Welcome to week #3 of the NiaDivas' Summer Treasure Hunt to find the magical you.

But first...Week #2's treasure was the ELBOW. How'd you do?  Experiences to share?  Comments welcome.

Now...Onward to Week #3.

Your Body's Treasure: Clue #3

I am a hinge joint.  I maintain a flow of energy along your leg.  I give your body freedom to bend and extend, to ascend and descend.  When relaxed, open, and free, I provide dynamic energy that allows you to spring gracefully into life.  I serve you best when you let your hip and ankle joints help me bend and extend.  Focus on my soft fleshy back when bending and extending to protect the ligaments near my cap.

I Am Energized By...

Bow Stance.  Stand in place, with your feet hip width apart (Open Stance), then step back on the ball of one foot, as if that leg were a bow drawing back.  Keep the shin of your front leg and thigh of your back (bow) leg perpendicular to the ground.

Maintain your balance in bow stance by keeping both knees slightly bent and your back heel high.  As you step back onto the ball of your foot, land and stick, powerfully sounding the vowel, "u."  Return to Open Stance and repeat on the other side.  Alternate sides.

The Bow Stance builds powerful agility and is excellent conditioning for walking and for dealing with changes in levels, as you descend and ascend, changing the body's center of gravity.

Additional Nia moves to energize this joint include: Riding (sumo) stance, Kicks, Sweep and Pivot Table Wipe.

In Every Day Life...

Sense me when you stand up and sit down. For ease, when walking up or down stairs, fold into the soft fleshy back part of me rather than pushing into the bony front of me.

We wish you a pleasant week of continuing self-discovery and finding the gems of your body!

Until next week,
Nia Divas Lesley Tinker and Jill Pagano
Certified Nia Instructors
Inspirational Fitness for an Extraordinary You