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Nia Seattle Teachers
(Sorted by first name)
Click on teacher's photo to view their individual classes offered.
For more information about all NiaSeattle classes, please go to our Class Schedule page.
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Anna Israelsson Anna discovered that she loved the freedom of jazz and modern dance at 16. After performing with her college dance company for 3 years, and being intensely active in collegiate sports (including crew), she found that she still wanted more. She felt discouraged to be told she had "bad feet" and "not enough training" to be a dancer. Foot surgery left her feeling done for good. Three years later, Nia has transformed not only Anna's feet, but also her life. "Nia took my list of negatives and threw them out the window. Through Nia, I connected with the joy of movement again and found all these wonderful positives waiting for me to discover. I've stopped letting fear rule my decisions and I am truly following my dreams. It's extraordinary to do what you love on a daily basis!" Anna links beauty with communication in her teaching style and through her work as a graphic artist and web designer. |
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Barb Duff "As an instructor it is my intention to establish a space where my students have the opportunity to discover their entire beings, not just have an awesome workout. To move with grace and power, to feel grounded in the moment, and most importantly, to experience joy and have fun! Nia has genuinely healed me inside and out and to bring the joy of Nia to the community is truly a blessing." |
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Barbara Krauss Barbara Krauss discovered Nia on a chilly October morning hoping it would be the answer to what would give ‘new life’ and inspiration to her mundane workouts. Four months later she became a Certified White Belt Nia Instructor. For Barbara, Nia is an Integral Life Practice, one of shaping of self. It is a holistic approach to the wellness and nurturing of the body, mind, emotions and spirit. As an artist, writer, mentor, guide, healer and now dancer and teacher, Barbara has found her way to integrate her creative journey through the dance of life. |
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Dara McKinley Dara McKinley discovered Nia in Boulder, CO, 2000 while completing her M.A. in Buddhism and Psychotherapy. "Prior to Nia I was constantly searching for a form of fitness I enjoyed. After my first class I instantly knew my search was over and I had found something much more than just physical exercise. Nia benefited the entire person - a fitness experience that not only worked-out my body - but my mind, emotions and spirit also! It was love at first dance." When Dara and her husband moved to Seattle in 2002, she immediately began teaching and became a proud and active member of the thriving Nia-Seattle community. "My intention is to share Nia with others, creating a fun and athletic movement experience that is filled with power, grace and joy." Visit www.goodcounseling.com to learn more about Dara's contemplative counseling practice. |
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Dina Innominato Dina Innominato took her first Nia class in early February 2004 after gaining 15 pounds in graduate school. "I hadn't really moved in a while, except for going out dancing here and there. I had almost forgot I had a body! The truth is, I was on my first diet at age 11. I've been to just about every group fitness class known to man, but I never stuck with any of them because they weren't right for me for one reason or another. During my very first class with Dara McKinley, I fell in love and knew that I would never again have to search for my answer. I had found it in Nia!" Dina has been teaching at Nia-Underground on Capitol Hill, as well as at the Washington Athletic Club, since January of 2005. Dina's other passions are psychology, spirituality, and community. She is also a licensed psychotherapist in private practice on Capitol Hill. |
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Gayle Holeton Nia is an exercise program that addresses the whole person. Instead of the typical exercise that one must do, Nia is about being the exercise, converting this energy into joy, lasting well past the exercise session. Gayle's experience in a professional setting left her mentally exhausted at the end of the day and physical exercise was just another chore to do until discovering Nia, fall of 2004. By tapping into the spirit first, the physical movement feels natural, safe and fulfilling. Balance, Purpose and Beauty, a way to "dance through life," has been Gayle's approach to a meaningful life, thus far. When not teaching Nia, Gayle works to "reconnect children to nature" at Dancing Coyote Camp in Eastern Washington, filling the school year with presentations and teaching nature studies in schools. |
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Irene Pasternack Try a Nia class for the exercise - stay for the joy! For me, Nia released a previously untapped store of playfulness, sensuality, and energy, and each time I dance I find even more. It helped me find the courage to leave my 25-year career in high-tech and switch to teaching dance, movement, and in-line skating. In all my classes I love creating a space where you can connect to the power and joy in your body and your freedom to choose: whether it be choosing a way to move that feels good, or choosing to take steps towards your dreams. |
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Jackie Thai Jackie Thai is a Certified Nia Instructor with over 10 years of dance training in jazz, tap, ballet, modern dance, salsa and Nia. She currently teaches in Renton and the Seattle area and is passionate about bringing the Joy of Nia to others. Jackie will guide you through an inspiring look at the movement forms of Nia in an exhilarating and spiritual way. "Nia is a practice that allows us to call a truce with our bodies and move in a way that is spirited, fun and natural. It’s about kicking off our shoes, coming alive in our bodies and saying 'Yes I Am!' Come Nia with me." ~ Jackie Thai |
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Jennifer Stephenson Jennifer Stephenson grew up in Suquamish, on Agate Pass, giddy with the joy of movement and dancing on the beach. She has studied ballet, jazz, modern, flamenco, kung-fu, Qi Gong, Brain Gym and how to love being in her body. She has taught creative dance and self healing movement classes for 10 years. Jennifer is a Reiki master, massage therapist and educator in Seattle. She received her BS in Neuroscience from the Univ. of Washington and MS from the Univ. of Oregon in Biology. Jen has practiced The Nia Technique since 1998, upon her return to Agate Pass. Now living in Seattle and rekindled, she can hardly wait to get giddy with The Joy of Movement with you! www.jendancingfir.abstrys.com |
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Jill Pagano Jill, a certified Black Belt Nia Instructor, has been loving, learning and sharing health and fitness for over 20 years. Falling in love with Nia in 1996 at a convention for aerobic instructors, Jill cast aside her hard-core fitness days for a more holistic, loving approach towards her body. Her extensive education and experience as a dancer, specialized personal trainer and holistic movement coach lends to her inspirational, educational and energy-filled classes. Jill shares her life with her two adorable "little people", ages 6 and 8, and with her "rock star" partner Joel. |
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Jim Wilson Certified NIA Blue belt Instructor. Have completed the beginning Tai Chi Chih Instruction. Practicing Purna Yoga. Have taken both Feldonkrais classes and a Tai Kwon Do class. Coming from a military physical fitness background and going to the joy of movement of NIA I love the having fun and dancing. Also, have had my own NIA studio and currently teach in our new area at the Peter Kirk Community Center in Kirkland. |
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Katrina Koleto Katrina Koleto enjoyed ballet, tap, jazz, and gymnastics classes as a child, and studied modern dance, karate, and choreography in college. After college she took classes in yoga, salsa, and swing, still searching for something that could unite her movement creativity with her sense of the body as sacred. "Finding Nia was like coming home. Once again my body is my friend and my sanctuary. I am full of wonder and gratitude for this amazing vehicle, and I am more apt to make choices that create health in my body - and in my mind. Nia has given me the space to let go of my perfectionism and negative self-talk. Now I am more likely to look at myself through loving eyes, which is a terrific freedom." It is her desire to share the Joy of Movement and to facilitate self-love, self-healing, and wellness for others. |
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Lee Mozena Lee has enjoyed teaching Nia for ten years. In 2002 she opened Luna Studio, a small, beautiful space in Lake City. Lee's motto is: "If you don't take care of your body, where will you live?" She focuses on helping students of all ages improve their strength, alignment, flexibility and self-nurturing skills. Lee has studied Iyengar yoga at the Center for Yoga and Tae Kwon Do at Full Circle Martial Arts. "My body craves physical movement but I'm easily bored. After 15 years of doing Nia, it's still exciting every time. I'm impressed at what a great, overall workout it delivers while feeding my artistic side. And Nia compliments the diversity training and coaching work I do." |
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Lesley Tinker Lesley Tinker, a certified Blue Belt Nia Instructor, Lesley smiles when she say that Nia brings out the dancer in all of us. "Our hearts beat in rhythm, so it is natural that we move in rhythm. But, sometimes we lose touch with our body's way and Nia has the power to bring us back." Coming to Nia with 10 years of experience in meditation and Tibetan yoga (Kum Nye), and over 15 years of research on women's health and nutrition, Lesley offers a dynamically fun and graceful way of reconnecting with body, mind, emotions, and spirit through Nia. A one hour Nia class with Lesley features guided movement accented with creative self-expression -- an inspired blending of dance, martial arts, and healing arts. Non-impact, fully fun. Enjoy feeling strong, graceful, and alive in body, mind, and spirit. Designed to bring out the best in every body. |
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Maggie Sprague Maggie Sprague has an extensive movement background, having majored in dance at the North Carolina School of the Arts, National Ballet School, and Indiana University. Ultimately opting for the sciences professionally, she drifted away from her dance roots and after years of pursuing traditional modes of exercise she missed the joy of moving creatively. In 2001, Maggie took her first Nia class and was exhilarated to move her body playfully, powerfully, gracefully and mindfully "all in the same one hour class! Finding Nia re-ignited my passion for dance, loosened my joints, and helped me find my personal power. Best of all, it brought joy back into my fitness practice and my life.” |
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Paula Wilson Paula is a certified brown belt Nia Instructor. I found Nia in a fitness center in West Seattle. Under instructions from my doctor to find something you love and get some aerobic exercise, the kind that makes you sweat. I knew deep inside of my being this was for me. By the time we danced into the second song, I was hooked. I thought, 'if I taught this I could do this the rest of my life' and I was right. I got my white belt in 2004 in Seattle by Carlos Roses and have danced in Joy ever since. It has healed my physical challenges while becoming body centered in awareness. Since finishing my brown belt in 2007 I have completed a yoga certification and look forward teaching yoga and meditation as well. I love this stuff. That's all I can say. I love the training, the people and teaching. I love Nia. I love the connection and awareness that was missing from myself for so very long. Come dance with us. Find your inner voice and start to heal. Find the magic of Nia and heal from the inside out. |
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Pauline Osborne As a nurse who cares for people in all stages of life, Pauline has found that in order to care for others one must first nurture one's self. Nia allows her to nurture her mind, body, spirit, and emotions all in one place. In addition, Pauline has a special interest in sharing Nia with cancer survivors and family members to guide them through the life-changing event of a cancer diagnosis. Pauline RN, MN, OCN is an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist who was first introduced to Nia in her undergraduate nursing program in 1998. To share the joy of Nia with others she became a Certified Nia Instructor in 2002 and currently holds a Brown Belt Certification. Nia's focus on health has become a wonderful complement to her nursing career. |
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Randee Fox Randee Fox is a Certified Black Belt Nia teacher. After 22 years of studying a variety of dance forms she took her first Nia class in 2000, fell in love with the practice of Nia and became certified as a Nia teacher. A natural educator, Randee has won national teaching awards through her work with community colleges in the arts. She teaches Nia at her own moving arts studio at The Blue Heron Ranch in Sammamish and at Bellevue Family YMCA. Randee teaches edgy, creative, fun, high energy and engaging Nia classes - that will melt away your stress and leave you blissfully drenched. By profession she is also an artist, and an equestrian - riding instructor. “Teaching and sharing the brilliant practice of Nia has been a creative and joyful journey - one that I will be on for the rest of my life. Come join us and share the Nia magic with our warm and welcoming community." |
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Sarah Love Sarah Love discovered the joy of movement in Nia classes offered at Body Moves in Portland in 1999 where she first danced Gabrielle Roth's Sweat Your Prayers. Getting exercise and having fun at the same time was an answer to her prayers. She learned how to move to her body's way, heal a frozen shoulder and glide through a divorce. Sarah went on to train with the co-creators of Nia, Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas, and has her White Belt and Blue Belt certificates. She has taught at the Yoga Barn in Issaquah, the Redmond Senior Center, Integrated Being, the Columbia Athletic Center in Silver Lake and Primalux Yoga in Duvall. She says, "I'm honored and pleased to share Nia with every body." Sarah integrates her artwork of dogs and cats with her love of dancing - both closely scrutinized by her magical cat named Blue. |
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Susan Blair Susan taught aerobics and conditioning classes successfully for 14 years, but had become bored with it. When she discovered Nia at about that time, she knew she was ready to move differently and in a new direction. A Certified White Belt Nia Instructor since February 2007, Susan shares with her students her warm, playful attitude, empathy for a variety of populations, and a passion for helping people to "find your light and follow it" through the self-healing power of Nia. Susan is also a speaker and published poet. |
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Susan Tate Susan Tate discovered Nia in 1997 while she was the Director of Health Promotion and assistant professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia. A certified black belt Nia instructor, Susan completed all of her trainings with The Nia Technique co-creators Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas and has been teaching since 1999. "Nia has opened the doorway to profound joy, healing, passion and wholeness in my life. I respect each opportunity to share this lifestyle practice with others." She is the author of four health-related books, including her most recent work, Wellness Wisdom: 31 Ways to Nourish Your Mind, Body & Spirit (available on Amazon). A respected health educator for over thirty-five years, Susan is the Director of Washington Wellness Associates. She is also an active member of Team Northrup, a group of individuals who support the health and prosperity of others. She has two grown children and delights in being a dancing grandmother! (www.wawellness.com) |
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Tanya Agnew I've been dancing my whole life.I've experimented with many movement forms and I'm very happy to have found Nia 5 years ago. I'm passionate about practicing and teaching Nia. I enjoy sharing the art of Nia, blending martial arts dance arts and healing arts with community. |
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Veronica Connolly-Bagshaw Throughout an early background in Dance (jazz, modern, aerial) Veronica felt the power of movement, music, and rhythm to energize and express. As a health care professional and outdoor adventurer, she then appreciated the benefits of movement in fitness and conditioning. Now, as a psychotherapist, she more deeply understands the profound potential it offers to heal, liberate, and move all that is held within minds, hearts, bodies and souls. “It is what connects us to others, to Life, to Well-Being, Joy, and Grace.I truly believe Nia offers the very best blend of movement, fitness and healing practices.” Teaching since 2001 and now a certified Brown Belt Nia instructor, Veronica loves to share Nia and to witness its ability to touch students in so many ways. Veronica also teaches ForrestYoga (Yoga Alliance registered) and Mind~Body Wellness classes, and is ACE (American Council of Exercise) certified. She maintains a private Licensed Mental Health Counseling practice with a holistic focus. |