News
ARTICLE/ Dance of life: Both playful and spiritual, Nia mixes up movements for fun, gentle workout--- By Lindsey Melvin / Commercial Appeal / January 30, 2012
On a Monday night at the MidSouth World Dance Center, women were stomping, swaying and growling to a tribal drumbeat.
"Feel it through all your chakras," said Diane Sable, as she closed her eyes and pulled an invisible ball of energy up from her feet, over her silvery blond mane. Diane Sable's Nia workouts are deceptively vigorous, combining dance movements like high kicks with yelling and making animal noises. Under dimmed lights, women of all body types have been gathering to partake in a very different kind of fitness class.
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| Under dimmed lights, women of all body types have been gathering to partake in a very different kind of fitness class. |
Nia, which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action, combines martial arts, dance and yoga.
"Nia is a dance of life," said Sable, who for roughly 20 years has been a certified personal fitness trainer and massage therapist.
Sable's classes are deceptively vigorous. Starting with low lighting and calming music, the Nia movements are playful and childlike. But halfway through the one-hour session, her students are glistening with sweat.
"I hated lifting weights. That kind of thing is not for me," she said.
Despite being an energetic woman, Sable said she prefers gentle exercise instead of intense cardiovascular workouts. After years of teaching Tai Chi Chuan, five years ago, she became restless for something new. As part of a circle of women who meditate together and help one another manifest their dreams, one of her "sister goddesses" told her about Nia.
"She said, 'You are going to teach this,'" Sable recalled.
Her friend badgered her until she finally ordered an introductory Nia DVD.
"It started to play, and I got the chills," Sable said. "It was so primal." Six months later, she was in Houston, Texas, getting her training.
Every Nia class is done barefoot and includes 52 moves that correspond with the main areas of the body: the base, the core and the upper extremities. Created in 1982 by Oregonian Debbie Rosas and Texan Carlos AyaRosas, the mind-body fitness classes took off on the East and West coasts. Nia has also spread to more than 45 countries and is used for healing in hospitals and for spiritual rehabilitation in prisons.
However, it's a relatively new concept in the Mid-South. Kym Franklin, 37, a singer and professor at the Visible Music College, moved this summer from Chicago to Downtown Memphis. She got hooked on Nia while in the Windy City, and her first priority was to find classes in Memphis.
"When I go, I feel like I'm going to have a spiritual experience," Franklin said. "I feel like I'm almost going to church." Out of shape, she wanted something gentle and fun to ease her back into working out. Because she loves to dance, it seemed worth a try, she said. But what has kept her interest in Nia is the unpredictable choreography of each session, she said.
"I don't like monotony," Franklin said.
Sometimes, they make wild animal noises while doing high kicks, while other times they follow jazzy dance moves, Sable said. Students don't need any prior dance experience, and unlike Sable's Tai Chi classes, which require regular practice, people can drop in anytime, she said. Most important, however, she said, just have fun with it.
"It's about getting sweaty and making noises," she said.
More information
Nia class: 6 p.m. Mondays.
Cost: $15 per class.
Location: MidSouth World Dance Center, 3100 Walnut Grove, Suite 204
Contact: (901) 523-9194
Website: ArtisticBodyMovement.com
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ARTICLE/ Madison Dance Studio mixes variety of styles with fitness classes / Click to read article.
--- By Lesley Young / Commercial Appeal / January 10, 2012
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| As Diane instructs, Cody Mathis and others participate in a tai chi chuan class during the recent World Dance Open House at Madison Dance Studio, which is located in the business plaza of Minglewood Hall in Midtown Memphis. | |
ARTICLE/ Massage Therapy - A Necessary Decadent Indulgence
--- By Diane Sable / RSVP Magazine
Massage is defined as the manual manipulation of soft body tissue - muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments - through the various uses of: light gliding touch, friction, hand rolling, passive stretching, static compression, directed breathing, percussion, rocking-jostling, shaking, kneading, cation of hot or cold therapies.
But is it a necessary indulgence? ABSOLUTELY, when it comes to health and well-being, routine massage can make all the difference! For years massage was thought of as "an indulgence - a splurge" to enjoy of a well-deserved vacation. Massage and healing work is much more than holiday indulgence, it is a necessary port of good health maintenance!
| Benefits of Therapeutic Massage | Type of massage |
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| Other modalities that are sometimes called "massage" but don't use manipulation of soft tissue are: | Some of the enegry work modalities are: |
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How to find a therapist?
Whether you need a massage to relax and distress or if you're in the need of rehabilitative therapy, Memphis is a city teeming with massage/touch professionals. Therapist in the state of Tennessee are required to meet educational standards and continuing education requirements in order to obtain and maintain their state massage licenses. Searching on-line through the State of Tennessee Massage Licensing Board, you may find therapist in your local area. The best reference comes from people you know who receive massage. Ask your friends, family and co-workers about their therapists. You're sure to get a great referral!
First Time Massage - What to Expect
After finding a therapist and making your appointment, there are a few tips that can enhance your experience. The day before and the day of your session, be sure to drink extra water. This will help you to flush toxins through your system. Arrive for your session on time. Be sure to allow enough time to find the location so that your not stressed upon arrive.
The therapist will ask about your medical history and particular ailments, complaints or stress issues related to this session. This can be accomplished by completing a client information form or through oral conversation with the therapist.
The therapy should be clean, comfortable and inviting. The less distractions the better! Music may or may not be playing in the background. this s up to you and your therapist to decide.
Modesty in draping is always a crucial priority between client and therapist. If at any time you feel uncomfortable speak up! This is your session and if you are uncomfortable it is near impossible to relax and receive the maximum benefits of your session.
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Feeling Good Video
Feeling Good will bring a new dimension to your traditional exercise program. In this video, Diane will guide you through a variety of exercises - explaining what you're doing, why you're doing it and how to do the movement effectively - thus communicating how to receive the the greatest amount of return for the least amount of effort.Contact Diane for more information about this invogorating video at the e-mail above.
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