Hello. I’m Maria Contreras and have for the last 7 years been facilitating movement; dance, learning through movement and relaxation to music. I work with the Nia Technique, coaching and relaxation methods. Corporate clients currently include: Telefonica O2, Heineken, American Express and Pfeizer as well as my weekly class open to all at the Brighton Natural Health Centre.
I was lucky enough to be on the FIRST EVER UK Nia traiing course and am now a Brown Belt level Nia instructor.
I was born in Chile in 1973 just in time for the Military Coup. My father did not survive the regime and disappeared never to be seen again. My mother, my brother and I came to England in 1980 when I was six. I was a shy, reclusive child who was traumatized and quiet at school – not integrating with the other children at all. I comforted myself by overeating and excluded myself by being the fat girl. My mother sent me to dance school when I was 11 and something happened, something which I will remember forever…
When the music came on, and we started to move, I forgot everything – I was completely free. I was transported to a world of magic and wonder where anything was possible…
And this I know today to be the Joy of Movement. This is the tool that in my experience is the one most healing thing I have ever come across. And today, at the age of 36, I get up in front of very important people and get them to… dance! And they laugh, play and have masses of fun., like the innocent spirits that I know we all are deep down. This has become my mission accomplished and why I love what I do and feel privileged to do it.
I am a commitment to the joyful celebration of humanity.
Here is a prize winning speech for Toastmasters International in the London Cardinals Club where I talk about this.
Nia Maria in action sharing the JOY of movement.
I am privileged to share my own life experience with you as we all discover ‘what is’ both within class and out of class – out there in the world. I am not a teacher who knows more than you. In Nia we are clear that we simply share with you what we sense. And so that makes us all equal. We are all on this journey of discovery together. I often see
Nia as ‘personal development on wheels’ and enjoy what it brings to me and to my wonderful students.
What never ceases to amaze me is just how powerful the Nia Technique is as a tool to get people of any age and background to just let go and play and be a bit silly. From executives in conferences to kids, adults and seniors. My aim is to create a space for people to have fun and connect with themselves. In literally a few minutes I can get a room full of strangers to
dance together clapping hands and laughing together. This is how effective MUSIC, MOVEMENT and MAGIC is.
In a broader context my business aim in the corporate space using Nia is to:
BRING PLAY TO THE WORKPLACE as I have come from a business background myself and have always wanted to make a mark in bringing more happiness and joy to work. In fact, let’s replace the word work with play.
I craft bespoke coaching and movement sessions for client groups and on a one-on-one basis. For me coaching is a safe space for an empowered, healing conversation that is client focused. I specialized in Purpose. That most ancient question, ‘who am I and what am I doing here?’ For more information on BODY COACHING email me.
I want to share with you my favourite inspiring quote which I live by:
Powerful Beyond Measure
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is
nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our
presence automatically liberates others.”
by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles
And finally - RELAAAAAX...
On meditation - did you know that it is through meditation that the human BEING can make a shift in consciousness? Try it on:
