January 9th, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome back Heartbeat Hous-ers! We hope you had a fantastic holiday and are ready for an exciting, fit, happy 2008! We have freshly painted our little studio and it is ready to be danced in!

We have a lot in store for you this year and we hope you are inspired to not only follow through with your healthy resolutions but maybe mix it up, try something new, open up your mind- as that is our goal- give you more and more options to workout and have fun with out having to goto the gym- new classes, new workshops, more yoga...

Looking forward to seeing you dancing soon...

Put the Power of Regular Physical Activity to Work for You

You know exercise is good for you, and that it's in your best interest to make this the year you start and/or maintain regular physical activity. But do you know how good getting 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week really is?

Consider: The most recent Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health found that regular physical activity:

• Reduces the risk of dying from heart disease
• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and colon cancer
• Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
• Helps control weight and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints
• Helps maintain function and preserve independence in older adults
  

"If U.S. citizens put in 30 minutes of aerobic activity five times a week it would cut the amount of chronic diseases and health costs by almost half. That's how powerful physical fitness is," says Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H., assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and author of the national best-seller Fight Fat After Forty.

So you're interested, but aren't sure how to begin, Peeke says it's best to start out by walking (or doing some other type of aerobic exercise) and then adding strength training later. Good forms of aerobic exercise including walking, biking, swimming and jogging.

In addition to aerobic exercise, it's important to incorporate strength training into your program. Peeke says it's imperative to do both because lifting weights not only builds your muscles but also raises your metabolism, causing you to burn more calories.

"The bottom line is what works is a combination of both," Peeke says. "Whether you're trying to lose weight or exercising for fitness, it's still important for everyone to do some level of weight lifting and aerobic exercise. Ultimately you want strength, flexibility and endurance."

Starting a program in January is one thing; maintaining it is another matter entirely. Peeke offers advice to help you keep moving all year long.

• Find the right kind of exercise for you. Choose activities that you enjoy and that fit your personality.
• Make the time to exercise. Pick a time of the day when you'll always have time to exercise and stick to it. Don't make excuses not to exercise. Instead, try setting a schedule for the week indicating which days you'll exercise.
• Get up and move! Incorporate exercise during the day, even while you're at work. If you sit at a desk most of the day, get out of your chair at least once an hour and walk around. As Peeke advises: "Use the five minute per hour rule. Look for ways to just get up and move." Some suggestions: Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk down the hall instead of using the phone or e-mail, or take a walk during a morning or afternoon break.
• Find an exercise buddy. Get a friend involved and be each other's motivators, or join a group. The advantage to this approach is that you know other people are counting on you and you don't want to let them down.
• Check with a doctor before beginning an exercise program. This is especially important as you get older or if you have a history of health problems.
• Strength train safely. When beginning a strength-training program, Peeke says it's important to work with an expert (such as a trainer) who is knowledgeable about equipment and proper exercise methods. "You need someone to show you safe techniques for what to do," advises Peeke.
• Start slowly. This will help you achieve the most benefits with the least risk, especially if you have not been physically active for some time.
• Make exercise fun. If you buy home equipment, put it in front of the television. That way, you won't get bored when you're exercising.
• Write down why you want to exercise. Keep this list somewhere very visible to regularly reinforce your motivation.
• Set weekly goals with enticing rewards. Establishing attainable short-term goals gives you something to work toward, and a feeling of accomplishment when you reach them. Take time to celebrate your achievement. Avoid food rewards, especially if weight loss is your goal. Instead, reward yourself with a movie, or get a massage.
• Keep an exercise log. This is a good way to keep you consistent and review your goals and remember why you're doing it in the first place.
• Make stretching a part of your workout routine. Most experts recommend stretching after exercise while the muscles are warm. Stretching is important because it keeps your body in good alignment and prevents injury.
• Wear comfortable shoes with good support when exercising. Nothing can derail an exercise program faster than a foot-related injury caused by poor footwear.
• Practice the "talk test". Basically, this means that when you are exercising, you should be able to speak about three words at a time. If you cannot get three words out at a time, slow down. If you can carry on a normal conversation, pick up the pace.
  

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DANCING FOR THE PEOPLE

New Community Dance Class with Jasmine

It's a Community Dance class for non-dancers!

DANCING FOR THE PEOPLE with Jasmine is a basic movement class for city kids, Jackson wannabes, pedal-pusher-lovers, and anyone interested in their body's ability to move. It is a non-competitive, community based class created for people who have never taken dance lessons but want to try some fun moves in a collective, supportive atmosphere. We play with coordination, directional changes, musicality, turns, jumps, and how to move quickly. While it stretches and strengthens, it also prepares students for some of the more technical dance classes offered at Heartbeat House such as Contemporary Ballet and Jazz Fusion. Bring a friend, it's always 7 bucks and always a good time. Legwarmers welcome!

Dancing for the People with Jasmine
Sundays 3:00-4:00 PM
Always only $7!

NEW COMMUNITY YOGA

Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00-8:00 AM with LeTania

Start your day off with LeTania's invigorating vinyasa flow class! You will be guided through a grounded warm-up followed by an ecstatic flow of creative sun salutations and strengthening standing poses. The latter half of the class will focus on deeply held stretches, twists and inversions to purify the body and prepare the mind for meditation.

LeTania Kirkland began studying yoga by way of modern dance and has never looked back. She received her certification from Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in New York City and began teaching straight away. Prior to moving to Los Angeles she taught at various centers throughout New York City as well as provided yoga to individuals in corporate settings. LeTania is dedicated to sharing the traditional teachings of Yoga while providing an ecstatic, creative flow with the breath as a means to discover the healing of movement and meditation.

Community Yoga $5

Tuesdays and Thursdays
7:00-8:00 AM
Starts 1/15/08

Kids 8 Week Session Starts 1/15!

Broadway Kids, Tap/Ballet, Hip Hop
Reduced Rates- Only $80!

BROADWAY KIDS WITH CHELSEA ***New Class!
(ages 7-10)
Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 PM
1/15-3/4
If your child loves to dance, this class is playing their song! Kids will explore the music and movements of some of Broadway's greatest hits. This class is performance based and will culminate with some show-stopping numbers for family and friends to enjoy.

COMBO TAP/BALLET WITH KRISTEN
(ages 5- 7)
Thursdays 4:00-4:45 PM
1/17-3/6
Introduce your kids to basic ballet and tap techniques, while awakening a sense of imagination, creativity, and self-expression through movement and music. At the end of the 8 week session, there will be an opportunity for the students to demonstrate their new skills and experience the joy of performing at a showcase for parents, friends, and loved ones, where the emphasis will be on fun and creative expression rather than executing the perfect routine. Ballet shoes and tap shoes are preferred, but if you would like to try the class before purchasing them, students can wear socks or be barefoot for ballet and wear hard-soled shoes for tap. Leotards and tights are great but not required, and any clothing that is comfortable and easy to move in will do.

KIDS HIP HOP with Chelsea (ages 7-10)
Fridays 4:00-5:00 PM
1/18-3/7
Kids Hip-Hop is a fun, high energy 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 in each class. It's an exciting way to learn one of the most popular dance disciplines in the entertainment industry today.

Each class will culminate in a small recital for parents and friends!

$80 when you pre-register for 8 weeks or $12 drop-in fee.

Pre-Register those kiddies Now!

Schedule Updates

Subs, New Classes, New Workshops, Upcoming...

SUBS:
Fsransini is gone for the month of January:
Samba Passion on Thursdays at 7:00 PM will be taught by Julia.
Latin Burlesque on Thursdays at 8:00 PM will be taught by our very own Jennie.
Carnival Dance Party on Saturdays at 2:00 PM will be taught by JP!

NEW CLASSES:
Dancing for the People with Jasmine on Sundays at 3:00 PM- Only $7!
Community Yoga with LeTania on Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00-8:00 AM- Starts 1/15.
Broadway Kids (7-10yrs) with Chelsea on Tuesdays 4:30 PM- 8 week session starts 1/15.
Ballet/Tap Combo (5-7yrs) with Kristen on Thursdays 4:00 PM- 8 week session starts 1/17.
Kids Hip Hop (7-10yrs.) with Chelsea on Fridays at 4:00 PM- 8 week session starts 1/18.

NEW WORKSHOPS:
Tap Jam Technique Workshop with David on Saturdays at 3:00 PM- 5 weeks starts 2/2.
Jazz Fusion Technique Workshop with David on Saturdays at 4:00 PM - 5 wees starts 2/2.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
Beginning Flamenco Workshop with Angelita on Sundays at 6:00 PM- beginning in February... start date coming soon.
Yoga Detox Workshop with Kumbi will be held once a month...start date coming soon.

TECHNIQUE WORKSHOPS

with David

Itching to try David's Jazz Fusion and Tap Jam classes but nervous about not knowing any technique? We have a solution for you! In an effort to integrate the absolute beginner Tap and Jazz dancer into David's high-energy Saturday classes, we are offering 5 week technical workshops in both disciplines. Even if you are currently enjoying his classes but would like more focus and practice on technique- these workshops are for you too!

Starting Saturday Feb. 2nd, David will go over Tap fundamantals at 3:00 PM, then Jazz basics at 4:00 PM. Enjoy his encouraging personality in a low stress workshop that will build not just your dance-technique, but also your dance-confidence! After completion of the 5 week workshop, you will receive a FREE regularly scheduled Tap Jam or Jazz Fusion class!

5 Weeks: Feb. 2nd-Mar. 1st (Saturdays) 3:00 PM Tap Jams Technique
4:00 PM Jazz Fusion Technique

$65 Pre-Registration ($75 when you register the day-of)
$115 Registration for BOTH workshops
Yes, it's a steal. SIGN UP NOW!

Volunteer/Work Exchange Program

Work For Your Classes

Want to dance, but low on funds? Sign up for our Volunteer/Work Exchange Program! Help us out at the studio- cleaning, filing, errands, organizing, etc. and we'll give you Free Class Passes! Every hour and half you work, you receive a Free Class Pass- good for any of our regularly scheduled classes. Email us with your availability: heartbeathouse@hotmail.com. Our studio runs smoothly only because our volunteers are so great.

Contemporary Corner

Max Richter

Every week in Jasmine's Contemporary Ballet class (Wednesdays 6:30 PM), she features new music from an indie artist playing in town- this week is Max Richter:

"there once was a tiny place in a tiny frame where no picture had taken place. it was such a tiny place that only tiny tiny dreams could make it though the tiny tiny lens of a tiny tiny eye. one day a violent wind found this picture-less frame and offered it a ride. the wind had no idea where it was going or why. all it knew was movement and empty spaces. when the wind met the frame and offered her assistance, a tiny tiny speck of light emanated from a patch of pink. the pink knew not the white, nor the light, nor the wind, nor the picture-less frame. trust. trust and motion were forever her closest friends. this wednesday night, in light of pink and trust, we dance grace and rivers to max richter's album, The Blue Notebooks...a log awaited beauty from the UK. although mr. richter is not performing in america any time soon, the bland LA music scene this week has left me only a tiny tiny hope that next week will be better." - jasmine

Contemporary Ballet:
Wednesdays 6:30 PM
Optional Warm Up 6:00 PM

Dance Events

La La La Human Step! @ UCLA's Royce Hall

Known for its high-energy, acrobatic dance and punkish cool, Montreal's most daring dance company returns with another thrilling production. Inspired by Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, Amjad audaciously deconstructs the romantic ballet and probes the schism between classical and modern dance. Expanding the limits of physical, vertiginous, and sensual movement, choreographer Édouard Lock adapts and reinvents classical sources deeply rooted in our collective memory, infusing them with rawness and fresh energy. Amjad includes nine dancers in a radiant display of demanding technique, intricate structure, and breakneck speed-often on pointe-featuring film and original live music performed by four musicians and composed by Bang on a Can's David Lang.

April 4-5 @ 8pm.
$24-$48

Promotions

New Student Promotion:New Students can try any class they want their first week for only $5/class!
Birthday Promotion:
Come dance off that birthday cake with $5 classes the week of your birthday!
Referral Promotion:
Receive 20% off a 4 Class Package when you refer a new student who buys a Class Package.