If you’ve ever visited Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, you may have noticed the building that houses the Madrona MindBody Institute. What most people don’t realize, is that the institute isn’t just for Port Townsend area residents, visitors can join in on a variety of drop-in classes too, with everything from yoga to dance classes offered. Not only can you experience the spectacular beauty of the park, with its breathtaking shorelines and myriad of hiking trails, you can learn something new or simply squeeze a little more exercise in.
That’s where this week’s “Faces of the Northwest” comes in. We’re proud to feature Nia dance instructor Jan Burr. Nia is a fantastic class to drop-in on, as there are no skills required – all you do is move in your own way to the beat of the music. We met up with Jan to find out more.
Madrona MindBody Institute, Fort Worden, Port Townsend
How did you get started in your business?
I was invited to a Nia class on my 60th Birthday. My friend said I would love it. I did! I have been dancing Nia now for nearly 10 years and am a Nia “blue belt.” I am more fit than I was at 60. I am in my 5th year of teaching. Aletia Alverez and Allison Day opened the doors (to Madrona) 10 years ago. Today it’s the home for many movement forms including Soul Motion, Nia, Feldenkrais and Yoga on a regular schedule. Guest teachers offering a rich variety of movement and healing classes come from all over the world to teach seminars. You can find what’s offered at Madrona at MadronaMindBody.com. I teach a regular Nia class Thursday evenings at 5:15, and I often substitute for the other Nia classes when a teacher is ill or away.
Jan Burr, Nia dance instructor
What’s something about you or what you do that not everyone knows?
Nia is fun and is meant to be fun. It is based on pleasure and joy. It is for EveryBody. The joy of moving together to music. Nia is fusion fitness, combining movements from the healing arts, martial arts and dance arts for a 55 minute workout. It is about enjoying your body’s way in the moment. It is not about doing “it” right. It can be intimidating to show up as a beginner for a class you have never taken, with people you don’t know, but Nia is based on welcoming others, the joy of movement and having fun together to get fit… It’s done barefoot! Come to have fun and maybe feel a little silly and playful.
Besides Nia, I love all dance and movement forms. I have been dancing tango for 20 years. My claim to fame is being the Leader of the Port Townsend Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team that marched for 10 years straight in the Rhododendron Parade in Port Townsend each May.
Nia dance class, Madrona MindBody Institute
When you have a day off, what Pacific Northwest experiences do you like to go and enjoy?
When I am not teaching or preparing to teach Nia I love walking on the beaches around Port Townsend, going sailing with my boat owner friends, dancing and/or listening to music at local favorite spots: Cellar Door, Pour House, Uptown Pub, Sirens or attending an event offered by Centrum. I love to go to the local tango and zydeco and honkey tonk dances. I love to walk downtown and see a movie at the Rose Theater, or just go for a walk down the fountain stairs and just see who I might meet up with for a coffee or glass of wine.
To get out of town I love to ride the ferry boats up to the San Juan Islands, to Seattle, or take a drive up to Sol Duc Hot Springs or out to La Push on the coast. I love hanging with my sons and their families anywhere.
If you had to describe what you love about the Pacific Northwest in 3 words, what would you choose?
People, mountains and ferry boats.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know?
What I want people to know about Nia is that it is for everybody. Young and old, male and female. Many of my Nia teacher friends offer children’s classes. It is a way to get fit having fun in the company of others. It is based on pleasure, not pain. Listening to your body and honoring what it tells you. I am so glad my friend told me about Nia and that I have stuck with it. You can go to a Nia class almost anywhere in the world. It is a language of movement based on the 52 moves that are the meat and potatoes of Nia.
Hope to see you at a Nia class soon.
Jan Burr
