Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now

Day 4 of 52 Nia challenge

Dancing with teacher Dael Parsons on Friday, reminded me how important NIA is for brain plasticity. We danced Fly, a routine from the NIA archives that includes combinations of foot, hand and arm moves that require some thinking to achieve, a little like rubbing your head while patting your belly and doing the cha cha. Doing it to the rhythm of the music, not crashing into fellow dancers, counting the steps to shift from one set of moves to another, that all gives my brain a workout. The research says that putting demands on both physical and cognitive functions helps build neuroplasticity, which enhances cognitive function, a fancy way of saying your brain can adapt, change and learn.

I love dancing with Dael, who in addition to being a great NIA teacher, also has a deep understanding of the healing arts part of the practice. Most people think of yoga when they talk about healing arts, but NIA also pulls in the Feldenkrais Method and the Alexander Technique. Dael brings those healing arts into consideration when helping her students set their focus and intention. She’ll also dash off a quick word about a book or an idea worth following.

Today, for example, she reminded us that “humans are hard-wired for bliss,” and in case we wanted to dig deeper, mentioned neuroscientist Candace Pert who coined the phrase.