Shoshana Goldstein – Studio Owner, Nia Black Belt Instructor, Pilates Trainer

“I’ve always been a “closet dancer.” As a child, I would dance on the living room table in front of a mirror when no one was home. I would dance in my bedroom – when I was happy or sad. Dance was, and still is, my therapy and my form of self-expression. When I found Nia, I knew I had rediscovered my passion for dance again – finding that joy helped heal my life. I love the magic of Nia and hope to share it with you.”

Shoshana is a certified Black Belt Nia instructor and owner of JoyMoves. She is also a Level-1 Peak Pilates Systems-certified Trainer. She has been teaching Nia in California and Texas since 1999. In 2006 she became certified to teach Zumba (Latin Fusion Fitness). In addition, Shoshana is in the process of furthering her knowledge of yoga through the yoga teacher training program at YogaYoga. She holds an M.S. degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University and a B.S. degree in Special Education from Syracuse.

Cambrey Lindsay Baccus – Nia Instructor

Cambrey is a licensed therapist and practitioner of Body-Mind practices. Since beginning her study of Nia in 1996, she has concentrated her practice on leading students to increase self-awareness and heal emotional conflict, depression, stress/anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse issues, ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder by harmonizing the connection and relationship of the physical body to the mind. Cambrey is a certified Nia Blue Belt teacher and Trance Dance facilitator. She has studied and trained with The Nia Technique® creators, Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas; as well as contemporary healer, shaman, and teacher of progressive psychology, Wilbert Alix. Cambrey has led students throughout Texas and New Mexico, stimulating growth, encouraging self-expression and self-discovery through the integration of body-mind-spirit as well as eastern and western transformational practices.

Deborah Kern – Nia Instructor

Deborah Kern fell in love with Nia in 1990 and has been teaching ever since. She is a Black Belt Nia Teacher, certified Integral Hatha Yoga Instructor, Certified Pre-Natal Hatha Yoga Instructor, Certified Pilates Mat Instructor, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and Mindful Change Coach. She is the author of the book “Everyday Wellness for Women” and co-author of “Create the Body Your Soul Desires: The Friendship Solution to Weight, Energy and Sexuality.” Dr. Kern studied Nursing at Vanderbilt University and received a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. She received a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX.

Elissa Shapiro – Nia Instructor, Women’s Movement Meditation Instructor

Elissa is a certified Blue Belt Nia instructor. She received her Bachelors in Psychology from Emory University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to many years spent working in mental health agencies, hospitals, and schools with children, adolescents, and families, Elissa has extensive training in art, movement and other expressive arts therapies. Elissa is a Certified Nia Instructor, has extensive Soul Motion™ training, and is the creator of Women’s Movement Meditation.

Renee Forsythe – Nia Instructor

Renee found her way to Nia after years of searching for that perfect fit. She obtained her Nia White Belt in 2007 and brings to Nia over 30 years of extensive experience in ballet, modern, jazz and yoga. Classically trained, Renée has danced professionally with the Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Austin and Austin Contemporary Ballet. She has taught and choreographed for over 20 years. She graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in secondary education. Through Nia, Renée has rediscovered her passion for authentic movement. A reformed runner and triathlete, Renee brings a sense of athleticism and grace to her class, while allowing others to explore and discover their own joy of movement and self-expression

Ursula Parks – Nia Instructor

Ursula is a certified Blue Belt Nia instructor. She brings to her classes over seventeen years of dance and expressive movement experience, including extensive training and performance experience in modern dance and ballet. Her Nia practice began in 1997 and she completed her Nia certification in 2002. Through the physical and spirited practice of Nia, Ursula creates a safe space for students to reconnect with the joyful human impulse to dance. Her classes are physical, lively and funky, spiked with both humor and silence.

Holly Curtis – Visiting Master Nia Teacher (Black Belt Nia Instructor)

Holly Curtis is an inspiring master teacher and trainer of the Nia Technique. She is recognized as one of the top Nia trainers in the United States.

Holly began her practice of Nia in 1993, following 11 years in conventional fitness. Soon after that she founded the NiaSpace movement studio in Austin, TX. She holds a B.S. in Kinesiology, and a M.Ed. in Health Education from the University of Texas in Austin. She currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico and teaches classes at the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet School, the Santa Fe Community College, and the College of Santa Fe. Holly dives deep into the Nia Technique and hopes it will bring joy and meaning into your life, as it has for her.

Helen Terry – Visiting Master Nia Teacher (Black Belt Nia Instructor)

She is a certified Black Belt Nia Teacher and Nia Trainer, who brings 23 years experience in teaching to her students. She regularly presents and trains around the world, including in the UK, US, Japan, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. Helen is the founder of NiaMoves Houston, a mind body spirit institute that offers classes, workshop and trainings in techniques like Nia, Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi. Helen also offers holistic methods for stress management within businesses, hospitals, churches and schools. Helen was instrumental in bringing Nia to Houston’s Saint Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (home of the Texas Heart Institute), where she adopted the Nia technique as the prescribed exercise for cardiac rehabilitation patients.

Bekah Schouten – Yoga Instructor

Bekah has been a yoga practitioner since 2001. The physical and mental practice of yoga has brought a center and sense of calmness to her hectic existence; she lives a better life everyday because of its benefits. In 2004, Bekah attended her first yoga teacher training, shortly afterwards she left her legal career and began a much more RASA-filled existence as a yoga instructor. Her main teacher certification is through the Baptiste Power Yoga Institute; secondary training is in the Vinyasa flow of Shiva Rae. She is a high-energy teacher who loves to have fun and let go during class. As she continues to explore the nectar and freedom that this practice reveals, she looks forward to sharing it with her students.

Deborah York – Yoga Instructor

Deborah York has been a passionate Yoga practitioner and instructor for over 23 years. Her yoga instruction focuses on slow, meditative, stretching and gentle holding – with special focus on awareness of the body, mind, breath, relaxation and nurturing the self. Deborah has also been instrumental in developing and facilitating the VISIONForce iStand Boot Camp experience for visionaries and leaders.

Eleanor Harris – Yoga Instructor, Pilates Trainer

Eleanor Harris is a Certified Iyengar Yoga instructor, with 20 years teaching experience; this includes 9 years of experience teaching prenatal yoga to over 200 women. Eleanor is registered with the National Yoga Alliance, 500 hour level, as a teacher trainer. She began her study of Yoga in New York City in 1987, studying with Mary Dunn, Manouso Manos, Ramanand Patel, John Schumacher, Angela Farmer and Victor Van Kooten. She is methodical in teaching and brings clarity in the instruction of Yoga. She graduated from the Swedish Institute of Massage and the Ohashiatsu in New York. She is a Reiki Master, and has studied acupressure, jinshindo, craniosacral therapy, chakra, crystal and color therapy. Eleanor is a registered doula and has a BAAS in Occupational Education. Eleanor is also a Level-1 Peak Pilates Systems-certified Trainer. She has been teaching Pilates mat classes, as well as Private, Duet and Trio sessions since 2007.

Gioconda – Yoga Instructor

Gioconda (ERYT-500) has been teaching yoga since 1997. She trained extensively in Austin with Murti of Healing Yoga and Mary Romeu Keator. The nationally renowned teachers who have influenced her the most are Rodney Yee and Shiva Rea. She is currently the director of the Yoga Teacher Training at Castle Hill Fitness, and has led national and international yoga retreats. Teaching in the Vinyasa style, she encourages students to connect with their breath, their body, and their inner being in a playful and encouraging environment.

Lauran Janes – Yoga Instructor

Lauran’s study of yoga, the Self, and meditation began in her early childhood. Lauran has found that yoga inspires compassion, self-acceptance and a genuine sense of humor. Yoga lightens the heart and helps deepen one’s awareness in each moment. Consistent practice helps one see his/her inherent gifts more clearly and provides one with the sustainable energy needed to serve and engage with the world. Today Lauran teaches yoga from a place of healing and child-like wonder, encouraging her students to follow the guidance of their breath and to open to their inherent compassion. After several years of studying with Brigitte Snyder, Lauran received her 200 hour yoga certification at the Mount Madonna Center in Santa Cruz, California.

Paula Harnish – Yoga Instructor

Paula Harnish has been practicing yoga for over 13 years and is certified through Healing In Yoga. She has studied with Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, Angelia farmer, David Swenson, Ramand Patel and John Friend. Paula will take you through a dance using different styles of yoga to take you on a deep journey into yourself – opening the body to awaken the energies within.

Denise Hurd – Pilates Trainer, Thai Massage Therapist (RMT)

Denise Hurd has worked in Austin’s fitness, health and wellness community for the past 10 years. Being a massage therapist, Pilates has had a profound effect on Denise’s life. Having a strong knowledge of the body and experiencing the benefits of Pilates, she has added teaching Pilates to her repertoire. In 2007, Denise achieved Peak Pilates Comprehensive Certification. That means she has completed the minimum of 484 hour long training program with successful assessment on the Mat, Reformer and Cadillac, chairs, barrels and accessories. Says Denise, “with Pilates, people will not only feel the benefits, they also realize the benefits.”

Janice Moore – Pilates Trainer

Janice received her MS in nursing at Texas Woman’s University and later completed post graduate work for Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at the University of Texas. She teaches nursing at The University of Texas at Austin. She also practices as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner in Austin. Janice developed a love and passion for Pilates in 2004 and believes strongly in its benefits. She is Comprehensively-certified in Pilates through Peak Pilates. This means that she has completed Peak’s minimum of 484 hour Pilates training program with successful assessments (i.e. test-outs) on the Mat, Reformer and Cadillac, chairs, barrels and accessories. Janice also has completed the Pilates System training in Dallas under the tutelage of Colleen Glen, Director of Education for Peak Pilates.

Kristi Melton – Pilates Trainer

Kristi Melton is a Comprehensively Certified Peak Pilates System-certified Pilates trainer. That means she has completed the minimum of 484 hour long training program with successful assessment on the Mat, Reformer and Cadillac, chairs, barrels and accessories. She is also a founding member/Co-Artistic Director of REALMdanceproject – an Austin based contemporary dance/theatre company. Kristi studied tap, jazz and classical ballet for over 20 years and has focused on modern and contemporary dance for the past 11 years. She attended Millikin University, majoring in Music Theatre and minoring in Dance while being an active member of the university dance ensemble and their nationally recognized showchoir. Kristi has also been an instructor of tap, jazz, ballet and combination classes at The Performing Arts Studio, Georgetown, Texas, and Round Rock Repertory Dance Centre, Round Rock, Texas, for students aged 3 to 16.

Paige Weh – Pilates Trainer

Paige has been a full-time wife and mother on a quest to find time to take care of herself, while taking care of those she loves. Pilates has given Paige the outlet she was looking for to care for her body and balance her mind. After becoming an ACE-certified personal trainer in 2007, Paige then completed her Level 1 Peak Pilates System certification that same year. She plans on furthering her Peak certification level in 2008, while sharing her knowledge and love of Pilates with others. Paige has a B.A. in Communications from the University of New Mexico.