Karol McNutt's Story

During all this time, I kept physically active with walking, aerobics, strength training, etc. I read an article in the newspaper about a new class called NIA at the YMCA near my house. It sounded so interesting! I was especially interested in the mind/body aspect of the class. I cut out the article, but didn’t investigate it right away. When I did, I was told that they weren’t offering the class anymore. About a year later I learned that they were offering the class again and I signed up. At first I felt so awkward…uncoordinated, dense at learning the steps…yet Robin brought such joy and grace to the class that it was infectious! I was under tremendous stress at work, yet at this class I found myself smiling throughout the class and actually having fun! Then and now it’s the only form of exercise where I smile through the whole class. It felt like play! Slowly, slowly I began to feel my spirit again. At first just during the class and over time it filtered through the rest of my life.

I’ve now been doing NIA as often as I can since 2001. After five years, I took the White Belt training, and later Blue Belt and have been teaching Nia since 2006. I have learned so much about myself, my body and my spirit through NIA. The imagery element of Nia enables me to totally leave my mind and get into my body. There are times when the combination of the music and the movement evokes such emotion that it makes me cry. My coordination has significantly improved and my body is as strong and healthy as it’s ever been. NIA has changed my life in so many ways and has become the passion that I sought for many years. Now been doing NIA for four years and primarily take from Robin three days a week at her studio. I sometimes also take a class from Tracy Stamper at a different location. I have learned so much about myself, my body and my spirit through NIA. Robin brings an imagery element that enables me to totally leave my mind and get into my body. There are times when the combination of the music and the movement evokes such emotion that it makes me cry. Though no one will probably ever consider me graceful, my coordination has significantly improved and my body is as strong and healthy as it’s ever been. I’ve wanted to do the White Belt for a long time, but the week-long commitment was a barrier with my work and personal schedules. This year I committed to a friend to do it and am so excited to be taking this next step. NIA has changed my life in so many ways and has become the passion that I sought for many years.