You Are Awesome, even in January

You are awesome.

Just the way you are.

You are awesome.

Here's the thing...until you lock into that idea (you are awesome) all the other stuff doesn't matter one stinking bit.  

Some things to consider instead...


...celebrate your successes, all of them, out loud.  Sharing the positive thoughts will help you feel good about the you YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.  We're doing this all year with our Achievealoutions Jars.

....compliment yourself for something at least once a day.  We do this after our brief improvisation exercise in all of our bellydance classes at the studio.  It feels good in the moment and sinks in over time.

...surround yourself with others who are (or are willing to be) happy with themselves and non-judgmental of the people around them.  Positivity is contagious - work that to your advantage!

Bottom line: let yourself be happy with yourself!  Yep - I'm giving you permission (not that you need my permission, but, you know, it's here for you all the same) to like you, right now, even though it's January and that apparently means it's time for us all to go on a self-loathing spree.  

I want you to be happy.  I want you to be healthy.  I want you to be well.  But most of all...

I want you to know that you're already awesome.

Meet Roberta - A Stories from the Studio post

Have I mentioned that we love our students here at the studio?  We have collected an awesome group of women and families who attend - and teach - classes and workshops here and want you to get to know them a bit!  The Stories from the Studio posts will feature a student or teacher - get to know our wonderful community before you get here!

Meet Roberta - Chicago resident, jazz singer, monologist, producer, bubbe to two, and a fixture at the studio.  She has been with us since BEFORE "us" was a thing, having started in classes with me at Performance Arts Limited back in 2008.  You'll find her in Bellydance BaseFusion, CardioBelly, Tai Chi, Moxie Boxing, AND Personal Training - often all of the above in the same week!

How have you changed/benefited since finding Hip Circle Studio?  

Roberta, center, in Bellydance BaseFusion 

I am stronger, more balanced, more empowered. 

What is something you’ve found at the studio that you haven’t found elsewhere/what makes the studio special to you? 

Malik. Malik as a supporter of me and aware of my limitations due to Multiple Sclerosis. 

What else should people know about the studio? 

I have made some lasting and important friendships thru the studio. 

Do you have a favorite instructor?  Who and Why? 

Malik & Roberta at the MS Walk

Malik, because she will tailor work-outs to be within your possibilities physically and she’s just a cool person.  

What else should people know about you? 

That I have MS, but it doesn’t have me.! And I am a very productive person and I am courageous!!  

I produce LOOSE CHICKS, A cast of 5 women monologists.The stories that we tell are typically things that people, especially women are afraid to approach and we give them a voice often with humor often with tears. We open doors for women, we empower thru our stories and most definitely entertain, we are bold, energetic and sexy and certainly not for the weak of heart.

Roberta Performing

Responsibility Worth Having

I have the honor of teaching a small but dedicated group of girls the fine art of bellydance each week. Their class is set up in much the same way as my "adult" classes - with a good blend of technique, creativity, and conversation.  I didn't necessarily set out to teach them anything more than bellydance, but something else that's pretty neat is happening in class.

I've never sat them down and said, "ok, girls.  Today we're going to talk about self-esteem, body image, and the importance of health over appearance", or "You all know that the media completely distorts the female form and that you are so much more than your outer shell", or "Repeat after me: My health is more important than my weight or the size of my clothes".  Honest!  We do talk about life and dance and strength and wellness and all sorts of other stuff (I'd get into details but what happens at Teen Bellydance stays at Teen Bellydance) but I really don't lecture about anything other than choreography.

So when one of their moms came to me with a story about something her daughter said to her I didn't know what to expect.  Her daughter had caught mom not giving herself enough credit and measuring herself up against societal standards ("beach ready body", for example).  The teen stopped her mom, asked her "what would Malik say if she heard you talking like that?" and continued to pay mom a compliment focused on her HEALTH and the lifestyle changes she'd made over the past year.

I seriously almost cried.

Then I lost my breath.

Something I've been doing, not saying, has seeped into this girls awareness and made an impact - a great one - and I didn't notice.  Wow.  I have a huge responsibility to her and all the girls and all the women I encounter at the studio.  A HUGE responsibility, and so do you.

I 100% agree with what she said.  Health is the most important factor in the quest for wellness.  All bodies, regardless of their shape, are beach ready.  Making lasting lifestyle changes is the best way to improve your health.

We all need to be aware that our children (and other people's children) are watching and learning from what we DO as much as, if not more than, from what we say.   It's the doing that's key.  So, what was it that I did?

1. She sees me at the studio, teaching, at least twice a week (and knows I'm there every day).
2. She sees me, at a robust size 12/14, leading a very active lifestyle.
3. She has not heard me bad-talk myself about my weight or size.
4. She has seen me redirect other adults and teens when they start to bad-talk themselves.

I'm pretty sure that's it, but it's enough.  

Can you join me in taking on the responsibility for this next generation?  Can you commit to numbers  2 & 3, regardless of your size and shape?  Can you commit to number 4?

I promise, the results will be good for you and everyone around you.

Pilates Mat - An Expectations Post

So what can you expect at Hip Circle Studio classes?  I'm going to do my best to give you a peek into the different classes we offer through a series of "Expectations" posts.  Of course, seeing is believing, so I hope this is just enough information to help you give a class a try.  Nothing is a replacement for the live experience.

I found Pilates, in a way that stuck, about 2 years ago.  I had attempted a class SEVERAL years ago that was not a good fit - it moved very fast, wasn't taught with modification options, and left me feeling inadequate and sore.  I am ever so grateful to Fayth for offering a deal for her studio, Sixpax, for showing me what Pilates could be!  I was hooked after just a few sessions with her, was seeing results in my core strength and appearance, and didn't hurt (beyond I-just-worked-out-muscle-soreness)!  I also noticed an unexpected change in my bellydance technique - the focus on core strengthening was one thing, but the extra awareness this brought  made me a better, stronger dancer.  I studied with Fayth and now am thrilled to have Pilates Mat as a class at the studio.

What Happens in a Pilates Mat class?

We are focused on your core muscles in this class, and get them stronger by doing exercises in a variety of positions - on your back, on your side, on all fours, on your stomach, standing - you name it, it might happen in a class.  The movements are slow and controlled, tied to your breath, so you have plenty of time to figure out how to make your body make them happen.  One of the nice things about our Pilates classes is that I'm either showing the move or watching you do the move - we're not moving together.  This means you get a good view of what your goal is in whichever posture before attempting the move, and feedback from me while you're doing the move.  It's almost like you and your 7 class-mates (I limit the number of students to 8 to be sure I'm able to give each of you ample attention) are each in a private session, getting tips and pointers specific to you and your body.


You work on a mat and don't wear shoes.  Socks are great for some of the poses but unless you wear a pair with grippy bottoms you'll take them off for others.  We have mats available for you to borrow or you're welcome to bring your own.  Squishy is better for Pilates, so if you have a super-thin yoga mat you might want one of ours underneath for cushioning.

There is background music playing, the lights are dimmed, and the mood is focused but light.  Each student moves at their own pace and level, working so that their body of today is challenged in a non-competitive environment.  Sometimes it's just you and your mat, but we do use props (foam rollers, bosu balls, resistance bands, Pilates rings) from time to time to get at the muscles in a different way or to support a modification that's needed.  Each class is a little different, changing based on who is in attendance and on my focus for the month.  

Prenatal mamas are welcome throughout their pregnancy - do let me know as soon as you arrive (or better yet, when you sign up) so I can offer modifications throughout the class.  Postpartum mamas are also welcome once cleared for exercise by your doc/midwife, and babies (pre-crawling) are welcome in our Friday morning class.  If you have an injury or area of concern it is important to let me know before we begin so I can help you make safe choices and modifications throughout the class.

What you WON'T find in our Pilates Mat classes:

• Beginner shaming
• Competition
• Pushing you to do a pose/exercise your body isn't ready for
• Unsafe poses/exercises

Pilates can be for everyone.  I hope you give it a try! What questions can I answer for you about our Pilates Mat classes?  

One for the New Year

It's that time of year.  As December comes to a close it seems like we're all supposed to resolve to do or be something different or at least better starting January 1st.  As the owner of a dance and fitness studio I see the benefit of these resolutions - so many people seem to have "lose weight" at the top of their list of resolutions...enough so that the fitness industry banks on the trend.

Don't get me wrong - I WANT women to come in, especially those who are getting started on their path to health and wellness.  Yes, coming to classes can help you lose weight if you pair that change with looking at your food (both in terms of what you eat and your relationship with food/eating in general).  What makes me pause is the motivation and reasons behind the goals.

I also get the draw of the clean slate that the coming of a new year brings.  There is something really appealing about starting things on the FIRST of something.

And I get that taking stock of where you are as a year comes to a close is a way to see things about yourself or your situations that you want to change.

I wish, though, that we could all focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

I know that what I'm *supposed* to do is offer specials to lure in The Resolvers and get them locked in now before they give up on their resolutions.  First month free (on a 12 month contract) - you'll see that out there time and again in my industry.   Or I'm supposed to promise HUGE changes for clients - lose 20 pounds in 4 weeks, drop 3 sizes in no time - while they're in this vulnerable brain space.

That's not how I work.  It's not how I want to work.

Personally, I want people to start (whatever the date) working towards a healthier life.  I believe that moving and breaking a sweat is a really good step towards that goal.

I want people to make a positive commitment to themselves ("I WILL" statements rather than "I WON'T" are a good start) that they can and will keep because doing so makes them feel good.

I want people to start small and gain success so they can maintain the changes for the whole year (and the rest of their lives).

Professionally, I want women to find their way to the studio (whatever the date) as they work towards that healthier life.

I want them to try a variety of classes until they find the ones that make them smile.

I want them to commit, to themselves, to coming to one class a week for at least three months to make it a strong habit and something they look forward to each week.

I want them to feel so good after that one class that they organically find times and ways to move more throughout their week.

When ready, I want women to be in touch with themselves and their body enough to help define a good and healthy relationship with their food.

If that happens for them as of January 1, 2014?  Great.

KangaCardio™ - An Expectations post

So what can you expect at Hip Circle Studio classes?  I'm going to do my best to give you a peek into the different classes we offer through a series of "Expectations" posts.  Of course, seeing is believing, so I hope this is just enough information to help you give a class a try.  Nothing is a replacement for the live experience.

I created KangaCardio™ about 5 years ago, though it had a different name at the time.  My intention was to create a class that allowed moms with wee ones (6-weeks and older) to get out of the house, connect with other moms, AND get a workout all in one trip.  I used the information I had gained through my Zumba training and my Group Exercise certification, as well as my experience working with moms and babies as a postpartum doula, to craft the class.  The result was a fun, moderate-intensity level workout in which moms could wear their baby.  Success!

What happens in a KangaCardio™ class?

Moms arrive and get their baby on in the carrier of their choosing.  We've had moms in ring slings, front carriers, and back carriers - much of the choice depends on the age and weight of the baby.  Favorite carriers have been the Moby (linen, not the stretchy t-shirt material) and the Ergo, but I swear we've pretty much had every carrier represented over the years!

The music starts and we get moving quickly (the babies don't like standing still)!  We use several basic dance-fitness moves and, of course, bellydance moves to get and keep our heart-rate up throughout class.  Everything we do keeps baby moving with mom in a way that is similar to what one might do to soothe baby out of a fussy state.

The music is loud enough to hear but chatter happens over the music - we talk about baby-related things in equal measure with current events and general topics.  No topic is off limits in class and a lot of questions get answered from among the community of moms in the room.


When a baby needs to nurse or eat, mom slows down and moves off to the side.  The same happens if there's a diaper emergency mid-class.  These pauses are totally welcomed and understood since the whole room has either been there or will be there soon enough!

That reminds me...Fussy babies (and their frazzled moms) are welcome!  Every baby benefits from the movement of dance, but the fussiest of the bunch may benefit the most. Check out this list of tips from Dr. Sears - you'll find wearing baby at #1 and dance at #2.  Need I say more?  

We are sure to cool mom down and do a good stretch.  Some babies retire to the floor for stretching time while others stay on mom.

What you WON'T find in KangaCardio™:

• Jumping
• Sharp movements
• Inversions
• Mom-shaming (all parenting choices are respected at the studio)
• Age limits (if you can wear your baby you're welcome in KangaCardio™)

If you have a wearable baby, I hope to see you in a KangaCardio™class soon!

Jump, Start, Cruise

There's got to be something that gets you started on a path to wellness.  Something that happens (or doesn't happen) that makes you change for the better.

For me, that something was a threat.  Not from a person, but from my body.  I had found bellydance and fallen in love when my knees started to put up a fight.  Dancing around with my 240 pounds was too much for them and they let me know in no uncertain terms.  The threat of surgery or giving up dancing was real enough for me to jump into action.

I started my path to wellness by tackling my diet, feeling like I was already active enough - I was a dancer after all.  I did a fair amount of research into a variety of options (from meal replacement plans to surgery to "solution" diets) and landed on Weight Watchers.  It was hard to walk into that first meeting and face the fact that I had, according to the charts in the book, over 100 pounds to move, but it was a START.  And that was what I needed.  I tend to finish things I start (except for knitting and quilting) so taking that first step was super important.  I also went public with my plan by posting my intention on Facebook.  Now I had to do it, right?

I changed my eating habits with the help of their Core plan (which doesn't exist anymore, sadly) - I started eating regularly throughout my day instead of forgetting to eat for hours at a time.  I started eating tons of fruits and veggies and whole foods.  I started paying attention to portion sizes and nutrition labels.  I started losing weight.

I cruised through my first 20 pounds, going down every week, before physical fitness really came up.  When it did, I first tried to brush it off (again, I was a dancer...I was "active") but I really wanted to stay successful at my weight-loss process so I looked at my options.  I was working at the YMCA at the time and had a membership as an employee perk. I started on the treadmills and knew that wasn't something I wasn't likely to do long-term.  I tried a Zumba class on a whim since it happened right before a class I taught.  It was AWESOME - I danced for an hour and they called it "a workout"!  That was something I could get behind!  I did, however, know myself well enough to know that I wouldn't keep it up if I didn't *have* to. 

At over 200 pounds I was, by far, the largest person in the Zumba licensing workshop.  I didn't fit the mold (or the Zumba clothes they were selling), but I made it through the training and set out to teach my first class.

A year and a half later, I was 75 pounds lighter, my entire lifestyle had changed, and I was truly an Active, Healthy, Well person.  

Today a woman took a jump into the unknown by emailing me with questions about the studio, at the start of her journey to wellness.  I really hope I get the chance to help her find her cruise setting!

Getting Girls Hooked on Fitness

I haven't always been active.  In fact, if you'd told me in my twenties that I'd be making a living as a dance and fitness instructor I'd have laughed (and that would have been my workout for the day).  In my teens my activity was limited to whatever they had me doing in gym.  In my youth I did the requisite dance classes, and spent a fair number of years taking skating lessons, but I was never active outside of these organized classes.  What were the adults in my life doing?  A lot of sitting and driving. Even the teachers of the active classes I took did more directing than demonstrating.  Did this set me up for being a sedentary, unhealthily overweight adult?  Maybe...

One of the things that pushed me to open the studio was the desire to have a space where women could bring their girls to share workouts and dance classes.  Let girls stand, dance, and sweat next to women of all ages, shapes, and sizes to encourage an active lifestyle and positive self-esteem.

We have to do something to change how the next generation looks at fitness.

How many of us struggle with keeping our own health and wellness at the top of our to-do lists each week?  I have to believe that giving our daughters regular practice working out - in the company of our generation - will carry over into adulthood.  Think of it: if going to workout is a treat you get after completing that day's homework, how does that change your relationship with fitness?  How about the benefits of being able to get your workout in while spending quality time with your daughter?  This is a win-win scenario that has the power to change the world!

Will it work?  I think it already is...

Expectations - Bellydance BaseFusion

We are a cautious people.  We like to read reviews before buying an item or trying out  a recipe.  We like to choose our practitioners based on referrals from friends and family.  We like to see pictures and video of people and places before we meet them or plan a visit.  Having an idea of what is going to happen before it happens seems to make it easier to take that leap into the unknown.

So what can you expect at Hip Circle Studio classes?  I'm going to do my best to give you a peek into the different classes we offer through a series of "Expectations" posts.  Of course, seeing is believing, so I hope this is just enough information to help you give a class a try.  Nothing is a replacement for the live experience.

Bellydance BaseFusion

The Description - Discover the fun inherent in the basics of bellydance in this beginning level class. Each week will include a variety of moves to expose you to the basics of how the body moves in bellydance and the fusion styles used by Malik and Zahara Fusion. Regular practice in using combinations will prepare you for taking on Intermediate Bellydance. You’ll also work your way up to being comfortable with improvisational dancing thanks to the strong foundation presented in this class. Students can be as young as 8 and as old as the sun. Students under 12 must attend with their parent.  

Translation - the focus is on fun, this is a beginning level class (no experience necessary), you'll learn all sorts of moves, you'll practice free dancing, young  girls/teens are welcome, and there's another level class to aim for.

But, what's going  to happen when you walk in for your first class, right?

• You'll encounter women/girls who are different.  Honestly, I don't think we have 2 students that look enough alike to be confused for each other!
• You'll take off your shoes and socks.
• You'll get to choose a coin belt to borrow (unless you bring your own).
• You'll be greeted warmly by me and the other students.
• You'll move!  We do a gentle warm up to prep your heart, muscles, and joints, then get into the content for the week.  Each class ends with a 3-5 minute free dance time before we cool down and stretch.
• You'll chat! We're a friendly bunch and we while away our drills (yay, shimmies!) with light conversation.
• You'll laugh! Nothing is taken too seriously in this level - we're here to have a good time and get to know (maybe even love?) our bodies.  Critiques and such are saved for the intermediate level classes.
• You'll hear a variety of music, from all over the world, while dancing in class.

What don't you have to worry about in our BaseFusion class?

• Baring your belly.  You can be as dressed as you'd like in this class, though it is easiest for me to help you master the moves if you have form-fitting (think yoga style) clothing.  Feel better in a huge t-shirt and baggy sweats?  Go for it.
• Your two left feet.  Heck, bring three if you have them!  Perfection is not the goal in this class and we're not packed in like sardines so there's room for "interpretation" of directions.  Honest - if you've had bad experiences before that have left you with the notion that you "can't dance" this class can help you turn that around.  Everybody can bellydance.
• Competition.  There is no "winning" in our classes (at any level), so there's no need to compete.  I am beyond thrilled with the community of women we've gathered at the studio and how their first instinct is to help and welcome new folks.
• Fat/Skinny/Young/Old bashing.  ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME!  Let me say that again...ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME!  However you are, whoever you are, you can walk into the studio and know you'll be accepted.  Every.Body.CAN.Bellydance.

Now it's your turn.  Comment with your experiences from coming to Bellydance BaseFusion.  If you haven't been yet, come give it a try and then add your comments into the mix.  

Bellydance

Bellydance

I had no idea how much a part of my life bellydance would become when I set out for my first class. I saw paint on a storefront window – the kind of paint you would use to write “for sale” on the front windshield of a used car – advertising a class. I don’t remember the exact wording now, but I do remember that it had “belly” and “mama” and “bellydance” included. I thought to myself…I have a belly, and I’m a mom, I’ll give bellydance a try. That was about 9 years ago and I haven’t stopped dancing.

I love this art form. It enables me to spend time in my body in true bliss. This is quite a feat given the years and years of body image and self esteem issues I’ve racked up! When I’m bellydancing I’m able to lose myself in the music and the movement – like I said, bliss.

As I’ve taken on teaching and choreographing over the years I’ve seen my relationship with bellydance change a bit. Being in front of a classroom keeps me grounded, and my focus isn’t on how the movements make me feel – it shifts to being about how to describe the movements and transfer the knowledge of how to make them happen. It becomes about helping other women find that bliss and that self-acceptance and love of the dance.

When this post publishes, I’ll be immersing myself in bellydance as a student, studying with the incomparable Rachel Brice. Her teaching style is a good fit for me, and I ADORE watching her dance – she is one of the few dancers who brings me to that bliss place from my seat in the audience. I’ve been looking forward to this trip since taking the plunge and registering back in July and it’s hard to believe the time has finally come.

I will post on the other side of the week of learning, but from where I sit right now I am 100% excited. I’ve left the stages of fear and nervousness behind and will head into the first day of Initiation with the open mind of a student ready to learn. I am ready for the hard work that will be required, and I’m looking forward to some bliss moments along the way.

Bellydance, how I do love thee!