Resolve to have more fun in 2011!

For this new year, I have been contemplating possible resolutions to make.  It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of a fresh start and a chance to change, but I can just see myself running out of steam after a couple of weeks.  I'm sure many of you can relate, so I won't make this a post about how we are all going to get so fit and only eat a certain way and generally never do anything that is bad for us.  Instead, my resolution this year is to have more fun in 2011.  Yes, that's right, MORE fun!  To be honest, it might be really difficult to achieve this goal because it is so easy to get bogged down in the daily grind and put off the "frivolous" activities.  Nonetheless, I will persevere!  I encourage you to join me in this endeavor.

(Shameless advertising time)  If you find dancing fun, then kick start your resolution by signing up for a class or two.  We have a bunch of new classes starting January 10th and I super excited about taking as many of them as I can. From bellydance to zumba, you'll find a class that is sure to put a spring into your step!

Feel free to share your own resolutions or goals for the new year here.  I'd love to hear about them and maybe get some ideas.

My arms are sore!

Yesterday morning, we hosted a free Zumba and a free Pilates class at WIM with our new instructor Marla.  Let me tell you, it was tough but so much fun!  Marla had abundant energy that made both classes seem easy, but we all were working up a serious sweat.  The Zumba class was so much fun; I will definitely be taking it in January and you should too!  The Pilates class was very challenging for me since I am a weakling when it comes to muscle strength (especially my arms!).  Despite the challenge it presented, I felt invigorated and energized after the class.  I am sorry if you missed these free classes because they were great!  Come to the grand opening in January and try them out again for free.  If you register for class while at the event you'll recieve a 10% discount on classes!

Featured Class of the Week: Tribal Bellydance Level 1

Hello! It is time for another installment of our featured class of the week. This week's featured class is Tribal Bellydance Level 1 taught by Sashi and assisted by Nandana. Our most popular class so far, Tribal Level 1 introduced students to the world of tribal bellydance and tribal improvisation. Students keep coming back to this class because of Sashi's well-stuctured and encouraging teaching style. I attended their class last week and it was obvious that everyone was enjoying themselves and appreciated the clear instruction. Whether you are brand new to bellydance, looking for a refresher on basic tribal improv, or a cabaret dancer looking to add some tribal into your routine, Tribal Level 1 is the class for you!

Featured Class of the Week: Children's Bellydance

This week's featured class is actually a couple of classes that focus on bellydance instruction for kids.  Our amazing instuctor Shaiya teaches Children's Bellydance Level 1 and Level 2, as well as Mother-Daughter Bellydance.  Shaiya's warm and energetic teaching style creates a fun and inviting environment for both kids and adults.  Students will work on learning a whole vocabulary of bellydance moves and will have the opportunity to perform as part of Happy Hips, the triangle's only (and totally awesome!) children's bellydance troupe.  All three classes are held back to back on Sundays; Level 1 is 3:45-4:45, Level 2 is 4:45-5:45, and Mother-Daughter is 5:45-6:45.  Anyone who has kids interested in dance should definitely check these classes out because it is never too soon to start bellydancing!  Sign up for the January session today!

Ugh...too much Turkey!

Did anyone else totally pig out on Thanksgiving?  Because I know I did, and it was totally worth it.  I was compelled to make 3 pies for our family of 5 people because I love to bake, but now the leftovers are calling to me.  Must...not....eat pie...for breakfast!  The season of delicious food and overeating is now fully under way!  Especially in my family, because we have two November birthdays in addition to Thanksgiving.  So we have cake, then pie, then cake again, then all of the holiday delights!

This is one of the pies I made.  It was so fraking tasty!

Why am I babbling about food so much?  Because nothing goes better with eating copious amounts of food than exercise!  Come drop into a class and shimmy away the food coma.  Our new floors will be fully installed and practically begging for dancers to test it out.  If you know, like me, that you won't be able to resist the culinary delights of the season, go ahead and register for our January classes now or ask for a WIM gift certificate and feel good knowing that you will get back in shape for in the new year.

This year I am thankful for all of our wonderful students and supporters who are helping us make this dream of having a dance studio into a reality.  Thank you for believing in us and coming along on with us on this journey!

Class of the Week: Bodywork

It is time once again to talk about the featured class of the week!  This one is an especially good one for ANYONE to take.  That's right, I mean you!  The Bodywork class is taught by Glenn on Thursdays from 11:30-12:30.  What is bodywork, you ask?  Well, I am not an expert on it by any means, but from the class I attended Glenn described it as a way of learning how to move and stretch your body in the most optimal way possible.  The class is made up of various exercises that help you to rethink the way you approach movement so that you find the least strenuous and most efficient ways to use your body.  It is sooooo relaxing!  After class, I felt really light and energized, so I can only imagine what attending a whole session could do.  Bodywork is perfect for people working in RTP to come to during their lunch break.  What could be better break from your workday than a session of bodywork and lunch at Neomonde?

Sign up today and come see for yourself what bodywork is all about!  You definitely won't be disappointed!

Even my crazy dog Rosie is relaxed after bodywork!

Featured Class of the Week: Bellydance Skills and Drills

The classes have started and overall the first week open was a success!  Now that we are in the swing of things, I'd like to feature one of our classes each week.  This week I'll talk about one of the classes that I am teaching because I can tell you about it first hand.

Bellydance Skills and Drills is a fast-paced class where I go through a number of technique drills and strengthening exercises.  This includes a shimmy bonanza (up to 3 whole songs worth of shimmies!), layering practice, traveling practice, and much more.  About half of the class is dedicated to fun and challenging drills that encourage students to push their dance boundaries and think about the basics in a new light.  The other half is dedicated to working on new skills and techniques that students aren't familiar with.  It is a great balance of instruction, technique critique, and a great workout (at least in my opinion, and I'm not biased at all :) )

This class rocks!

So, does this class sound like something you'd like?  Then feel free to drop-in this Thursday from 7:00-8:15 and check it out, you won't be disappointed!  There are still 5 more weeks of class in this session and a whole new session will begin in January.  Visit www.worldinmotiondance.com for more info.

The studio is officially open!

We have opened our doors and classes will be commencing!  I can't wait until I teach my first class on Thursday, I have been looking forward to it for months.  Here are some pictures to tide you over until you visit:

View from the entrance

I will of course be standing there just like that to welcome you in.  Either that or I can make a wax figure or cardboard cut-out to put there instead.  Wait, that might be a little creepy...










Here is a view from the back of the studio to give you a sense of what the space is like

We get a lot of light in during the day, so we will probably need to invest in some better window coverings  when it starts to get warmer out.  But the sunlight is very pretty and nice on an fall day.

I particularly like our dressing room (don't mind my reflection in the mirror)

The whole back room is very pretty.  That dressing room seems like a good place to take a nap...maybe I'll go take one now...zzzzzzzzzzzz...















Oh sorry, I fell asleep!  I'll work extra hard to make up for it.

See, I am typing and talking on the phone at the same time!  There isn't anything on the computer screen?  Oops, minor details.

Well, I hope you join us for classes and I'll post again soon!

OMG Classes Start on Monday!

Our first session of classes is starting this coming Monday!  It is hard to believe that we are at this point already, but I think everything is going to go well.  The studio is looking awesome (I'll post pics as soon as I take some) and registrations are coming in every day.  This session isn't going to have a full schedule, which makes it a it less intimidating.  That way any issues that come up can turn into valuable information we can use when we have our grand opening in January.

Speaking of the grand opening, on January 8th we will be having a day full of free mini-lessons followed by an evening of dance demonstrations and socialization.  Right now we are determining what classes will be taught and the schedule specifics, so when then details are firmed up I will be sure to post them.

So much progress!

We are getting closer and closer to opening the studio for classes in November, and the space is really starting to come together!  Walls have been painted, mirrors are up, desk and computer and are hooked up, and stereo system is set up.  All we have left is to finish decorating and do some minor touchups and we will be ready for business.  The space looks really amazing and it will be even more wonderful when we have the dance floor put in.  Come on out for our first session of classes and see it for yourself.  Info about classes and studio events are at www.worldinmotiondance.com.  So exciting!

Why start a dance studio?

The idea to create a dance space dedicated to the instruction of dances from around the globe has been germinating for quite some time.  Now all the stars seem to have aligned and we are seizing the opportunity to make this dream a reality.  Some of our reasons are based on personal desire for a better and more convienient space to hold classes, but many of the reasons are based on needs that the community has.  The  number of quality spaces out there for instructors to hold classes are few and far between.  There is no community home in the triangle for dance styles that aren't part of the mainstream dance culture.  Now, this is not the place where we are going to spout off why our business is going to be the solution to all the problems ever conceived and give a blow by blow description of our business plan (no one wants to read that!)  Instead, we'd like to catalog our efforts to bring a dance space into the area that will focus on cultivating a community for students and instructors of world dance.  A lofty goal to be sure, but one we are dedicated to making into a reality.

Welcome!

Welcome to the World In Motion blog!  Here we will chronicle the adventure of starting a new dance studio, and the excitement and frustration that inevitably will accompany it.  Join us in this journey to create a new dance space in the triangle area where world dance can be explored in a fun and welcoming atmosphere!