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Kathy Bate is a Certified Nia Teacher from Walnut Creek, CA. Grounded in her purpose to express creatively, Kathy, a career designer and vocal artist with a background in Modern Dance, channels her passion for dance and music into joyful, spirit-filled cardio workouts. Kathy experienced the healing effects of doing Nia on a regular basis along with the daily practice of the 5 Stages of Healing completely overcoming 3 years of low back pain and sciatica. Her focus for her students is healing, rejuvenation, reconnection to balance of body mind, spirit and emotion while honoring the body’s own way and oneness with all.
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Lee Bigman I first experienced Nia in 2002. As a former aerobics instructor, I was familiar with the structure of an exercise class, but had never experienced the pleasure Nia brought to me until I took my first class. I was hooked. Now, as a Black Belt Nia instructor, my journey continues . I am committed to have every student in my class experience the joy of moving and being in their bodies. Come dance with me and discover the promise of Nia -Through Movement We Find Health - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. [email]
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Cynthia Byers For much of my life I have believed my athletic prowess and spiritual journey to be two very separate and distinctive parts of my life—then I found Nia. Although exercise/sports/fitness has always left me feeling great, it never fed my soul or my mind. Nia has brought me a total body, mind and spiritual fulfillment that I didn't think possible. My 'ah-ha" moment came during my first class in mid 2008—by the end of 2008 I received my White Belt, my Green Belt followed in 2009 and I can't wait for Blue Belt in 2010. I am very proud to be part of such a great community of Nia teachers and students and look forward to serving Nia for years to come. |
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Farcia Detoles-Medearis is a Certified NIA instructor, Certified Massage therapist, and African Healing dance therapist. Farcia infuses many styles of Black Dance: Dunham technique, Haitian, West African dance, African American dance and many other forms of dance & music from Africa and the African Diaspora in her Nia sessions. She offers Nia sessions in many forms; personal training sessions, workshops, classes, and camps twice a week held in San Leandro, CA. Farcia loves Nia because it’s a wonderful way to liberate the mind, body, soul and spirit- And is a great vehicle to bring people back to health. [More] [email]
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Lynda Farmer Nia has changed how I move through life. And that change started three years ago when my first Nia class made such a distinct and lasting impression on me. I was already certified in Aerobics, Water Aerobics, and Personal Training; I taught standard programs of Step and weight training, I developed specialized group and individual programs to enhance strength and flexibility, and I had even expanded into more creative areas like plyometrics and tennis aerobics. But I began to find myself moving away from strict, hard-core, regimented movements as I started to resonate with the freedom of expression and the joy of movement that Nia exudes. To my surprise, I have found new strength and flexibility in body, mind and soul. [email]
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Megan Finkeldey As a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist I had strayed from my performance background and a downright need for expressive arts in my life. One experience with Nia sent my spirit soaring and led me to a lifelong commitment of never abandoning such forms of expression again. My white belt training was initially for my own edification but, as time passed, it became obvious that teaching was the way to go. Imbued with humor, passion, and healing images, I have now begun to find my way and a way to give others a sense of greater health and Joy.
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Molly Fox has been teaching fitness, yoga, dance and now NIA for 27 years. Molly began barefoot teaching at the Jane Fonda Workout in San Francisco. She picked up some shoes and began teaching fitness classes in NYC for almost 20 years and then said enough...Took then off and started to teach Yoga, Pilates and NIA. Her philosophy..The Human Animal must move to feel truly alive. She regularly teaches at Equinox Fitness Clubs around the Bay Area.
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France Laude-Gohard was born and raised in Paris, France. At the age of 23, she moved to the U.S. and it was in 1989 that she discovered Nia for the first time. A Nia black belt instructor and trainer she has been teaching since then in Marin and the greater Bay Area. France-Laude's study includes dance, Yoga, Authentic Movement, Pilates and the work of "Conscious Embodiment" developed by Wendy Palmer, Aikido teacher. France-Laude brings the very best of somatic teaching and with knowledge and compassion guides student into discovering themselves through the gift of the body. Her dedication and willingness to strive for excellence makes her stand high above the status quo. Nia has become her life's work and passion, "I am personally committed to helping students who are serious about making a commitment to their body and movement, getting fit, and healing." [email] [Website]
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Gilia Haimovich I am a Nia Brown Belt certified teacher and have a B.P.T (bachelor of physical therapy) from the University of Tel-Aviv (Israel). I have been teaching Nia in the Bay Area since 2004 at the YMCA, Community Adult Education, and other locations. Working as a physical therapist in both one-on-one and group environments has helped me to understand and motivate people through their transition to Nia. The creativity, professionalism, adaptability and holistic approach of Nia have inspired me not only as a physical therapist, but as a dancer and a human. As I practice Nia, I sense a flowing, grounding, centering and energizing harmony that is reflected throughout my whole day. In Nia we move the natural way— respectfully & joyfully—gaining shape. My student’s testimonies empower my passion to share Nia. Nia is to movement as holistic is to medicine. [email]
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Nancy Hoebelheinrich From her first Nia class experience in 2000, Nancy was intrigued by the innovative blending of movement styles, and Nia's focus upon freeing bound hips, shoulders, head, feet, fingers, and voice by moving creatively to music. When taking Nia classes was not enough, she went on to become a certified Nia teacher in 2003 at first to improve her own practice, but later to share Nia's technique, method, and magic. As an instructor with an athletic style, a dance background and training to teach special populations such as those with arthritis and related conditions, Nancy offers her students the opportunity to use Nia to transform themselves by developing self awareness and self healing of and through the body. Currently certified at the Nia Brown Belt training level, she teach classes and workshops in Palo Alto, Los Altos, and San Mateo that are adapted to meet the needs of students of all ages and levels of experience.
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Jill Hoff holds a first-degree black belt Nia certification and has been studying and teaching Nia since 1989. She shares her joy of movement through Nia and brings her many years of experience through in her instruction. Her classes combine both the athletic and classic styles of Nia. In addition, Jill has been studying and teaching Pilates since 1997, certified with the Physicalmind Institute, and owns a fully equipped Pilates studio in Calistoga where you can receive individualized, personal attention and training in either Pilates or the Nia Technique. You can contact her at (707) 396-2442 or jillybeanhoff@yahoo.com
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Michell Kawaja began her professional dance career at age 17 with Oregon’s premier ballet company, The Oregon Ballet Theater. In 1998, she moved to New York City to attend The Juilliard School, where she received a BFA in Dance. Michell has also received training in the Alexander Technique, modern dance, jazz dance, yoga, and various martial arts. She recently completed a one-year program in movement based expressive arts therapy at the Tamalpa Institute, where she worked directly with founder and director Daria Halprin. Over the years, Michell has enjoyed teaching everything from cardio kickboxing to pointe; however, her true passion is teaching NIA. Michell conducts her classes with a heavy focus on NIA’s first principle: The Joy of Movement. She strives to make movement accessible to all students, encouraging them to explore their full creative potential, create awareness and energy, and above all, have fun! [email] [Website]
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Janet Kaufman I have enjoyed Nia for over five years... as a teacher since the spring of 2005. The magic and pleasure of movement inspire me to dance, and teaching allows me to share my energy, enthusiasm, and Nia's healing powers. Please come share in the joy of movement in an open and accepting environment! My classes are in Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek. Please contact me at janetrkaufman@gmail.com, or by phone (510) 853-9144 for more information.
niajanet.weebly.com
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Cheryl King-McMahon Energy, awareness, emotion, exploration, body- mind communication, joy and juiciness. This is what I love about NIA, why I love doing it and why I love teaching it.
I came to NIA teaching with a long background in dance with ballet and jazz as the primary forms in early years. Later, I discovered the healing power of the freedom of expressive movement through dancing with Gabrielle Roth. Calling on my many years of transpersonal work with spiritual teachers and my practice as an energy healer, I taught my own creation of expressive movement, “Innerspace Movement” that combined dance, art and performance for personal growth, for several years in San Francisco and Marin. Then, always looking for new ways to explore myself through movement, I finally found NIA and in it, I found a joyful blend of form and freedom to facilitate spiritual, physical and emotional healing, strength and fitness.
I bring to NIA a deep love, trust and awareness of the body, a sense of humor, an absolute joy in movement, and a deeply committed intention to help others, as well as myself, grow and heal in body, mind and spirit.
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Liz Mac has a background in having fun with a BA from CSU Chico, a lifetime of playing in and out of the water, studying Martial Arts and enjoying a Vinyasa yoga practice. A Certified/Licensed Green Belt, my goals are to teach in locations where Nia can be made more affordable and available. I teach in fitness clubs where many classes are closed to the public, but would like to make Nia accessible to all people. Find my schedule of free to the public children’s classes offered through the Contra Costa library system at www.ccclib.org. Contact me to demonstrate a new class in your area. (925) 212-4349 or nializ@sbcglobal.net Even at this computer you can find awareness of your body. Move and seek comfort. Let’s bring our practice into daily life!
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LeeAnn Mallorie has been in love with the dance and music arts for 25 years, since her first ballet lesson at age two. She has training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance, international style Latin dance, yoga, musical theater, percussion and baton twirling. From 1997 to 2001 she performed as a feature twirler with the University of Michigan Marching Band where she performed at Big 10 Football games, including the Rose Bowl. LeeAnn has an MA in Social Psychology and currently works in the areas of leadership training and conflict resolution, where she aspires to merge the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual in her work. “I discovered NIA by accident when I moved to Marin two years ago and fell in love immediately. My favorite thing as a dancer was the performance “high” that I used to get after weeks of practicing a single routine. Nia allows me to share that high – The Joy of Movement - with a room full of people spontaneously. Through Nia I have also come to practice movement as healing, and have learned to use my body in new ways. Nia spans the boundaries of age, language and experience. It truly is for Every Body!” [email]
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Sunshine Mugrabi After a lifetime of viewing exercise as a punishment, Sunshine stumbled into a Nia class and awoke to the joy of movement. She's now in the best shape of her life, and loving every minute of following the body's way with Nia. She earned her white belt in 2008, studying with master teacher France-Laude Gohard, and has been an active part of the Bay Area Nia community for over two years. A writer by profession, she shares with students a unique take on what it means express yourself through movement. In addition to teaching regular classes, Sunshine plans to bring Nia to and its life-giving, body positive qualities to a number of communities, including elders, those experiencing dis-ease, and adolescents. [email]
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Alexis Mulhauser As an artist of mindful living, Alexis is passionate about healing, the creative process, and empowering people to find the life that most wants to live through them. In addition to sharing the Joy of Nia, she offers Yin/Yang yoga classes and Reiki healing treatments. “Discovering and developing these sensational tools for living in balance with nature and all beings, my life’s work is a labor of Love. “Alexis also teaches Nia at UC Berkeley and 7th Heaven Yoga Studio in Berkeley. Please email for full schedule.
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Kathleen Ostler is a Nia Black Belt and is also Green Belt certified— the newest Nia belt. Practicing since 1999 and teaching since 2001 she teaches 6 to 8 classes a week in a variety of studio settings.
“I love to share Nia and its founding principle, The Joy of Movement. I believe passionately in every body's innate wisdom. We all have the ability to create a healthy, more joyful way of being in our bodies and in our lives. Nia is a well crafted, scientific and creative approach to body-mind-spirit fitness with an emphasis on joy. I am committed to bringing the best Nia has to offer to my classes. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to share it." [email]
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Carrie Peters' love for dance began in the musical theaters of the South Bay at age 10. Since then she has found herself developing a career in movement and performance after graduating with a degree in Dance from Mills College and Masters in Theater and Dance from University of New Mexico, where she studied under choreographers Bill Evans, June Watanabe, Jennifer Predock-Linell and more.
She is a Dance Historian and scholar on Isadora Duncan, recreating original Duncan works through a Cultural Arts Grant from the city of Houston in 1998, culminating in a series of performances and educational workshops. She is a certified Black Belt in Nia and has been teaching Nia and expressive movement for adults and children over 10 years here in the Bay Area and throughout the Southwest.
She developed and continues to evolve through the teachings and studies of Bartenieff Movement Fundamentals, German Tanztheater, Synergy Yoga, nature, meditation and much more. Her most recent performances were with Deborah Slater Dance Theater and Karen Penley’s Circus Probiscus. [email]
www.works-exercise.com
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Jessica Portillo has had a lifelong love affair with exercise. Childhood swimmer, long distance cyclist, marathon runner and International folklore dancer. Nia represents the realization of Jessica's dream, and a chance to give back to her potential and the exercise of her spiritual sovereignty. With Nia, Jessica finds the levels of consciousness - mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Higher consciousness manifests greater love in which NIA can bring the world to a place of light, harmony and peace.
Nia is the beginning of Jessica's liberation and the start of a healing revolution. Jessica, a certified white belt will help you possess a strong natural power and adventurous spirit. She is willing to give support and help hold space for those who embrace this healing form of fitness. "Power is the essence of all things, without it nothing exists", let Jessica help you to reach your "I AM" in this joy of movement called Nia. [email]
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Stephanie Ross I have been in love with all forms of dance since early childhood. Sidelined for several years by lower back issues and a fusion of the discs in my neck, I believed I would never dance again. After rediscovering my strength and flexibility in regular yoga practice, I accidentally stumbled into a Nia class and knew that I had found my place. Nia has given me back the joy of living and dancing in my body, my own body’s way. I became a licensed White Belt Teacher in 2008 and recently completed my Green Belt Certification. I love teaching and look forward to sharing the Joy and Freedom of Movement that I have discovered in Nia. [email] www.niastephanie.com
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Susan Ross, BSN, MPH has been an athlete all her life. She has been certified to teach swimming, aerobics and water aerobic classes. Susan was drawn to Nia's focus on having fun, moving in ways that are constant with how the body is designed to move; the breadth and variety of movement styles and; how Nia makes fitness accessible for Every-Body. As a teacher, she helps students increase their physical condition while increasing their body awareness. Susan's classes are appropriate for people of all ages and fitness levels of experience. Classes are held in Mavericks Gym in Emeryville. 510-277-2830.
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Susie Schoonmaker is a certified Nia Blue Belt, an artist and has a Master’s Degree in Expressive Arts Therapies. She has been teaching Nia for over 15 years in Boston, upstate New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.
She is also co-creator and facilitator of a new program taught nationwide that combines Nia and Expressive Arts Therapies: Embody Your Beauty (www.embodyyourbeauty.com). Susie enjoys integrating her creative spirit with the uplifting and healing energies of Nia in her classes and workshops. She currently teaches Thursday mornings at 9 am at Elevation Pilates in San Francisco. [e-mail]
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Angi Spector has been the director of Mind-Body Connection, a Mind-Body Fitness Studio, for 13 years. Angi Spector has an extensive background in dance and movement therapy. She has created and presented wellness programs at Esalen Big Sur and incorporated NIA into many workshops and special agendas at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Oakland, California including the Dean Ornish's nationally renowed Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. -Angi is certified in NIA (Black Belt), Bowen Bodywork Therapy, Hatha Yoga, the Physicalmind Pilates Method, Yamuna Body Rolling, Certified Massage Therapist and Somatic Educator. [email]
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Leah Taylor was drawn to Nia in both the form and the freedom that it provides. With a background in dance and a tremendous joy for the way music inspires the body to move, Nia was a natural fit.
In her classes, emphasis is given to creative expression, play, and fun, while engaging in a great workout for the whole body. Her goal is to provide a healing and supportive environment for all to enjoy and become empowered in their own bodies, regardless of prior dance experience or training. [Email]
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Cathy Tennyson is a White Belt Nia Instructor from Livermore. She received her training with France-Laude Gohard in Nevada City, CA. She loves the freedom of expression and joy of movement found in Nia. She has been dancing and teaching dance for most of her life. She is overjoyed to have found Nia and to able to continue to share the joy of dance and movement with others. [email]
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Deborah Walker slipped off her shoes and stepped into her first Nia class in 1984 to help heal a chronic lower back issue. From that day forward Nia became her passion and a major healing force in her body and in her life. Deborah has taught Nia for over 22 years throughout Marin County. Currently she teaches weekday classes at Dominican University and a Sunday class at the Bay West Ballroom in downtown San Rafael. Classes are open to the public and are perfect for every level of fitness. Women and men of all ages are welcome! Wear comfortable clothes you can sweat, move and have fun in! For more information, directions and class times please visit www.niawellness.com or email nia4ever@ymail.com. Drop-in’s are always welcome so step into Nia today! First class is Free!
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Monica Welty I am a certified Nia Brown Belt and have been teaching Nia classes, workshops and retreats in San Francisco for 2 years. I discovered Nia while living in Portland, Oregon in 2001 and have been taking and teaching Nia classes ever since. Everyday, I am inspired and impressed with Nia's effects on my life and my student's lives; be it weight loss, strength gain, increased confidence, stress release, more self expression, or greater overall Joy. Nia is so much more than an exercise class! Come discover Nia for yourself and join our growing community of Nia students and teachers in the Bay Area!
[email] [website]
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Danielle Woermann Delighted by the beauty of Nia's first principle, the Joy of Movement, Danielle initially enjoyed classes as a student and then went on to become a certified teacher in 2002. Now a Nia Black Belt, she brings to class a love of movement where students are encouraged to find pleasure in their bodies. She shares with students the science, craft and art of Nia in a well-rounded program of classes providing space for self-revelation and self-healing. Taught in a non-judgmental environment, Danielle's classes are appropriate for students of all ages and levels of experience. Classes are held in Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, San Ramon and Pleasanton. 510-385-8858 [email] [website]
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Zack has been dancing for almost thirty years (sometimes on the professional stage, sometimes in the amateur clubs) and considers NIA an ideal fusion of emotional expressivity, corporeal flexibility, and overall fitness. He infuses his Nia practice with extensive movement and performance experience, ranging from Release Technique to Kathak, and from postmodern dance to Grotowski-derived physical theater. In his pursuit of the 'joy of movement,' Zack stresses the relationships among breath, the body, and laughter, allowing space, movement and other bodies to tickle him. A strong believer in the interplay between performing arts and education -- which includes physical training, after all -- Zack holds a BFA from NYU, an MFA from UCLA, and a PhD from Stanford. His original performance works have been presented in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Paris. [email]
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For more information on the Nia Technique or products, visit the national website at http://www.nianow.com
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