The Rural Intelligence region offers a plethora of fitness and healing modalities, but it can be hard to know which is the one that fits your needs, your body type and your schedule. Enter Paula Boyajian, a yoga instructor certified in Interdisciplinary Yoga and Yoga for the Special Child, who has taken on the role of RI’s fitness contributor to sleuth out the details of the many health and wellness options in our area. In hopes of sharing helpful and new information with our readers, I actually revisited the first place I reported on: Berkshire Yoga, Dance and Fitness (formerly The Yoga Depot). Not only has the business moved to a stunning
new space above The Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield but its class list has expanded to an excited and interested menu, including Nia Dance – a new class for me that got me moving and smiling. What It IsNia stands for Non Impact Aerobics, a commonplace term today, but in 1983 creators Debbie Rosas and Carlos AyaRosas were ahead of their time. The two took the best from healing arts, marital arts and dance to provide a complete workout for the mind, body and spirit. But it doesn’t stop there. Nia also addresses creativity, emotions and imagination. Community is a vital part of Nia, too. At BYF&D, the group often goes for coffee after class. In fact, the class started with us standing in a circle, saying our name while moving any way we want, but without any performance pressure; in Nia, everyone is embraced just as they are.
Instructor Diane Firtell
Activity Level All Levels. Since this is a no impact and no judgment zone — made impeccably clear by dynamic instructor Diane Firtell — anyone of any age, size or fitness level is welcomed. Diane explained that the aerobic level you achieve is based on high and low you go, say, during squats, and the choice is up to you. Danced barefoot, Nia incorporates 52 basic moves and each class claims a focus. When I danced, it was arms. We started with a walking warmup. As the pace picked up, we moved into an easy-to-follow dance-inspired routine. As we stretched, I felt my obliques wake up; with each squat my buttocks tightened. But these results were incidental; the intention in Nia is to have fun and be mindful of sensing how your body feels. As Diane said, “If it feels good keep doing it." Holding to that principle, there are break-out sessions for free dance and while our cool down allowed us to stretch, it also served as valuable time to notice our body like infants discovering their fingers for the first time.
Benefits During class I jumped out now and then to take pictures. Despite these breaks, I maintained a nice sweaty glow, so clearly the cardio had kicked in. When I jumped back in, I usually found myself moving right while everyone else was going left, but that’s part of the plan; Nia stimulates different sides of your brain. And in keeping with Nia’s philosophy of having fun, you’ll increase your bliss level too. As Diane says, “People walk out smiling." Instructor InfoDiane freely admits to living the “no pain, no gain" lifestyle until the fateful day her usual aerobics class was cancelled. Determined to work out, she returned that night for the only other aerobic class offered that day — Nia Dance. Diane recalls, “Halfway through I fell in love. I forgot how much I love to move." Diane has been teaching for approximately 18 years and is certified at Nia’s highest level, Black Belt. She clarifies that this doesn’t connote just physical strength since every level has a unique focus, from “The Art of Sensation" (White Belt) to “The River of the Unknown" (Black Belt). She considers the unknown magical rather than scary and holds that “Everyone has a different interpretation, it’s about embracing the unknown…creating something fabulous."
She shared this insight with us as she closed class with the poignant words: “We mindfully step out of this experience and step into a beautiful day with your own creative spirit." Facility/Ambience As you walk through Berkshire Yoga, Dance & Fitness' beautifully inscribed door, you’re transported to a unique world that’s at once mystical and sophisticated. Much like its floor-to- ceiling windows, the studio is breathtaking from top to bottom; hardwood floors glow, Indian inspired drapes flow, exotic candleholders hang from the ceiling, which is painted with a peaceful deep ocean color. Cost$10 per class Nia Dance on Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Berkshire Yoga, Dance And Fitness55 North Street, 2nd floor. (413) 822-2034
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A rendering of a proposed sign by Norm Magnusson.
- Norm Magnusson
Pam Ellis performs at the Bercshire South Community Center.
Alicia Johnson and Catherine Zack preside over a Buried Treasure workshop at Village Yoga. (Photos Provided by Alicia Johnson)
