On Sunday I got to see what it looks like to experience how movement truly can change your quality of life, no matter what age! I spent an entire Sunday in my Mother’s “neck of the woods”, Pretoria East, South Africa. This is where she teaches 13 exercise classes a week including: 6 Core conditioning/Pilates, 5 Yoga/Nova and 3 Nia Technique classes. She teaches classes of 30 plus people of all age groups from teenagers to seniors, all cultures and fitness levels.
I was amazed how in the particular Sunday morning Yoga/Nova class of regulars, most of the students were about 40 years younger than my Mom, and in good shape. My mother is 74 years old.
My Mom, June Esterhuizen, (on the left), Blue Belt Nia Instructor, with Debbie Rosas at my Trainer Graduation at Nia HQ in Portland 2012.
Here is a link to a video of her teaching Yoga/Nova (a yoga Pilates fusion) class:
June Esterhuizen’s Yoga/Nova Class
My Mom epitomises the statement: “Through Movement we find Health”. Her entire demeanour is vibrant and one of a healthy, fit and youthful person. She is truly doing what she loves to do and is thriving!
It is well known in many studies of the brain that “Dancing makes you smarter”:
I put my Mom’s ability to learn how to use her latest smartphone down to all the neuropathways she’s created through movement, and especially the Nia dance classes to music.
I believe in cross-training and that all modalities of movement have a place. Since I became a Black Belt Nia Instructor in 2009, I have learnt how to take my own Nia classes to the higher levels of cross-training, which I need to get all of my “five vitamins”:
Flexibility
Agility
Mobility
Strength
Stability
I know without a doubt that I would not have been able to birth a healthy baby at the age of 48 without the Nia training and my regular practice. I can truly say I have been able to access my potential in every way and I know there is more to discover.
I believe in the philosophy that you can “Live well and die well” (quoted by Debbie Rosas-co-founder of Nia Technique). I believe you can live a quality of life that unleashes and enhances your own individual potential at any age, including 70’s and beyond.
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