Nia has been in numerous television and radio programs, as well as in over 500 newspapers and magazines worldwide. Here is just a selection of those who comment on Nia Cardiff;
"NIA is a great and enjoyable way for opening up to movement, health and a great spiritual buzz. Sam Hyde is an inspiring, caring and impeccable NIA teacher."
Hannah Waterman
"I was a Nia Virgin. I am now a Nia Convert - What a wonderful class Sam, very enjoyable." May 2006
"Migraines and an inflamed coccyx led Sam Hyde to this upbeat movement and self-healing practice. Drum beats, jazz, tae kwon do, Alexander technique, Feldenkrais-you name it, Nia makes use of it. Now pain-free and a teacher herself, Hyde says, "Students love the fact that Nia allows them to adapt the moves to suit their body for that particular day. There's no sense of competition, it's about giving people the freedom to express themselves." Classes provide cardiovascular cross-training, strength, flexibility, creative inspiration and emotional uplift." - The Guardian - May 2006
Cardiff Women's Aid
"Dear Sam, I am writing to thank you . . for the Nia session held in SAFE Group . . .the SAFE Group is a support group set up by Cardiff Womens Aid . . . to encourage social networks and to provide positive opportunitites for women to rebuild their lives.
All those who attended . . . thoroughly enjoyed the session and found the background information and history of Nia very informative. We felt that the taster session was thoughtfully delivered and tailored to the all-women group who took part on the day. This was helpful, as participants were from a potentially vulnerable population but those who took part found your manner supportive and approachable. It was plain to see that you were a skilled Nia instructor, and the session was instructed in a way that could be understood to those with little or no experience of this new and innovative technique. The women who attended found you to be encouraging and sensitive to their needs.
The taster was also relaxing and took place in a safe and soothing environment, which added to the therapeutic nature of the session. The feedback from the participants during and after the course was positive . . . Women who took part reported feeling better in health and having a sense of well-being afterwards, therefore I believe this form of healing can indeed have a beneficial effect. In addition, all women expressed an interest in experiencing Nia in the future. . . We would certainly recommend your work to other organisations." Leanne Webber, Domestic Abuse Community Outreach Worker, Cardiff Women's Aid - May 2006
Active Life Project Cardiff
"A revolutionary new exercise class has arrived in Cardiff. Neuromuscular Integrative Action (NIA) might be difficult to say, but it's easy to do and its followers say it combines all the benefits of martial arts, modern dance and yoga.
The non-impact, but high-powered, Nia classes were developed in America . . . to prevent people getting injured through exercise. They are now up and running in Cardiff and the focus us on comfort instead of the pain sometimes associated with exercise.
Cardiff Nia Teacher Sam Hyde has delivered a number of sessions for us and they have all been well received. These groups would be considered 'hard' and Sam manages to maintain good relationships and people always comment positively on her work.
Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture said 'Nia is a very new concept in the UK, and these are the first classes in Cardiff. I hope that with the support of Active Life Cardiff they will continue and remain well attended.'" Press Release - March 2005
Buzz Magazine, Cardiff
"'Pretend you're a five year old', I hear as I randomly charge around the room. Halfway through my first Nia class and although I was unsure what to expect, I'm really getting into it. . . Nia is known as 'soft' exercise because the routines don't put pressure on the ligaments. Practiced barefoot, it's based on a combination of dance, healing and martial arts, and is intended to improve your mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as aiding the physical side. The purpose of disgarding socks and trainers is so you can feel the floor, which helps you to move instinctively. Much of the class was spent doing circular, stretching movements taken from Yoga and moving individual body parts, like the hips, which is reminiscent of modern dance. . . 'bouncing' and mingling across the room is a great way of losing your inhibitions as everyone goes with the flow of the upbeat music. . .
Armed with only a definition and a gym kit in tow when I first arrived at the class, after just one hour it did convert my way of thinking about how to keep fit. I feel energised, but incredibly relaxed. Besides, how else could you curl and uncurl like flower petals on a Thursday evening in Cathays without feeling a bit odd?" Melissa Bailey, Buzz Mag - November 2004