Portland-based Nia Launches National Go Barefoot Day Fundraiser

In honor of National Go Barefoot Day on June 1, Nia, the original pioneer of mind-body fusion barefoot fitness, today announced that its global community of teachers and practitioners will host fundraisers across the world, benefitting Soles4Souls. The global nonprofit organization turns shoes and clothing into opportunity, by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use. Soles4Souls provides relief, creates jobs and empowers people to break the cycle of poverty. The events will begin on June 1 with a free, public class led by Nia trainer and teacher, Ann Christiansen, in support of empowerment and choice when it comes to moving barefoot.

Nia has led the way in barefoot fitness for nearly four decades. While science has shown tremendous benefits in being barefoot – including improving balance and awareness, relieving body pain and building foot and ankle strength – the Nia community recognizes the privilege of being able to CHOOSE if and when to move barefoot.

“Millions of children and adults living without shoes around the world do not have this choice,” said Debbie Rosas, founder of Nia. “Shoes provide a plethora of benefits, including opening up opportunities for school and work that are otherwise unavailable. At Nia, we want to do our part to empower people and help them acquire at least one pair of shoes they can use in their daily lives, when and if they choose.”

Nia is a holistic fitness practice that addresses body, mind and soul, with teachers and practitioners worldwide who are passionate about all aspects of self care as well as community connection. With its strong community focus and belief in confidence, connection and empowerment, Rosas says the Barefoot Day fundraiser is a perfect fit for Nia. She says participating Nia teachers will host fundraisers to benefit Soles4Souls.

To learn more or make a donation, visit https://bit.ly/NiaFundraising. To sign up for the free, public Nia class, visit https://nianow.com/barefoot-day.

About Nia

Nia is a holistic fitness practice addressing each aspect of life - body, mind and soul. Combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness, Nia has nearly 40 years of experience helping individuals’ condition, strengthen and self-heal the body while transforming the mind, emotions and spirit. Nia was founded in 1983 by Debbie Rosas, who realized that there had to be something more to fitness than the routine exhaustion and stiffness, aches, and pains that came hand in hand with high-intensity aerobics. Today, Nia classes are available across the world led by Nia-certified teachers’ trainers in-person, online, or virtually with Nia® On Demand. To learn more and find a class nearby, visit nianow.com.

About Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls disrupts the cycle of poverty by creating sustainable jobs and providing relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the organization repurposes product to supply its micro-enterprise, disaster relief and direct assistance programs. Since 2006, we have distributed more than 73 million pairs of shoes and pieces of clothing in 129 countries and generated over $475 million in economic impact. Visit soles4souls.org for more information.