Aug 22nd, 2007

Winding down the summer...

Schools starting. August is almost over. Labor Day is around the corner. Where did the summer go? If you're feeling like you weren't as active as you wanted to be this summer, no worries because it is always summer here at Heartbeat House! Here, where there is no time limit to getting healthy and being fit. Here, where sweating is always sexy.

In fact, we are kicking off the end of the summer with a SUPER SALSA DANCE PARTY- a special Friday-After-Labor- Day-Event just for you and you and you....

Kids and Dance
"Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." ~William Stafford

Movement and dance in the early years underpins all subsequent development. Through physical activity, pre-school children channel their energy and develop attention, balance and co-ordination. Ordering movements to create a dance also develops young children's sequencing skills needed for numeracy and literacy, and for planning and organizing themselves in general.

It is widely recognised in education that children 'learn by doing'. When children engage in an activity, information is taken in through the body that the brain then processes, and the body is then the medium through which knowledge and responses to experience are expressed. For example, imitating the swishing of a shark's tail can reinforce understanding of how such creatures move.

Vocabulary can also be learned meaningfully - for example 'over' and 'around'. Dance is therefore a very natural way for children to learn about their world and express their ideas, thoughts and feelings. Self-control is also fundamental for children's personal and social development.

Physical activity enables young children to learn to feel at home in their bodies; developing bodily control may lead to greater emotional control. Reading bodily cues in other people (for example, signs of irritation), and being able to integrate their own movement to respond appropriately, is also crucial for children developing social effectiveness in situations. Dance highlights meanings of actions; it helps young children to learn about body language, as well as promoting social relationships and interaction skills as they learn to participate and negotiate with others.

There is also an important aesthetic value for young children dancing. Dance can give them insights into different cultures and beliefs and raise their awareness and respect for others. Responding to and interpreting music and other stimuli in movement encourages the imagination and develops children's creativity. Fostering this inventiveness is fundamental for learning to take risks and find solutions to challenges in life. Encouraging children to 'have a go' in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere will contribute to their growing confidence, sense of achievement and self-esteem.

Dance provides an important opportunity to express oneself non-verbally, without a pressure of 'getting it right'.

Excerpt from online article...

5 Week Kids Class Sessions
Start the Week of August 27th!

SIGN YOUR KIDS UP NOW! Pre- Ballet and Kids Hip Hop will be starting a new 5 week session starting the week of August 27th! Each class will culminate in a short recital for parents and friends.

Pre-Ballet (for 5-7 year olds approx.) with Jasmine on Wednesdays at 4:00PM: first class 8/29.
Pre-ballet allows children to explore movement and music. By studying some ballet basics, students are encouraged to have fun, while learning fundamental techniques in the realm of dance. It is a class designed to get children excited about exploring what their bodies can do. It is also helpful in the cognitive development a child can experience with practice and discipline. In class we run, skip and point our toes in the framework of creativity and coordination.

Kids Hip Hop (for ages 7-10 approx.) with Chelsea on Fridays at 4:00 PM: first class 8/31
Kids Hip-Hop is a class for young adults. It consists of a mix of different styles of movement that are set to popular music. Students will learn coordination as well as muscle memory from learning pieces of choreography each class. It's a fun and exciting way to learn one of the most sought after disciplines in the entertainment industry today.

It's a Super Salsa Dance Party!
Friday, September 7th 7:00 PM!

Join your friends at Heartbeat House for a special night on Friday, September 7th. Burn off those Labor Day calories as Chris teaches you some sexy Salsa moves, both basic and advanced. This intensive one-hour class will be followed by a Super Dance Party where we'll play Salsa, Swing, Cha Cha and all sorts of lively dance music. Have a blast, have a margarita, and make some new friends as you shake your bottoms on the dance floor!
ONLY $5!

CASH BAR FOR MARGARITAS, WINE, AND BEER.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH, 7:00-8:00 PM Salsa Lesson followed by Dance Party.

Next Afro Cuban
Sunday, September 9th, 2:00 PM

Sign up now for Nory's next Afro Cuban workshop coming up the 2nd Sunday of every month- next one, Sunday, September 9th 2:00-3:00 PM.

Laura is Leaving.... :(
But Ashley is coming back!

Our beloved 80's Dance Party teacher, Laura Singer, is going to be leaving and taking a hiatus from teaching. ....Thursday, August 30th will be her last 80's Dance Party. We all wish her the best in all her future endeavors and maybe one day, if we're lucky, her life will lead her back to Heartbeat House.

On a happier note- Ashley will not only be doing her own version of Awesome 80's Dance Party on Mondays at 6:30 PM (first class starts 9/10) but she will also teach her signature "Burn 'n Firm" Cardio Dance class on Thursdays- first class will be Sept. 6th at 6:00 PM! Please help us welcome Ashley back!

Community Events
International Mime Workshop

"The Technique of Silence for All":
It's not just entertainment, it's a therapeutic healing art for dream, hope, and communication. Capture the mime technique to develop self-imagination and self- visualization.

Join Mime Huda, internationally known as "Mime Ambassador" and Pioneer of Grameen Mukavinoy (Village Mime) concepts and developer of mime therapy, for a 5 Week Mime Workshop:
Saturdays at 3 PM starting 8/25 (excluding Labor Day weekend) at Heartbeat House. All ages welcome, first class free, then $10/class. Call for reservation and info: 213-842-7308.

Schedule Updates
Cancellations, New Time, Subs, Coming Soon...

WE WILL BE CLOSED LABOR DAY WEEKEND, SEPTEMBER 1-3. CLASSES WILL RESUME TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH.

NEW CLASSES:
Zumba with Claudia on Mondays at 7:30 PM.

WORKSHOPS/EVENTS
Super Salsa Dance Party with Chris on Friday, Sept. 7th at 7:00 PM

Volunteer Program
Work Exchange

Want to dance.... but low on funds? Come help us out at Heartbeat House in exchange for FREE dance classes. Every 4 hours you work, you will receive a 4 class card. Email us with your availability!

Promotions
New Students, Birthdays, and Referrals

SPREAD THE WORD AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROMOTIONS NOW!

New Student Promotion:
Five Dollar Classes Your First Week at Heartbeat House

Birthday Promotion:
Five Dollar Classes the Week of Your Birthday- Come Dance off that Birthday Cake!

Referral Program:
Take 20% OFF Your 4 Class Package When You Refer A New Student Who Buys a Class Package