Instructors
Shoshana Goldstein – Studio Co-Owner, Nia Black Belt Instructor, Pilates Trainer
Shoshana has been dancing for over 30 years. She says that dancing is in her blood. She has been teaching Nia since 1999 and holds a Nia Black Belt level certification. Between her time living in California and Texas, she has taught many hundreds of classes. She loves sharing the magic of Nia and finds the joy it brings to others to be extremely rewarding. In 2006 Shoshana and her husband, Steve, co-created JoyMoves. Shoshana’s dream of having a sacred space to dance was realized. She feels gratitude everyday upon entering the studio. Shoshana became aware of Pilates in 2001 and began to practice it later that year. She noticed that it augmented her more aerobic and playful Nia practice. Pilates was a form of cross-training that resulted in both increased overall fitness and injury reduction. Because of these things, Shoshana decided to become a Pilates trainer. She is now a Level-2 Peak Pilates System- Certified Trainer. She teaches Privates, Duets and Trios, and both Pilates mat and Pilates MVe™ Pilates chair classes at JoyMoves. Shoshana also helps mentor Pilates apprentices who are learning the Peak Pilates System. Shoshana also has a love for Latin Music. In 2006, she became one of the first Zumba-certified teachers in Austin. She often loves to add Zumba’s Latin cardio moves to her Nia classes. Prior to her Nia and Pilates career, Shoshana was an Occupational Therapist. She holds a M.S. in O.T. from Boston University. This is in addition to her undergrad degree in Special Education from Syracuse University. So, yes, she is a former “yankee” having spent the first couple dozen years of her life in New England. However, after working in a rehab hospital setting, Shoshana decided her true passion was in preventative healing. She feels like she is on the right path. Nia InstructorsCambrey 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. Louise Martin – Nia Instructor
Louise Martin, a native Zimabwean, has been an avid student, practitioner and international teacher of movement techniques for the past fifteen years. In addition she has studied, trained and worked as a performer for the past twenty years. Her work as a performer led her to an in depth exploration and curiosity of how the body functions and moves. Her foundation in body exploration began with the study of Yoga moving on to training in the Martial Arts in the Mkeka-do system, a combination of traditional Japanese style karate and kickboxing. Intent on learning how the body mind and spirit connect, she trained in “Body Dynamics,” a system based on bio-energetic and vibrational healing techniques designed to uncover hidden trauma and blocks in the body to induce greater well being and healing on all levels. Louise then discovered “The Nia Technique” in 2001, which fused all her previous trainings together. She is also a certified yoga instructor through Yogaworks. Renée 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 Sara Earl – Nia Instructor
Sara has over thirty years experience in dance and movement. A former professional ballet dancer, she has studied many forms of dance, including modern, jazz and ecstatic dance. Before discovering Nia, she taught low impact and step aerobics. Sara became a Nia instructor in 2000 and is currently at the Brown Belt level of advanced training. She has developed a creative movement program for toddlers and preschoolers based on the principles of Nia. Sara’s classes are healthy, enriching, fun and accessible to students of all levels. 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. Yoga InstructorsDeborah 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. Dido Nydick – Yoga Instructor
Dido is a 500RYT and E-200RYT certified yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga since 1999 and completed her training in ISHTA (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantric and Ayurveda) in New York City in 2003 under the direction of Alan Finger and staff. Other specialties include certification as a “Relax & Renew” Restorative instructor, prenatal yoga certification with Carrie Parker, a Nritya Yoga practice inspired by Amrita Choudhury and Yoga Wall Asanas. Dido continues to study with teachers that emphasize the connection between mind, body and spirit. Her classes include poses, breathwork, meditation and philosophy to create a state of well-being. 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. Gillian Stahl Barksdale – Yoga Instructor
Gillian Stahl Barksdale is a certified Iyengar Yoga instructor who began her yoga practice in 1996. She completed a three-year intensive teacher training program at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles, and has enjoyed teaching since 2001. Gillian has studied with many talented Iyengar instructors including Manouso Manos, Leslie Peters, Karin O’Bannon, Jo Zukovich, and Gloria Goldberg. In addition, Gillian feels privileged to have attended the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park where B.K.S. Iyengar taught in 2005, and the Iyengar Yoga Odyssey with Geeta Iyengar in 2001. Gillian teaches with clear and precise, verbal and visual instructions, and brings a sense of joy and humor to the class. 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. Krista Del Gallo – Yoga Instructor
Krista Del Gallo (RYT-300 hours) has been practicing yoga for since 1998. The forms of yoga she has studied include Hatha, Astanga, Iynegar, Vinyasa Flow and Anusara. Through the years Krista’s yoga practice has supported a comfortable and healthy pregnancy and post partum experience, healing from a traumatic injury, and ongoing rejuvenation from the stressors of every day life. Krista is interested in sharing yoga with people from all walks of life to help improve and enhance their current situations and wellbeing. Off the mat, Krista works in the public policy arena around issues impacting survivors of domestic violence. She loves the water and was a member of the acclaimed Austin-based renegade feminist synchronized swimming troupe, the H2Hos. 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. Pilates InstructorsDenise Hurd – Pilates Trainer
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.” Eleanor Harris – Pilates Trainer (see bio above)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 furthered her Pilates training in 2008 by completing the Level 2 Peak Pilates certification. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion for Pilates with others. Paige has a B.A. in Communications from the University of New Mexico. |
