Exploring Nia for Singers

Nia for Singers is the first formal study to explore the connection between the Nia Technique and vocalists. Over thirty music students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha have participated in Nia for Singers to improve their mind-body awareness. Nia is a fusion fitness technique that encourages singers to become aware of their mind and body through the teachings of the martial arts, dance arts, and healing arts. Through Nia’s teaching of the base, the core, and the upper extremities, singers learn to understand and embrace their body’s most natural and healthy posture. Each student is encouraged to be in constant communication with their body, noticing signals of pain and pleasure through their movement. In addition, Nia teaches singers to say, “Yes!” to trying, to exploring, and to playing. Through the practice of free dance and improvisation, Nia students allow themselves to be creative and limit the analysis of their choices. Students are also taught to use positive self-talk throughout the class. Practicing positive self-statements can help singers gain confidence, take risks, and overcome performance anxiety and perfectionism. Nia dancers are encouraged to vocalize as they move. In order to vocalize while engaged in a cardio workout, one must be connected to their breath. By doing this, singers treat their voice as any other muscle that needs to be exercised and stretched. As a mind-body practice, the Nia Technique gives singers the tools necessary to safely and efficiently use their internal instrument. Nia for Singers is the first formal study to explore the connection between the Nia Technique and vocalists. Over thirty music students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha have participated in Nia for Singers to improve their mind-body awareness. Nia is a fusion fitness technique that encourages singers to become aware of their mind and body through the teachings of the martial arts, dance arts, and healing arts. Through Nia’s teaching of the base, the core, and the upper extremities, singers learn to understand and embrace their body’s most natural and healthy posture. Each student is encouraged to be in constant communication with their body, noticing signals of pain and pleasure through their movement. In addition, Nia teaches singers to say, “Yes!” to trying, to exploring, and to playing. Through the practice of free dance and improvisation, Nia students allow themselves to be creative and limit the analysis of their choices. Students are also taught to use positive self-talk throughout the class. Practicing positive self-statements can help singers gain confidence, take risks, and overcome performance anxiety and perfectionism. Nia dancers are encouraged to vocalize as they move. In order to vocalize while engaged in a cardio workout, one must be connected to their breath. By doing this, singers treat their voice as any other muscle that needs to be exercised and stretched. As a mind-body practice, the Nia Technique gives singers the tools necessary to safely and efficiently use their internal instrument