Testimonials

"Shelli is one of those keepers who understand the power of ceremony and our capacity as "openers" to really create something deeply altering and transformative for the students who attend her events."

Debra Roberts, documentary film producer, Weaverville, NC

"Shelli ignites my imagination, tickles my funny bone, and makes me feel like a kid again. An hour of comprehensive movement goes by effortlessly. It's a life lesson in itself to remember that pleasure is the best guide to body movement. Shelli weaves a luscious web of enchantment for her joyful students."

Annelinde Metzner, composer and poet, Black Mountain, NC

Why I Love NIA- Thank You Shelli!

I had seen the word NIA and was wondering, "What is NIA?" Shelli offered the first class for free, to try it, and I figured, "Now, I’ll know what NIA is." I tried it and immediately loved it! This is what I needed!

The music is soulful, we moved to the music throughout the entire hour, the movements felt so good and were filled with so many variations of styles.

What was so unusual was that NIA takes us to deeper dimensions. Because of all the variety of styles of movement, it helps us process all our varying emotions. Through body movement, we are each, privately and in our own mind, thinking and feeling whatever we need to process that day. We go from soulful, to playful, to silly, to strong, to flowing, to letting go of tensions, to kicking out of our lives what we want to get rid of, to bringing into our lives what we want to add. I like how we do all of this privately, feeling all of this as we move through the steps.

How do we do this? We do this with Shelli’s gentle guidance as she subtly narrates the steps and the feelings as we follow her lead. Shelli is a beautiful dancer, beautiful person, and has a beautiful heart. She deepens her skills in teaching NIA with her background and degree in Integrative Movement, thus giving us all a multi-dimensional depth of experience that not all NIA teachers are able to give us. She is such a positive, loving, friendly, enthusiastic, gifted teacher who is a role model and guide.

NO MATTER HOW I FEEL BEFORE CLASS, I ALWAYS COME OUT OF CLASS TRANSFORMED AND FEELING BETTER!

My Yoga and NIA classes routine is like Movement Therapy for me. I had my routine stably in place and a little over a year ago, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Being able to channel all of my feelings while moving has kept me sane and coping. It doesn’t change our situation, but it’s giving me the ability to think clearly and ride this storm staying afloat.

When I’m out of town, enjoying traveling, yet not in my classes, my body, soul, and emotions feel the difference and I’m more out of sorts. I really miss my classes.

I am so grateful that I found One Center Yoga and its many superb yoga teachers and Shelli, our NIA teacher. I am eternally grateful to Shelli, my NIA teacher, for these past two years of NIA. Her teaching has changed me and transformed me. I used to feel down more and stay in it longer. NIA has given me the ability to switch emotions quickly and not stay down. I am much more stable emotionally, remaining calm during crisis. I’m now more able to express my playful side. I’m generally more comfortable dancing and moving and feeling less shy about dancing.

BY DANCING AND MOVING IN NIA, IS HAS TRANSLATED INTO I’M DANCING AND MOVING THROUGH LIFE WITH MORE GRACE, MORE DIRECTION, MORE CONFIDENCE, AND MORE STABILITY. NIA teaches us the strong with the flowing, the precision with the flexibility.

From the first class, I knew that NIA works for me, that this is what I needed, and I’m thankful to Shelli Suzanne Stanback , my NIA teacher and to Carlos and Debbie Rosas, NIA’s insightful creators for the gift of mental, emotional, and physical health that you have given me. I’m blessed to have found NIA, a deeply perceptive movement experience that I will do forever. Thank you!

Gratefully,
Susan Ratner
Mother of Six Children and French Teacher
Asheville, North Carolina