Madrona MindBody Teachers

Allison Dey - Nia

Allison Dey loves to explore life in a body; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. She holds a BA in Social Sciences, after 20 years experience in teaching, training and social work, she is currently doing her life's work teaching Nia and founded Nia Port Townsend in January 2005. Allison is a Nia blue belt instructor. Allison has studied Nia, Gabrielle Roth's 5 Rhythms, Soul Motion dance and other movement, meditation, healing arts, and body work modalities over the last 15 years. Allison has 2 boys age 6 and 8. She loves to facilitate transformation in student's bodies using awareness, play, love and joy! She believes, "you were given this body, PLAY IT!"

Aletia Alvarez - SoulFull Sundays & Moving Meditation

Aletia brings a diverse and varied background to her movement form she calls BoldMoves. She is currently studying with Vinn Marti and Zuza Engler in the 2007-09 Soul Motion Teacher Certification Program. As an organizational consultant and facilitator her spark for creative movement has catalyized dynamic personal and professional changes—allowing for the emergence of BoldMoves. BoldMoves provides a transformative "foot" bridge between interior life and the conscious understanding of self and self in community. Aletia works with groups and individuals that see themselves as cultural creatives... those individuals, innovative businesses, artists, activists, healers, and seekers that understand that it is time to forge new pathways, find the courage to align, and listen to "the call" or "knowing." EmBODYment of this unique landscape and vital information sustains those in transforming their daily and community lives

Jane Champion - Nia

From the time Jane Champion donned her pink tutu and shiny black tap shoes at the age of four... she has always been on the move... dancing through life. Jane came to Port Townsend to fulfill a dream of having her own video production company and living in an environment that caters to outdoor adventure. Maintaining a healthy level of physical fitness is vital to Jane’s active career and philosophy of aging gracefully. Discovering Nia and Allison Dey has been the greatest gift. "Nia keeps me fit physically, mentally and spiritually. In the first year, I lost 20 pounds, and regained muscle tonality and youthful strength. Knowing that Nia would be a constant in my life, I was inspired to become a certified white belt instructor and share Nia's philosophy of the 'Joy of Movement'... and what a joy it is! Our Port Townsend Nia community is such a vibrant, harmonious and supportive group of individuals. I encourage everyone to treat their mind, body and spirit to our festive Nia experience…it just might change your life!"

David Conklin - Nia

David took his first Nia class with Allison almost two years ago, and within days, knew that it was going to change his life. Within months, he knew that he wanted to teach, so in April 2007, he did his white belt training in Portland. David is not on the active roster of teachers at the moment, as he is slowly building up a body of material to work with. His Nia energy has been focused on setting up all of the technical systems in the Gym at Fort Worden, so it is his hope to transition from that role to that of teacher in the near future. A nine-year resident of Port Townsend, David is a professional photographer by trade, and it has been a blessing to find another activity that ignites his passion as much as photography has over the years. He looks forward to co-teaching classes shortly, and filling in as needed.

Heather Duffy - Yoga

Heather Duffy was first introduced to yoga in 1986 and began teaching yoga in 1990. She has had the privilege of studying at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in India as well as with numerous other Iyengar instructors in the United States. In 2003 Heather began to study Anusara Yoga with Certified Anusara teacher, Denise Benitz, and the following year with the founder of Anusara Yoga, John Friend. Heather's approach to teaching the art of yoga is to find a balance between strength, flexibility, effort, and surrender. She helps cultivate endurance and self-awareness through asking students to pay close attention to precise movement, optimal posture, and yogic breathing. She strongly believes that yoga is a way to connect deeply with oneself and the universal life force - and to integrate body, mind and spirit in a loving and nurturing way.

Michelle Hensel - Nia

Michelle Hensel is a recently certified white belt Nia Instructor with literally a lifetime of theater and dance experience. Coming from a movement background of ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance, she loves that she can dance every day without injury (even at her advanced age)!

Michelle's other passion is theater with a strong emphasis on improvisation, which she likes to bring to her Nia classes. She is excited to bring Nia to people who may feel too "out of shape" to join a class, because she felt that way only a year and a half ago. Come Dance!

Heidi Mattern - Nia

Heidi has danced from the time she learned to walk. A folk musician and folk dancer, Heidi loves sharing her passion for music and movement with her students. Heidi has lived in Port Townsend since 1981. For fourteen years she taught preschool and elementary school, and for the past nine years she has owned The Enchanted Landscape, a garden design business. Heidi earned her Nia white belt in December 2006. Heidi says of Nia, "After my first class, I knew this was a form of exercise I could enjoy for the rest of my life. The blending of music and movement creates a feeling of bliss; of relaxing into the moment. I hope to pass on that feeling of bliss with each class I teach."

Stormy - Tribal Fusion Belly Dance

I have been dancing since I was eight years old. I studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and salsa. I started belly dancing six years ago. I am obsessed with tribal fusion belly dance which is a combination of traditional belly dance, American Tribal Style, hip-hop, jazz, and several other dance styles. I am committed to continuing education through attending workshops, dance camps and following my belly dance bliss.

Barbara Vane - Pilates

Barbara Vane has been involved in the fitness world since 1993. In 2000, she became interested in strength training and became a certified personal trainer. She works at the hospital in the Wellness department as an exercise tech. and at Evergreen Fitness as a trainer and as a Senior class instructor. After a back injury she began exploring Pilates and found that it resonated with her in a deep way and became a great way to rehabilitate and to avoid surgery. In 2004 she became certified in Mat Pilates and in Standing Pilates and has been teaching ever since. It is a joyful and rewarding experience to help others in learning this modality and watch the progress they make when they come to class.

Terry Lynn Wagner, M.Ed., E-RYT 500, L.M.P. - Yoga

Terry specializes in balancing the mind/body/spirit connection and increasing the energy flow. Drawing on over 30 years experience as a student and teacher of Western Psychology, Eastern Philosophy, Tuina, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu and various styles and systems of Yoga, she has developed an integrative approach to Bodywork Education. Her teaching methods are introspective and interactive, exploratory and expressive. Terry's intention is to share these ancient techniques to help others increase awareness and well-being.

Nala Walla - Contact Improvisation

Manuka Wiggin - Yoga

Manuka is a certified yoga instructor and is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 500hr level. She is a graduate of the Environmental Sciences and has been teaching the art and science of Yoga for over 7 years. Manuka completed her formal teacher training on Koh Phangan Island and Suann Mokkh Monastery in Thailand. She has traveled extensively while studying with an eclectic group of teachers with varying yogic traditions and practices. Currently Manuka is working towards her Teacher Certification in Anusara yoga. Manuka infuses her classes with the experiential relationship between human consciousness and natures harmonic cycles. She continues to deepen her gratitude towards the infinite growth and expansion that a yoga practice potentially unfolds.