By Carlos Medrano Araujo
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
While remote fitness classes existed before the pandemic, their use skyrocketed during the pandemic.
Jayniece Fedd, owner of Niecey Moves, started with one customer in a remote class and now she is having between seven and 10 in a class.
“I’ve been dancing all my life, always my friends and family that noticed my talents,” Fedd said. “I always was afraid about opening my own studio, but a friend of mine encouraged me to do so.”
Fedd recently graduated from Howard University with a doctoral degree in physical therapy. The idea of opening her own studio was nurtured by life stages and friends. Her friend, Camille Cranson, asked her for classes to help shape her body.
“I posted a selfie on Instagram at the gym, and I had my abs back and my butt lifted up,” Fedd said. “My friend asked me for personal training classes. I told her I didn’t feel confident to train, but we can dance together, that’s how Niecey Moves began.”
Fedd also seeks to achieve a meaningful experience for her clients, rather than trying to teach a class. When people enter the virtual classroom, they see her radiant smile and human warmth that distinguishes her.
“I love to call the class the Niecey Fam,” Fedd said. “We have so much fun. We laugh while doing some dancing.”
Niecey Moves goes beyond physical shaping, with customers saying the small business has had a meaningful and positive impact in their lives. Face-to-face customers have experienced this impact.
Dalia Lawrence, x-ray technologist at Harford Memorial Hospital, has seen the valuable result of taking classes face-to-face with Fedd.
“Jayniece has had nothing but a positive impact on my life. I met her during a tough time, and she has been a lifesaver,” Lawrence said. “She is someone who can have so much going in her life, but still lights up any room she walks into. She radiates positive energy.”
Remote customers also have received the classes and some express how the dancing classes have created a significant impact beyond fitness and mental health.
Brandi Abbondanza, an outerwear designer for Centric Brands, has been attending yoga classes and has seen the benefits of classes with Fedd.
“I had an injury during a split and tore my hip,” Abbondanza said. “I did physical therapy for two years. I realized what I needed was stretching and she understands muscles and she is not a regular yoga teacher. Taking her classes has been a stress reliever. I had a hip injury and I’ve been taking her yoga class that is really leg stretching overall.”
Fedd considers her business is going to grow up, because people need mental wellness and physical enhancement.
“I want Niecey Moves to be the Amazon of dance fitness,” Fedd said. “The sky’s the limit. I want to keep growing. I want to give a better future to my children.”