Andrea Nicole Ortiz (Nikki) began her movement exploration through dance and rhythmic gymnastics. After a hiatus she reconnected with it through yoga and dedicated herself to studying the ancient discipline. Under the mentorship of Jared McCann in 2015 Nikki obtained the tittle of USA National Yoga Asana champion. She is a vinyasa certified teacher with 600 hours of training. Trained predominantly in JM Vinyasa, her teaching integrates elements from various yoga traditions and is focussed on alignment and form. Nikki's teaching often emphasizes backbending and flexibility training, helping students use proper technique to access their body's natural range of motion while developing a healthy approach towards flexibility.
Her movement journey led her to discover of the art of contortion. She returned to the performing arts through circus utilizing her style as a language for expression. Her performance work has appeared at The Brooklyn Museum, The Whitney Museum, Little Cinema and The House of Yes amongst others. She was part of the original cast and creative team of Rigolo Nouveau Cirque’s Moonrise in New York. She is a collaborator at Hybrid Movement Company, where she choreographs, performs and uses her design background for set design. Her collaborative work with Hybrid Movement Company has been awarded a Burning Man grant and has been presented at Lincoln Center Jazz.
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