Mare Grinnan
Mare Grinnan SoulShine Studios Owner, Movement Artist, Nia Faculty Trainer
Niki Schemmel
Niki Schemmel E-RYT 500, First Degree Black Belt Nia Instructor
Mare Grinnan
Mare has been exploring and sharing Nia, a mind/body wellness practice that combines elements of Dance, Martial Arts and Yoga, for the last 25 years. She is a First Degree Nia Black Belt Practitioner and a member of the Nia Training Faculty.
A whole-hearted movement facilitator, Mare loves creating a space where people feel comfortable moving and expressing themselves freely. She finds her joy in infusing classes with creativity, inviting participants to experience the magic of music and movement firsthand. In her decades as a teacher, she has worked with people of all ages and abilities, from young mothers to retirees living with chronic pain, and has seen firsthand the power of movement to change not just someone’s range of motion and ease with daily tasks, but also sense of self and agency in the world.
Mare's exploration of movement has not only enriched her own life but also allowed her to build community close to home and around the world. She operates SoulShine Studios, a community hub and Nia and Yoga studio in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. She has also led Nia and wellness retreats all over the world, including in Mallorca, Paris, Ireland, Iceland and Costa Rica.
Mare's invitation is clear: join her on the dance floor to experience the transformative power of movement! Mare's classes promise to be an uplifting and inspiring experience for all.
Niki Schemmel
Niki's journey into the world of dance began in her childhood, when she and her friends spent their days choreographing dances to their favorite songs.
This early passion evolved into studying jazz and modern dance during middle and high school. After minoring in dance in college Niki discovered yoga and fell in love with an alignment based practice. In 2001, Niki answered the call of her heart and became a yoga instructor in Los Angeles, where she began to share her knowledge of alignment principles and heart-opening yoga philosophy. Then in 2008, Niki found Nia, with its unique blend of precision and expression, and her childhood dreams of dance were rekindled. When she stepped into teaching Nia in 2010 she felt a sense of deep fulfillment at the marriage of these two powerful practices. In addition to weekly classes at SoulShine Studios in Richmond, VA Niki has been sharing her love of both Nia and yoga on retreats all around the world.
Niki creates safe spaces for people to have their own unique experiences. She offers modifications that make her classes accessible to every body. Niki's joy is infectious and her playful attitude creates an inclusive community atmosphere. At the same time Niki believes Nia and yoga can hold the space for all of our human experiences and expressions, leading to deep self acceptance and personal transformation. She is so grateful to get to do this meaningful work alongside anyone who wants to practice with her!