Sponsored Content
Above: Casey Cox, founder of Nooma
Nooma is more than a gym; it’s a mind-body practice that incorporates movement, breathwork, and infrared heat, resulting in a physical and emotional release. The program’s founder, Casey Cox, combines elements of Pilates, yoga, dance, barre, weight training, and music to create a unique approach to whole-body fitness. Here, we spoke with Casey about Nooma’s mission, classes, challenges, and how you can find strength through this practice.
Q: You’ve created a workout program that is more about mind-body balance than simply physical health. What makes the Nooma approach different?
A: The word nooma means air, breath, and spirit. Everything we do is to connect you to your air, breath, and spirit—your nooma. This can’t be done in the same way every day. We are all different every day, and we celebrate and lean into that. Our classes are processes and are best practiced in 2, 4, and 6 week intervals. What we do changes you from the inside out. We meet you where you are. We never push to an impossible ideal, but rather celebrate the moments that you take for you.
Q: What can someone expect from a Nooma class?
A: We offer movement in yoga, pilates, weight training, barre, dance, cardio and HIIT, or “high-intensity interval training.” All of our leaders are trained in our choreography, in our heat, and with our mission in mind. Our classes are challenging, but anyone can do them and start in any class that we offer. We encourage trying different options—or possibilities, as we like to call them—taking breaks, and listening to your body. There is strength and growth in pushing through something difficult and also pulling yourself back when something is difficult. We celebrate those moments.
“There is strength and growth in pushing through something difficult and also pulling yourself back when something is difficult.” —Casey Cox, founder of Nooma
Q: What is the atmosphere like at Nooma?
A: All of our classes are experienced by candlelight or dimmed colored lights. You will not feel on display in any of our classes, which gives you freedom to move in the way that your mind and body need that day.
Q: How does heat play a role in these classes?
A: It plays a vital role in who we are. We ask a lot of our bodies, from our daily lives to the movement that we do in our studios. It’s important to treat it, prepare it and allow it to heal properly. Our heat provides benefits such as flexibility, increased circulation, detoxification, pain relief, and weight loss. Nooma is a means of connecting to your mind, body, and breath, and our studios are designed to enhance this practice. From infrared heat and hydration to weights and safety, we provide everything you’ll need for your journey.
Q: Sounds like it’s time for us to jump in! While you mentioned any skill level can start with any class, do you have a recommended class for beginners?
A: This is a great question and one that every one of us ask. The answer is: every and any one of them. Our classes are challenging—and that’s what you’ll love about us. We believe the strength comes through the challenge, not necessarily the weight you choose. You will have moments where you push through and when you pull back. One is not better than the other, and these are the moments that we celebrate. Your Nooma journey begins with a leap of faith and a belief in your own potential. Stamina will come with patience, practice, and persistence. And as your inner strength is cultivated, you’ll notice your outer strength has increased, too.
Find Nooma in these locations:
SEARCY
215 W Market Ave.
501.492.9894
LITTLE ROCK
11610 Pleasant Ridge Road, Suite 104
501.293.6626
ROGERS
4204 S JB Hunt Dr., Suite 30
479.372.4813
Classes are also available online at noomastudios.com.
All photos courtesy of Nooma
