From childhood ballet dreams to a transformative moment on the shores of Ibiza, Helene Su’s journey led her to create NiiO Dance—a practice that fuses movement, music, and emotion in a deeply intuitive way.
In her interview with MysticMag, she shares how NiiO Dance differs from traditional structured movement, encouraging unlearning and tapping into the wisdom of the soma. With benefits ranging from emotional release to heightened self-awareness, this unique approach offers an alternative for those who struggle with stillness in meditation.
Now, with exciting new projects on the horizon, Helene continues to inspire others to reclaim their inner vitality through movement.
What inspired you to create NiiO Dance?
As a young girl, I began ballet lessons and used to go 3 – 4 times a week; in fact, it was my first love. But I didn’t think I was good enough to be a professional dancer, and so gave it up when I was 15. However, I never stopped dancing when I could, discovering it in a new way, to release pent-up emotion, find creative expression, and tap into an exhilaration and joy, that was free of the structure and constraints of formal ballet.
Then one time, around 2000 I was at an outdoor event in the north of Ibiza, on the coast. I hadn’t been feeling great, but as the music began, and I started to move, I felt an incredible surge of power rise up me. Being outdoors, I had the sparkling sea beneath me, the ocean air swirling around me, the natural rocks under my feet, and the sun warming me.
So I was energized by the magnetic frequencies we receive from nature, but Ibiza is also situated on one of the most powerful energy centers of the world.
In addition, Ibiza is ruled by the Phoenician goddess Tanit of Dance! I decided after that I needed to learn more, and that was the beginning of the birth of Niio Dance.
How does your approach to dance training differ from traditional methods?
Traditional dance is very structured, with steps, sequences, and ways to hold yourself. Since then there has been a ‘movement’ of different conscious dance practices, where you move more freely. My approach is unique to my own experiences over a lifetime, coupled with studies from both East and West, I lived in Asia for ten years, as well as being native Chinese, and I have an MA in Dance and Somatic Wellbeing.
Our ‘soma’ is our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual being, and just as in the Tao, the ancient mystical Chinese system of spiritual belief, my approach is grounded in our visceral body, yet can touch into the sacred realms, as we drop out of our conscious into our subconscious and superconscious. Rather than a ‘training’ I would almost describe it as an ‘unlearning’.
What are the key benefits of incorporating NiiO Dance into one’s routine?
Aside from the practical aspects of dropping out of the busy mind, to ground our thoughts, fears, and anxieties into the physical aliveness of our body, we learn to access our inner guidance by listening deeper into the messages of our soma. We can learn to understand ourselves better, and also be kinder and more patient with ourselves.
It’s like a ‘zooming out’ where we can pull back and get to see the ‘bigger picture’ of our lives, by taking a break from our constant busyness. It is especially good for those of us who find sitting meditation difficult. It is also a way that we can process and express our emotions. Sometimes we just can’t find the words we need to convey what we are feeling, right? Dropping in to move in this way gives our body a chance to speak.
How do you blend movement, music, and emotion in your teaching philosophy?
Gosh, these are all so tied up together for me! Part of my passion for dance as an adult is when I can be inspired by beautiful music. Music is another way to touch us without the need for words. And absolutely, different music connects to the whole range of our emotional world. In a way, you could say that all three – music, movement, and emotion are a part of each other. When we move, we connect to our emotions.
The quality of our expression will be a direct reflection of how we are feeling. Music can touch or ‘move’ us on many levels, and emotions can have their own ‘tune’, shape, or form.
NB To clarify, the word ‘music’ can be quite broad in itself. You could say, for example, that the sounds of nature often have their own music. However, I would like to give an honorary mention here to the incredible artists who have inspired me with their beautiful music over the years.
Can anyone, regardless of experience, join and benefit from NiiO Dance?
Yes absolutely! Niio Dance has nothing to do with the ability to dance. Its premise is really about allowing yourself to stay open to what you need to explore in the moment, and what you need to explore within you. Niio stands for New Integrated and Inspired Openings, because in every moment, with every breath we take, we are entering the new.
And it is about connecting to our inner vitality and energy – something is innate to us, rather than something learned. It might be worth adding here that if you have had a lot of formal ‘structured’ movement training, your body has been conditioned to move in certain ways, so this gives you the opportunity to discover new, unexpected ways to move and express.
What future projects or developments are you most excited about for NiiO Dance?
I am just about to launch Reclaim You, which is Part 1 of my online signature program, Creative Soul, which I am very excited about, as it really is a deep dive into the possibility of who we truly are and what we can create for this world.
However, I am also planning future in-person events including transformational and visionary retreats, which also super excite me! I would love to meet you either online or in person so that we can move and co-create together! We all have a beautiful contribution to this world, each in our own unique way.
Find out more at: www.niiodance.com
