Everyone creates value in their lives,
Follow the links below to see how our students are enjoying more of their lives through Nia.

Ann Austin, 
I’ve always been “pudgy”. I was even born big – 9 lbs, 8 oz., and with a head so large that the obstetrician nicknamed me “Cantaloupe Head” as I squished my way through the birth canal. My mother was so furious by the taunting that she managed to free one leg to kick the doctor yelling “don’t call my baby fat!” ....

Laura B. Frankenstein, M.D.
NIA gives me greater patience, courage and perspective. NIA makes me, a 46 year-old woman feel playful and alive. It makes it OK to be ambivalent, to feel contradictory feelings. This may be the first time I can tolerate being silly and stern, strong and graceful all at once or sequentially...

Karol McNutt,
When I was young, I was a fun-loving, free-spirited young woman. I loved to laugh and was always up for doing something silly and having fun with my friends. I tried not to take myself too seriously, yet I did have a sense of responsibility…not letting things go too far over the top...

Susan Cohen,
Nia has given to me the gift of learning and knowing who I am, beautifully and powerfully freeing my body, mind, and spirit to become myself fully and transform my life. Nia has given to me the attitude of Joy, which has deeply entered my soul, and given me an opportunity to become and feel fully alive....

Robin Bach,
In 2000, after 20 years of teaching and managing in the fitness industry, I found myself sitting at a meeting with other fitness coordinators from the YMCA branches in St. Louis. The topic was “cutting edge fitness classes”, and before us was a video showing the so-called “future” of aerobics. This video showed a mind-body, non-impact aerobic class where people wiggled, writhed (later I found out that the term was undulation) danced, punched and kicked their way into an elevated heart rate. I could barely contain my laughter thinking, “ St. Louis is NOT ready for this far-out stuff....

Kris Johnson,
As I look back on my life journey from this distant vantage point, I realize that I came into this world with an intense, internally driven desire to move.  Sitting still has never been an option.  From the earliest moment, a message surfaced, informing me that moving my body just made me feel better...

Jeanne Carter,
To me The Joy of Movement comes to full light when I am totally in the zone of dancing. I sometimes get so lost in dance that I totally forget who or where I am and experience Joy and life in the moment. This happens for me most often when I am having the pleasure of dancing with others. Dancing at the many Jams with my sister Nia St Louis teachers and friends brings a huge surge of Joy...

Tracy Stamper,
I first met Joy 13 years ago.  She was in the first Nia class I ever took.  She arrived dressed all in pearls, dancing beautifully and fluidly with a confidence and knowing that seemed to dance within every cell of her body.  I caught a glimpse of her and danced with her for the briefest and sweetest of moments.  I didn’t yet know her name....

Mina Charepoo,
I had been a Nia student prior to my pregnancy and here would like to speak of the impact Nia had on the birth of my daughter.