Nia with Emily Merritt

Adult Group Class / Dance Program

Discover Nia, a sensory-based movement practice that integrates elements of dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts to support whole-person well-being. Practiced barefoot and adaptable to every body, Nia uses 52 functional movements to build strength, mobility, and stability while cultivating presence, relaxation, and emotional balance.

In this workshop, you will:

Explore Nia’s core principles and how they relate to everyday movement and posture.
Learn simple, customizable patterns that improve coordination, joint health, and body awareness.
Practice mindful movement and breath to reduce stress and calm the nervous system.

Engage with a welcoming community in a supportive, judgment-free space.
No experience required—Nia meets you where you are. Ideal for all ages, abilities, and fitness levels, this workshop offers practical tools for vitality, self-care, and sustainable movement. Step in and discover a more comfortable, connected way to move through life.


Emily has been teaching Nia Technique (which integrates the mind-body-spirit connection of yoga in a dance/martial arts format) for over 15 years, and also teaches Groove dance and Hatha, gentle, and restorative yoga. Yoga and dance have helped Emily discover peace and healing, and she loves sharing that with her students.

Emily lives in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago with her husband and their 2 children, ages 6 and 10. Outside of dance and yoga, Emily is a huge bookworm and especially loves sharing children’s books with other parents.