Take tai-chi, yoga, and dance. Stir. And you have Nia, one of a spate of newish fusion-fitness methods. It’s an acronym for “Neuromuscular Integrative Action,” though the method’s founders point out that in Swahili Nia also happens to mean “with purpose” and “a small tiny movement” in Hebrew.

Regardless, Nia reaches for a body-mind “fusion fitness” with classes that are like a slow-motion aerobics session. It’s cardiovascular, caters to all fitness levels, and encourages relaxation, even when you’re drenched and panting. Among other jargony tenets (“intrinsic and extrinsic muscular movement that is multi-dynamic and multi-directional”), Nia is based on the “Pleasure Principle,” the idea that exercise should be fun and joyful, not painful or hard. Its founders claim that all this leads to enhanced chi, better immunity, flexibility, clear thinking, strength, and weight loss.

To indulge, you can find one of dozens of Nia teachers throughout the world, or pick up the book, released this year,The Nia Technique , which explains it all. For more info: nia-nia.com