Things ARE moving at MOVE! and this is our class list:
NIA: Dance Fitness –Special Event Class
What is Nia dance? Through Movement We Find Health. NIA is based on the simple idea that movement is the medicine of life. Moving makes the body feel better. By learning how to listen to the body, to sensation, NIA practice teaches you to access your body’s wisdom. The body itself reveals that the way to long-term health and fitness is by choosing pleasure. NIA movements emphasize feeling good in your body.
The NIA Technique is a mind/body physical conditioning program that initially stood for Non-Impact Aerobics, a health and fitness alternative that includes Neurological Integrative Action (NIA) practices and teachings. Nia combines martial arts, modern dance arts and yoga in a workout set to music. “Combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness, Nia tones your body while transforming your mind. More than just a workout, Nia is a holistic fitness practice addressing each aspect of your life–body, mind and soul.”
ZUMBA: Dance Fitness
Zumba® is a fun, dance-based cardio fitness class that is designed to make your workout feel like a party! While the format primarily uses songs with latin rhythms (salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton), every instructor is different. I love bringing in songs from all different genres of music. My classes are for everyone! I don’t give a hoot if you “do the moves right.” As long as you are having fun and moving in a safe manner, I’m happy. Whether you’re a Zumba® pro or a first-timer, I’d love to see you in class. No judgement, only joy!
The best things happen while you’re dancing!
Ballet Dance
COME DANCE AGAIN in a fun safe adult environment! Did you use to dance? Feel awkward or unsure of entering a class of “ballet dancers”. And now all you can find are intimidating competitive ballet classes or kids classes? Enjoy the beauty, technique, physical conditioning and joy of ballet.
ADULT Body Based Ballet
This ballet class has all the traditional aspects of classical ballet, time warming up and honing technique at the barre, center adagios, balance training, jumps, turns and across the floor. However, the approach to ballet in this class is more than traditional. The focus will be on what is possible for the body in that moment, exploring the ideas we have around movement and what’s possible and aligning where our bodies are now with the less-than-natural techniques of Ballet.
Ballet BODY Fitness :
Strength, Alignment, Core, Flexibility
BALLET BODY FITNESS: focus is on ballet barre and floor exercises to improve strength and endurance. We will be utilizing exercises from a traditional ballet; using the barre, standing center floor and laying on floor and at times using props such as resistance bands, tennis balls, etc. *Workout clothing, ballet shoes, socks or bare feet are welcome. *Feel free to bring a yoga mat although they are available at studio.
Contemporary Dance (offered as special event, coming soon to schedule)
Unlike modern dance, Contemporary Dance is not always codified. While definitions vary, one we like describes contemporary dance as a style of expressive dance that combines several elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet.
Improvisation:
Mindfulness in Motion/Movement Improvisation/FREEDance
This “dance” class is rooted in the idea that we are all artists and everyone is creative. Performance is the art of being present. Regardless of the discipline-dance, music, acting, etc., the common thread for performing is the experience of being fully engaged in the activity of the moment and commitment to the clearest of intention. In this class, the student will engage with the “self” as the creator and expressive aspect of being. By following guided techniques and concepts, the student will embark on a journey to discover the motivations and impulses to express artistically that which is unique to the individual. As with life, the ability to make choices in the moment and follow the guidance of intuitive impulse allows for a rich and satisfying experience.The student as “performer” will become adept at not only the improvisational experience, but also the creative state of presence in action on stage.
Using movement as a contemplative practice, this class allows participants to discover personal pathways to being awake and aware in the present moment. Drawing on meditative practices, improvisation, mind/body integration and movement as a catalyst for enlightened experience, participants will develop vital insights into performance, clarity of intention and daily life.
Improvisational dance, in its purest form, is the unfolding of awareness in action. As a mover learns to follow their intuitive and natural rhythms, personal style and expression emerges. In this class, the artist is nurtured and encouraged to explore the internal “voice” of motion and emotion. By extending the dynamic range of expression through guided movement experiences, the artist finds revelations that will be used as the building blocks for self expression.
Improvisation as a means to create phrasing and choreography. Movement exploration and individual expression thru emotions, human experience, and physical structural design, studies/motifs. Choreography (art of making dances) using meaning, intent, principals of structure and design. Skills such as Space/Time/Energy, movement qualities, dynamics, percussion, stillness, unison, canon/rolloff will be uncovered. Explore performance movement dynamics; performance of human feeling and environmental forces; reasoning thru movement. Focus on performance and intention of movement, individual expression and energy of movement.
Jazz Dance
American dance form is known for its Isolation, low center of gravity, high energy, isolation and body awareness, contraction, percussive movement, syncopation. Jazz vocabulary for all levels utilize center floor and progressions, advanced level dancers will explore lateral, hinge, pirouette, alignment center/core abdominal control. Traditional jazz music as well as contemporary standards will be utilized. Students will explore and create solo and group choreographic dances.
Musical Theater Dance
Stylized musical theater dance vocabulary and steps are emphasized. Jazz dance – American dance form is known for its Isolation, low center of gravity, high energy, isolation and body awareness, contraction, percussive movement, syncopation. Jazz vocabulary for all levels utilize center floor and progressions, advanced level classes explore lateral, hinge, pirouette, alignment center/core abdominal control. Traditional jazz and musical theater music as well as contemporary standards will be utilized.
Modern Dance
Modern dance pioneers (response against ballet) gave the foundation for expressive dance where spontaneity creativity and individuality were allowed. From this movement expression and techniques were developed such as Graham, Limon, Horton, Cunningham techniques. This class will address body awareness thru modern dance concepts of gravity, torso, spiral, swing, contraction, high curve over curve alignment dynamic tension and release.
Modern Dance is the embodiment and physicalizing of the human experience. Working with gravity and dynamic energy, the student finds an organic expression of dance as movement with ease and grace. By becoming aware of the physics of the body as an extension of the earth through space and time the mover connects with the flow of the life force within. As a dance technique, Modern Dance is on the vanguard of human movement potential and awareness. As a mode of expression, Modern Dance transcends the dichotomy of right and wrong as it applies to dance training and replaces it with the personal experience of that which is better and natural for the individual body as an extension of self.
Tap Dance
Tap dance – American art form is a form of dance characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion. The sound is made by shoes that have a metal plate or “tap” on the heel and toe. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm (jazz) tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses on dance; it is widely performed in musical theater. Rhythm tap focuses on musicality, and practitioners consider themselves to be a part of the jazz tradition. This class will focus on basic skills and tap steps/vocabulary/vernacular, shuffle, flap, scuffle, etc. Upper levels will use more complicated rhythms and combinations. Traditional steps such as shim sham, time steps, etc. will also be covered.
Children’s Creative Movement & Tap Dance
A holistic approach to DANCE – During class-time, your child will be offered a gentle space to move. Using dance and music mediums, your child will learn the tools and concepts to support their creativity by building a strong foundation from which to leap. These foundational tools include understanding the elements of space and movement qualities (space, time, energy, flow) while honoring the philosophy that children learn best by doing and, in our case, moving- as advocated by the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and Early Childhood Programs across the country. All of these fundamentals will be explored and discovered in an organic way, following the lead of the children through play, dance, music, fun, and WHIMSEY! Movement is a fundamental human experience. Come and MOVE! with us.
Creative Movement
This class is geared toward the younger creative mover. Space Time Energy are fundamental elements of dance. Students will explore, improvise and make movement phrases. Shape and form, traveling, rhythm, speed and tempo, interpretive movement verses literal gesture. Students will be encouraged to create, problem solve, collaborate and connect.
Meditation (offered off site and special event)
In meditation class, students will learn basic meditation techniques to begin or refresh their meditation practice. In this series of four classes, students will be introduced to four principles for meditation; breath, sound, posture and visualization.
The benefits of meditation are tremendous and have been well documented in studies shared in the American Journal of Psychiatry, ResearchGate, Science Direct and the National Center for Biotechnology, as well as, many others.
They include:
Decreased Stress
Increased Sense of Well Being
Greater Focus and Concentration
More Creativity
More Resiliency
Better Relationships
Do you find your mind is always running from one thing to the next? Do you feel like you never have enough time for everything? Do you wonder how you are going to find time to slow down and breath? Meditation will support you in calming the mind, developing focus and creativity, and increasing your sense of well-being.
Pilates Mat Class
Mat Pilates helps us to correct these imbalances by increasing our body awareness and control, focusing on proper alignment and core strength. Several options are offered for each exercise so that the beginner can practice right along with the advancedPilates student. Most exercises are done on the floor – sitting or lying on our backs, stomachs, or sides. As we learn the exercises, we start with the simplest option to allow beginning students to learn, while advanced students will progress to more challenging versions of the exercise. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves, but to listen to and respect their bodies.
Pilates is an integral compliment to regular workouts, exercise routines and fitness goals. The work of Pilates focuses strength, balance and physical mobility through low impact, highly targeted exercise on floor, mat and machine. The deep physical benefits of Pilates carry through daily activity and heighten our abilities to perform, as well as assist and strengthen any areas of injury. The Fletcher Method fits all levels of exercise and benefits Pre and Post-natal women as well
Many aren’t aware that Joe Pilates and the Pilates method was first inspired and designed for men in the military. The benefits of the machine work, ergonomic development and muscle lengthening and strengthening cater easily to the needs of men.
Elemental Body Alignment System – EBAS Class (offered as special event)
Somatic Health , Body Awareness, Conditioning, Alignment
Elemental Body Alignment System is a structural alignment and re-education system done on the floor and at the barre. During this class, students will access greater range of motion in their hips and spines through gentle, yet active openings. EBAS exercises allow the practitioner to access the deeper muscles to help support healthy alignment. This is a practice for everyone; yoga practitioners, runners, gym enthusiasts, pilates followers, dancers – anyone with a movement practice or a question around alignment. We will put the concepts learned during EBAS into practical application through basic dance vocabulary.
Whether you have zero experience in dance or are a professional looking to deepen your somatic understanding, EBAS is designed for everyone. “
Hatha YOGA
This is an All Levels Vinyasa Flow yoga class; focusing on classical yoga postures and breath techniques.
Flow YOGA
Flow Vinyasa Yoga is an invigorating, energetic form of yoga where participants move or “flow” from pose to pose while connecting their breath to movement. It is a more dynamic version of traditional yoga it can move faster, more intense and the focus is more on building strength and less on meditation or chanting. And while in yoga there can be a fixed set of asanas, in power yoga teachers have more flexibility in terms of arranging postures according to their preferences. It’s a practice based on syncing breath to movement and really tuning into what you are experiencing in your body throughout every moment. The pacing is faster, but you are encouraged to go at your own pace and matching to your breath. Everyone syncs up eventually in the sequence, so there is no feeling of being “behind”.
Deep Stretch YOGA
Deep Stretch Yoga is a 5,000 year old practice that translates perfectly into these modern times. Enlivening the physical body, calming the emotional mind, and awakening the spiritual Self.
This Deep Stretch class will provide us with a sense of grounding, fluidity, and relaxation.
Vinyasa YOGA Flow
Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. Commonly referred to as “flow” yoga. Vinyasa classes offer a variety of postures and no two classes are ever alike. This class is for beginners to advanced/experienced yoga students. Both standing and floor postures will be explored.
Vinyasa is a flowing, dynamic yoga practice that cultivates presence by connecting movement with breath. Classes will feature several elements of traditional ashtanga yoga- including sun salutations, standing poses, prep for arm balances, dynamic stretching and pranayama (breathwork). Class will be creatively sequenced to build heat, explore energy and intention, and foster greater self awareness. This 60 minute practice will build your inner and outer strength, improve balance, and reduce stress.
This class will guide you through energetic and quick flowing sequences, with a dynamic mix of postures. Each class starts with a warm-up, moves through 3 vinyasa based flows, connected by the breath, with time to flow on your own finding what calls to your body, and finishes with a cool down and Savasana. Allowing you to release stress, while building strength, balance and gaining flexibility. All levels welcome, as modifications are always offered!
Tai Chi – Basic Level
Breath and movement. These are essential to personal well being and awakening the “Healer Within”. Discover the multiple benefits of Tai Chi, a gentle and ancient form of bodywork that will stir your inner being and revitalize your energy.
SUN & YANG Style for gentle, easy-to-follow Tai Chi movements.
- Learn to relax using gentle, moving meditation exercises
- Build strength and flexibility; Improve your balance
- Increase your energy and vitality; Reduce anxiety
- Exercises can be done while standing or sitting
Tai Chi is an ideal combination of physical and mental training.
Tai Chi maximizes the capacity of the body and mind by gathering and using Qi energy, the ultimate life force of the universe. You will discover the original natural rhythm and order of life as well as achieve balance by reawakening Qi energy sensations in your body.
Move and breathe in the practice of easy to follow Tai Chi movements and begin to learn the fundamentals of this increasingly popular bodywork form.