Mind, body, spirit come together through a moving art form called NIA, neuromuscular integrative awareness, which one local instructor would like to share with the community during a Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation fundraising event this Sunday.
Rosy Mann, NIA dance teacher, invites those interested in experiencing healing through movement to join Sunday's Seasons in the Dance workshop at the Coast Inn of the North from 1 to 5 p.m.
Mann found her way to NIA as a mother of two young children making her way to tiny tot classes at her local YMCA.
"I was heavy and a new mother and it was a class that I would pass by and everyone looked so graceful and they were dancing and they were in joy," Mann said.
"One day one of the teachers pulled me in and said 'hey, this isn't for spectators, come and try it next time'."
The following week, Mann tried the free-style dance class that calmed her racing mind.
"I felt like a million bucks," Mann said about how she felt after her first class. My body moved in ways I didn't think it could.
"My hips were quite heavy and I'm short and I just felt fat and ugly and I came out of that class feeling like I had taken a big breath of fresh air."
She felt she had to do more and continued until she was able to teach and offer a practice to others.
"NIA has the yoga philosophy, it's got healing arts, martial arts, dance arts all in one and what a beautiful medicine that you can invite, instead of taking a pill to sleep or relax," Mann said.
Some people come in their pajamas for her evening classes because they know they will be so relaxed afterwards, she added.
Mann said as the body moves, it releases what does not serve it.
"When the body moves, healing comes," Mann said.
"I had gone through my own suffering of being overweight and not wanting to eat right and all of that came through the dance and I never stopped learning and searching how I could go out there and give back to people."
Seasons in the Dance fundraising workshop is $75.
All proceeds will go towards mental health through a donation to the Spirit of the Northern Healthcare Foundation.
To register email Mann at [email protected].
