Debbie Rosas, On The Body’s Way Principles.

THE BODY’S WAY PHILOSOPHY

Etymologically rooted in Greek and Latin, the origin of the English word, “philosophy” comes from the word “philosophia,” which means, “love of wisdom.” It is also defined as an exploration in the nature of knowledge and understanding through a particular discipline of study. Traditionally, philosophy is defined as a guiding principle. In Nia, The Body’s Way Philosophy is defined by each of these. It is the love of the wisdom, knowledge, understanding of the human body and life through our practice which is that, Through Movement We find Health. It is a holistic vision for health, meaning, and purpose through supporting every individual as they realize their unique potential. It is the guideline we follow in Nia and abide by for safely living in and moving in a body; while supporting every unique individual, every unique body, and every unique way of both perceiving the world and shaping the perception of the body and life experience.

THE BODY’S WAY PRINCIPLES

The Body’s Way is a term that describes a way to live in the body which respects its design and function. It is a way of looking at the body and using its design as a map with which to follow and discover how to function in the body for improvement of holistic fitness, health, power, vitality, and well- being. It is an interactive approach to living in and with one’s anatomy. It emphasizes looking at aspects of the body’s design and structure to discover its best use by engaging the wisdom of all four parts of being human: body, mind, emotions, and spirit. In Nia, The Body’s Way is based on five simple principles.

The 5 Principles of The Body’s Way describe fundamentals of movement that support health and well being through following the body’s design and fostering structural integrity and energy efficiency. These five principles support the physics of Nia holistic movement.

1. “The Body Thrives on Dynamic Ease.” Dynamic Ease is the ability to perform a movement with maximum efficiency and minimal effort. To remain relaxed in your muscles and joints to cultivate and move energy.
2. “The Body Demands Balance.” Balance is the ability to move, measure, and establish equilibrium. Equally balanced movements from left to right and top to bottom directions, balance the muscles, skeletal system, connective tissues, brain, and peripheral nervous system. What the body does on the left, it does on the right; what the body does up, it does down, and as follows; slow and fast, in and out, and so on.

3. “The Body Is Balanced In Yin And Yang.” Yin and Yang are both indispensable terms for equally important polarity energies. Yin is sustainable, and can be perceived as soft, inward directed energy which is manifested in smooth and melodic movements. Yang is not sustainable, and can be perceived as hard, outward directed energy that is manifested in explosive and rhythmic movements. In order to sustain polarity and flow of each, body awareness of each is necessary as of these dynamics are separate and also connected.
4. “The Body Demands Simultaneous Mobility and Stability.” Stability empowers mobility. Mobility strengthens stability. With the proper force, the body can execute a correct action and reaction in all thirteen primary joints of the wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles,and spine; each uniquely designed for specific mobility and stability. Energy is constantly in motion as the body provides correct force and moves from stability and stillness into mobility and motion.
5. Most importantly, in Nia, “The Body Itself Reveals The Body’s Way.” Each unique individual body through its design and sensory feedback, communicates, “This is how I’m built.” and “Use me accordingly.” Always follow the design of the body to function in the most energy efficient way.