The first Saturday 10am class of the new month will be co-taught by Rock Star Teacher Gigi Greene and Houston-based Julie Wilson. This is a hybrid class, that is you can come to Soma Ranch and enjoy the class in person, dancing with our local community. You can also attend the class live via zoom or request the 24HR replay.
Regular Class Rates Apply. Consider making this a “double scoop” by joining Gigi at 8:45am for a creative 5 Stages experience.
The dynamic duo, Gigi and Julie, are fresh from Black Belt training together in Lansing, Michigan and eager to share their inspiration and creativity with the Soma community.
The class marks the beginning of the month exploring the archetype of The Jester. The Jester reminds us that the sacred can be discovered through laughter, curiosity, creativity, and the willingness to step beyond what is familiar.
Gigi and Julie will bring their infectious fun to the dance floor, using play and imagination to enhance your Nia experience. At the heart of the Jester archetype is Joy. “Joy isn’t just about happiness; it’s a regulating force for our nervous system. It pulls us out of chronic stress responses and rewires our brains for resilience. Without it, we get stuck in survival mode, unable to access creativity, problem-solving, or even deep connection with others.” (Psychologytoday.com)
So how do we access Joy during class? First - by connecting with teachers and fellow students, whether in the physical room or the zoom room. Second - by being present, leaving behind distractions of the day and focusing your attention on yourself and the class. Third - by tapping into your body’s innate wisdom in movement, fully sensing your Now body, moving from the inside out. Fourth - by allowing your inner child to come out to play. Gigi and Julie will invite your imagination to take flight, transporting you to new places. Embracing play, Joy will bubble up - in your Body, Mind, Emotions and Spirit.
About Gigi and Julie
Gigi and Julie met at Soma Ranch during Brown Belt training in 2024. They immediately hit it off, sharing a similar daft sense of humor. The whole "Brownies" group of trainees bonded - continuing to meet monthly on Zoom after their training. After Julie signed up for Black Belt in Lansing, Michigan, she cajoled Gigi into joining her just a few weeks before the training in July 2026. Gigi had to overcome many obstacles to make it. She persisted and the two had a blast "dancing in Lansing" while sharing an AirBnB house.
Gigi Greene
You may be familiar with Gigi already! Gigi first tried - and loved! - Nia in 2000. She rediscovered it in February of 2020, and she's been dancing ever since! Since 2021, she has taken the Nia White, Blue, Green, Brown, and now Black Belt, thanks to Julie's invitation and encouragement. She stepped into teaching in 2022, and is now a proud member of the Soma Teaching Team as well as on the staff of The Dance Barre in Bryan, Texas. She was a Pilates teacher for 23 years after graduating from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Dance. Her favorite thing about Nia is the way it blends inspiration from many different forms of movement. Variety is the spice of Life!
Julie Wilson
Julie was a regular student at Studio NiaMoves in Houston from around the mid-2000s, and finally felt called to teach Nia in January 2020. Her training journey with Helen took her through White, Green, Blue and Brown belts between 2020 and 2024. She completed her Black Belt training in summer 2026. Julie has taught in Houston since 2021 as part of the Embody Joy Collective, initially at the former NiaMoves studio and now at Hunter Dance Center. She brings fun and infectious enthusiasm to her Nia experience, along with a British accent that might remind you a little of Helen!