Nia Blue Belt Instructor

Certified Massage Therapist

Reiki Master

I had heard about Nia from a friend for a couple of years, but told her I didn’t like group fitness classes, or trying to follow choreography, and I wouldn’t go. She kept offering, and I kept saying no. In Nia, we talk about ‘natural time’, and looking back, I realize the timing for me was not

right.

On January 1, 2008, I watched the dvd "You Can Heal Your Life", and decided it was the year for re-discovering ME. I then found a Nia class right across the street from my house. I decided I might as well try it. I took my first class one week later. I absolutely loved it, and I felt so

uplifted and exhilarated! I couldn't believe I waited so long to try it! After my second class, I started researching how to become a teacher.

I received my White Belt in 2009, in Durham, North Carolina. I began teaching about 8 weeks later, and have taught ever since. I traveled to Nia headquarters in Portland, Oregon, to take my Blue Belt training in 2010 from Carlos Aya-Rosas and Debbie Rosas-Stewart, the co-founders of

Nia. Being at headquarters, with so many other people who love Nia, was a wonderful feeling. I began to dive deeper into Nia, and my relationship with myself.

Nia has changed my life, and me. I had lost my way after a divorce – in Nia class, I came alive again. I went back to that feeling of the joy of simply being alive, and moving my body. There was no judgment, no pressure to work harder, or get every step right. There was fun, playfulness, love, acceptance. This wasn’t an ‘exercise’ class, this was like dancing with a group of friends.

And that is what a Nia class is like to me, a group of friends getting together to dance and move with joy. I encourage everyone to come try it! There will be fun, and there will be smiling!