More than 40 women recently participated in a local dance and movement fundraiser on Women’s Day to honour the health and well-being of women.
This is according to Mia Steyn, a Nia black belt first degree teacher and the coordinator of Joy of Movement for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
CANSA hosted this event in collaboration with NiaWithMia, a dance workshop, on 9 August at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch.
Pictured above is Mia Steyn, a Nia black belt first degree teacher, and Leillani Geduld, corporate relations and sports events manager at the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). Steyn and Geduld are the two main collaborators of the Joy of Movement for CANSA fundraiser, which took place on 9 August. PHOTO: Micaleb Lawrence
Raising funds for CANSA
Nia is a dance that combines mindful movement with martial arts, said Steyn. “Nia is like fusion fitness and there’s also the lifestyle factor. It’s not just the physical body, but it also works with the emotions and spirits […] There’s room for people to do their own movements within choreography,” explained Steyn.
A Nia dance and movement session was recently hosted at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch to raise funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and to promote health and physical well-being amongst cancer survivors and patients, said Mia Steyn, a Nia black belt first degree teacher and the coordinator of Joy of Movement for CANSA. PHOTO: Micaleb Lawrence
Attendees could donate any amount from R200 for the fundraiser.
A total of 46 women were at the fundraiser and all the funds made will go towards CANSA, said Steyn.
“The purpose of today’s event is to, firstly, raise funds for CANSA and, secondly, to create awareness for the physical activities out there for cancer survivors and patients,” said Leillani Geduld, corporate relations and sports events manager at CANSA.
In honour of Women’s Month, a Joy of Movement for the Cancer Association of South Africa fundraiser was held at The Rupert Museum on 9 August. PHOTO: Micaleb Lawrence
Collaborating for wellness
CANSA aims to promote an active lifestyle and encourage people to do screenings, said Geduld. Nia’s focus on mind and body will add to the healing after treatment for cancer patients and survivors, she claimed.
By participating in Nia, women are focusing on their own health and wellness, said Kathy Wolstenholme, founder of Nia in South Africa, during her talk on physical wellness for women, cancer survivors and patients at the fundraiser.
The Rupert Museum sponsored the space for the Joy of Movement for CANSA fundraiser, according to Tatum Cogan, marketing and events coordinator for the Rupert Museum.
“Nia is like fusion fitness and there’s also the lifestyle factor. It’s not just the physical body, but it also works with the emotions and spirits […] There’s room for people to do their own movements within choreography,” according to Mia Steyn, a Nia black belt first degree teacher. VIDEO: Micaleb Lawrence
“Doing Nia helps you release the pressures and expectations you place on your body that are usually associated with physical exercise,” stated Pia Walters, an attendee of the fundraiser, via WhatsApp correspondence with MatieMedia. “Being at the fundraiser felt like a great opportunity to meet more of the Nia community.”
To honour women in August, Nia dance facilitators and CANSA will host an online and offline Joy of Movement for CANSA class every Saturday during Women’s Month, said Steyn.