Nia creators, Debbie Rosas and Carlos Aya Rosas, began

developing their revolutionary approach to fitness in the 1980s and their first step was taking off their shoes and training in bare feet.  Taking it's cue from bare foot practices such as yoga and many forms of dance and martial arts, Nia became the first cardio-fitness format to celebrate the benefits of moving barefoot.  At the peak of the aerobic dance craze, going shoe-less was virtually unheard of, but now barefoot running, hiking, weight lifting and "Earthing" have become increasingly popular (much to the dismay of the billion dollar exercise shoe industry).  Indeed, our feet are designed to function barefoot, with 7,000 nerve endings in each foot communicating important information to our brain every time we touch the ground!  The modern world isn't always safe for bare feet, but a growing body of research (as well as a basic understanding of anatomy) suggest that the benefits outweigh the risks. Moving in bare feet can improve and correct many diagnosed pediatric problems by strengthening muscles and realigning bones and joints that have been weakened or restricted by poorly designed footwear.  It enhances posture, proprioception, balance and coordination by activating our sensory system and increasing our awareness. Ready to find out for yourself?  Take off your shoes (or not--no pressure) and come to a Nia class at El Gancho, Mondays and Wednesdays at 5pm!