Finding Your Fitness Soulmate: What Makes Nia Different
Whether you swear by 6 AM mindful yoga moments, rigorous high-intensity interval training, or a daily walk around the block… fitness is definitely not one-size-fits-all. What if your workout felt like a soulmate—something that truly connects with who you are?
Many fitness programs focus on rigid routines or external goals, and that’s not always for everyone. What fills one person’s cup may leave another feeling depleted, disconnected, or uninspired, which can make it all the more difficult to prioritize wellness. Finding a balance within your own relationship to fitness is so important. Your approach to wellness should be one that simultaneously motivates you, fills you with energy, lifts you up, and challenges you in the best ways.
That’s where Nia® comes in. It’s more than just a workout—it’s a transformative practice that blends movement, mindfulness, and joy to create a fitness experience that feels like it was made just for you.
The Challenge of Finding the Right Fitness Practice
Fitness is all about finding what works for you. And that is exactly where many fitness programs fall short. So many fitness programs out there expect their clients to adhere to unattainable standards. They push rigorous routines, stick to tight schedules, and force restrictive goal-setting—which can be a lot of pressure.
Making the decision to start prioritizing your health can be difficult enough as is. There’s no reason for traditional fitness programs to make that process even more challenging—especially for those battling a lack of motivation to begin with. In fact, rigorous workout programs that push too hard and seemingly expect perfection often lead to burnout, which can even further impact one’s motivation to continue on their wellness journey. Sometimes, there can even be a feeling of judgement within certain fitness environments. You might be familiar with the feeling: you walk into a new fitness space, and it feels like everyone is staring at you; whether it be because you don’t know what you’re doing, you haven’t hit the gym in a while, or you’re not wearing the “right” thing. Sure, sometimes it might be in your head. But other times, you can just tell when a workout space prioritizes aesthetics over a client’s genuine well-being.
Finding a fitness soulmate should take the pressure off of practicing wellness.
A soulmate is not judgmental. A soulmate wants you to succeed. A soulmate motivates you. A soulmate challenges you, but not to the point of seeing you burnout. Your soulmate should be a practice that goes beyond physical fitness—a routine that works to uplift and align your body, mind, and spirit. Your fitness soulmate should be something that feels uniquely you. Finding the right fitness soulmate can lead to long-term consistency in sticking to your wellness journey, overall bringing you joy—and bettering your relationship to yourself, your body, and your mind.
What Is Nia®?
Nia® is more than just a workout… it’s a fun, non-impact, high-energy movement form that conditions the body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Nia is a unique fusion of powerful practices: a blend of dance, martial arts, healing arts, and mindfulness. It incorporates elements like the expressive flow of jazz and modern dance, the strength of martial arts like tai chi and aikido, and the grounding practices of yoga and Feldenkrais.
It’s a holistic movement and wellness practice aimed at addressing each aspect of your life—body, mind, and soul.
Nia’s foundation in somatic awareness sets it apart from traditional fitness classes. Rather than following rigid exercises or routines, Nia’s science-backed approach listens to your body’s sensations to guide your movement; encouraging intuitive, fluid motions that align with what feels good for your body. This type of movement can enhance your body’s natural range of motion and release patterns of tension or restriction.
Over time, Nia can help:
improve mobility
increase flexibility
reduce chronic pain
create healthier, more efficient movement patterns
Science shows that movement done for joy, rather than as an obligation, has powerful benefits. Joyful movement is at the heart of Nia. When you engage in movement that feels good, your body releases endorphins—the “feel-good” chemicals that boost mood and reduce stress. By incorporating music, creativity, and playfulness into every class, I encourage you to feel empowered to move in ways that feel good for your body.
Nia employs a holistic approach to wellness; engaging the body, mind, emotions and spirit. It’s also completely adaptable—encouraging you to alter each movement to suit your own needs; making it accessible to all ages, fitness levels, and body types. Nia places an emphasis on individual expression and creativity, making every session unique. I want you to build an experience that feels authentically you… a practice that feels personal.
What Makes Nia® Different from Other Fitness Programs
Traditional fitness programs tend to place a huge emphasis on achieving external, aesthetic goals. But that’s not the Nia approach. We want you to focus on how you feel, not how you look. By shifting the focus away from these external worries—how much you can lift, a number on a scale, achieving a certain look—our goal is to help you realize the deeper connection between movement and well-being. Nia wants you to focus on how movement feels through recognizing and appreciating the internal sensations in your body; allowing you the opportunity to connect with your body, release tension, and rediscover the pleasure of movement.
Nia is about joy, not judgment. The fusion of dance, martial arts, and healing arts is an inherently playful one, intended to be fluid and undefined. There’s no right or wrong way to practice… Just your way.
There’s a Nia class or program for everybody, regardless of age, ability, health or fitness level. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s presence. It’s about showing up for you.
The integration of music and movement is fundamental to the practice of Nia. Soul-stirring music—an eclectic mix of rhythms, from world beats to pop, jazz, electronic, and beyond—inspires creativity and playfulness within us, which in turn encourages intuitive, fluid movement within our bodies. Moving in a way that aligns with what feels good for your body can work to decrease stress and anxiety, improve mental clarity and focus, and even boost self-esteem by creating a positive relationship with your body.
Rather than focusing on working harder, going faster, or looking a certain way, Nia inspires you to look inwards. We want you to celebrate your body for what it can do, rather than critiquing it for what it can’t. Nia invites you to move with awareness, sensation, and intention—bringing mindfulness, and even spirituality, into every step, kick, and turn. Because Nia deepens our mind-body-spirit connection, it’s really more than a workout—it’s a way of living. The principles and awareness cultivated in class naturally extend into daily life, helping you move through the world with greater ease, presence, and joy.
"Nia feels like it was made for me. It’s the first workout I’ve ever truly loved,” said one of my students. “In other fitness classes, I always felt like I was trying to keep up or fit into a mold that wasn’t mine. But with Nia, I feel free. I move how I want to move. I leave class feeling more like myself—lighter, happier, and fully alive."
How to Know if Nia® Is Your Fitness Soulmate
I invite you to explore what a fitness soulmate might look like for you.
Do you want to practice movement that feels joyful and energizing?
Do you value creativity, playfulness, and self-expression in the form of physical movement?
Are you searching for a wellness routine that empowers you to connect fully with your body, mind, and spirit?
If any (or all) of these resonate with you, then Nia might be exactly what your body and soul is craving.
Stepping foot into one of my Nia classes feels like entering a space where you can truly be yourself, and at home in your body. In every Nia dance class, seven cycles come together to create a balanced fitness practice. In Cycle 1, you’ll set your focus for the class; an intention to carry with you throughout your practice. In Cycle 2, you step-in: gradually easing into movement, before officially warming up in Cycle 3. Here, I’ll usually gauge the energy level in a group on any particular day. And in Cycle 4, we get moving—incorporating dynamic and expressive movements to engage the whole body. In Cycle 5, we begin to transition to a more relaxed state: it’s a time to stretch, reflect, and cool down. Cycle 6 often involves exercises performed on the floor, focusing on stretching, strength, and relaxation. Our classes then conclude with Cycle 7, the step-out: a closing ritual or movement sequence that allows us to integrate the experience and prepare to transition back into our daily lives.
Within these designated cycles, however, you have complete freedom to adapt the movements and make the practice your own.
Nia offers a joyful, accessible experience for everybody, at every level, anywhere. That’s right, you can even dance from home! I offer both in-person and online Nia classes, allowing us to connect from wherever you’re at.
How My Nia® Classes Elevate the Experience
Every Nia teacher brings their own unique energy to the practice, and for me, it’s about creating an environment of connection and fun. My classes are not about perfection—they’re about presence. As a 2nd Degree Nia Black Belt, I have years of experience guiding students through movement and transformation. I’m passionate about empowering others through movement—helping them to feel strong, energized, confident, and at home in their bodies. One of my students shared this about their experience:
“Kellie has this incredible way of making you feel both powerful and at ease. Her energy is contagious, and her classes are the highlight of my week.”
From the moment you step into my Nia class, you are welcomed exactly as you are. My deepest intention is to create a safe, supportive space where you can move freely, explore joyfully, and connect with your body in a way that feels good. There’s no pressure, no judgment—just movement, music, and expression. I bring energy, playfulness, and heart into every class, guiding you to move in ways that feel natural and empowering. My hope is that you leave feeling lighter, stronger, and more connected to yourself.
Whether you prefer to move in-person or online, there’s a space for you in my Nia classes! Join me for a live class and feel the joy of movement in a welcoming, supportive community—wherever you are in the world.
Want to go deeper?
I also offer retreats and workshops designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit. These immersive experiences blend movement, mindfulness, and connection, giving you the space to recharge and reconnect with yourself.
If you’ve been looking for a way to move that feels good—really, truly good—we think you might just like Nia.
More than just exercise, Nia blends dance, martial arts and healing arts into a practice that awakens your body, calms your mind, and lifts your spirit. It’s not just another workout… (honestly, it’s almost too fun to feel like an actual workout). Nia is a one-of-a-kind fitness experience that meets you exactly where you are, inviting you to move in a way that feels natural, energizing, and deeply satisfying. There’s no pressure to keep up, no rigid rules—just music, movement, and the joy of being in your body.
So, are you ready to meet your fitness soulmate?
Say hello to Nia! Join me at a class or retreat and discover what it feels like to move with joy, mindfulness, and freedom. Oh, and did we mention that your first class is on us? We like playing matchmaker.