The Architecture of Aliveness: How Nia paints my life in full colour

By Cecile Sasman

From the moment I was old enough to stand, movement has been my language—the rhythm of my soul. I remember myself as a three-year-old, twirling in the lounge, the world a blur of pure joy. Those early years in ballet, Pilates and salsa were the foundation, teaching me the language of my body. But it wasn't until I discovered the Nia Technique that I truly found my voice. Nia is my ultimate inspiration—more than a workout, it is a daily ritual of healing that nourishes me on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. This profound connection is why I facilitate Nia in a variety of environments. I share the deep, unapologetic joy in moving your body’s way, opening up the understanding of your ability to respond with love, kindness and grace to self, which has a positive ripple-effect, uplifting others.

My journey with movement took on new depth after my first pregnancy, when I began to manage Type 1 diabetes. On a metaphysical level, I feel diabetes as a sign of lack of sweetness (representing joy) and with this understanding I am pushed to find a more profound path to realignment. With the Nia practice, I began to reclaim lost movement, like the simple joy of twirling, which once made me dizzy. Now, I can spin again like I was five, land my bum on the earth and get up with graceful ease and comfort. Nia, and the general joy of movement and music, has become a beautiful unfolding journey of playing more within my own way of being. This practice has allowed me to be fully present with my children, my husband, my animals—with everyone I encounter and in every situation I'm involved in. I am feeling more from my body and thinking less with my mind, which naturally guides my emotions to the positive side and allows for more flow and freedom within all the forms and structures. I have learnt where safe boundaries are important and where I can allow myself to expand a little more.

My philosophy is rooted in creating a sustainable life that supports holistic wellbeing. I am passionate about the idea that everything—from what you put in your body to how you move—plays a role in your overall health. Nia became the central tool for this belief, a truly revolutionary approach to holistic movement that combines mind, body, and spirit. It’s an empowering experience that has helped me, and now my students, celebrate the body’s natural ability to move with grace. It is the courage of the first step. 

I’ll never forget my first class. It was a collaboration with a dear friend, and I can still recall the fluttering heart and the deep breath I took before the music began. The room was full, and the nerves were absolutely real. But the moment the sound waves washed over me, everything shifted. I realised I wasn’t just teaching a sequence of steps; I was stepping into my purpose—the very act of sharing movement as a pathway for healing and nourishment. That same joy I felt in that very first session is what I consciously choose to bring to every class we share today, an energy I believe is essential to colouring your life's picture.

One of my favourite things about Nia, the element that keeps my own practice vibrant, is its incredible variety. It’s a space where we move from slow, soulful somatic shifts—where you truly listen to the whispers of your fascia—to high-energy play, where you can let your inner child dance freely, before finally finding your way down to the floor. It’s amazing how these unassuming, joyful movements can build a deep sweat while simultaneously opening the door for mental clarity and emotional release. For me, the true reward is that final 'floor play.' It is where everything comes together, allowing for quiet realisations and a sense of total nourishment. It’s not just a workout; it’s the space where your body and mind finally have the conversation they’ve been waiting for.

Think with Your Body, Move with Your Mind. This is the tagline of my life and the most transformative shift in Nia. For too long, I tried to "think" my way into healing or "analyze" my way into peace. But the mind often gets stuck in loops of old habits and unkind thoughts. The body, however, lives in the absolute present. Through the fascial system—our largest sensory organ—the body processes information at lightning speed. When we move in a conscious, joyful way, we are stimulating the body’s innate intelligence. We give the body a new "thought"—an experience of safety and pleasure. The mind then has no choice but to follow that lead, shifting away from old, limiting beliefs and into a more expanded, vibrant state of being.

The beauty is that this isn't just theory; it’s a living practice. Every Nia session follows a sacred energetic arc—The Wave of Transformation—which is a roadmap for change in every area of your life. You will move through:

• Ground: Rooting into the earth and acknowledging where you are right now.

• Pause: Creating space for your inner self to enter the room.

• Centre: Finding the steady point at the core of your being.

• Engage: Activating your will and your muscles with purpose.

• Balance: Harmonizing your physical effort with your internal energy.

• Integrate: Allowing new insights to weave into your very cells.

• Release: Letting go of tension and surrendering to the flow.

Somatic Play in the Real World.

The values of Nia are rooted in the Joy of Movement, but this isn't about being fluffy. It’s about solving problems through movement. By stepping into specific focuses and intentions, we engage in somatic movement playfulness. When you solve a movement challenge on the dancefloor—like finding ease in a complex step or finding stability in a moment of chaos—you are training your nervous system for the real world. Suddenly, a stressful work environment, a difficult conversation, or a moment of uncertainty is met with the same agility and mobility you practiced in a Nia experience. You stop reacting from old habits and start responding from a place of deep inner-body wisdom.

Ultimately, the Nia Technique is an invitation to stop following external rules and start responding to the internal authority of your own being. It’s about honouring the structure of your human design and the fluid intelligence of your fascia to create the "optimal safety" needed to let your spirit soar. As I always say, the world needs love, and it starts with each individual taking responsibility to find their own happiness. I invite you to step into a Nia experience and discover how you can become the architect of your own aliveness—grounded, vibrant, and free.