Nia Velvet Creative Experience

This week I've been revisiting the Nia Routine Velvet. The experience has been very much like catching up with an old friend I haven't been in touch with for a while. I adore how we (me and the Nia Routine) can "pick up where we left off" with ease.

In complimentary contrast to this "comfort return" sensation, being a different person, in a different place, a little older, and somewhat more evolved in my relationship with the Nia 52 moves over this last decade, brings new qualities to our dance.

Here’s the Playlist for the Nia Routine “Velvet”:

These days the weekly Nia class schedule lends itself well to a development mini series:

  • 30 mins Tuesday ONLINE

  • 30 mins Wednesday ONLINE

  • 60 mins Thursday HYBRID,

We learn half the routine Tuesday, the other half Wednesday, then put it all together on Thursday.

With the "Part 1" and "Part 2" 30 minute classes there are so many creative ways to divide the play list. Here’s the top 5 options I enjoy playing with:

  1. "EveryOther": Part 1 odd numbers Part 2 even numbers

  2. "Half n Half": Part 1 First 1/2 songs Part 2 Second 1/2

  3. "Back 2 Front": Part 1, First 1/2 songs Part 2 Second 1/2 in reverse!

  4. "Shuffle": Part 1 shuffle, Part 2 shuffle what didn't play the day before!

  5. Ends n Middle: Part 1 Beginning and End, Part 2 The middles!

I'll then play with the usual

  • "Fun Friday" 30 minute class where class participants bring the music requests, i bring the moves (spontaneous improv') and together we create magic.

  • “Celebration Saturday” 60 minute class Saturday morning where we all get together celebrate the week, what we’ve learned, what we’ve experienced and DANCE.

This Saturday I'll be taking a vote for what the class participants prefers:

  1. experience Velvet (Classic) with original music OR

  2. experience Velvet (Adapted) where the original moves are put to new music.

Participants who subscribe to Nia On Demand are able to reference the original Nia routine. They gain 24/7 access, the ability to watch small sound bites, even speed up or watch the class without music! Teachers can get inspired with regards how to adapt and play, explore ways to sustain integrity while allowing creativity to evolve.

I think this routine was created over 10 years ago! wow! how can that be! LOL...
One of my favorite pearls that came out of my mouth spontaneously was "stretchability" (a combo of flexibility and stretch!)

A participant in our 30 Day challenge shared Back to work ~ love the silkiness of Velvet.