especially like knowing that we’ll be working on the same principles in class that you are doing in White belt.
Hugs,
Sharry
2 Richard // Jan 24, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Thank you for this concise summary of the Nia belts and the focus of each one. Blessings in embodying the Joy of Movement at your white belt training.
Love,
Richard
3 Ruth // Jan 27, 2008 at 7:52 am
What a beautiful and clear essence of the Nia belts! I can see your heart in this journey and in how you already write about it to us!
We travel with you in Joy.
love
Ma
4 sheila filan // Jan 27, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I’m looking forward to deepening my practice with you during this week.
Namaste
Sheila
5 Brown Belt // Jan 29, 2009 at 9:05 pm
[…] Just as every Nia class has a focus, so every Nia teacher training has a focus. Brown Belt focuses on energy. (For an overview see The Nia Belt System.) […]
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