Michigan
Through Movement We Find Health
I aspire to INSPIRE us all to get our whole selves moving - body, mind, emotions and spirit. Teaching Nia since 1997, I have continually witnessed the power this practice has to change lives, including my own, through physical and emotional healing. With lots of giggles and a soft heart toward ourselves, I invite us to explore our comfort zones AND our edges – to become more awakened and alive to all of life. Let's go exploring!
I have chosen Nia as my movement and awareness practice because it reminds me to love myself - body and soul. I enjoy teaching Nia, and bring a child-like wonder and playful sense of humor to my classes. My goal is to help you discover your own strength, joy, and heart-felt wisdom. Aside from teaching high school and Nia, my life is filled with family, friends and laughter. Plus there is always time for a good book!
Diane Batten has taught NIA since 2002, and has been a student of NIA since 1995. She became a certified Brown Belt teacher in 2007 after she trained at NIA headquarters in Portland , Oregon . Diane delights in teaching NIA as well as bicycling, kayaking and getting a good night’s sleep. She works at Michigan State University , specifically with medical student financial aid, and got her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Diane has loved to dance since the cows came home, the pigs ate her brother, and the egg came before the chicken; a long time. NIA perfectly arrived in her life to allow freedom of movement and expression, and lots of fun!
Barbara Starling is a certified Nia Blue Belt Instructor (aka the Dancing Social Worker!) who loves sharing the Joy of Movement and guiding others to move in the body's way! My goal is to inspire students to connect to and develop a nurturing relationship with their amazing bodies and discover personal expression through movement. I love the many sensations I experience in a Nia class, feeling powerful, graceful, playful, strong, serious, sensuous and fully alive in my body..all within a one hour class! Discover and celebrate whole body movement aimed at supporting mind, body and spirit. Come and play with me!
Nia allows me to create for myself, and my classes, a liberating sense of balance, self-acceptance, self-empowerment, community, love, and JOY! Nia allows an escape from a self-critical eye about body image and self-worth, embracing a creatively passionate celebration of each of our bright spirits!!!
Threads of Nia run through my life, weaving together School Social Work with preschool to high school students, massage therapy, gardening, photography, and sharing my heart and soul with husband, Craig and son, Jack.
Nia has enriched my life in so many ways. When I first discovered Nia, I was amazed by the physical, emotional and spiritual connection I experienced. I learned self acceptance through Nia. I love that Nia continues to help me grow and develop as a person and as a teacher. I truly believe that movement that uses mind, body and spirit is something EVERYONE should be a part of. Nia brings me lots of JOY and I love to share it. I have been a student of Nia since 2004 and became a certified White Belt teacher in 2006.
Getting to know each other...
Introducing our Nia Michigan Teachers:
To locate the Nia classes nearest to you please
OR click on teachers name for detail listing
We invite you to connect with the Nia Michigan community. To learn about the experiences, journeys, practices and the richness of Nia we have shared.
Let me introduce my self! I am Marlene Young and have been dancing with the joy of NIA since 1999. I have had the opportunity to teach in Jackson, Michigan since 2005, and have been blessed with the chance to dance alongside many wonderful persons along the way!!! The “body’s way” of NIA, brings to each person their own personal movement experience and encourages people to find their comfortable edge. The embodiment of nine movement forms ignites the creativity and adventure of the dance, as it soothes the soul and strengthens the body. Through NIA, my body, mind and spirit have awakened to the sounds of the beautiful music and fascinating rhythm, the intoxicating moves, and the camaraderie of dancing in community. I invite you to join the fun at Essential Energies, a Center for Healing and Growth or Passages, a Foote Hospital Center for Women.
Hi my name is Beth Silver and I love sharing and teaching Nia. For over 30 years I have been moving my body and I have found Nia to be a great way to gain health and have fun.
Sandy Fields ~ Nia White Belt 
Okemos, MI
Okemos, MII discovered Nia when I moved to Ann Arbor almost five years ago. At the time, I had started to re-gain weight after a significant weight loss and was also in the process of a devastating break-up with my partner. Thanks to Nia, I discovered my inner dancer, improved flexibility, and gained body confidence I never knew I had. In October '06, I underwent the White Belt intensive training in order to follow in the footsteps of my Nia mentors Beverley Drumm and Lila Bergroth and bring that energy, joy, and supportive community to others.
I found Nia two years ago after a lengthy search to find an activity I could do following an extensive surgery for muscle cancer in my back and rib cage. Nia has transformed my life. I recently became a teacher in order to give back to a technique that has given so much to me.
Kelly Gibson ~ Nia Blue Belt Lansing, MI
Diane Batten ~ Nia Brown Belt East Lansing, MI
East Lansing, MI
Marlene Young ~ Nia White Belt Jackson, MI
I aspire to INSPIRE us all to get our whole selves moving - body, mind, emotions and spirit. Teaching Nia since 1997, I have continually witnessed the power this practice has to change lives, including my own, through physical and emotional healing. With lots of giggles and a soft heart toward ourselves, I invite us to explore our comfort zones AND our edges – to become more awakened and alive to all of life. Let's go exploring!
Marie Moreland ~ Nia Blue Belt Lansing, MI
Lansing, MI
Patricia is a certified Nia Black Belt. For 12 years, she has taught hundreds of students in a variety of settings—from Universities to YMCAs to private studios. Her personal mission is to embody Nia and heal the world...one dancer at a time. www.niadetroit.com
Winalee is earning her PhD in life, as she incorporates her experiences and skills into her speaking, teaching and facilitating. As a fitness teacher since 1981, she thrives on sharing the joy of movement, along with innovative philosophies for creating balance and wellness. Through her business, Heartdance, she is fulfilling her dream of following her heart’s desire – using her teaching skill to create a variety of ways in which people can gather, share from the heart and heal. www.winaleezeeb.com
Winalee Zeeb ~ Nia Black Belt Educational Trainer Lansing, MI
Patricia Scott ~ Nia Black Belt West Bloomfield, MI
