DANCE/MOVEMENT CLASSES
NIA (pronounced knee-ah)
Nia - Neuromuscular Integrative Action - blends
elements of martial arts, dance, and yoga into a complete fitness program. Developed
nearly twenty years ago by Debbie and Carlos Rosas, Nia is rooted in time-honored
principles of yoga and martial arts, and works with the physical, mental, emotional,
and spiritual realms to provide students with a greater connection to themselves
through movement. The choreography is simple, allowing for interpretation and
freedom of expression, and requires no experience whatsoever. Alchemy of Movement's five Nia instructors offer fifteen Nia classes each week, at times that should fit most schedules.
Gentle
NIA
Gentle Nia is designed for new
students, students with special physical considerations, or students that simply
want a more gentle class. Gentle Nia is a softer class taught at Level I (the
most basic of levels in Nia) with emphases on the fundamentals. Classes contain
demonstrations, explanations, detailed cueing and encouragement in a safe, loving,
nonjudgmental atmosphere.
Morning Dance with Hollie
One way to support lasting, positive change in the world is to shift from a culture and practice of exclusion to a culture and practice of inclusion. But it's not so easy -- walking through the world with a heart open enough to be inclusive of all can be scary, and a challenge, and tiring.
So what do we do?
We practice in a safe, non-judgemental space with a community of like-minded folks first, and then walk about in the world. Hour-long classes begin with an intention, or focus. The first half or the class is choreographed movement, so that we can notice and enjoy the sensation of moving "with" as opposed to moving "to" or "away from" or "in opposition to." During the second half of the class, we transition between choreographed and self-directed movement, so that we can practice including all in our dance while singing our own songs with our bodies.
No previous dance experience whatsoever is required.
Hollie Rogin has been and continues to be influenced my many movement forms, including Nia and Soul Motion. She has worked regularly with Vinn Marti, creator of Soul Motion.
New to Nia
and Nia Body Sculpting Workshops
The New to Nia workshop covers
the basics of NIA, including foot patterns, and how to move your body in a way
that restores alignment, balance & health. In addition to providing time for personal
instruction, this workshop is fun and pressure-free!
The Nia Body Sculpting workshop focuses on using the movements of Nia to increase your energy and vitality while sculpting, toning and conditioning your body into the best shape it's ever been in.
Both workshops include a Nia class. We alternate the two workshops on the second Saturday of each month. Class times are 2 to 5 PM including the class and workshop.
For more details about these
workshops, please visit our Highlights page.
Kripalu YogaDance
Kripalu YogaDance merges movement and music to ‘re-find’ our natural rhythms; Cultivating energy, joy, spirit, while helping serve to uncover passions that fell dormant, we explore yogic integration, collective connection, deep relaxation, and endless possibilities of what is alive inside you.
Classes vary from high intensity to slow and relaxing movements. We will use rhythm to take us on a journey to lose the periphery and to come into complete union with ourselves while having fun and letting go. This can be quite playful and requires no previous dance experience. We only ask you bring your openness to slowly blossom into your fullest potential.
Soul Sweat
Soul Sweat is an alchemy of global dance rhythms fused with wisdom traditions from around the world. Beginning with movement coordinated with breath, Soul Sweat evolves into ecstatic dance, connecting us with the dynamic flow of life energy (prana), our inherent sensuality, and our deepest expression of our selves - our soul. Using both choreographed and free form "trance dance," Soul Sweat is a high-energy dance expression that enhanaces coordination, tones the body, develops stamina, and increases the flow of chi throughout the body. Each movement begins at its core, to which we gradually add layers and variety, making each movement unique to the dancer - and safe for all!
Zumba
ZUMBA is a fusion of Latin and International music - dance themes that create a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system! The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. Zumba utilizes the principles of fitness interval training and resistance training to maximize caloric output, fat burning and total body toning. It is a mixture of body sculpting movements with easy to follow dance steps.
Capoeira
Capoeira is an exciting form of martial arts dancing, from Brazil and Angola, and Donna teaches the Angolan form on Tuesday at 4 PM and Thursday at 7:30 PM. For more information about capoeira, visit the Wikipedia entry or go to this website.
YOGA CLASSES
Our yoga classes at Alchemy of Movement are designed to invite the beginning as well as the seasoned yogi(ni); we only offer All Levels classes at our studio. A regular yoga practice can increase your flexibility, circulation, stamina, self-esteem, reduce your stress level, give your immune system
a boost before cold season, and support in just a deeper sense of well being.
Students of all traditions are invited. New to yoga? Our class is the perfect gift to give yourself. Most importantly inspire and be inspired!
Flow with grace...
Steeped in the Anusara & Kripalu of hatha yoga, these classes provide the opportunity to open the heart, follow the breath and unite with the divine. The format is non-intimidating and will allow for modifications according to varying needs in
the class. Incorporating pranayama, principles of alignment and deep body awareness, and meditation.
Kundalini yoga classes are a dynamic blend of postures, pranayam (breathing), mantra (sound), music and meditation, which teach you the art of relaxation, self-healing and elevation. Through this unique practice, your glandular and nervous systems are stimulated, and your capacity for creative potential is heightened. Balancing the body and mind, you gain inner vitality and clarity to compensate for the adverse effects of stress so that you can excel in life.
Vinyasa yoga is a fluid practice which connects one breath to one movement. The use of conscious breathing will guide students towards quieting the mind in order to work through limitations and experience personal growth. Music is incorporated into the flowing sequence to stimulate a calm awareness of the present moment by allowing the body to completely surrender. This class requires no previous yoga background and welcomes anyone interested in embracing the many benefits that meditation in movement has to offer.
Gentle Yoga Unwind and relax in this mellow, meditative class. Gentle Yoga is perfect for beginners, people working with injuries, or folks who just want to take it easy. Instructor Karen Hogg will guide students through postures at their own pace, always working with the breath. Don't worry if you've never done yoga before! Yoga is for everyone! Karen will offer modifications for postures as needed. You will leave class feeling peaceful and rejuvenated.
Yoga for Dancers is especially designed to help Nia, Soul Sweat, and ballroom dancers who want to enhance their dance practice by improving their posture, coordination, stability, breath work, strength and flexibility. In this class we will learn how to incorporate core strength, flexibility and alignment into your dance to keeping your practice injury free and exciting for the rest of your life. This class is appropriate for all levels of dance enthusiasts.
Introduction to Yoga is geared toward people who have no prior yoga experience. Class time will include a basic yoga foundation in yoga poses, breath work, strength and flexibility, balance, focus, yoga philosophy, meditation and relaxation techniques.
Mom & Baby Yoga classes are specifically structured for new mothers to begin to bring their babies and begin to move again. The instructor uses a variety of styles adapted to this special population of students.
Feldenkrais® Classes
Feldenkrais® - Awareness Through Movement®
Awareness Through Movement (ATM) classes consist of gentle, verbally-guided exercises, using unique movement sequences to address every area, joint & muscle group in the body, and all aspects of human functioning. It is easy-to-do, pleasurable and engages the inherent intelligence of your nervous system to create the conditions for successful learning. ATM can benefit everyone, and the results can be extraordinary.
Feldenkrais® and Rolfing® were featured on the Oprah Show in a segment on Structural Integration. Click here for the link.
ADDITIONAL CLASSES
Awareness Moves
Awareness Moves is a unique fusion of Vinyasa flow and therapeutic movement. Pilates core principles and Theraband work are interwoven into the practice.
The class focuses on fine-tuning alignment and activating the correct muscle groups to ensure a safe and conscious practice.
Awareness Moves rejuvenates the central nervous system, ensuring healthy functions of muscles & organs, encouraging the entire body to work in harmony and balance.
Classes are multi-level and suit both beginners and more advanced students.
Deepen your practice in a safe and conscious way. Integrate mind and body, link breath with movement and tune into your body's natural intelligence.
Awareness Moves combines the best of both eastern & western disciplines.
Increase awareness in your current practice. Encourage healthy daily habits.
* Re-educate your body to avoid injury
* Correct bad postural habits & improve spinal mobility
* Learn how to minimize wear & tear on your joints.
* Fine-tune alignment & correct muscle imbalances
* Build your strength and stamina
* Strengthen abs, back & pelvic floor
* Increase your breath awareness
* Sharpen your focus & concentration
Our class structure respects your personal and individual needs.
Watch this space for other special class descriptions. |
