Nia Belt Levels and Focuses Nia is a workout and it can be a practice. A person can go to a Nia class every day and workout and never have to think beyond the workout just completed. Nia as a workout is so beneficial you may never want to progress to anything beyond that. Nothing else need come into play. Think of it like yoga, you can go to a yoga class every day and never have to participate in the meditation or yoga life-style of a yogi or yogini.
IF someone is interested in learning more about Nia, aside from what the book and the DVDs have to offer, one can participate in a Nia Belt Training. Anyone can participate in the training, but they must be taken in order White, Blue, Brown, Black, 1st Degree Black Belt, and 2nd Degree Black Belt. An intensive is 50+ hours of together time which includes Nia classes, lectures, talking, listening, moving . . . . and a lot more. At this time (June 2023), I believe you can find in-person training and online training.
Each of the six belts mentioned has a separate set of principles. (At least I THINK the additional Black Belt has principles.) There are 13 principles for each belt, each belt also has a focus.
The Nia White Belt Training's focus is the Art of Sensation
The Nia Blue Belt Training's focus is the Art of Communication.
The Nia Brown Belt Training's focus is the Art of Perception.
The Nia Black Belt Training's focus is the Art of Creativity.
The Nia First Degree Black Belt Training's focus is the Art of Self.
The Nia Second Degree Black Belt Training's focus is the Art of Alchemy.
(Additional information regarding Belt Trainings can be found at NiaNow.com)
One does not have to participate in the trainings or go beyond a dance exercise class to enjoy a Nia class, but the option is there for anyone. Nia is a great workout either way. The trainings are not necessarily for people that want to teach Nia, in fact I have been told that the emphasis is moving away from that. The White Belt Training is required to teach Nia. The license to teach is separate fee not included in the training.
There is an intensive designed for teachers, the Green Belt. The focus for a Green Belt is the art of teaching Nia. Green Belt is not required to teach, but a white belt is required to participate in the Green Belt.
If you are interested in a Nia workout be sure to see my schedule for classes in San Jose.
Nia is a transformational practice. It follows life in that it flows, and ebbs, it does not remain exactly the same yet there are constants. Nia is always moving towards clarity so sometimes the language is adjusted. These focuses were taking from the NiaNow website June 11, 2023.