Accredited Nia Instructors with the Nia Australia Association
Sophie Marsh
Certified Black Belt Nia Instructor
"My first joyful Nia experience, over 10 years ago, stirred a deep knowing that extraordinary transformation can happen when we authentically express ourselves through movement. Nia reignited my childhood enthusiasm for dance, theatre and creative arts and my lifelong passion for learning and for helping others to step into their potential."
The first Australian to hold a Nia Black Belt, Sophie brings a playful, dynamic and inclusive energy, empowering students to co-create their own experience within the form of Nia. Her classes and playshops offer a fun-filled energising workout, a nurturing path to well-being, a powerful and liberating release, a welcoming community. Sophie thrives on learning, teaching and connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds. In addition to open classes, she also shares Nia with high school girls, seniors' groups and women's circles.
Sophie's experience in business management and staff development in both corporate and community sectors add to her practice and presentation of Nia. Since bringing Nia home to Queensland in 2004, she has pioneered a burgeoning Australia-wide Nia community and advocates for Nia’s integration into local education, fitness, health and therapeutic settings. Professional development includes annual Nia Intensives, training in freestyle group fitness, Pilates matwork, The ChiBall Method, Womanhood Leadership facilitation and energy healing.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about Nia or my classes. I look forward to moving with you soon. Warmly, Sophie
Contact details - For class enquiries, bookings, or student feedback
Phone Sophie on
0431 484 054 or use our secure contact form.
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Nia WellBeing classes
for everyBody
Phone 0431 484 054
Please bring a water bottle and towel.
Bookings are not necessary. Beginners are always welcome.
Cost - New to Nia? 3 classes $20, valid 1 month
5 class pass $65/$55, valid 2 months
unlimited Nia WellBeing classes $80, valid 1 month
Casual $15
Nia Australia members and u18 $10
Concession rates are for pensioners, students & unemployed.
Please don’t let a lack of funds limit your access to classes.
Call Sophie so that something can be worked out.
Rio Rhythmics, 126 Boundary St, WEST END (in the arcade next to Shay Shoes)
Mondays - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m
ChristChurch Anglican Church Hall. Central Ave ST LUCIA
Tuesdays - 9:30 - 10:30 a.m
Yoga on Parker. 23 Parker St NEWMARKET
Wednesdays - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m
Presbyterian Church Hall, 12 Bank Rd GRACEVILLE
Fridays - 9:30 -10:30 a.m from
ChristChurch Anglican Church Hall. Central Ave ST LUCIA
Pure Health Club classes with Sophie
Phone 3324 1188
Cost - members free; non-members welcome $17/$15
Mondays - 10:30 - 11:30 a.m
Thursdays - 6:15 - 7:15 p.m
236 Old Cleveland Rd COORPAROO
View classes in printable pdf format
Special groups and events
Sophie has presented Nia classes, workshops and demonstrations in a variety of settings. Please contact her directly for more information.
* primary school and high school students
* parties and celebrations
* one-on-one sessions
* corporate team building and/or conferences
* mental health groups
* Brisbane City Council GOLD and CHILL OUT programs
* Fitness colleges; Well-Being expos; Women's retreats
Student feedback
"Thank you Sophie for the Nia ChakraDancer Workshop. It was liberating, soul searching, with something for my body, mind and soul." Hope Dalley, Brisbane
"I would have to say that I am forever grateful to you Sophie for bringing the gift of Nia back to us Aussies. It is truly a joy to dance in such a way that feels like I'm in my own living room, like when I think that "no one is watching" and I let my body groove the way it wants to. And I love the sounding. It feels so natural and freeing. I know it such a therapeutic workout for me as I get to express being anywhere from strong and decisive to soft and soulful. My most frequent emotion after doing Nia would have to be joy.
I think you make it even easier Sophie, as you have such a playful, child-like presence about you, and a huge spirit.It is hard to resist enjoying the experience of dancing with you. Having done the white belt training, I can see how so much of your mind/body/spirit wisdom goes into each and every session, and I am so very grateful to be part of that.
I am in the beginning stages in incorporating Nia into my work in Child and Youth Mental Health. So far the 'floorplay', imagery and sounding have been effective and enjoyable in the primary-school aged groups. Can’t wait to take this even further!" -
Maria G
"I feel like a bird being set free every time I step into my space in a Nia class. My heart wells up with joy and a part of me that has been dulled by day to day stress, gets dusted off and starts to sparkle again! Thank you for inspiring that to happen Sophie, with your contagious passion for Nia!" - Stacey, Rock-it-Fit
"Prior to starting Nia I was struggling to get my health and body under control. I had been going to gym but nothing seemed to feel right. I started Nia and it pulled together everything I had been struggling with. I am certainly no dancer and the first couple of classes felt a little strange - I am sure I had two left feet! Everyone was going one way and I seemed to be going the other. After a couple of classes I found my groove. It is the first form of fitness that I have tried where I can see a difference in my outlook, my body and simply enjoying the movement. Sophie's classes allow you to have fun, feel the sense of community around you and move in a way that feels right for you. My advice - try it and find your body's groove." -
Stephanie K
"Next Wednesday's Nia class with Sophie will be the perfect celebration of my 64th birthday. I'll be celebrating my ever-growing physical awareness, strength and flexibility since joining Sophie's classes over the past 2 years. Sophie's energetic passion, expertise and knowledge of Nia practice are obvious, with so many different routines we all enjoy at our own level. Sophie's Chakra dance workshop whetted my appetite to go deeper into Nia, to experience more fully the connections between my mental, physical, emotional and spiritual selves. Thanks, Sophie" - Jan G
"Nia is like no other "exercise class" that I have ever done. I go to the gym regularly & enjoy lots of different exercise classes but Nia is unique. When I am doing Nia I feel the joy of movement; I feel re-energised & I feel strong. It also reconnects me to my spirit & body. The sense of release & relaxation after a Nia class is wonderful. Sophie is an inspiring teacher. She has ever so gently introduced me to the priciples of Nia & now I don't just think of it as my exercise for the day but healing & revitalising movement. She is so loving & caring but she also creates a sense of fun & energy in each class." - Jenny B, Brisbane
"I had suffered fibromyalgia and have had problematic muscular skeletal issues for many years. Nia has solved my exercise regime. One lesson incorporates & caters for all levels of fitness. For me, it is fun as it incorporates dance (very simple-no such thing as a wrong step) and great music to solve my easily bored nature. I have been with Sophie for 2 years. Every lesson is slightly different. Keeps the interest up, nicely. Sophie is an outstanding instructor. Her dedication to showing people how to become fit without damage, by listening to their own bodies’ limitations or potential. You get maximum physical, mental benefit and have fun at the same time. Thanks Sophie - You are unique as is Nia." - Joyce Lee Horn
“Thanks so much for your informed, energetic and passionate approach to the Nia classes. You look so 'blissed out' while you are teaching and I am sure your enthusiasm is infectious. Well I'm putting the blame on you anyway. Maria and I have been finding ourselves spending the 10 minute trip home in the car, raving about how wonderful the classes are. In Nia I have found a grounded and soulful way, to strengthen, be playful with, and reconnect to, the rhythms and aliveness of my body and feel empowered and joyful along the way. I was beginning to despair of ever finding a physical practice that could honour my body as I get older and inspire me at the same time. I think I have found it!!!” -Tracey, Brisbane
"I think Sophie's a really good instructor and she makes everyone feel very comfortable, whatever their fitness level." - Jan
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