Celebrating the Joy of Movement

For someone who loves looking good and feeling good, it took this particular writer quite a long time to get into the whole fitness craze.  I mainly just depended on youth, good genes and a dab of style to look fabulous and fit whenever I wanted to. 

Unfortunately though, once I reached 24 and gravity started to take its natural course through my body, I did not need any more convincing from anyone. I packed my little red bag and went off to the gym.  And Waterfront Citigym is the best place to give my once firm and tight body a little push or what I would rather call, a revamp. It didn’t take long to include 2-3 hours of “me”-time, toning and working my stuff through a program my trainer, Paul, set up for me.  I was suddenly used to this routine and felt physically and psychologically better about myself.  I believed it was and still is very good therapy in displacing all my unwanted negative energy and transform it into a more productive form.

After getting used to my workout program, I asked my trainer if there was anything new or extraordinary offered in the gym, something that would be more fun, less tasking and calorie-burning at the same time.  They then, introduced me to NIA, which means Neuromuscular Integrated Activity. It simultaneously addresses the body, mind, emotions, and spirit, and puts them on the “same page.” NIA uses physical activity to integrate one’s neurology (including the mind, emotions and spirit), with one’s outer body, or musculature. It was a class taught by the fitness guru, Tina Aboitiz-Juan, and relatively very new in the scene.  I decided to sign and attend its pioneering class in Citigym, the very first in our southern metropolis.  There were about 20 of us who attended and excitedly sat down as Tina explained what this latest phenomenon was all about.  NIA is a fusion exercise that mixes both feminine and masculine forms of actions and energy, allowing those who practice the class a more “joyous” activity of keeping fit.  It is feminine, with its fluid and graceful motions and masculine, when you apply force and rigid movements.  It is in its sudden exchange of this yin and yang that makes one more enjoyably perspiring and I’d say a more eclectic and fun way to improve our cardiovascular function.  I suddenly found myself, smiling while sweating, as Tina guided us to freely move through dancing, a bit of martial arts and even with just plain stretching.  One could feel and see the different energies of each individual flowing in the room.  Some of us would even find ourselves laughing out loud while traversing with the stimulating music.  I could feel my energy being released with each form that Tina expertly taught us.  And I couldn’t help thinking that doing exercise couldn’t get any more fun than this.  As the hour ended, we all decided to sign up for the next class and once again be exhilarated by the “joy of movement” NIA did for us.  I have achieved what I came to the gym for, to look good and feel good, with the right blend of gratified holistic fitness.

For anyone who would love and be interested in finding the same joy as I did, you can inquire at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel regarding NIA class schedules and fitness programs they offer. Please check out www.nianow.com