Nia is a powerful, fun, energetic, super-creative somatic practice. It is a fantastic workout, adaptable to the needs of each individual, from beginner to highly conditioned athlete. But Nia goes way beyond this. Nia is also a profoundly transformative spiritual practice that creates positive change.

Nia has transformed my body and my life in countless positive ways. I am thrilled with where Nia has taken me; the practice continuously invites me to go deeper and deeper on every level. I am tremendously inspired by the ongoing process of learning, developing, creating and presenting choreography and improvisation within the framework of meaningful focus and intent. The ideas are ever-evolving and limitless. Teaching Nia is endlessly creative and my classes are playful, experimental, sweaty and joyful! We have so much fun as we explore the interplay of freedom and form in movement. Each class is a work of art created in community, an alchemy of music, movement, and magic. Students get fit and strong, they release inhibitions and barriers fall away, and this is really just the beginning...

A multi-dimensional practice that invites everybody to discover, develop and enjoy personal potential in body, mind, heart and spirit, Nia is my passion. I feel so blessed to be sharing the brilliance of this practice everyday. My classes are an open community of wonderful people. I invite you to come and claim your personal power, develop your skills, express yourself, and have a blast. Join us on the dance floor!

Valerie has a background in dance, music, and visual art. She received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, taught painting and drawing, and has exhibited her work nationally. Valerie's fourteen year study and practice of ballet evolved into a deep interest in all kinds of creative movement and fitness. She began leading fitness classes at the age of seventeen. Currently, Valerie teaches eight rockin' Nia classes a week. She also teaches creative group fitness classes specializing in balance, core work, weight training, and stretching. Additionally, Valerie is involved with energy work and healing, and she is a Level II Reiki practitioner. In late August of 2013, Valerie will be diving into her fifth level of Nia education, the Nia Black Belt Intensive.