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.