TESTIMONIALS
Your class is such a mood enhancer. When I walk home after your class I have this incredible Zen feeling, just euphoric and peaceful. While I normally get impatient when I have to wait for a red light, instead I just close my eyes for a moment and take a deep inhale and just feel so at peace in my mind.
Your Nia classes have helped me realize that I have limited myself in how I get down and back up off of the floor. When my knee pain started in 2007, I had to re-teach myself how to get up and down and found the one way that doesn’t hurt. Unfortunately, over time, I had forgotten how to get up any other way. Now that I have the knee pain under control with meds, I’ve realized there is no reason why I should limit that action of getting up with only one certain motion. So I have been trying to be creative and get up different ways – especially without hands. (Having a dog does get me on the floor more often than most folks by playing with – and now cleaning up after- a new puppy). I’ve found by getting up in different ways that I have lost some strength in my left leg, so I am in the process of working on that. But it’s thanks to your class that I even noticed this. -M.C.
The Many Ways in Which NIA (and Lynett) have affected my life. (in no particular order-free associating before coffee):
1. More aware of posture at computer and while walking
2. Body shape improved. Slimmer hips, weight loss.
3. Best HDL number I ever had
4. Slither easily in crowds
5. Feel healthier
6. More limber
7. Improved balance
8. Look forward to class (not “working out”)
9. Feel sexier
10.Feel committed to continuing
A force of nature
A fabulous dancer
A warm and generous spirit
Admired and beloved
A terrific teacher
Funny
Encouraging
Supportive
Empathetic
There’s more, I’m sure but I did my homework this morning and I’m not a morning person.
Thanks so much for everything!! -A.E.
Dear Lynett,
I think Nia has become a way of life for me…when I walk I try to remember how to stand and hold my body. I love the classes and the experience of just losing myself in the wonderful selections of music you provide and in trying to master the various movements and concepts being introduced. I look forward to coming and I feel exhilarated for the rest of the day! It’s such a pleasure having this in my life! I can’t thank you enough for offering this very special opportunity! -S.L.
Nia has taught me how NOT to hurt my body and to CARE about protecting it. -M.D.
My dearest Lynett:
When you asked us to write our feelings about Nia, I recalled the first class I attended. I thought it was hokey, self indulgent and strange. Because it was so light hearted and carefree, even a bit silly, it certainly did not qualify as serious exercise. How could something like that be good for your body, I thought.
Little did I know then, that I would become addicted to this amazing force of joy and energy. I don’t recall how many years I have been coming to your class, but I recall several times, thinking I had finished mourning the deaths of my husband almost 6 years ago, my mother 4 years ago, and my brother 2 years ago. But Nia told me otherwise. There were times when I was so moved by some primal force that I began to cry from the depths of my heart. It has happened more than once. And each time someone in that lovely class would come to me and hug me. There is something primal, deep, evocative and soul stirring and powerful about Nia.
But on a lighter note, it’s just so much fun. It makes you childlike, happy, agile; it makes you lose your inhibitions. It makes you strong and walk tall. It is also sensuous, putting you in touch with parts of your body that may be neglected and need to be reminded that we are vital, sexual women.
But I wonder if everyone who takes Nia classes has the same experience? I think what makes your classes so remarkable is YOU!
It is so clear that you are passionate about the work you do. It’s obvious you put in many hours of preparation, always on the lookout for music to compliment your routines. Sometimes I look around the class at women of all ages, particularly those over 65, frolicking, smiling, becoming more agile, confident, uninhibited, balanced and stronger each week. And it all has to do with the energy, enthusiasm and skill you share with us as a masterful teacher.
How lucky we are to have you in our lives. -M.R.
Dear Lynett,
When I am in the non-Nia world I think of all the wonderful music we share together and stand erect physically and emotionally.
You have added such a critical dimension to my life: blessing, health: physical, emotional and spiritual.
I am grateful for your presence in my life. -D.T.
Nia has not influenced my life it has become my life. Any musical video I see or CD I hear brings Nia moves to mind and has me moving whether sitting or standing, and yes with awareness of the “deep muscles” you always talk about. Even my husband will say, isn’t that like the Nia move you showed me when watching “Chicago” again on TV.
I think my body looks and feels better and I love the sense of freedom in movement.
My shopping habits have changed, always looking for something on sale that would be good for wearing at Nia class.
I am not new to exercise because I always knew it was good for me and I used it as a way to control my weight BUT I was always happy to find an excuse not to go. Can you believe that I actually look forward to Tuesday and Thursday mornings, being willing to wake up early (for me) and meet my house buddies at 8:15 to walk over a mile in any weather, to your class. And that brings me to my last thought. Nia would be nothing without YOU for me. I think you are wonderful as a teacher and a person. Aren’t you glad you asked. -M.S.
I have been taking Lynett's NIA classes for 12 years and can attest to their greatness. The carefully researched and choreographed routines are instrumental in my feeling energetic, graceful and joyful. Lynette is a true professional and perfectionist, who brings great value to her students. - Betty Sacks
Lynett’s class informs and energizes my body, mind, and spirit. I feel so much better after completing each class. While we dance, she reminds us of how particular dance movements affect our muscles, bones, and joints. She encourages us to be playful, yet, mindful and to real feel the music from the inside out. The well -chosen musical selections often have themes from a wide range of music genres. Lynett dances with the passion of her soul. Her expert guidance and inspiring spirit enrich my Nia experience in such joyful, powerful ways. I am so grateful for the class. It is an important part of my life. -Mary F. Lenox
I am writing to endorse one of the best forms of exercise ( often a bad word) a person can do. It is a Nia class! The old song “I’ve got the music in me”, best describes the feeling you have during one of these classes. The music becomes a part of your routine and suddenly achy, stiff, painful body parts become one with the music and before you know it the class has ended and you’ve had a thorough workout of every muscle and joint in your body.
Try one class and you will be hooked forever! -Kathy Anderson (Been doing Nia for over 6 years)
If I did NIa all the time I’d be perfectly content. Lynette is an amazingly intelligent, passionate and marvelously gifted teacher. Every one of her movements is worthwhile, sensible and works! After dance classes, yoga, etc.——this is the BEST workout possible and I Love ❤ it! Wish I could do it every day! - Ina Burd
I have been taking Lynette’s NIA class for years, and I LOVE it. I try to take it every week, and am very unhappy when I have to miss it. I love her music, it is the best music in the East Bank classes. I was a wooden soldier when I started, but I have improved with practice. Lynett is the Best! -Joan Fallert
Lynett’s class puts magic in my day. I look forward to going, I revel in the joy and smiles of my fellow dancers. There is no self-consciousness…Lynett makes the class fun and engaging, and entirely without anxiety. My body feels amazing after class; it feels supple and fluid and strong. It may not LOOK like that, but it IS how I feel! This is my favorite movement class of all time. -Nell
Lynett's Nia class is outstanding; she puts a lot of effort into the music and choreography with each routine offering a variety of styles and drawing from multiple exercise/dance disciplines. I feel energized and centered after every class. It is a total workout but also so much fun!
On a rating of 1-10 Lynett Putterman is out of the box. She is an innovative, creative teacher who leaves her students energized, stimulated and wanting more of NIA, Lynette's guidance and her great music playlists. I came first for the music, then for the surprises and spirited women, finally for the fitness I was enjoying. The women in my NIA class in downtown Chicago are diverse in age, physical skills, exercising backgrounds and sometimes, at first, confidence levels. The classes are demanding, rewarding and addictive. Not the least of Lynette's many skills are her people skills. She cares about her students and stresses safe ways to keep fit through her imaginative, often joyous routines; tactful corrections, and thoughtful praise. -Susan Mednick
I hate to exercise. Even when I had an excellent trainer, I dreaded our sessions. So, it is remarkable that I genuinely look forward to and enjoy NIA. Offering a combination of dancing (which I love), a wide variety of music, and the opportunity to challenge my body to move in new and better ways (e.g., flexibility), NIA is making me a much healthier person. Lynett Putterman, our instructor, is an exceptional teacher --- her energy is contagious, lessons are skillfully choreographed and very challenging, yet also a lot of fun--- which is why you’ll observe hard work, smiles, laughter, and applause at our sessions. NIA is changing my life! -Pamela B. Adelman