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.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Nothing
I did something new this week. Nothing. For 43 minutes. It was kinda awesome!
.
.
.
I'm a Doer. I prefer to DO things, all the time, in a lot of different ways. I can sit quietly, but when I do I'm still Doing...reading, knitting, watching TV (rarely), something.
It wasn't intentional. I set out to take the train downtown and had things to DO with me. My phone, a magazine in my backpack, my ever-present to-do list - plenty to keep me busy for the ride from Howard to Harrison, but...
...my phone was low on battery so I didn't want to use it up with email, Facebook, music, or a game.
...I had a cup of coffee with me in my Brothers K travel mug that doesn't close so I didn't really have the hands free to navigate my magazine or to-do list.
So I sat. I had my headphones in my ears so that muffled some of the ambient noise (tell me why, exactly, teenage girls are so LOUD?) a bit and made me feel like I'd created an imaginary force field around me. I sat alone in my row for several stops, moving over to the window seat to allow someone else to sit down next to me when we got to the Fullerton stop. 43 minutes.
I looked out the window (did you know it's a "thing" to hang a sport's team flag on your back steps?)
I listened to my breath
I watched the people (oh, so much to see!)
I thought (but without direction/goal)
It was kinda awesome.
As a people, we're Doers for the most part. We Do things at home, at work, on our way to and from - even our rest is often spent Doing things (like classes, right Hip Circle ladies?) which keeps us Doing almost all the time. I know I Do a lot. Run the studio. Lead the Main Street Merchants. Bellydance. Teach classes. Serve on committees. Live life as a Wife, Mom, Friend. And there's more that I want to Do that I don't always seem to have time to get Done! Sleep is a time when we don't DO, but how many people do you know with trouble letting go and falling into or staying in sleep?
I like Doing, but I'm pretty excited by this new-found ability to just be and look forward to my next opportunity. Maybe after I slog through more of those to-do list items. :-) How about you?
.
.
.
I'm a Doer. I prefer to DO things, all the time, in a lot of different ways. I can sit quietly, but when I do I'm still Doing...reading, knitting, watching TV (rarely), something.
It wasn't intentional. I set out to take the train downtown and had things to DO with me. My phone, a magazine in my backpack, my ever-present to-do list - plenty to keep me busy for the ride from Howard to Harrison, but...
...my phone was low on battery so I didn't want to use it up with email, Facebook, music, or a game.
...I had a cup of coffee with me in my Brothers K travel mug that doesn't close so I didn't really have the hands free to navigate my magazine or to-do list.
So I sat. I had my headphones in my ears so that muffled some of the ambient noise (tell me why, exactly, teenage girls are so LOUD?) a bit and made me feel like I'd created an imaginary force field around me. I sat alone in my row for several stops, moving over to the window seat to allow someone else to sit down next to me when we got to the Fullerton stop. 43 minutes.
I looked out the window (did you know it's a "thing" to hang a sport's team flag on your back steps?)
I listened to my breath
I watched the people (oh, so much to see!)
I thought (but without direction/goal)
It was kinda awesome.
As a people, we're Doers for the most part. We Do things at home, at work, on our way to and from - even our rest is often spent Doing things (like classes, right Hip Circle ladies?) which keeps us Doing almost all the time. I know I Do a lot. Run the studio. Lead the Main Street Merchants. Bellydance. Teach classes. Serve on committees. Live life as a Wife, Mom, Friend. And there's more that I want to Do that I don't always seem to have time to get Done! Sleep is a time when we don't DO, but how many people do you know with trouble letting go and falling into or staying in sleep?
I like Doing, but I'm pretty excited by this new-found ability to just be and look forward to my next opportunity. Maybe after I slog through more of those to-do list items. :-) How about you?
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Month of Me
September was both the fastest and longest month I've seen go by in a while. Fast because ohmygoshhowisitoctoberalready! Slow because, what with a whole bunch of changes at home and work, some planned and some unplanned, we sometimes felt like we were slogging through the days. In all of the chaos and busy-ness, I found that my personal dance practice had gotten lost.
Remember back in March of 2013 when I had the fabulous experience of going to Portland, OR for Rachel Brice's 8 Elements Initiation? It was a wonderful week away immersed in dance, and I came home charged and ready to focus on bellydance and creativity and self-expression.
Then life happened. It was ever so easy for me to reschedule my dance practice sessions in favor of doing something for the studio, or subbing a class, or getting a kid from point A to B, or...or...or... Before I knew it my practice schedule disappeared. My body noticed the difference right away, but it took a while for my brain to catch up, and even longer for me to come up with a strategy to fix the oversight.
I know this happens for you, too. Life gets in the way of whatever you're doing for yourself - all those other people and things are so very important, and it's so much easier to focus on them then on yourself.
Let's declare October the Month of Me (not me, Malik, but Me, you). We'll observe by taking time for ourselves on a daily basis. Yes, daily. That might mean something "big" like leaving the house to take a class, or something small like sitting for 5 minutes in between tasks. If we forget ourselves in the shuffle, who will remember us?
I am making these commitments to myself for the month of October...the Month of Me:
* Daily yoga practice (20 minutes)
* Twice Weekly personal dance practice (one with Zills, one without)
* Weekly friend time (outside of the studio)
* Weekly date night with Bill
Share your Month of Me commitments as a comment and we'll cheer each other on!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Nominated for Best Dance Classes, and...
Hip Circle Studio won! We won "Best Dance Classes" in the Make it Better Best of 2013 contest.
But let me tell you a story...
I didn't know we were even nominated until I got a letter informing us of our win. Honest! Most of the time, these contests are won through lots of promotion on the business' part - sending emails out to all of their subscribers, posting about needed votes on Facebook and Twitter (and other social media outlets I haven't figured out yet), reminding customers to vote after every visit - you know the drill.
I didn't know we were in the running.
I didn't ask for a single vote.
When the email came, I was a bit skeptical. I decided to play along, though, figuring it couldn't hurt. I went to the magazine offices ready for a hard pitch to buy advertising and such, but what I got was a hot cup of coffee, some treats, and the opportunity to talk with the founder of the magazine about the studio. It was lovely! I also found out we didn't *fully* win. Nope - we'd tied with two other dance classes:
Zumba and WERQ
Here's the thing...Zumba is an INTERNATIONAL sensation. WERQ is a National brand. Both entities license or certify instructors from all over to teach their classes. Heck, I AM licensed to teach Zumba, and we offer WERQ at the studio, too.
How cool is it that my little studio, just 3 years old, with a single location, came out of the contest in a three way tie with these two giants!
So Awesome!
So I will be flying our Best of 2013 flag high this month (and beyond) and will float around for a while on this winner's high.
Thanks to everyone (whoever you are) for voting, and I really do hope coming to the studio helps make things better for you!
But let me tell you a story...
I didn't know we were even nominated until I got a letter informing us of our win. Honest! Most of the time, these contests are won through lots of promotion on the business' part - sending emails out to all of their subscribers, posting about needed votes on Facebook and Twitter (and other social media outlets I haven't figured out yet), reminding customers to vote after every visit - you know the drill.
I didn't know we were in the running.
I didn't ask for a single vote.
When the email came, I was a bit skeptical. I decided to play along, though, figuring it couldn't hurt. I went to the magazine offices ready for a hard pitch to buy advertising and such, but what I got was a hot cup of coffee, some treats, and the opportunity to talk with the founder of the magazine about the studio. It was lovely! I also found out we didn't *fully* win. Nope - we'd tied with two other dance classes:
Zumba and WERQ
Here's the thing...Zumba is an INTERNATIONAL sensation. WERQ is a National brand. Both entities license or certify instructors from all over to teach their classes. Heck, I AM licensed to teach Zumba, and we offer WERQ at the studio, too.
How cool is it that my little studio, just 3 years old, with a single location, came out of the contest in a three way tie with these two giants!
So Awesome!
So I will be flying our Best of 2013 flag high this month (and beyond) and will float around for a while on this winner's high.
Thanks to everyone (whoever you are) for voting, and I really do hope coming to the studio helps make things better for you!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Moving with Confidence
"Experienced travelers move with confidence..." - this mantra greeted me at Midway Airport on my way to and from Las Vegas this week. Their intended message was about international travel, but for me this became something of a theme as I did all the people-watching I could during our vacation.
We stumbled into a portion of the Miss USA pageant when we visited the pool at our hotel. The contestants were all in one section of the pool, surrounded by camera men, frolicking away as part of a contest segment (the girls had to use a kickboard and motor around one small portion of the pool). While not competing the rest of the girls were on deck, jumping and cheering on their Miss USA sisters. This meant we had 50 model-quality co-eds on display. In the rest of the pool area there were "regular" people - men and women (no children since this was the 21+ pool) sunbathing, playing in the water, and watching the Miss USA ladies.
There were a lot of bikinis. A lot. I felt a bit odd in my one-piece bathing suit, especially because the bikinis I was seeing were on all sorts of bodies. I don't think of myself as having a "bikini body", even after seeing the meme roaming around Facebook telling me that the only thing I need to do to get a bikini body is to put a bikini on my body.
What I realized was this: when a woman carried herself confidently, she was beautiful...period. I saw this from women of all ages, shapes, and sizes.
The meme is wrong. In order to have a bikini body I need to do 2 things...put a bikini on my body AND move with confidence. Until I can feel comfortable and confident while wearing it I won't be able to pull off the look. It's the confidence we need to focus on - not the abs, butt, thighs, and breasts we get so caught up in stressing about. It was inspiring to see the regular women rocking their bikinis. Absolutely inspiring.
My goal for Summer 2014 is to be bikini ready from the INSIDE. Will you join me - confidently - poolside?
We stumbled into a portion of the Miss USA pageant when we visited the pool at our hotel. The contestants were all in one section of the pool, surrounded by camera men, frolicking away as part of a contest segment (the girls had to use a kickboard and motor around one small portion of the pool). While not competing the rest of the girls were on deck, jumping and cheering on their Miss USA sisters. This meant we had 50 model-quality co-eds on display. In the rest of the pool area there were "regular" people - men and women (no children since this was the 21+ pool) sunbathing, playing in the water, and watching the Miss USA ladies.
There were a lot of bikinis. A lot. I felt a bit odd in my one-piece bathing suit, especially because the bikinis I was seeing were on all sorts of bodies. I don't think of myself as having a "bikini body", even after seeing the meme roaming around Facebook telling me that the only thing I need to do to get a bikini body is to put a bikini on my body.
What I realized was this: when a woman carried herself confidently, she was beautiful...period. I saw this from women of all ages, shapes, and sizes.
The meme is wrong. In order to have a bikini body I need to do 2 things...put a bikini on my body AND move with confidence. Until I can feel comfortable and confident while wearing it I won't be able to pull off the look. It's the confidence we need to focus on - not the abs, butt, thighs, and breasts we get so caught up in stressing about. It was inspiring to see the regular women rocking their bikinis. Absolutely inspiring.
My goal for Summer 2014 is to be bikini ready from the INSIDE. Will you join me - confidently - poolside?
Friday, May 31, 2013
Lights, Camera, ACTION!
Two months ago, at our monthly Founding Moms meetup, I set myself a task: Figure out the technical logistics necessary to record a video for the studio. I'd been thinking about making a video for a while, and even have toyed with having classes available via video, but felt like it was outside of my abilities.
It's amazing what a bit of accountability can do for you!
I had 4 weeks to have something figured out, so I set down to it...
I learned that my iPhone 4S would be enough of a video camera to meet my needs but that my old laptop was not up to the challenge of editing video. I also realized, after trying my hand at getting some footage recorded, that a tripod of some sort was important. One week in towards my deadline I invested in a new laptop, access to One to One training (thanks, Apple financing), and a little tripod.
With the help and patience of the ladies of the studio I was able to record several video clips of classes. These provided a lot of good learning opportunities with my Apple Geniuses at Old Orchard, though a lot of what I recorded ended up on the virtual cutting-room floor.
1 week to go and I landed on A Vision for the video...a vision that was impossible to realize with iMovie. Of course, right? Back to the drawing room I went but with a clearer idea of what was and wasn't possible. The good news? I had something to show at the follow-up Founding Moms meeting. I had met and exceeded my initial goal, but I was eager to have a finished product to share at the next meeting.
Our group meets again on Monday, one week earlier than normal, and I'm pleased to report I have a completed video to share! What you see here is the video made in iMovie, with a soundtrack I created in GarageBand.
I've learned a ton about lighting, sound, fade ins/outs, titles, color matching, and more. And I understand why people pay good money to have someone make a video for them - this takes a lot of work!
This is, hopefully, the first of many YouTube shares. Next up...a practice video for our "Flash Mob" song for Custer Street Fair. Yes, I'm hooked on the magic of video creation.
Stay tuned (and subscribe to my channel)!
It's amazing what a bit of accountability can do for you!
I had 4 weeks to have something figured out, so I set down to it...
I learned that my iPhone 4S would be enough of a video camera to meet my needs but that my old laptop was not up to the challenge of editing video. I also realized, after trying my hand at getting some footage recorded, that a tripod of some sort was important. One week in towards my deadline I invested in a new laptop, access to One to One training (thanks, Apple financing), and a little tripod.
With the help and patience of the ladies of the studio I was able to record several video clips of classes. These provided a lot of good learning opportunities with my Apple Geniuses at Old Orchard, though a lot of what I recorded ended up on the virtual cutting-room floor.
1 week to go and I landed on A Vision for the video...a vision that was impossible to realize with iMovie. Of course, right? Back to the drawing room I went but with a clearer idea of what was and wasn't possible. The good news? I had something to show at the follow-up Founding Moms meeting. I had met and exceeded my initial goal, but I was eager to have a finished product to share at the next meeting.
Our group meets again on Monday, one week earlier than normal, and I'm pleased to report I have a completed video to share! What you see here is the video made in iMovie, with a soundtrack I created in GarageBand.
This is, hopefully, the first of many YouTube shares. Next up...a practice video for our "Flash Mob" song for Custer Street Fair. Yes, I'm hooked on the magic of video creation.
Stay tuned (and subscribe to my channel)!
Friday, May 24, 2013
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!
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™:
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!
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