In the spring of 1995 I walked into my first Nia class by chance - and my life changed forever.  I was totally disabled by asthma, a physical therapist unable to work and a dancer unable to even cross the room to answer the phone.  I could barely breathe and had no business being in a cardio class.  But Nia is no ordinary cardio class.

Nia gave me the medicine of awareness and the medicine of The Joy of Movement that allowed me to discover my body’s way to heal.  After two years of Nia, my breathing improved by 50%. After seven years, I was off all medication. Today my respiratory function is 130% of normal.  You can read about how Nia healed my asthma here.  

The Joy of Movement is a practice that is the foundation of the entire Nia body of work.  Nia teaches us to cultivate the sensation of of joy -- the sensation of the life-force energy in the body -- irrespective of circumstance.   The life-force energy is available to us to sense at all times.  Not just happy times, not just in strong times, but in grief, loneliness, pain, illness, frustration, fear, anger, goofiness and wonder.

My Philosophy:  My philosophy is that the body is sacred. The bones are sacred, the muscles are sacred, the brain is sacred, everything is sacred.  This philoophy guides my life and my work.  My purpose is to help people remember that their bodies are sacred.

Rachael R. Resch, MS PT/LMT, is a Nia Black Belt, Nia Training Faculty and physical therapist with over 30 years' experience in movement and health education.

Rachael's Nia trainings offer a unique combination of scientific and somatic inquiry, blending the perspectives of both patient and practitioner in exploration of the human body in motion for the purpose of healing and conditioning the body.

Rachael used Nia to help heal herself from years of severe asthma. She attended her first  White Belt training as a PT in 1999 with Debbie Rosas and Carlos AyaRosas, lugging her portable nebulizer to every session.  As a result of becoming body literate, she is now medication-free.

A third generation typographer and former professional dancer, she holds a BA in religion and dance from Oberlin College, a master of science from Pacific University and a green belt in Shotokan Karate.  She is the owner of Synergy Physical Therapy in Ashland, OR.

Since 1978, Rachael has studied with leading teachers in mythopoetics, somatics, energetics and the arts, including Robert Bly, Joseph Campbell, Coleman Barks, Marion Woodman, Michael Meade, Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield (zt"l), Martín Prechtel, Stephen Victor, and Paul and Patty Richards. 

Rachael lives in southern Oregon with her husband, Richard Seidman.

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"I am always looking for ways to experience my physicality that are fun, therapeutic and soulful. I love the way Rachael's teaching style embodies all three of these. She is masterful in what she does." - Mary Gorman, PT

"Rachael knows how to respect each person's rhythms and limits, and, at the same time, how to inspire just a little more: a little more movement, freedom, expression, joy." - Deborah Gordon, MD

"In 25 years of medical practice, I've witnessed many health-related fads come and go, but none is like Nia. Nia has staying power because it is based on the body's way of moving. Nia epitomizes the 21st century healthcare paradigm that is changing our focus from treating illness to giving people tools to improve their own health and well-being." - Maureen Small, MD, Nia Black Belt/ Nia Trainer

"The Nia White Belt has enhanced my effectiveness as a physical therapist. Not only do I move and experience life differently, my patients do as well. The benefits are immeasurable." - LaSheryl Olsen, PT, Nia Black Belt

“As a chiropractor, the principles of the Nia White Belt improved my skills in assessing postural distortions and movement patterns, and developed my own body awareness by leaps and bounds.” - Barbara L. Jennings, DC, Nia Blue Belt

"Now is the time to add a fitness program to your practice. We have an immense opportunity to make a difference in the health and wellness of the communities we serve by educating them and prescribing fitness."  APTA, Impact, January 2012

"As an occupational therapist, I use the principles of Nia every day in my practice. The Nia White Belt gave me confidence, a deeper connection with my body and a passion to share the Joy of Movement with my patients." - Peyton Moore, OT, Nia White Belt