In today’s fast-paced world, we are bombarded with constant external stimuli. It’s quite rare for a person to truly experience silence. From the time we wake up until the time we go to bed, we are surrounded by noise: gadgets, our mobile phones, traffic, conversations at work, the television, and a plethora of other devices that are supposed to make life easier and less stressful.
Studies have proven that taking time for silence can restore the nervous system, help sustain energy, and condition our minds to be more adaptive and responsive to the complex environments in which so many of us now live and work.
In Nia classes, we value the importance of moments of stillness and silence. These hour-long classes, away from external distractions, can help to enhance clarity and space. In our classes, we use mindful movement to take our joints through a range of motion, with moments of stillness sprinkled in at appropriate times. This helps to create an effortless and enjoyable experience for our students, allowing them to connect to sensation, their body, and their breath.
Silence is not just about the absence of external noise. It’s also about creating space to listen to our inner voice. Nia teachers share their knowledge with their students, but it’s important for them to step back and allow the students to connect with their own inner teacher. This can be difficult to do without moments of silence and stillness. It becomes more challenging when personal conversations and chatter persist in the class.
In a study conducted at the University of Pavia in Italy, researchers found that two minutes of silence between musical pieces was more stabilising to cardiovascular and respiratory systems than the music itself, which was categorised as relaxing. With so many people suffering from stress-related diseases, silence may be more important than ever.
Silence has become so foreign to some people that it can make them feel uncomfortable and anxious. How does it feel when you’re in a lift and people aren’t talking to each other? How does it feel when you arrive early for a Nia class and there’s no music playing, or people are chatting before the teacher arrives? Most teachers or studio managers are quick to put on a little background music when they’re getting ready for the class.
Think about the last time you became overwhelmed with too many responsibilities vying for your attention. Chances are you had the urge to find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and luxuriate in a few deep breaths to give yourself a chance to regroup. Sometimes just one minute away from external distractions produces space and clarity.
In a group class, students are invited to use their senses at least a little. You have to be able to see the teacher demonstrate, hear the verbal instructions, and, most importantly, go into sensation. So, how do we begin to incorporate silence into our classes or practice? The answer is: A little at a time.
The same can be said of moments of silence interspersed at appropriate times. Of course, it’s necessary for a Nia teacher to give a few verbal instructions to students, but following the setup of the moves with a few moments of silence so they can really connect to what’s going on inside – in their breath and their body – allows students to really go into sensation. Those moments of stillness can be the sweet spots where the magic happens!
It’s the Nia teacher’s job to share the knowledge they have gathered from their trainings, and then guide the students on their own Nia journey. Without silence, it can be much more difficult to hear that voice within.
Incorporating silence into our practice is just the beginning. As we spend more time in silence, we begin to identify with the fluctuations of the mind, including our thoughts, emotions, and memories. Through this process, we can gain greater awareness and understanding of ourselves, leading to profound growth and transformation.
FreeDance is a practice in Nia where you can let your body do the moving. Teachers will prepare a playlist – usually a choreographed Nia routine – but there’s also at least one song where you are invited to go into sensation and dance for yourself. I invite you to use this time to be silent, rather than an opportunity to have a conversation with your dancing classmates.
If you’ve been coming to Nia for a while now, you’ll recognise the seven cycles of a Nia class. The teacher will start by setting the focus and intent, and will then invite you to step in. Take the time to listen to what she’s saying, so that you know what to expect. The seventh cycle is the step-out cycle, and it’s only after that when you might feel you want to chat to the people in the class. Give yourself the opportunity to wait, and linger a bit longer in the silence before you respond to the habit of chatter in these moments. You could surprise yourself and receive the gift of connecting to all that is, whatever that is for you.
I invite you to give yourself the time and space to be in silence during a Nia class. There’s nothing that cannot wait until afterwards…
“Quiet is peace. Tranquillity. Quiet is turning down the volume knob on life. Silence is pushing the off button. Shutting it down. All of it.”
― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner