Nia Body + Life Education

A health and wellness professional for over 27 years, Caroline is co-founder of Nia New York™. As a somatic educator and Nia Trainer, she co-facilitates intensive trainings at the white, green, blue, brown and black belt level with Winalee Zeeb and founder Debbie Rosas. She holds certifications in yoga, indoor cycling, personal training, life coaching, positive psychology and 5 Rhythms—a dynamic movement meditation practice. A former professional dancer with a passion for anatomy and the brain, Caroline is drawn to using movement to help special populations. For the past 17 years she has been the Health and Wellness Program Director at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan in New York City where she has been instrumental in leading a progressive slate of fitness programming. She created and designed the 100+ group fitness class schedule and health and wellness programs for every population, from tweens/teens to prenatal/postnatal moms and seniors. Her signature work includes developing a range of cancer care programs, including Nia Moving to Heal, in partnership first with Mount Sinai Hospital and now Breastlink NYC. She also designed the Nia for Parkinson's program as part of the nationally and internationally recognized Edmond J. Safra Parkinson's program, now in its thirteenth year, in partnership first with The Fresco Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center and now with Northwell Health. In addition, Caroline developed the JCC's popular "Doctor Is In" program, as well as many other nutrition and brain health programs. Caroline has been recognized with the Nia sacred athlete of the year award. She is a teacher, trainer, programmer, a wellness mentor and a constant advocate for underserved populations. She was honored with the Award for Staff Excellence for her leadership, dedication, passion, and contribution to the JCC. She loves to move and share the JOY of Nia with everyBODY and believes that the body is a source of truth - a pathway to meet our edge and to heal.

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. 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 am now a 2nd degree Black Belt.