In 1989 my sister invited me to attend a Women's Weekend event on Drummond Island, Michigan.   I knew in the middle of my first Nia class there was something very unique and special about Nia.   When we were guided to turn and lift our arms into the air I sensed my chest opening and my spirit soaring.  It was both exhilarating and life changing in ways I could not have predicted in that moment.  When I returned to Chicago I couldn't shake it off. Colors were brighter, the city sounds were louder, my senses were heightened, a new aliveness had awakened within me! I wanted more.  I had a strong urge to tell people about it.   I felt like it was needed, important and had huge potential to help so many people.  There were no Nia classes in the city of Chicago at that time so I signed up for the next White Belt Training a few months later.   I was born with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong passion for movement, music and fashion!  The signs began to show up early in my life.   By the age of 4 or 5 I was practicing dance moves with my little sister, dressing up in floor length gowns (which were my mom’s night gowns!), setting up chairs for my parents and older siblings who paid a nickel for these musical song and dance productions.  Playing, having fun and expressing myself through music and movement lit me up.   With Nia, here it was again, my passions knocking on my front door, the opportunity to do what I love… as an adult this time!   I began sharing Nia as a teacher in 1999 while working a full time job.  I began creating my sacred livelihood by integrating more and more Nia while simultaneously disengaging from my previous career.

The more I immersed myself in learning through my body’s way, my body began to change.  I became calmer, happier, stronger and more centered.   Each Nia Belt Training level has brought me to a new dimension of self-knowledge, self-expression and learning.  Nia’s depth, creativity and variety of movement fully engage my body, mind and spirit.  Nia continues to teach me to move and live from the inside out with more awareness, acceptance and appreciation.

In 2006 I embraced Nia as my personal fitness, lifestyle practice and full time career.   Throughout the years my classes and events have been featured in Today’s Chicago Woman”, The “Chicago Tribune”, Channel 2 “On Call with Dr. Michael Breen”, Metromix CLTV Chicago and on "Fox News Chicago”.   As a Nia Trainer and Black Belt Teacher I bring a creative, gentle approach to sharing Nia that encourages and empowers others to seek and express their own individuality. I am inspired by Nia and its potential for helping individuals of all ages and backgrounds create healthy lives full of joy, self-awareness and connection.