My Nia Technique Journey: The Transformation I Didn't Expect

By Lee De Wet

If someone had told me a few years ago that movement — simple, intentional, expressive movement — would transform my life, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. At the time, I was still firmly rooted in a demanding career where my days and schedule were full, and my own wellbeing often slipped quietly to the bottom of the list.

And then, probably not accidentally, and I truly believe, quite miraculously — I discovered Nia. I didn’t go searching for it. Nia found me. What I didn’t realize then was that this discovery would mark the beginning of a slow, steady, and deeply personal transformation. Not the dramatic, overnight kind we all secretly wish for, but the kind that unfolds honestly, through the body, mind and spirit... and with time.

The First Year: When My Body Started speaking

When I stepped into my first Nia class in early 2023, I had no idea what I was inviting into my life — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. My first year was… challenging, to say the least. It was the year my body found its voice after decades of being quiet.

It started with my back, a problematic part of my body that challenged me throughout my adult life. Suddenly it spoke to me -  loudly, persistently, and often painfully. As I continued practicing, other parts of my body joined the conversation — my knees, my ankles, muscles I didn’t even know existed. At times it felt like a rollercoaster of aches and discoveries. It wasn’t always pleasant. But something inside me knew I needed to keep going.

Looking back, I can see so clearly what was happening:

I was beginning to feel again - not just move!

And sometimes, when the body starts awakening from years of tension, it speaks through discomfort first.

A Pivotal Shift: Strengthening My Center

A turning point came when a chiropractor suggested I focus on strengthening my core. It was such simple advice, but it turned out to be profound. As I began paying attention to my center — physically and energetically — everything started to change. My back pain gradually eased. Movement felt lighter, and I felt more supported from within.

Today, I barely experience backache at all, something that feels quite miraculous, when I think about where I started.

But I also understand this now: strengthening my core wasn’t just about muscles. It was about stability, presence, stillness and getting to know myself again.

An Ever-Unfolding Journey

One of the most inspiring discoveries on this journey has been realizing that Nia is an ongoing journey - as is life. No point at which you’ve learned all there is to learn.

My instructor Susan Sloan, who has been practicing Nia for 22 years, still says she learns something new all the time. For someone who believes in life-long learning, I find this so inspiring! Her words echo something I deeply believe: if you stay open, there is always something to discover, and curiosity is what keeps life alive.

Two and a half years after my very first class, the difference in my life is nothing short of extraordinary.

My body feels freer and more responsive. My back — once one of my biggest challenges — is no longer a source of daily pain. I move with ease, with a sense of grounding I’ve never had before.

Emotionally, I feel more resilient, more open, more connected to myself.

But perhaps the most profound change is this:

Nia didn’t just improve my body. It changed my relationship with my body.

And from that shift, everything else began to transform and unfold in so many unexpected ways...

With Deep Gratitude

I do want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Susan, my instructor, who has been central to my journey of discovery. Her guidance and presence have been so inspiring and she has shaped much of this experience. Also, being part of the Nia community at Studio Kairos has added a depth and richness I could never have imagined. The sense of belonging, support, and shared joy is truly profound, and has been another unexpected, precious gift found along the way...