Sundays 9:00-10:15 am (HST)
13 Week series May 10 – August 9, 2020, skipping July 5th
For Nia Belts, White Belt or above
FREE during turbulent times (payment options also available for those who feel inclined)
Note: Continuity is important for keeping the circle of community. Renée and Winalee ask that you commit to attending the entire series.
Sign up now!
Delve into the “Feeling” routine as a powerful movement tool to discover more about Form and Freedom. This routine gives access to the emotional realm, a highly charged place for us to explore and find safety. It also offers an in-depth somatic experience!
Winalee Zeeb, international Nia Trainer, takes us into the Feeling routine, which she 
co-created with 3 members of the Nia Faculty. Winalee will attend most sessions of the Mentorship. She makes each song memorable with a story line. Explore the “katas” that make up each song, and how they fit with the music. Winalee unpacks each move to approach it safely and simply. She also demonstrates more energetically intense variations. She may recommend song substitutions to use with existing choreography.
Renée Tillotson, Nia Black Belt, 2nd degree, facilitates a Nia-Life-Spirit check-in before every session, finding deep relevance to our daily lives as “Spirit clothed in flesh”, as Debbie Rosas likes to talk about our experience in a sacred body. We connect Nia concepts with a theme for the week, enhancing our teaching skill to set a focus and intent.
BENEFITS OF MENTORSHIP
Participants in former mentorships series have evolved into teaching single songs as guest instructors; teaching partial or whole classes as subs; to teaching classes of their own; to starting a new studio. Experienced teachers find new inspiration and insight mentoring with Winalee, Renée and fellow mentees.
This mentorship program provides important instructional tips and a huge virtual hug of support and encouragement. You will share bonds of fellowship and interconnectedness with your fellow mentees that are almost palpable.
Syllabus for the 13 Week series
May 10 – Introduction to Feeling routine
May 17 – Song 1: From Russia with Love
May 24 – Song 2: Touched by God
May 31 – Song 3: Soultrippin’
June 7 – Song 4: It’s Hot
June 14 – Song 5: The Pull
June 21 – Song 6: Lost Harpist
June 28 – Song 7: klinhg klang
July 12 – Song 8: Come Away
July 19 – Song 9: A Day Unnoticed
July 26 – Review songs 1-3
Aug 2 – Review songs 4-6
Aug 9 – Review songs 7-9
Renée Tillotson
Renée Tillotson, Director, founded Still & Moving Center to share mindful movement arts from around the globe. Her inspiration comes from the Joy and moving meditation she experiences in the practice of Nia, and from the lifelong learning she’s gained at the Institute of World Culture in Santa Barbara, California. Still & Moving Center aspires to serve the community, support the Earth and its creatures, and always be filled with laughter and friendship!
Enthusiasm fills every class and event Renée leads. The motto: ‘Move your body. Still your mind. Find center. Find Joy!” motivates her daily life.
A second degree Nia Black Belt, Renée says, “Through Nia I realized that I was born to dance…and perhaps everyone is! Nia connects me to pure Joy. I aspire to extend that Joy into the rest of my life and share it with every student who steps into my circle. Nia embraces both the yin and yang energies, helping all of us to balance our natures. Nia serves as a moving meditation for me, as well as a chance to play like a child again! I like to think of my classes as invigorating the body and elevating the spirit.”
Engaged in an earnest, life-long spiritual quest, Renée assembles the Still & Moving Center Almanac each year, filled with inspirational quotes by everyone from the Dalai Lama to Dolly Parton. She loves taking part in conversations that merge philosophical, spiritual and scientific thought with a lifestyle of compassion.
Renée has been moving and sharing Nia since 2002. She took all of her Nia intensive trainings at Nia International Headquarters from the co-creators of Nia: Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas. She considers herself a citizen of the world, and brings mindful movement practices from around the globe under one roof at Still & Moving Center.
Winalee Zeeb
I began teaching in the fitness industry in 1981. I had a passion for exercise, and teaching aquatics courses, water exercise and aerobics filled that passion. These traditional fitness practices and my unconscious movement patterning ultimately led me to exhaustion, burnout, and physical pain. In 1984, I severely injured both my knees. I had numbed myself to my body’s voice of pain and I required surgery.
In July of 1991, I was on the edge of quitting teaching. I attended the IDEA Fitness Conference and I saw a sign that read, “Body, Mind, Spirit Workout.” I had not seen the word ‘spirit’ used in any other courses offered. Immediately, my curiosity drew me to take the workshop. It was a Nia workshop, and I clearly recall watching Debbie and Carlos enter the room. Every cell of my being recognized their radiance. They took the stage and did something unheard of at that time in the fitness industry – they invited us to take off our shoes. Those first barefoot seconds of conscious movement had my wounded knees saying, “Ahhhhhhh” as they experienced healing through movement. After tearfully dancing a profound healing awakening, I registered for their next White Belt Intensive. I sensed a deep knowing within myself that Nia had much to teach me. I eagerly attended the Blue, Brown, Black, and First Degree Black Belt trainings in succession.
In February of 1997, after years of practicing Nia and many hours of teaching, I was blessed with the honor of becoming a Nia Trainer. Words cannot express the infinite gifts my heart receives from the privilege of sharing the Nia Belts. I travel internationally teaching Nia, and I am passionately in love with what I am privileged to share. I sing professionally. I am a motivational keynote speaker, and a yoga teacher. On February 14, 2009, I opened Heartdance Studio – a magical space. The teachings of Nia have brought me my ability to balance all I am passionate about, and I am so very grateful.
I am honored to joyfully dance in the sea of life with all of you!
