A certified black-belt Nia instructor, Barbara holds a PhD in Health Education and an MS in Exercise Science. After years working in an industry focused on external measures of health and celebrating a particular “look of fitness”, Barbara sought to create an environment for movement founded in self-acceptance, rather than self-deprecation. Finding Nia in 1995, she sensed this work was aligned with her vision and attended her white belt training without ever taking a class. Nia continues to inform her work including her research, focused on women’s body image and exercise experience.

Barbara’s passion is to help individuals find a path to health through awareness, acceptance and pleasure. She facilitates programs for women supporting reconnection to the body through attuned eating, mindful movement and body acceptance. For individuals with cancer, she teaches movement classes and workshops and speaks on the healing benefits of movement throughout the cancer journey.