Nia is a unique sensory-based workout, practise and lifestyle that promotes health, wellness and fitness, in all realms; physical, mental, emotional and spirit.  Created 38 years ago Nia is well anchored within a fickle fitness industry where fads often come and go.  Nia is here to stay, evolve and impact many through a solid base of international trainers and hundreds of teachers world-wide.  I suggest visiting the following two links from the NiaNow.com website; About Nia and the
​Nia Story.  There are three clear layers to Nia, each building upon the previous.  Click on image below for more information.

FAQ's

General Nia

Nia with Alison
What do i wear / bring to class?
Wear clothes you feel comfortable to move in.  Bring a water bottle and a willingness to explore new ways of moving.  Some choose to bring a yoga mat or towel for the FloorPlay section toward the end of class, however, this is up to you.  Friends are also great to bring!!
I am uncoordinated / overweight / unfit... (fill the gap).  can i still do nia?
Nia is literally FOR EVERYBODY.  Initially as you ‘Learn the Moves’, we encourage you to keep your interest and fascination up and your criticism and judgment down. Be gentle, be patient and allow yourself to be in beginners mind and beginners body.  In natural time you’ll feel ready to move and energise the Nia moves in a way that is unique to you.  In Nia we learn how to "tweak" the moves so that we are constantly moving with ease and pleasure in a very personalised way.  Remember, you are in the drivers seat and we encourage you to build intensity gradually, guided by pleasure and comfort.
I am in my latter years.  am i too old
​for nia?
Nia’s low impact, grounded movement can benefit people at all ages and stages of life.  Nia can improve mobility, stability, agility, flexibility, balance, strength and energy levels.  The adaptability of Nia means there’s no age limit on the ability to practice (or enjoy) Nia.
I suffer from a chronic illness / i have an injury.  can i do nia?
One of the guiding ideals of Nia is what we call "the pleasure principle"; using comfort and ease as a way to move and get fit.  In Nia, students are guided and empowered to make their own safe movement choices moment to moment.  With awareness and time, Nia may help to heal.  Please do share any illness or injury concerns with your teacher prior to class so they are aware of how to best support you.  It may also be wise to discuss your intent to do Nia with your health practitioner.
can i do nia if i'm pregnant?
As with any form of exercise during pregnancy we'd advise first consulting with your health professional. However, Nia is inherently a low-impact form of exercise where you can self-regulate your exertion level.  For the many women who practice Nia well into their pregnancies, it is the perfect pre-natal class.  

​Fun Fact:  Alison was still teaching Nia classes at 8 1/2 months pregnant!
is there a format to a nia class?
Yes. Every Nia class has 7 cycles: 
  1. Setting the Focus and Intention
  2. Stepping In
  3. Warm Up
  4. Get Moving
  5. Cool Down
  6. Floorplay
  7. Stepping Out
i enjoy an intense cario workout.  
​will nia be enough for me?
Nia is offered at 3 levels of intensity within various planes of movement (high, middle, low).  Students are encouraged to play with movement variety to condition.  To create a more athletic workout you could choose to increase range of motion (reach higher & sink lower), speed up movement sequences and introduce jumps / leaps where appropriate.  While Nia is low impact, it offers excellent whole body cardiovascular conditioning. Come prepared to sweat.
is it required to do nia barefoot?
Nia is designed to be practiced barefoot.  With bare feet we have access to sensation through 7000 nerve endings, providing greater stability as we strengthen the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the feet, legs and trunk.  However, if being barefoot is uncomfortable, a soft sole shoe may be worn.
is nia for kids?
There are children’s Nia classes in many locations.  Some general classes welcome older children too.  Know that although Nia is great for all ages, having young children in a general class may be disruptive to the group or may be a class geared specifically for adults so please do check with your teacher whether children are welcome in class.

Note:  Alison is open to children attending class with a parent / caregiver, however please advise in advance to discuss.
do men do nia?
Yes!!  The gender balance generally tips in favour of women as is common for group fitness classes.  However, message for the men, don't let that stop you from stepping into a Nia class.
when and where are nia classes with alison?
Learn about class offerings here
where can i park?
Riverside carpark (south end), War Memorial Library, Queensgate Mall, anywhere in the CBD (all have 2hrs free parking on Saturdays)
what qualifications / experience does alison have?
Alison registered as a Nia teacher in 2007 after completing the accredited first level Nia White Belt Training with the Nia co-founders; Debbie Rosas Stewart and Carlos Aya-Rosas at Nia Headquarters in Portland, Oregon, USA.  Since then she has achieved:
* Nia Blue Belt, NiaHQ, Portland, Oregon - 2009
* Nia Green Belt (advanced teacher training,  
   Auckland, NZ - 2011
* Nia Brown Belt, Brisbane, Australia - 2015 & 2017
* Nia Black Belt, Brisbane, Australia - 2019

Alison has also retrained the entire Nia White Belt training twice since her original White Belt to further anchor and embody the content.  She has also retrained parts of the Nia Blue Belt, all of the Nia Brown Belt and has attended numerous Nia Master Workshops with various Nia Faculty Education Trainers.

Aside from offering regular Nia classes, Alison has offered Nia workshops around NZ and internationally; from building a 30+ strong Nia community in Subic Bay, Philippines during 2010 whilst travelling, to sharing Nia with guests on a super yacht helipad, to being an in-house guest teacher at Five Star exclusive resorts including the luxurious spa resort Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand. 

Alison is one of NZ's most experienced and qualified Nia teachers.
How do i pay for classes? 
There are a few options:
1)  Via the website.
2)  Online payment into the following bank account:
     ASB. 12-3449-0112479-00. A M Whitton.
3) Cash at beginning of class (correct amount  
​     appreciated).
Note EFTPOS is not available.
are gift vouchers available?
Yes!  Gift vouchers are a great way to give the gift of Nia for a special occasion.  Vouchers can be made out for any amount and can be used for any Nia class with Alison.  ​Contact us directly to arrange.  Also, read the T's & C's about redeeming gift vouchers
i just want to sample a nia class.  
can i do a trial class for free?
No, Alison does not offer trial classes for free.  However there are low cost / low risk ways to step into Nia.  The Intro-to-Nia 2 weeks Unlimited pass is available for all who are new to Nia.  This pass is valid for all Wellington region Nia classes.  Also, the Intro to Nia workshop (TBA) will be very reasonably priced to allow a low cost option for those who would like to sample Nia.
what are the terms & conditions?
Read the Terms and Conditions associated with attending Nia classes with Alison here
are covid vaccine passes required?
No
do classes run during the school holidays?
No.  Classes are informed by the school terms.  Note that term classes may begin on a Saturday just before the school term starts or they may end on a Saturday just after the school term ends.  Occasional Nia workshops or pop-up Nia classes may be offered during the school holidays. Here's a link to the 2022 Nia term plan.  
I've done nia before.  ​what pass is best for me?
Out of a total of 20 classes offered per term (Thursday evening & Saturday morning), if you'll come to:
​* between 14-20; the best value is a COMMIT+ Pass
* between 7-10; the best value is a COMMIT Pass
* between 4-6; the best value is a FLEXI 10 Class Pass
* less than 4; the best option is a TASTER casual class
i'm new to nia. ​what pass is best for me?
If we're approaching the beginning of a new term then best consider the 'Intro to Nia - 6 class series'; the first 6 Thursday evening Nia classes each term.  If the term is underway then best step into Nia with the New to Nia - 2 weeks unlimited; valid for all Wellington and Lower Hutt Nia classes in a 2 week period.
What does a nia term look like?
A combination of form and freedom; spending time learning a new routine and staying with it for a few weeks, then shifting to experiencing other routines shared in the past.  Comprised mainly of classic Nia classes, there will also be two Nia MoveIT classes delivered each term.  Read more about Alison's term / seasonal rhythm here.
can i book a certain spot in class?
Yes, spot selection is available for classes in Studio 1 (Saturday mornings) when you book into class.  Studio 1 has a capacity of 12 students, two of which have to be up the front to allow space for all, so the incentive is to book early if you don't love the front row!  Spot selection is not available for classes in Studio 2 due to this being a larger studio that accommodates more people.

Where can I find out more about Nia, and Nia in the Wellington region?

  • Bookmark the Nia Wellington Facebook page to see all Wellington Nia classes and events.
  • Check out www.NiaNow.com, the international Nia website. 
  • Get the Book: "The Nia Technique: The High-Powered Energizing Workout that Gives You a New Body and a New Life" (2005) by Debbie and Carlos Rosas. It explains Nia's history, guiding principles, and Nia’s 52 Moves with some easy to follow sequences.
  • Ask your local Nia teacher.  We are passionate about what we do and love to share our Nia stories.