New Exercise Fad Comes To Kingfield

Move over Zumba—there's a new exercise fad in town.

Called Nia, the technique can look a bit like a music video dance routine, with some martial arts thrown in. The exercise, founded in 1983 by Oregonian Debbie Rosas and Texan Carlos AyaRosas, focuses on emotional health and confidence, according to the creators’ website.

Lindy Wiens, the teacher who's bringing the technique to the  in Kingfield, said “you could call it dance for non-dancers.” 

"It's dancey, but there are also moments in the class where we do kicks and punches and stuff," she said. "And at the end of the class, we’ll incorporate yoga and stretching and alignment work."

Wiens said she first took a Nia class in 2001 and fell in love.

“I wasn’t looking at the clock asking ‘When will this be over? How many more times do I have to step up on this block?’” she said.

Wiens’ hourlong classes are 10 a.m. Saturday, through January, at the Center for Performing Arts.