Nia is movement-medicine for the body and soul.
Every body is welcome!
What's New?
I am so excited to be able to share Nia with you. It has changed my life! My first Nia class began a journey that moves me forward each day. Sharing the Nia Technique has provided for me a practice that feeds my desire for movement joy and a pleasure-filled life. I believe that movement is a source for fun, expression, exploration, creativity and transformation. Join me!
Erin "...gracefully, engagingly, and enthusiastically" guides people to move their bodies!
Take the 13 Week Challenge!
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UNM Spring 2012 Class
About Erin
Erin Damour is a Black Belt Nia Technique and Nia 5 Stages Instructor. She has been teaching Nia since 2007. She discovered Nia nearly ten years ago, after a friend suggested she 'give it a try'. Erin received her Black Belt certification in December 2010 and completed the Nia 5 Stages training in August 2010. She currently teaches a two credit course at the University of New Mexico and at various locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Nia Technique Education & Training
Black Belt -- Portland, OR December 2010
Nia 5 Stages -- Santa Fe, NM August 2010
Brown Belt -- Portland, OR October 2009
Blue Belt -- Portland, OR October 2008
Nia Conditioning -- Santa Fe, NM November 2006
White Belt -- Santa Fe, NM October 2006
Other Related Training
200 Hours Training in Hatha Yoga, 2005
High Desert Yoga, Albuquerque, NM
Education
B.A. Anthropology and Sociology
Lewis and Clark College, 1994
Portland, Oregon
"Its your body, you can do whatever you want to with it including love it. Choose that, just for now."
~Sandy Kumskov
Classes, Rates and Events
Schedule
Classes at Studio Sway :
Classes at the University of New Mexico:
My Nia classes include classic and home-spun Nia routines with an emphasis on fun, stress relief, and exploring the diverse movement techniques of Nia. This class is ideal for those looking for an energetic yet safe class where we explore the collective creativity of an hour dancing together.
Nia & Self-Healing (5 Stages)
This combination class offers an hour long experience dedicated to partnering the Nia class magic of movement and music with the profound self-healing practice of the Nia 5 Stages (embryonic, creeping, crawling, standing and walking). Whether you seek to improve agility when moving up and down from the floor, to compliment your FloorPlay cycle, to expand your somatic education and body literacy, or to add a self-healing component to your fitness regimen, this class is for you and your body. Kneepads provided.
Drop-In $ 10.00/1 hr or $8.00/45 min
Show Up & Shine
Unlimited classes for
12 weeks: $160
7 Class Card $ 60.00 (3 month expiration)
13 Class Card $110.00 (3 month expiration)
Student/Senior 30 Day Pass $50.00 (Valid I.D., Seniors 65+)
*As of 01.01.12
Best Deal!
Take the Challenge
I will offer a free week of classes when you purchase the "Show Up & Shine" card and make it to 20 classes during the valid period of the card.
The "Show Up & Shine" card is an "all-you-can-dance" unlimited classes with Erin card (including 5 Stages) that is valid for 12 weeks. Cost is $160 and represents a 50% discount on drop-in rates.
All prices include 7% NM Gross Receipts Tax.
Studio Sway also sells a 10 class card for $90, good for 90 days.
Events
Take the Challenge! Get to class.
I will offer a free week of classes when you purchase the "Show Up and Shine" card and make it to 20 classes during the valid period of the card.
The "Show Up and Shine" card is an "all-you-can-dance" unlimited classes with Erin card (including 5 Stages) that is valid for 12 weeks. Cost is $160 and represents a 50% discount on drop-in rates.
What is Nia?
Benefits of Practicing Nia
The Nia Technique™ is a barefooted fitness program designed to increase participants awareness of physical sensations, build strength and stamina, and increase flexibility and balance. Nia provides safe and effective exercise and teaches body literacy and awaremenss. The Nia Technique™ is a system which invokes the natural intelligence of the body, mind, emotions and unique spirit of everyone to teach us to listen to our body so that we may increase the sensation of pleasure in our Lives. The Nia Technique™ was the first fusion fitness program in the world and it blends Eastern and Western movement and dance philosophies into a powerful practice that inspires people to get healthy and fit while exploring their potential and purpose. Nia combines martial arts, dance arts and healing arts to foster well-being.
Oh, and we do it to great music!
Important Links
International HQ for The Nia Technique
http://www.nianow.com
Nia in The Land of Enchantment
http://www.nianewmexico.com
UNM Class Information
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00pm
Next course: Jan. 17 - May 3, 2012
The Nia Technique™ is a barefooted fitness program designed to increase participants awareness of physical sensations, build strength and stamina, and increase flexibility and balance. Nia provides safe and effective exercise by teaching The Bodys Way: moving the body the way nature intended it and Your Bodys Way: learning to experience and understand being in your body, learning awareness of your body and connecting to sensations of pleasure. The Nia Technique™ is a system which invokes the natural intelligence of the body, mind, emotions and unique spirit of everyone to teach us to listen to the Voices of the Body to make choices that increase the sensation of pleasure in our Lives. The Nia Technique™ was the first fusion fitness program in the world and it blends Eastern and Western movement and dance philosophies into a powerful practice that inspires people to get healthy and fit while exploring their potential and purpose. Nia can be a lifestyle practice of self-expression, combining martial arts, dance arts and healing arts to foster physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Recommended Text: The Nia Technique™ by Debbie & Carlos Rosas, 2004. This book is on reserve at Zimmerman Library. There may be a few copies at the bookstore in the general bookstore area (downstairs).
Objectives
1.Demonstrate in class the 52 Nia movements.
2.Define and describe the major concepts upon which Nia is based (sensory awareness, the 9 Movement Forms and barefooted non-impact movement)
3.Understand the meaning of The Bodys Way and Your Bodys Way.
4.Understand the basic skeletal anatomy of the body as it pertains to the practice of Nia.
5.Describe and evaluate in writing your experience of Nia in and outside of the classroom and your ability to connect sensory awareness to your experience.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Be on time. Students are expected to attend and participate on a regular basis. Roll call will occur during the first 5 minutes of class. Arrival after roll call will be considered tardy; two tardies constitute an absence. Well use the clock in the classroom for reference. You will be marked ABSENT when you arrive after 5:15p.m., 15 minutes past the scheduled start time of class. This is a department-wide policy.
The attendance policy begins on the first day of class which is Tuesday, January 17, 2012 and applies to all students (graded/credit/no credit/audit) without exception. That means that exceptional circumstances do not change the attendance policies as stated in this syllabus. Please inform me and the Dean of Students or the Student Health Center about extended absences or absences resulting from extenuating circumstances. This is your avenue for informing me and does not constitute an excuse from being absent. There are no excused or unexcused absences. Youre either here or not.
Maximum Absences Allowed
For a 16week class, the University PE department requires that students not be absent more than 4 days of class. If you miss three classes, you must contact me to notify me of your plans to return to class or not. When youve missed three classes you will be reminded and informed via email about the policy. It is required that students be dropped after their fourth absence, no matter the reasons. An email will be sent in advance of being dropped. There are no makeup classes, but students may complete extra credit assignments for participation points.
Further, doctors notes do not excuse an absence. I follow the youre here or youre not regardless of the reason philosophy. If you receive a note disallowing participation in class you must also get one allowing you back into class to participate. I allow one freebie absence. Use the remaining 4 class absences allowed wisely.
Have a wedding to attend? Going to Mexico for spring break? Plan ahead!
Active Participation (69 points)
Participation is not attendance. Participation means being prepared (i.e. dressed appropriately) and present; having an open attitude towards the material and being engaged and active in class and following the instructors direction and guidance. With permission from the instructor, students who cannot participate due to minor illness or injury may "watch and respond" rather than participate in class (allowed only 3x/semester). Students who watch will be required to write a brief response of their observations of class, due at the end of that class in order to receive participation points.
Assignments and Quizzes (31 points)
I. Due January 31st
You are required to bring in a signed copy of the last page of the syllabus (2 points) to me by Tuesday, January 31st. If the syllabus receipt is not signed and submitted, you will lose daily participation points until the syllabus is signed and submitted.
II. TBD
Pop Quiz (4 points) The quiz will consist of questions relating to what weve covered so far in class about The Nia Technique™ and anatomy. The quiz will be completed in class.
III. Due February 16th
Article/Reading Review (8 points) See syllabus for more information.
IV. Due on or before March 29th
Experience Dance (5 points) - Attend any dance related performance or class (in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, elsewhere). Take note of what you see and learn and experience. Do you notice any of the Nia movement forms being used? Tell me about the experience as it relates to your knowledge about Nia. Write me a brief synopsis of the experience, typed, emailed as an attachment. It must be at least 1 page long. You may also attend another Nia Technique class with a different teacher for this assignment.
IV. Due April 24th
Personal Written Response (12 points) - Students will write one personal response paper. They must be at least 2.5 pages long. They must be typed and turned in on the due date. I will accept hard copies or email attachments on the due date. In addition summary of materials presented, responses should be thoughtful and contemplative, reflecting your own questions, concerns, and discoveries. See the syllabus for more information.
PENP 120.002 SP2012 SYLLABUS E.DAMOUR.pdf
Life as Art - Inspiration for Moving
Current Playlist
Fever!
Cherry Blossom Love: The Wailin' Jennys
All I Want Is You: Michael Franti & Spearhead
Rolling in the Deep: ADELE
Miss Independent: Kelly Clarkson
Dog Days Are Over: Florence + The Machine
What's a Girl Gotta Do? (feat. Paloma Faith): Basement Jaxx
Caught Out There (I hate you so much...): Kelis
I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) [More English Extended Mix]: Pitbull
The Cave: Mumford & Sons
Sexy: Illumine, Shannon Day & Stephen Brown
Make You Feel My Love: ADELE
Glitter In the Air: P!nk
A Promise to Return: Bob Holroyd
Love Nia Clothes?
Autumn Teneyl
Bali Dog
Dervish Girl
Discount Dance Supply
Hoop Clothes
Ipseity Designs
Lululemon
Nia Technique Store
Nipala Functional Sportswear (in German)
Get 40% Off! NiaWear when you visit their shop though my link here!
