Nia, an internationally acclaimed practice for over 30 years.

Nia is now taught in 49 countries around the world. Awakening the senses, Nia teaches you to love your body and your life. Here in Australia, Nia is shared with enthusiasm by a lively community that has grown organically since 2004.

 

Check out the Events page for the latest workshops, gatherings, retreats and trainings Australia-wide. Explore the Blog below for community news and stories.

  • 2nd May, 2025 in Community News, Nia Community

    Nia Dance Joy Tribe Autumn 2025

    joy tribe autumn update

    I want to share with you some exciting updates from the Nia Australia team! We’ve been having some thoughtful discussions on how we can grow our beautiful community and bring more people into the fold. We’re focusing on ways to engage with all of you more deeply, highlight our amazing teachers and their events. We’re also exploring new marketing ideas to help spread the word and improving our website to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for. We are also planning interactive info sessions for grads and teachers so watch out for our emails.

    This year, we’re excited to share that our theme is “Growing Our Nia Community from the Ground Up.” This means we’re dedicated to creating a warm, supportive space where everyone feels comfortable, seen and heard. As we grow, we want to bring you more of what you love – from special events to exciting workshops – all designed with you in  mind.

    We’re committed to listening to your needs so we can continue building a community that truly feels like home. Thank you for being part of this journey with us! 
      
    Blessings to you all

    mandy signature

    Nia ‘Art of Sensation’ – a Wellbeing Immersion
    Kingscliff 8-13 April 2025 and Melbourne October 21-26 2025

    Art of Sensation Trainings

    🌊✨ Imagine six days by the ocean, immersed in somatic practices and nourishing movement. A chance to restore your nervous system, uplift your vibration, and step into greater aliveness, health, and wellbeing—all in beautiful Kingscliff.

    Our last Nia Art of Sensation training in this coastal haven was in 2021, and we’re so excited for another nourishing immersion here. Whether you’re new to Nia or an experienced student, there’s space for you to join us.

    💃 Art of Sensation explores Nia’s philosophy through 13 body-centred principles—a journey of self-discovery through music, movement, mindfulness, and joyful connection.

    Come just as you are and be part of this sacred circle of freedom, healing, and growth. ✨ If this speaks to you, we’d love to share this experience with you.

    Investment: USD1599 Register now with 50% deposit.
    CLICK HERE to register!
    Email Sophie for further information 

    nia dance art of sensation White Belt training register now
    sensation science role of connective tissue

    The Role of Connective Tissue

    ‘The Language of Nia’ describes the connective tissue as the largest tissue in the body. Its job is to connect and support us in moving in adaptive ways. It is a fibrous fabric sheet that supports movement in all directions. The fabric, elastic in nature, controls the multi-dimensional wave of energy flow along our bones and through our muscles – it transmits movement through the whole body.

    Connective tissue supports our entire skeleton. It varies in number and density of fibres and can be hard, soft, elastic or rigid. Without connective tissue our body structure could not function harmoniously.

    Connective tissue loses flexibility if we are sedentary for long periods of time or if our alignment causes one part of the body to continually do more than it is designed to do. If we hold tension in our body for too long, the connective tissue can get tough and limit ability to lengthen and move freely. Moving with dynamic ease and systemic sensation keeps the support elastic. (Adapted from Language of Nia – Debbie Rosas)

    Nia Australia acts as the ‘connective tissue’ of Nia communities throughout Australia. Its role is to support teachers and community members connect and grow in their knowledge and love of Nia – listening and responding to what our community desires, supporting ways to grow our Nia Community from the ground up.

    Let’s welcome the wave of energy ready to flow through our entire Body!

    ~ Written by Lyn Symons, Nia Brown Belt Teacher


    autumn recipe

    Check out this delicious Sticky Chai Tea shared by Giulia Ponticello!

    chai
    Nia worldwide community

    Tash Joy Stanley joined my Nia classes on the NSW South Coast in early 2024 and was instantly captivated by Nia movement magic.

    During class, I spoke about the global Nia community—how attending a Nia class anywhere, whether in Australia or abroad, feels like joining a family. I shared my experience at a Nia retreat in Cambodia, emphasising the warmth and connection these events provide. A few days later, inspired by our discussion, Tash signed up for a retreat in January 2025. It’s amazing how a moment of inspiration can lead to bold, life-changing decisions that push us beyond our comfort zones into new possibilities!

    ~ Written by Kerryn Peisley, Nia Brown Belt Teacher

    Tash has shared the following about her Cambodia experience: 

    “Tuning into My New Potential” by Tash Joy Stanley

    Imagine dancing in the jungle, energising, revitalising and healing your body with kindred spirits. Visit the most beautiful rock gardens in the world with magnificent ancient temples and forests. Indulge in traditional cuisine. Enjoy staying in a boutique tropical resort. Take cooking classes, visit a lotus farm, a circus and artisans villages. Appreciate the generosity of local people. 

    This was my reality in January 2025 in Siem Reap, Cambodia thanks to retreat facilitators and Nia trainers Debbie-Lee Van Ginkel and Kellie Chambers and my Australian teacher Kerryn Peisley. How blessed you may be.


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  • 5th December, 2019 in Community News, Nia Practice

    COMMUNITY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT SERIES: DEB CANTRILL – SA

    Name of Nia teacher/community you dance with most regularly:
    Tracy Bastian Adelaide Hills/ Bridgewater & Mt Barker

    Occupation/profession:
    Self employed biodynamic Orchardist /educator and Natural fibre artist. Trying to retire may have reached sort of semi retired state at present.

    If you were to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be?
    Resilient

    Read More >

  • 11th February, 2019 in Community News, Nia Community

    THE GATHERING 22-24 MARCH 2019

    It has been a number of years since Nia Australia has hosted its annual Gathering and as our community grows we wanted to offer the opportunity for us to come together to connect, learn and grow.

    The Gathering is a two-night, two-day experience for our Nia Australia Community Member or Teacher Members. It will be held in Berry NSW on the 22nd-24th March 2019.

    Read More >
  • 17th December, 2017 in Community News, Nia Belt Trainings

    The Power of Two: Open Nia classes with Sophie Marsh + Laurie Bass

    Are you ready to start 2018 feeling inspired to BE the best version of yourself, to listen more to your own inner wisdom, to understand your body’s voice and learn how to move and live with more awareness, pleasure and purpose? For the first time in nearly 6 years, the Nia White Belt training in Brisbane 5-11 January will be led by two members of the International Nia Training Faculty – Laurie Bass from Portland Oregon and Nia Australia Trainer, Sophie Marsh. Read More >

  • 7th March, 2017 in Body-Mind, Community News, Nia Belt Trainings, Our Stories

    Fitness Pioneer Debbie Rosas to Tour Australia in April 2017

    Fitness pioneer and thought leader Debbie Rosas is embarking on a tour of Australian Nia communities starting April 15th. Debbie will be teaching in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Mullumbimby, to audiences of both Nia veterans and new dancers. Read More >

  • 3rd November, 2016 in Community News, Nia Practice, Our Stories

    Universal Joy connects our global Nia community

    Imagine finding a movement practice that spans the whole world and connects you to a global community. A fitness class that speaks not one singular language, rather a universal dialogue of the body. A mindful workout that opens your eyes to each moment as a possibility of seeing new aspects of yourself. For me the image of an exercise class that encompasses all those qualities became a reality in the form of Nia. And it continues to expand as I travel the world taking classes, connecting with communities and experiencing the ever present Joy of Nia.

    Read More >

  • 14th September, 2016 in Community News, Nia Belt Trainings, Our Stories

    Dancing together to create something great!

     

    Collaboration means to work (or play) together to produce something and that’s exactly what we did in Ulladulla. Together with the Canberra Nia community, our NSW South Coast Nia community came together to deliver a doozy of a Dance Jam on 6 August this year.

    Read More >

  • 14th September, 2016 in Community News, Nia Belt Trainings, Our Stories

    Nia White Belt in Perth

    My journey with Nia began in 2003 in South Africa when I took the White Belt with dear Kathy Wolstenholme. I had taken one class and was sold! Since then I have learnt so much and had Nia by my side to express the continuum of emotions through life’s many transitions and undulations! I have travelled to Germany and Portland with my Nia friends and left with many more friends and aha’s.

    Read More >

  • 5th August, 2016 in Community News, Our Stories

    Our Community In Our Words

    The most rewarding part of having a Nia community .. 

    “I feel deep passion when I dance with my Nia tribe.

    The energy in the room sometimes brings me to tears of joy. 

    Thank you Nia x” Mandy Loveday

    Read More >

  • 5th August, 2016 in Community News, Our Stories

    From Little Things Big Things Grow

    Communities thrive when they share a common purpose and sense an ability to connect and contribute. A seed was sewn in 2007 when four Nia teachers formed the Nia Australia Association with the intention to support and grow an Australian Nia community.

    Read More >

  • 13th October, 2015 in Community News

    Embrace your Uniqueness within Community

    Nia Australia is offering three playshops, in three States, on one day! On Sunday the 25th of October, we will be coming together to move, receive and share Nia, as we weave our magic across the land, in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Each playshop creating the space for you to share, explore, play, collaborate, connect and dance with community.

    Read More >