About Valerie
Aloha, welcome, bienvenido! My name is Valerie and I am a Nia® Dance teacher on the Island of Hawai'i (aka Big Island). In my classes I have a way of shifting moods, sharing Joy and creating an environment that feels safe, exciting and irrepressibly fun! Born in Miami, Florida and raised by a Nicaraguan family meant there was always a lot of food, music blasting and bodies dancing. From childhood I knew dance as a way of life, but it wasn't until I found Nia®, in 2011, that I discovered conscious and mindful movement as a path to self-discovery, emotional awareness, physical vitality and mental wellbeing. Nia® has given me fitness, power, beauty and healing. My entire Nia® journey has cultivated a loving relationship between my inner and outer worlds. I suspect you will cultivate some of these benefits too. It is my pleasure to welcome students to their first class. You do not need previous experience to participate and everyday is a good day to step into a Nia® Dance class. Hablo español and live in Hawaii.
Photo courtesy of East Meets West Technology Conference Honolulu, Hawaii 2024
As a Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, I’ve identified a need for mindful fitness programs, like Nia®, in the workplace. As a busy professional myself, I am committed to increasing positive affinity between employees, companies and organizations. My strengths lie in helping organizations create a wellness culture that promotes healthy living in creative ways. As a Licensed Nia Technique® teacher, I use Nia teachings and methodologies to develop physical, mental and emotional IQ– all which enhance the experience of living in a body as a high-performance business professional. When I am not working with corporate groups I work with individuals helping them find tools and resources to move, get fit, and live more meaningful lives.
Communities I’ve danced Nia®
United States
Hilo, Hawai'i
Honolulu, Hawai'i
Miami, Florida
St. Pete, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Baltimore, Maryland
Boston, Massachusetts
New York, New York
Portland, Maine
Chicago, Illinois
Denver, Colorado
Portland, Oregon (Nia Headquarters)
Southeast Asia
Bali, Indonesia
Phuket, Thailand
Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Gold Coast, Australia
Brisbane, Australia
Europe
Marbella, Spain
Central America
Ometepe, Nicaragua
Chinandega, Nicaragua
Check out Valerie in the press with Nia® HERE
Certifications and Trainings
Nia Technique®
Licensed Nia Technique® Brown Belt Teacher
Nia Moving to Heal teacher- specialty program for special populations
Nia MOVE it™ coach- specialty program (HIIT)
Other
Certified Sleep Science Coach, CSSC
Certified Wellness Coach, CWC- Individuals
Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, CCWC- Corporate Groups
Certification of Course Completion- ITT Communication Wisdom for the World of Work
Athletics and Fitness Association of America, AFAA- Certified Group Fitness Instructor
Certified First Aid, CPR & AED
Testimonials
