Instructors

“Excellence is not merely a skill. It is an attitude.”
…Ralph Morrison

Education and Training

Masters of Science in Dental Hygiene Education and Administration, The University of Iowa
Certified Health Education Specialist (C.H.E.S.)
Nia 1st Degree Black Belt Instructor
Nia 5 Stages Instructor
Ageless Grace Educator
Functional Aging Specialist (FAS)
Functional Aging Group Exercise Specialist
Barefoot Training Specialist, Level 1
T. Colin Campbell Plant-Based Nutrition Certification
T. Colin Campbell Food and Sustainability Certification

Additional

Owner, Body Moves Fitness and Wellness Center
Associate Professor Emerita in Health Promotion and Dental Hygiene, The University of Iowa
16 years teaching Nia in Iowa City area
Native Iowan
Mother of Stephanie, grandmother of Amanda, Mallory, and Sydney
Mom of Tansy Madigan Pelton, the Beagle

Classes

Nia
Ageless Grace
Touch Points
Whole-Food Plant-Based Lifestyle

Education and Training

Bachelor of General Studies, The University of Iowa
Elementary Teaching Certificate
Ageless Grace Educator
Nia White Belt

Additional

Head Start Teacher
Piano Teacher
Pianist, Our Lord’s Church, Solon, IA
Book Club
Piano Club
Quilter

Classes

Ageless Grace

Education and Training

T’ai Chi Chuan Practitioner over 25 years
T’ai Chi Chuan Instructor over 5 years
Certificate in Accounting and Business Machines
Certificate in Motivational Interviewing
Trained Spiritual Director
Certified Wedding Officiant

Additional

Johnson County Employee, 32 years, providing assistance to low income households
Believes T’ai Chi is a Way of Living
Loves Thunderstorms, a Good Book, Yard Work, Being Barefoot
Has 2 Incredible Grandsons

Classes

T’ai Chi Chuan
Qigong

Education and Training

Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science and Health Promotion, The University of Iowa
Certified Functional Aging Specialist, (FAS)
Certified Brain Health Trainer, FAI
Cancer Exercise Specialist, Advanced Qualifiation, FAI
Certified Zumba Instructor

Additional

Trainer and instructor in fitness industry for 17 years
Passionate about health and fitness
Love swimming, dancing, kickboxing and lifting
Favorite activities include reading and cooking
Proud mother of two young adults, ages 25 and 21, and one fur baby, Maisy

Classes

Small Group Personal Training
Zumba
Body Sculpt

Education and Training

Bachelor of Arts, The University of Iowa
Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200)
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP)
Veterans Yoga Project for Trauma Mitigation

Additional

Yoga Practitioner, 22 years
Yoga Instructor, 10 years
Yin Yoga and Pranayama Workshops, Satchidananada Ashram, Virginia
Member, Veterans for Peace
Member, PEACE Iowa

Classes

Gentle Yoga
Yin Yoga
Yoga with a Chair

Education and Training

Studied Art and Dance, The University of Iowa
Iowa City West High Graduate
Pilates Mat Certification

Additional

Mat Pilates Instructor, 2 years
Proud pet parent of one of the happiest pups around
Deal Shopper Extraordinaire

Classes

Mat Pilates

Education and Training

Registered Nurse, Kirkwood Community College
Nia Blue Belt Instructor
Nia Moving to Heal Instructor

Additional

Retired Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Volunteer, Iowa City Learning Foundation
Passionate about Guiding Nia Moving to Heal Students to Partner with Their Bodies for Healing through a Sensory Awareness
Creator of Paper and Fabric Art Journals and Cards
Love to Explore New Art Techniques

Classes

Nia
Nia Moving to Heal

Education and Training

Bachelor of Arts with Voice Emphasis, Minor in French, The University of Iowa
Nia Brown Belt Instructor
Nia MoveIT Instructor
Certified Zumba Instructor
Usui Reiki Practitioner
Embodiment Mentor

Additional

Internationally Traveled Musician, Choral Music Specialty
Lover of the Outdoors
Tennis and Ultimate Frisbee
Mother of 2 Children, Some Cats, and Married to College Sweetheart

Classes

Nia
Nia MoveIT

Education and Training

Licensed Masters in Social Work, The University of Iowa
Certified Thanatologist (Death and Bereavement Education)
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYP-200)
Mindful Resilience Yoga Teacher Level 1, Yoga Veterans Project

Additional

Social Worker, Oaknoll Retirement Community, Iowa City
Wellness, Self-Care, Mindfulness Practices
Painting, Gardening
Community Singing
Reading
Walking Faye, Faithful Dog Companion

Classes

Gentle Vinyasa Yoga
Yoga for Grief Workshops

Education and Training

Registered Nurse
Interior Designer
Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT-200)
Certified in Barre Above

Additional

RN at Lone Tree Health Care Center
Lover of biking, hiking, weight lifting
Passionate about health and fitness

Classes

Gentle Yoga

Education and Training

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Sociology, The University of Iowa
Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT-200)
Yin Yoga Instructor Training (50 hours)

Additional

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Employee, Patient Financial Services
Fort Dodge Native, Iowa City Resident 37 years
Avid participant of yoga retreats, continuing education, and festivals
Dog fan, dog sitter

Classes

Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga Workshop Series and Special Events

Education and Training

Bachelor of Arts, English, The University of Iowa
Certified Zumba Instructor
Functional Aging Specialist (FAS), in progress

Additional

Instructor in fitness industry for 6 years
Fluent in Portuguese
Secondary Education English Teacher in Brazil for 12 years
English Program Coordinator at international bilingual school for five years
Home School Teacher
Soccer athlete at collegiate level athlete
Basketball, volleyball, and soccer coach at junior high and high school levels
Vocal music and pianist
Mother of Mishael, Benaiah, Noah, and Grace. Spouse of Frederico. Dog mom of Bailey

Classes

Administration and Management
In-house online technician
LIVE WELL Series Instructor