Dance Descriptions
Argentine Tango
West Coast Swing
Basically, West Coast Swing consists of 6-beat and 8-beat patterns executed in a slot area on the dance floor, and can be danced to a variety of styles of music. It has enjoyed a rise in popularity in the last few years, due partly to the work of the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships and the now-defunct United States Swing Dance Council.
East Coast Swing
During the late 40's or early 50's, another form of swing dancing appeared on the scene: East Coast Swing. It is almost impossible to find anything written on this dance, probably because it wasn't really a new dance. East Coast Swing is nothing more than the Lindy Hop.
Shag
Unlike other musical-dependant social developments primarily associated with the Sixties, Shag music (often called "beach music") didn't have a scene to spring from, no primary city of development. Of course, the easygoing beach dances that used the name had a point of origin - the beaches of South Carolina, where white kids had broken the color barrier as early as the 1930s by convincing local DJs to add rhythm and blues to their lists. However, there were no bands dedicated to shag music during the movement's zenith in the mid-60s. Shag was one of those rare cultural events that picked its own music after the fact.
Waltz
The introduction of the Waltz was the scandal of 19th century English society. Never before had a man and woman danced publicly in a virtual embrace. Fortunately the grace and beauty of the Waltz were noticed, and English society, so quick to denounce the dance, eventually "embraced" it. In fact, Queen Victoria was an exquisite ballroom dancer who developed a passion for the Waltz. Johann Strauss can be credited with the persistence of the Waltz in mainstream ballroom dancing with his fast paced Waltz compositions that paved the way for the quicker Viennese style. In America the Waltz tempo slowed to form a more smooth and graceful gliding dance with a gentle "rise and fall" motion. Today the Waltz persists as the oldest of ballroom dances and perhaps the best loved. The Waltz is unique in that it is the only ballroom dance written in 3/4 time. There are three beats to each measure, counted as "1-2-3" or "quick-quick-quick." Typically, there are three steps of equal duration per measure, with the Hesitation being the exception. The lead foot alternates with each measure (ie, Left-2-3-Right-2-3). Because of this, Waltz combinations are usually written in a series of six steps. For example, the man will begin the first pattern as LRL (left-right-left) and the second as RLR (right-left-right), for a total of six steps.
Salsa
Salsa is not easily defined. Who invented salsa? The Cubans, Puerto Ricans? Salsa is a distillation of many Latin and Afro-Caribbean dances. Each played a large part in its evolution.
Salsa is similar to Mambo in that both have a pattern of six steps danced over eight counts of music. The dances share many of the same moves. In Salsa, turns have become an important feature, so the overall look and feels are quite different form those of Mambo. Mambo moves generally forward and backward, whereas, Salsa has more of a side to side feel.
Rumba
Rumba is the spirit and soul of Latin American music and dance. The fascinating rhythms and bodily expressions make the Rumba one of the most popular ballroom dances. With only a transfer of weight from one foot to the other on beat 1 of each bar, and the absence of an actual step on this beat, the dance has developed a very sensual character. Beat 1 is a strong beat of the music, but all that moves on that beat are the hips, so the music emphasizes the dancing of the hips. This together with the slow tempo of the music (116 beats/minute) makes the dance very romantic. Steps are actually taken on beats 2, 3, and 4. Weight transfer and turns are performed on the intervening half beats. Again, as in the Samba, the weight is kept forward, with forward steps taken toe-flat, and with minimal movement of the upper torso throughout.
Hip Hop or called, Funk
Today, many dance studio offer hip hop classes in which they practice elements of various hip hop dances, often mixing them with more structured dance styles such as Jazz. As hip hop is such a broad genre it gives the choreographer much freedom and room for personal interpretation, allowing them to be more creative.
Belly Dance Description:
Native to North Africa, Asia, and the
Middle East, belly dancing is based on the oldest social dances in world
history. Depending on the region of the world, you will often hear this
dance form referred to as Middle Eastern Dance, raqs sharqi, raqs baladi,
tsiftetelli, danse du ventre, etc. There are two forms of belly dancing.
The first is called raqs baladi, a social dance performed for fun and
celebration by men and women of all ages, usually during festive occasions such
as weddings and other social gatherings. The second form (WHICH IS TAUGHT
IN CLASS), the more theatrical version and the one most popular in America
today, is called raqs sharqi. Like raqs baladi, raqs sharqi is performed
by both male and female dancers. The origins of this dance form are
actively debated among dance enthusiasts. Because this dance is a fusion
of many different styles, it undoubtedly has a variety of origins, many of which
stem from ethnic folk dancing.
6:00-7:00pm - Thursday nights
“Belly
Dance for Fun and Fitness”
Students will learn basic to advanced traditional Belly Dance moves and then
integrate them into dance combinations for aerobic and body strengthening.
Emphasis is on fun, technique, isolation exercises, gentle cardio, and a warm-up
designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles unique to this dance form. No
dance experience required.
7:00 - 8:00pm - Thursday nights
“Belly
Dance Drills & Skills"
Students will develop and refine
basic to advanced Belly Dance moves and then integrate them into dance
combinations. Class will be tailored to the students' needs to improve
technique by practicing drills and skills. Dancers will strengthen and
condition their body while learning the rhythms of the Middle East. Finger
cymbals, veils, canes, and other dance props may be used. Some dance experience
preferred.
Zumba
Zumba® fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!
The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms, and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got Zumba®!
Different Types of Yoga
Hot Yoga (Beginner Friendly)
Hot yoga is essentially hatha yoga which incorporates balance strength and flexibility into form and movement while working in a heated environment. Hot Yoga is recommended for everyone, from first day beginners to advanced students. The tradition of this method is that everyone is practicing the same posture at different levels of ability, receiving the same benefits. There is an exact position for everyone at every level, which our trained instructors will help you find.
Light & Warm
By light we mean a milder approach suitable for BOTH regular practitioners and beginners. By warm we mean a gently heated room just like a warm summer day to allow you to flow through poses and ease away stiffness and stress. This blissful 60 minutes will either be a similar flow to our Hot Vinyasa class OR a welcome surprise of body opening, playful poses.
Multilevel Vinyasa Flow (Intermediate)
Designed for students with knowledge of basic yoga poses and a steady yoga practice. This class offers a continuous flow of more challenging postures. Modifications and variations will be offered for all as we explore arm balances, binds, backbends and inversions.
Pilates (Beginner Friendly)
Pilates strengthens the muscles that support the spine (the neck, shoulders, abs, hips and thighs) to bring balance into the body. Most body aches and pains are due to muscular imbalance. Pilates helps to realign the spine in order to decrease tension, increase flexibility, and strengthen the body from the inside out.
Warm Vinyasa (Beginner Friendly)
The Sanskrit word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” Vinyasa Yoga flows through each series of poses in a fluid motion lead by the breath. By applying a more internal, energetic approach to the practice, students will learn how to move through a series of poses with more intelligence, awareness and ease. The purpose of Vinyasa is to create heat in the body, which leads to purification of the body. These classes are athletic in nature and they combine hard work with deep relaxation to build strength, flexibility, concentration and a sense of balance.
Kripalu Style-All Levels
Like most yoga styles and traditions, Kripalu Yoga uses classic asanas (though not a particular set or routine), pranayama (breathwork), development of a quiet mind, and the practice of relaxation. What defines Kripalu Yoga is its emphasis: following the flow of prana (life-force energy), practicing compassionate self-acceptance, developing witness consciousness (observing the activity of the mind without judgment), and taking what is learned “off the mat” and into daily life.
Hot Kripalu
Same the Style-All Levels for the room it set up for Hot Yoga
Yoga Ball (Beginner Friendly)
Strengthen your core and increase your balance while having fun with the exercise ball. It is an excellent class to improve your fitness level while adding some variety to your workout. This is a great class to help improve your yoga practice.
Yoga Flow (Beginner Friendly)
Awaken and energize your body and mind through a gentle flow of postures - integrating movement, breath, and mindfulness as the perfect start to any day. This is an all levels class but is not recommended for those new to yoga (i.e., some yoga experience preferred).