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About Nancy
Teacher / Coach / Mentor
Lifelong Student / Continuous Improver
Organizer / Planner / Simplifier
Community Builder
Technology Team Lead
Movement Instructor
2nd Generation Greek-American
Born Nancy Paulos
All 4 of my grandparents came from Greece.
Voting Citizen
Parent / Aunt / Sister / Friend
Cat Mom to Nini
My "Keep Moving" Origin Story
My goal has always been simple: Keep moving every day ― without buying expensive equipment or going to a gym!
When I was deep into a full-time tech career, raising my son as a single parent, and caring for my elderly mother -- I had ZERO time for "traditional exercise." Going to a gym to workout was simply not realistic or sustainable during those years. Plus, I never liked doing that anyways!
So, when I was overwhelmed and time-starved, I would gently remind myself to forget about "exercise" and just keep moving. For example, I consistently parked in the farthest spot in parking lots and ramps, and I took the stairs whenever I could. Sometimes, that's all I could fit into my marathon days!
However, as a former gymnast and dancer, I was determined to stay active, healthy, and agile -- so I started to explore time-efficient, affordable, home-based practices like Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi.
I learned these mind-body practices from watching home videos. I was inspired by the pioneering teachers who popularized these practices in the 90s and early 2000s.
- Rodney Yee ― Hatha Yoga
- Mari Winsor ― Mat Pilates
- Jennifer Kries ― Mind-Body Fitness
With a background in teaching, it wasn't long before I decided to become a movement instructor myself.
In 2005, I took my first Pilates Teacher Training and started to teach group classes in my local community. I've been studying, practicing, and teaching mind-body fitness or "mindful movement" ever since.
Now, I teach my own blend of basic Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi-style flow.
- Nothing extreme.
- Easy to follow.
- Easy to adapt and personalize.
- Minimal equipment -- affordable and accessible.
- Moves that reverse the effects of too much sitting.
- Practices that can be integrated into your daily life.
- Movement that is so enjoyable, you will want to practice!
Even now, when I'm feeling overwhelmed and time-starved, I gently remind myself (and now my students) to just "Keep Moving".
My Movement Background
It all started with gymnastics and dance.
I competed in gymnastics for 8 years ― My happiest memories are when I was practicing on a 4" wide balance beam, concentrating on every move. Gymnastics taught me to focus, overcome my fears, and make it all look effortless.
I took ballet and dance classes to improve my Floor Exercise and Balance Beam routines.. ― I loved to choreograph my own routines. I studied world-class and Olympic performances to learn new moves. I lived and breathed gymnastics!
NCAA Scholarship Gymnast ― My efforts paid off when I was offered an athletic scholarship to the University of Missouri-Columbia. It was the inaugural year of the program. Only eight young women were chosen to be on that very first women's Mizzou Tigers gymnastics team to compete in the NCAA Big 8 Conference. We laid the foundation for a hugely successful program, now in its fourth decade.
Gymnastics prepared me lead, break down barriers, and trailblaze. ― I've been on the cusp of major cultural changes for women my entire life -- from advancing girls athletics in my youth -- working in male-dominated STEM career paths -- to reinventing fitness and aging for women over 50.
15+ years serving my local community.
2500+ hours of Teaching Group Classes
Diverse venues.
- YMCAs
- Yoga & Wellness Studios
- Fitness Centers
- Workplaces
- Schools
- Women's Shelters
A variety of formats with people of all ages.
- Mindful Movement - Online
- Slow Flow
- BODYFLOW® Yoga-Based Flow
- Classic Mat Pilates
- Gentle Yoga
- Fitness Yoga
- Seniors Chair Yoga
- Kids & Family Yoga
- Stability Ball Toning
- BODYPUMP® Strength Training
1000+ hours of Certifications & Continuing Ed.
MIND-BODY FITNESS
- Essentrics® Home Study (2016-17)
- Les Mills BODYFLOW® (2006-2012)
- PhysicalMind® Pilates (2005-2012)
YOGA
- Yoga Alliance® E-RYT200 (2009-2021)
- SomaYoga® Fundamentals (2016)
- YogaFit® 200-hr Teacher Training (2007-2013)
- CorePower® 200-hr Teacher Training (2009)
GROUP FITNESS
- NETA® Group Exercise (2006-2018)
- YMCA® Group Fitness (2006-2016)
- Silver Sneakers® (2009-2012)
- Les Mills BODYPUMP® (2005-2008)
5 Main Influences
I've had many inspiring teachers, but these Master Teachers have influenced me the most.
- Miranda Esmonde-White ― Aging Backwards® & Essentrics®
- Jackie Mills ― Les Mills BODYFLOW®
- Jennifer Kries ― The Method® Pilates
- Kari Anderson ― Dance-Based Fitness
- Sage Rountree ― Yoga for Athletes & Everyday Yoga
