The Joy of Nia

By Jill Steele

Yoga classes are in abundance here in Puna, but for years, I had been hoping to find a dance class.  About a year ago my friend Kim invited me to go to a Nia class.  “What is Nia,” I asked.

She said, “It’s kind of a dance class.  Just come, it’s fun”.  She picked me up along with a few other friends one Saturday morning and we drove to Hawaiian Sanctuary in Pahoa (also known as MM12 or mile marker 12),   a beautiful eco retreat and permaculture center created out of jungle. 

Nia, a combination of martial arts and modern dance movements, is an excellent cardio workout since you’re in constant movement for an hour, but it’s so much more than just a workout.

The music is exotic- world music with Indian, Middle Eastern, disco and European electronica influences.

Our teacher, Valusha, a young, Russian former gymnast, has long dreadlocks piled on top of her head and dresses in flowing clothing all cut on the bias and with swooping hems that swirl when she dances.   Her choreographies are challenging, designed by the Nia organization to improve brain function, with arm and leg movements competing with each other. 

We sway and step to the music, trying to follow her, each interpreting her movements in our own way. “Watching Valusha is a beautiful sight,” my friend Kim said.  

What I like about Nia is that there are no levels of expertise.  Anyone can do it and you don’t need prior dance experience.  There is no leaping or presenting across the floor as in traditional dance classes and there are no impossible to get into poses as in yoga.  

YET, there is a letting go of the exterior world aspect like yoga.  It is dreamy to dance continuously for an hour without conversation and I felt peaceful and happy even after my first Nia class.

Valusha Boyko

Nia instructors are certified through a teacher training program and Valusha cautions us as we begin each class about the importance of aligning our knees over our ankles.  She brings her own brand of spirituality to the practice, sometimes stating a theme for the class, such as a part of the body we should focus on as we dance or imagery as we do a movement.

One of my fellow dancers said, “It teaches me how to feel and sense in my body.  I love the movements. It challenges me to move in different ways.”

Another said, “I like the physicality of it and I like the mental challenge of losing my inhibitions.”

If you live in Puna and are looking to add something to your fitness and spiritual routine, I highly recommend Nia.  If you’re a tourist visiting Puna and already know about Nia, all the better!  You couldn’t find a more unique location in which to do it than at Hawaiian Sanctuary with Valusha.  

For additional information about Nia, check out the Nia Now website. Valusha teaches at Hawaiian Sanctuary on Fridays from 4-5 p.m and on Saturdays from 10:30 to 11:30.