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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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Allison Dey Allison Dey loves to explore life in a body; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. She holds a BA in Social Sciences, after 20 years experience in teaching, training and social work, she is currently doing her life's work teaching Nia and founded Nia Port Townsend in January 2005. Allison is a Certified Nia Brown Belt Instructor. Allison has studied Nia, Gabrielle Roth's 5 Rhythms, Soul Motion dance and other movement, meditation, healing arts, and body work modalities over the last 16 years. Allison has 2 boys age 7 and 9. She loves to facilitate transformation in student's bodies using awareness, play, love and joy! She believes, "you were given this body, PLAY IT!" |
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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 Barb Duff is a certified brown belt instructor dedicated to promoting better health and wellness to all who step onto her dance floor. A competitive athlete in high school and college and then an avid runner and triathlete in her 20's, she discovered Nia after suffering a series of injuries resulting from her training. Barb is continually dazzled by how athletic Nia allows her to be without sacrificing her physical or emotional self. |
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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 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 is an alchemist of movement and energy. With global and diverse music rhythms, Dara's classes are soulful, energetic and encourage students to honor the voice of their individual bodies. Dara fluidly blends yin and yang, creating a soothing and athletic movement experience. Participants leave class tuned into their primal nature, stepping out into the world beaming with confidence, clarity and joy. A Brown Belt level Nia teacher, Dara has been teaching in Seattle since 2002 and founded the Nia program at Dance Underground. She possesses a degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University and is a recent graduate of Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts, where she is a proud and active member of the Pleasure Revolution. For more information on events and retreats with Dara please visit www.daramckinley.com |
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Dina Innominato ”People leave Dina Innominato’s classes at Nia-Underground happier, healthier, and creatively turned-on.” - Seattle Metropolitan Magazine 2008 Best of the City edition. Dina is a Brown Belt Instructor and has been teaching Nia on Cap Hill since 2004. |
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Frances Kao Fran loves to play with human beings and was delighted to discover the Nia Technique is a moving playground for adults. Join me in the practice; dance, move, sing and play inside your own skin and with each other. I’ve taught yoga since 2002, a range of group exercise formats with a focus in strength training and aqua fitness since 2004, I earned my Nia white belt in 2006, and my blue belt in 2007, and I’m preparing for my brown belt in June 2010. I believe learning and growth occurs in the human body by expansion and contraction and my Nia teaching style is rooted in the concept the entire human being inhales and exhales; I feel we all have the potential to be inspired and expressive beings and we naturally desire to play. So if we only get an hour a day to honor our being then we may as well move to great music, sweat out toxins and gain physical fitness while we exercise the mind, emotions and spirit. I’ll bring the structure, you bring your body, and together we’ll play. |
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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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Greta Hardin Decades of sports - a wish for more dance and a chance to do martial arts - and an intense need to bring play back into exercise - led Greta on a search that landed her in a Nia Class in 2006. Less than an hour later she knew she had found a home. A few years and a White Belt later, she found a whole new take on Gertrude Stein's quote, "There is no there, there." Of course! There is only here, now. And now, Greta is a White Belt Teacher in North Seattle, a mom, a science and math teacher, athlete and artist. Nia helped tie in Joy and the Body! All these parts not only exist together, but support and encourage each other. The result - Each day is still different, but the resources she has to greet the day are greater than ever. All are connected and supported by Joy. Each moment a true sense of being There. Focused on what she is doing Now. |
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Gretchen Musgrove Give yourself an empower boost and refresh your fitness with a twist! Music. Movement. Meditation. Nia just makes you feel better. Sounds fancy but it's deliciously simple. Give it a try. About me: I like sounds from the 80s. I am a guest blogger for the Seattle P.I. and I love teaching Nia. I seek enlightenment through Buddhism, sampling unpasturized cheese, humor writing, and moving to great music! Get a feel for me and my classes on Facebook or on my Nia blog. P.S. Your first class is free - I insist! |
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Irene Burrows I grew up taking the dance classes most of us take, but never went beyond the beginner's class. In 2007, I took my beginner's mind to Nia. Here at last was the dance that called my soul, a chance to express, create, heal, evolve. Nia has changed my life in many profound ways. I welcome the opportunity to dance with you. |
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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 step outside the box of 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. I'm a guild-certified Feldenkrais(r) Awareness Through Movement(r) teacher and incorporate this into all my classes. While you're having fun with the dancing, you'll end up with a greater range of motion and flexibility in all your joints, and the awareness you need to help prevent injuries in everything you do. |
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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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Jeanna Wheeler I have been teaching a variety of group fitness formats for over seven years, and am naturally attracted to music and movement. My philosophy has always been that exercise should be enjoyable, and I do not promote the “No pain, no gain” approach to fitness. I strive to create a comfortable environment through the conscientious choice of music and encouragement of movements appropriate for a wide range of fitness levels. I completed the Nia Blue Belt in 2009, and also have a Group Fitness Instructor certification from the American Council on Exercise. When I'm not dancing Nia, I work at the Seattle VA Hospital doing neurobiology research with a focus on Alzheimer's and ALS. |
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Jena Hennessey Jena Hennessey 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 Dance and how to love being in her body. She has taught creative dance and self healing movement classes for over a decade. Jena is a Reiki master, Breema Practicioner, and math/science educator in Seattle. She received her BS in Neuroscience from the Univ. of Washington and MS from the Univ. of Oregon in Biology.She also received an MA in Education from Antioch University. Jena has practiced The Nia Technique since 1998, and 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 7 and 9; their "Magic" Great Dane and her "rock star" partner Joel--check out his music at: www.joeltipke.com. |
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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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Kara Mckay I was given a Nia workshop in 2005 as a birthday present. My oh my... that present would alter the course of my life! I've been a student of many dances and a Yoga practitioner for much of my adult life, to experience Nia was the blissful blend of this and more! After driving far and often to join in sweet "joy of movement" communities, I decided it was time to create a Nia tribe in my own locale! My life's work/play is celebration through movement, reawakening mySelf and others to intentional evolution through sensation, sensuality, and creativity. Teaching Nia fits right into the groove of my vision! Here I am! Let's build an amazing community of sensing, dancing, joy junkies! Join us at Maya Whole Health Studio 113 Lake Washington Blvd Ste 90, Renton on Fridays at 5:30 pm and Saturdays 11:15 am! |
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Kat Gillett “More than any teacher I’ve had, you display a unique mastery of the body (how it works and how it heals).” — Bonnie (6-year Nia student). Kat teaches Nia as a fun-filled fitness technique that increases strength, flexibility, and reduces stress. Kat has been an avid student of Nia since 2005. In 2007, she began pursuing her passion for the science and spirit of Nia. The result was “Niability: The Nine Movement Forms” — a workshop series that consistently garners enthusiastic praise from its participants. Co-founder Debbie Rosas has invited Kat to teach it at Nia headquarters, and added a “Niability” segment (that Kat created) into the White Belt Continuing Education Lesson Plan. Kat’s students often tell her how they are inspired by her enthusiasm, technique, and grace in movement. Come move with Kat and deepen your Niability in an hour that’s full of energy, fun, and soulful spirit! Discover more about how you can deepen your Niability! |
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Kelda Vath Kelda is a Librarian by day and a dancer in her dreams. Through Nia Kelda is able to feel like a dancer, exercise creativity, tone her mind, and liberate her spirit. She's learned to love her body and and she's so happy to have the opportunity to share Nia with others. Kelda attended her Blue Belt training in April 2010 and lives in T-Town with her family. |
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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 improve 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 movement but I'm easily bored. After 15 years of doing Nia, it still challenges me at every level- physical, mental and artistic. |
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Lesley Tinker Lesley Tinker, a certified Brown Belt and Green 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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Lynn Gravatt Lynn has 15 years of extensive dance training (ballet, tap, jazz, modern, african, latin, swing). After a 7 year hiatus, in the midst of an unexpected "awakening", she found her passion again and realized that dance is simply what she is meant to do! Specifically, she feels her purpose is to spread joy and awareness THROUGH dance. She holds a Masters in Aerospace Engineering and is currently an engineer by day and a photographer, dancer, choreography, drummer, and meditator the rest of the time! :-) |
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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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MaryJo Williams I began teaching step aerobics in 1994 and fell in love with movement, exercise and weight training. Over the years I began to feel like something was missing, especially since I experienced constant body loathing and eating disorders. I believed there had to be something more to exercise. I realized that there was a "call to dance" within me that I had originally noticed in 1992. After 14 years of teaching mainstream aerobics and personal training, I have finally answered the call! |
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Paula Wilson Paula is a certified black belt Nia Instructor. I found Nia in a fitness center on my way to a yoga class. There was this angelic dancer on the front of a flyer, I searched and found the "Nia" class. We settled in, the music started. As we danced, I knew this was a gift for the body-mind-spirit, I thought, 'if I taught this I could do this the rest of my life' I got my white belt in 2003 in Seattle and have danced in Joy ever since. It has healed my health challenges while becoming toned, body-centered and alive in awareness of body-mind & spirit. Since finishing my brown belt in 2007 I have completed a yoga certification and teach yoga as well. I love the connection and awareness that was missing from my body & mind & emotions & spirit for so very long. Come dance with us. Find the magic of Nia to heal the body, mind and soul in awareness, express yourself through movement with Nia. |
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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 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 in 2004. She teaches Nia at The Blue Heron Ranch in Sammamish, at Bellevue Family YMCA. Her creative, fun and high energy classes 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." Learn more about Randee Fox and her studio, Blue Heron Ranch Moving Arts |
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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 Wellness Wisdom: 31 Ways to Nourish Your Mind, Body & Spirit. A respected health educator for thirty-nine years, Susan is the Director of Washington Wellness Associates (www.wawellness.com) 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! Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/niasusantate or Twitter: @Susan_Tate |
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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. |