Ann Boon Inspiration, Brisbane (2025)

22/07/2025

🌺 Nourishing Movement for Hormonal Shifts

As hormones shift in perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, and our bodies change we may feel heavier, more tired, less resilient, more anxious… and other changes come along like sarcopenia the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Even if you are experiencing mood swings, stiff joints or sleep troubles, you’re not broken. It helps immensely to understand what’s going on in your body and by all means have a check up to look at bone density, hormone levels, bloods and so on.

Pair all that good information with movement that builds strength, muscle mass, bone density, promotes balance and offers some fun and connection. Include movement that enhances flexibility, suppleness, fluidity, grace and flow and you're onto a winner!

🌸 Nia and HeartFIT are a powerful combination for this stage of life:
• Nia calms the nervous system, awakens body awareness, and softens tension.
• Strength and functional movement (like HeartFIT) support bone density, muscle mass, and metabolic health.
• Joyful movement lifts mood, balances cortisol, and helps regulate fluctuating hormones.
✨ Support your body with the kind of movement that nourishes you from the inside out.

09/07/2025

Nia teaches you to practice joy
It’s joyful, low-impact movement to beautiful music – designed for body, mind, heart and soul.

Embedded within each class is an invitation to invite joy in via sensation. It can be subtle and profound. And the more you practice, the more the joy has a place to land.

And the best part is you always and only ever need to be yourself.

No dance experience needed. Come as you are!

WHAT IS NIA GREAT FOR?
💛 Better balance and flexibility
💛 More strength and mobility
💛 Less pain and more joy
💛 Feel-good movement that lasts beyond the class

🕘 Every Thursday 9.15am–10.15am
📍 Studio One, Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel Street, Carina
💸 Active Moves Pricing:
• Casual $15
• 10-visit pass $110
• 20-visit pass $180

25/06/2025

Every morning, before the day begins, I make a cuppa and find somewhere to sit quietly to contemplate the day ahead. I look out at the garden or lately, the big eucalypt out the back. The one that lost its big branch in the mini tornado earlier this year (pre-cyclone). The one we feel needs to go for the safety of our place and our neighbours.

Right now I love it more than ever. It's so beautiful. In peaceful weather it looks serene although it can become a bit scary when the wind gets up. It's full of life and after losing a big branch, it's putting on new growth. It provides food and shelter to countless beings. Not to mention shade and beauty for us.

In the quiet of the morning I have a 4 minute ritual, inspired by Mike Dooley, the Thoughts-Become-Things guy. I call in the joy. That's my daily visualisation. Although for me it's more cultivating the feeling than seeing anything specific.

I call in the joy. I breathe it in. I feel it in my cells. I let it bubble up inside me. As this year unfolds, I'm noticing of lot more magic crossing my path, like people and moments that light me up.

I'm not talking about grand miracles or overnight transformation, rather the simple magic woven through daily life. Laughter. Moments of presence. Little treasures. Smiles and gorgeous things people say. Gifts that come my way in the form of a cuppa or a flower or a funny anecdote. Is joy actually love in motion? I'm not sure but I really like the idea!

Joy comes when we put what lights us up first, instead of last.

Years ago, when I first discovered Nia, I was deep in a stage of parenting little kids, with lots of volunteering at school, running around doing things for other people in my world and community. I loved it but had a tendency to burn out. When things got busy I would sacrifice my weekly Nia class until one day I thought "why on Earth am I putting the thing that lights me up last?"

So I consciously switched it. I put Nia first. And that's when everything changed.

19/06/2025

We plan our appointments. We write our to-do lists. We carve out time for everything and everyone else. But what about your joy? Your health? Your sense of you? As Michelle Obama says, "We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do’ list."
Join me for Nia – every Thursday at 9.15am, Studio One, Clem Jones Centre – 56 Zahel Street, Carina
It’s one hour that will leave you feeling grounded, uplifted, strong and soothed – body, mind and spirit.
You don’t need to be a dancer. You don’t need to be coordinated.
You just need to be open to beautiful music, gentle guidance, and the magic of moving in a way that’s designed for your body – not against it.
So, what do we women of a certain age need?
✔️ Strength and stability
✔️ Better balance and posture
✔️ Joint-friendly movement
✔️ Flexibility and mobility
✔️ Mental clarity and calm
✔️ A body that works well for everyday life
✔️ A bit of joy. A bit of fun. A lot of feel-good
And what does Nia give us?
✔️ A full-body workout – deceptively gentle, surprisingly powerful
✔️ Movement that supports your nervous system
✔️ Music that lifts your spirit
✔️ Safe, low-impact fitness that still builds strength and cardio health
✔️ A place to belong. A place to breathe.
✔️ That delicious “I feel like me again” feeling
Class details:
🕘 Thursdays, 9.15am–10.15am
📍 Studio One, Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel St, Carina
💸 Nia is on the Active Moves Timetable
Pricing:
• Casual: $15
• 10-visit pass: $110
• 20-visit pass: $180
Come once, or come every week. Either way, come as you are.
I promise it’s welcoming, joyful and absolutely not scary.
Much love,
Ann💃🏻 ###
P.S. Bring a friend. And a towel!

18/06/2025

We plan our appointments. We write our to-do lists. We carve out time for everything and everyone else. But what about your joy? Your health? Your sense of you? As Michelle Obama says, "We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to-do’ list."
Join me for Nia – every Thursday at 9.15am, Studio One, Clem Jones Centre – 56 Zahel Street, Carina
It’s one hour that will leave you feeling grounded, uplifted, strong and soothed – body, mind and spirit.
You don’t need to be a dancer. You don’t need to be coordinated.
You just need to be open to beautiful music, gentle guidance, and the magic of moving in a way that’s designed for your body – not against it.
________________________________________
So, what do we women of a certain age need?
✔️ Strength and stability
✔️ Better balance and posture
✔️ Joint-friendly movement
✔️ Flexibility and mobility
✔️ Mental clarity and calm
✔️ A body that works well for everyday life
✔️ A bit of joy. A bit of fun. A lot of feel-good
And what does Nia give us?
✔️ A full-body workout – deceptively gentle, surprisingly powerful
✔️ Movement that supports your nervous system
✔️ Music that lifts your spirit
✔️ Safe, low-impact fitness that still builds strength and cardio health
✔️ A place to belong. A place to breathe.
✔️ That delicious “I feel like me again” feeling
Class details:
🕘 Thursdays, 9.15am–10.15am
📍 Studio One, Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel St, Carina
💸 Nia is on the Active Moves Timetable
Pricing:
• Casual: $15
• 10-visit pass: $110
• 20-visit pass: $180
Come once, or come every week. Either way, come as you are.
I promise it’s welcoming, joyful and absolutely not scary.
Much love,
Ann💃🏻 ###
P.S. Bring a friend. And a towel!

04/06/2025

Feet are meant to be sensory. And barefoot movement? That’s their native language. Read all about your amazing feet and how to take care of them in this week's newsletter

03/06/2025

Love Your Feet
Your feet are incredible—they carry you through life, yet often go unnoticed until they ache. Let's change that.
Nurture Your Feet:
• Enjoy a warm foot bath or gentle stretch.
• Treat them to a coconut oil scrub and massage.
• Walk barefoot on the beach or soft grass.
Fun Fact: Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, over 100 muscles, and more than 8,000 nerve endings!
Improve Foot Function:
• Go barefoot when possible.
• Wiggle and spread your toes.
• Walk on natural surfaces like grass or sand.
• Use toe spreaders or toe socks.
• Choose shoes with wide toe boxes and flexible soles.
Your feet are designed for movement and sensation. Embrace their natural function! Nia is designed to be practised barefoot (but you can wear shoes – see below) Over time, it enhances foot mobility, stability, and responsiveness, positively impacting your posture and overall well-being.

What Nia Offers Your Feet
In Nia, we don’t just include the feet—we celebrate them. And we use moves designed to condition you from the feet up. You’ll roll through the soles, shift weight, articulate the joints in your feet and ankles, lift your heels, step onto the ball of the foot, learn to land gently with heel lead, spread your toes, push away from the floor, and play. It’s sensory and strengthening, and over time, Nia helps your feet become more mobile, more stable, more responsive. And that flows up through your entire posture and sense of self.

But What If You Want to Wear Shoes?
All is welcome at Nia with me.
Some feet need support. Some feet get cold. Some are dealing with injuries, arthritis, plantar fasciitis—or just don’t want to go barefoot. That’s okay. Nia's core message is to listen to your body. If yours says “shoes today,” listen with love. I’d rather you feel safe and supported than worry about any “shoulds.” But if there’s even a little curiosity you could explore the Nia foot movements at home. A little and often goes a long way. Nia offers a rich toolkit to help your feet—and your whole body—feel more alive.

Nia with Ann:
• 🕒 Thursdays at 9:15 AM
• 📍 Studio One, Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel St, Carina
• 💃 Wear comfortable clothes (think yoga class) and bring a towel.
• 🚗 Plan for parking time.

Whether barefoot or in supportive shoes, Nia welcomes you. Embrace movement from the ground up!

28/05/2025

Nia is joyful, flowing, barefoot movement. Rooted in the martial arts, healing arts, and dance, it blends music, mindfulness and motion into a continuous class that conditions the body and soothes the soul. No stopping and starting – just a seamless, feel-good journey that builds strength, agility and grace while reminding us to connect to the essence of who we are.

* Improves balance, mobility and coordination
* Offers a rich vocabulary of movement
* Builds confidence and vitality at every age

Nia feels like a moving meditation, where you’re swept into rhythm and sensation. A beautiful complement to the focus & fire of traditional fitness,

Nia with Ann is JOY!
🕒 Thursdays from 9.15am
📍 Studio One, Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel St, Carina
💃🏻Wear comfortable clothes and bring a towel!
🚗Give yourself plenty of time to park

25/05/2025

Shimmy, Shake, Squat & Smile with Me! Nine Nia & HeartFIT classes this week : Two Ways I Love to Move 💃💪🤸‍♀️❣️
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a full dance card for the next fortnight – and I’d love you to join me. 💃 On Thursdays, you’ll find me teaching Nia at Clem Jones, as usual from 9.15am in Studio One 💪 This week and next, I’m also jumping in to teach eight weekly HeartFIT classes around Brisbane while Bruce – HeartFIT’s founder – takes a well-earned break.
✨ Why I Love Both – and Why You Might Too
Though Nia and HeartFIT have very different flavours, I find they complement each other beautifully. They both foster strength, mobility, flexibility, agility, stability, balance, coordination, healthy ageing, and more - while celebrating all the people who come along.
🌀 What They Share
Both Nia and HeartFIT:
• Improve balance, mobility and coordination
• Offer a rich vocabulary of movement
• Build confidence and vitality at every age
But the energy is different – Nia feels like a moving meditation, where you’re swept into rhythm and sensation. HeartFIT brings the focus and fire of traditional fitness, with moves shaped by the beat and the use of bands and weights. Together, they offer a rounded way to stay strong, supple and joyfully alive. They both have great communities. Plus... they’re fun!
This Week’s Line-Up: HeartFIT + Nia with Ann

🌟 Monday – HF @ Cannon Hill + Mt Gravatt
🌟 Tuesday – HF @ New Farm
🌟 Wednesday – HF @ Sandgate
🌟 Thursday – Nia @ at Clem Jones Carina
🌟 Friday – HF @ Clayfield + Underwood

🌱 HeartFIT is also happening at Cleveland, Balmoral, Ascot, Sunnybank and more. There are 22 HeartFIT classes offered across Brisbane weekly. Your first class is free, and class passes are interchangeable.

More info here ;

20/05/2025

Want more joy in your life? Nia is a great place to start.

Nia blends the expressiveness of dance, the power of martial arts, and the presence gained from slowing down and tuning in. Whether you're craving connection, more ease in your joints, better balance, or just a place to feel free — you can find it at Nia.

You don’t need experience, just a willingness to step in and move in your own body’s way. The music is gorgeous and the moves are simple. We dance barefoot but you’re welcome to wear shoes if you need to. I’ll guide you to tune into the sensations in your body via awareness and breath .. and we’ll go from there.

Every Thursday at Clem Jones Centre you’ll find me in Studio One from 9.15am ..

Finding us is easy:
• Allow 15mins to find a park in the carpark or surrounding streets
• Head into reception and let the friendly staff know you’re here for Nia
• Come upstairs to Studio One, where I’ll be waiting to welcome you with open arms (and fabulous music!)

🕒 Thursdays from 9.15am
📍 Studio One, Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel St, Carina
💃🏻Wear comfortable clothes and bring a towel!
🚗Give yourself plenty of time to park
🙋‍♀️ DM me with questions or just show up — I’d love to welcome you in.

14/05/2025

What is Nia? Nia means “with purpose” in Swahili. It’s movement that feels good—and does good.

Nia blends movement, music, and mindfulness to unlock your creativity. It draws on elements of martial arts (the precision of TaeKwonDo kicks and punches, the flowing movement of Aikido and the grounded power of Tai Chi), dance arts (the pizazz of jazz, the drama of modern dance and the free form of Duncan dance) and healing arts (the mind body depth of yoga, the awareness of sensation of Feldenkrais and the postural nuance of the Alexander Technique).

At the Clem Jones Centre we’re lucky enough to have Nia on the timetable – Thursdays from 9.15am in Studio One, 56 Zahel St, Carina

🕘 When & Where:
Thursdays, 9.15am | Studio One
Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel St, Carina

Wear something comfortable, bring a towel, and arrive early — Clem Jones carpark is BUSY!

06/05/2025

It’s been described as Spiritual Aerobics. In Swahili it means 'with purpose'. "Neuro-Integrative Action' is a mouthful. But did you know NIA first stood for 'Non-Impact Aerobics'? Created in 1983, Nia continues to evolve today.

It’s not easy to describe because Nia is much more than a workout. It’s a fusion of dance, martial arts, and healing arts like jazz, yoga and tai chi. It’s movement medicine, with music, mindfulness, and joy woven through every step.

At the Clem Jones Centre we’re lucky enough to have this gem on the timetable – Thursdays from 9.15am in Studio One, 56 Zahel St, Carina

Nia blends different disciplines to promote holistic health and well-being. It's nuanced and nourishing. It's grounding and light. It's designed to be done barefoot but you can wear shoes if you want to. It encourages self-expression but there is form based on 52 moves that condition every part of the body. How to describe it? That's almost impossible. You have to experience it yourself. No pressure. Just move, feel, and enjoy.

🕘 When & Where:
Thursdays, 9.15am | Studio One
Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel St, Carina
Wear something comfortable, bring a towel, and arrive early — Clem Jones carpark is BUSY!

Nia was born in 1983. In an age of “no pain, no gain” and “feel-the-burn” high-impact aerobic fitness, Nia founders Debbie and Carlos Rosas believed there had to be a better way. Leaving successful careers in the booming high-impact aerobics industry behind, they embarked on a quest to find an alternative way to move, condition and heal the body that would integrate the body, mind and spirit. Back then Nia was revolutionary ...

Over 35 years later, Nia now reaches all over the globe, bringing health, well-being, joy, connection, vitality and holistic fitness to thousands of practitioners.

Ann Boon Inspiration

22/07/2025

09/07/2025

25/06/2025

19/06/2025

18/06/2025

04/06/2025

03/06/2025

28/05/2025

25/05/2025

20/05/2025

14/05/2025

06/05/2025

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