NIA is an exercise program that combines movements from yoga, tai chi, modern and ethnic dance to promote cardiovascular health and proper development of muscle groups. It includes 52 basic movements and requires focus and concentration. Instructors progress through different levels of training, with the highest level being red belt. NIA is gaining popularity and can be found in fitness centers and used in recovery programs.
Neuromuscular Integrative Action or NIA is an exercise program that combines elements from different disciplines in order to create an exercise program that addresses the proper development of the various muscle groups within the body and promotes cardiovascular health. Developed in the early 1980s by Carlos and Debbie Rosas, the Neuromuscular Integrative Action Process combines movements found in such diverse arts as yoga, tai chi, and modern and ethnic dance.
Instructors using integrative neuromuscular action for full-body conditioning guide students through a series of movements that draw on different disciplines. In all, NIA includes a set of fifty-two basic movements. Each of the movements can be performed at various levels of intensity, depending on the student’s needs. The instructor maintains control of the classes and guides the students through each movement in a synchronized order.
Unlike some training programs, Neuromuscular Integrative Action requires a high level of focus and concentration. The process is structured so that every movement produces some kind of impact on the muscular systems or the cardiovascular system. The specially choreographed movements are accompanied by a variety of musical options, each carefully selected to work in conjunction with the actual movement. During the session you can use different types of music at various points in the workout.
The training process for neuromuscular integrative action instructors borrows from methods used with martial arts. As the student masters various aspects of the program, he moves to a higher level. The first level of training is known as the white belt level. From that starting point, students progress through other levels until they reach the highest level in the series, red belt. It is at this point that the student is considered fully trained and awarded the title of NIA trainer.
Since the initial development of neuromuscular integrative action, the workout has continued to gain popularity. It’s not unusual for fitness centers to provide NIA instruction. Furthermore, it is possible to use the training program in contexts such as weekend retreats or as part of a comprehensive recovery program aimed at restoring the student’s physical and emotional balance.
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