October 24, 2008

Stay healthy for the upcoming holidays!

With Halloween next week and the holidays right around the corner, now is the time to spend special attention boosting your immune system. You've probably already been sick or know several people who've gone through it- as the change of the season makes us more susceptible.

Boost the health of your body, mind, and spirit by taking some classes with us. We have more new classes to help you take care of YOU.

Come participate in a few new classes for FREE at a new time- Exotic Dance Workout on Mondays 5:30 PM on 11/3- and a new teacher Abbie and her Core Pilates on Sundays 3:00 PM on 11/2.

Fighting off the cold or flu means reducing stress- help melt the tensions of the day away with our 8:30 PM classes: Yogalates on Mondays and Slow Flow Yoga $7 on Tuesdays.

Avoid the Flu and Colds This Season

An Ayurvedic Perspective

In nature, at summer's end the leaves will invariably turn red and fall off the trees. In Ayurveda, this is an expression of the accumulated summer's heat rising up into the leaves and turning them, first red, and then dry.

In the same way the heat accumulates in. nature, it also accumulates inside of us. As the leaves dry out and fall, there are also accumulated impurities that build up in our bodies, which can predispose us to a cold or flu. Because of this accumulated heat you may notice your skin and sinuses drying out in September. Perhaps you battle with allergies or an end of summer cold.

When the sinuses dry out, the mucous membranes get irritated and produce mucus as a natural protective or allergic response. Allergies are often fought with drying agents like ephedra or antihistamines, which will dry up the mucus and remove the symptoms for a time. The cause of mucus however, is too much dryness which is only provoked by many of the drying therapies.

As the cold and dryness of winter set in, the deeper mucous membranes in the bronchioles and lungs dry out along with the sinuses, making you much more susceptible to a cold and flu.

Two things must happen to avoid this situation and avoid fall allergies and winter colds. First, the sinuses must be kept from getting too dry, and second, the heat in the body must be kept at bay with cooling summer foods and herbs from the beginning to the end of summer. When fruits like apples, pears and pomegranates come into season this fall, consume them heartily as they are harvested in the fall for the purpose of cooling the blood and providing the fiber to cleanse the colon.

In nature many of the immune stimulating and blood purifying bitter herbs are harvested in the fall also. The deer therefore will chew on the berberine-rich rhizomes of plants like Oregon grape and goldenseal to cool and clean the hot summer blood, while stimulating the immune systems for the winter months to come.

It might be difficult for some of us to eat so close to the harvest of nature. As a society we have lost much of our natural connection to nature that was very much a part of American life before we stopped growing our own food.

I believe strongly that it is a lifestyle in harmony with the cycles of nature that will provide the most protection for us against stress and the vast array of new and exotic diseases that have been recently discovered. In Ayurveda, it is understood that as the seasons change so must we. At the end of each season impurities specific to that season, build up and need to be cleansed. At the end of summer, the blood, liver and skin need to be cleansed.

Ayurveda recommends seasonal cleansing called panchakarma (five actions of purification.) They last three, five or seven days and are so luxurious that they were once reserved for the Kings and Queens of ancient times. The goal of panchakarma is to cleanse, rejuvenate and directly address the degenerative effects of stress on our bodies. These treatments were designed to access the nervous system, remove the stress and toxicity, and replace it with an experience of silence. It attempts to establish an internal hub of calm much like the eye of a hurricane, the bigger the eye, the more powerful the winds, and the more productive we can be.

Have a great Fall and Winter!

-Article by Dr. John Douillard For more info checkout LifeSpa.com

NEW CORE PILATES CLASS

Free First Class Sunday 11.2.08

Now you can enjoy a mat Pilates class on the weekend!

Come re-align, lengthen, & tone your entire body! The group of ab muscles, Pilates calls your "Core," are essential to supporting your spine, and ultimately, every movement you make. Pilates mat exercises not only strengthen the Core, but help re-educate other muscles so that they rely more on the Core. The result is stronger, more fluid,
and healthy movement. This class is fun, energizing, & challenging, but is appropriate for all levels of students.

Every Sunday
Begins 11.2.08 with a FREE class!
3:00-4:00 PM

About Abbie Rose:

In 2003, Abbie completed her Yoga teacher training at the Open Center in NYC. She has assisted Robyn Ross at the well known Kripalu Center" in Lenox, Mass. Abbie's passion for alternative health led her to
train in Reiki, Laughter Yoga, & Spiritual Response Therapy, as well as, work longside acupuncturists & chiropractors in NYC. In 2007, Abbie expanded her fitness training with a Pilates certification. She recently moved to the Los Angeles area and is so very blessed to be teaching at Heartbeat House!

Abbie will also be taking over the Monday 9AM Community Yoga starting 11.3.08.

Contemporary Ballet turns into Burlesque Ballet!

Contemporary Ballet just got a little sexier!

Why not achieve the body lines and tone from ballet while bringing out a bit of sensuality and femininity? In an effort to more accurately describe our new teachers class style, we have changed the name of our Contemporary Ballet class to Burlesque Ballet (Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 PM). This class will intertwine simple, easy ballet technique with fun, sexy burlesque combinations and choreography. Come try this fusion of styles- we think you will love it!

Burlesque Ballet
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 PM

Mecca Vazie Andrews film and stage credits include Disney's Bedtime Stories, RENT, MTV Movie Awards, Hysterica Dance Company, Commonality Dance Company, Grammy's with David LaChapelle, Sony Industrials, Vh1's Showgirl Bootcamp, and American Apparel. Mecca can been seen in the February 2008 issue of Dance Spirit with Hysterica Dance Company. Her work is spoken very highly of in Street Scene, Los Angeles Times and Arthur Magazine. Mecca was featured in the June issue of Loudmouth magazine for her performance troupe The movement MOVEMENT who were also chosen as one of 20 Finalists for the VH1 reality television show Choreographer. Mecca has choreographed for Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, Hysterica Dance Company and Syzygy Theatre Company just to name a few. She has traveled to Stuttgart, Germany with Commonality Dance Company to instruct Contemporary Jazz and perform the companies repertory and has performed extensively in Europe with Electrosoul indie band Hey Willpower. Mecca choreographed singer/songwriter Eleni Mandell's video Dis Moi and completed a collaboration with 'A Family Finds Entertainment' director Ryan Trecartin for his most recent film 'I Be Area' in which she also performs. She is currently choreographing a new play Beauty For Ashes that will premiere in November. Mecca Vazie Andrews teaches contemporary jazz at Edge Performing Arts Center, Creative Movement at Gramercy Park and Jazz 3 at Loyola Marymount University. Ready Steady Go! for more info contact meccavazie@yahoo.com

Exotic Dance Workout is Back!

Now on Mondays 5:30 PM

Due to popular demand, Exotic Dance Workout is back at a new day and time!

Join Corinne in an intense, full body workout, incorporating exotic dance, floor work, chair routines and cardio. Bring out your inner sensuality and celebrate your woman-ness! This class will explore your "exotic" side, toning your body and teaching you empowering dance moves that will make you feel confident and sexy! You might just feel inspired enough to show off your new skills for that special someone :)

*High-heels/stilletto's highly ecommended.

Mondays 5:30-6:30 PM
Starts with a FREE class 11.3.08

Corinne's love for the arts started at the young age of three when she was enrolled in ballet, jazz, hula, salsa, mambo and modern dance. With a drive to entertain, she continued performing as an actor in theater, film and television mediums. When the opportunity came up to audition as a dancer/cheerleader for the Florida Titan Semi-Pro Football team Corinne couldn't pass up the chance. She performed for the team a full season which ignited the dance fire from within. Corinne began performing in several music videos and dance clubs around Miami Beach. And later became an Exotic, Pole, Matt and Lap Dance instructor at several different studios in South Florida. "To be able to incorporate the things you love in life and do them all as a career, is the most rewarding experience. The most satisfying feeling when teaching Exotic dance is seeing the empowerment, confidence, sensuality, and self-esteem changes my clients endure."

SAMBA SECTION

Choreography, DVD, & Performances

For all you Samba lovers who take Fransini's Samba Passion (Thursdays 7:30 PM), you no longer have to worry about memorizing any of the choreography you learned in class! Fransini will conveniently put all the choreography from each week on a video on her website: www.sambabody.com. Go check it out! You will also see that her new upcoming Samba Body DVD is on sale now with a special pre-sale price. You don't want to miss it!

We will also be posting information about upcoming Samba performances with Fransini and her dancers. These girls are out in our community performing and dancing all the time. Maybe you can check them out in your neighborhood!

SCHEDULE UPDATES

Subs, New Classes, Cancelled Classes, Holidays

SUBS:
Jessica will sub Polynesian Heartbeat on Saturday 10/25 & 11/1 12:00 PM.

Lindsay will sub Community Vinyasa Flow Yoga on Tuesay 10/30 7:00 AM.

Jasmine will sub Burn 'n Firm/Cardio Dance on Thursday 10/30 6:00 PM

NEW CLASSES:
Yogalates with Rebekkah on Mondays 8:30-9:30 PM

Burlesque Ballet with Mecca on Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 PM

Slow Flow Yoga $7 with Amber on Tuesdays 8:30-9:30 PM

Core Pilates with Abbie on Sundays 3:00-4:00 PM (begins with a FREE class 11/2)

Slow Flow Yoga $7 with Abbie on Mondays 9:00-10:30 AM (begins 11/3)

Exotic Dance Workout with Corinne on Mondays 5:30-6:30 PM (begins with a FREE class 11/3)

CANCELLED CLASSES:
Spirit Dance with Esther on Sundays at 5:30 PM is cancelled.

Broadway Kids with Chelsea will hold their last class on Tuesday 11.4.08

We will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday 11/28, 11/29. We will be open with a special holiday schedule Saturday and Sunday 11/29, 11/30. We will be posting the holiday schedule online and in the studio.

SLOW FLOW YOGA
New Teacher: Amber Rothwell

A great way to end your Tuesday:

This class will connect movement with breath to encourage you to slowly lengthen your muscles and spine through supported action. You will begin with a meditation focusing on deepening and extending the breath. There will be a seated, warm-up sequence focusing on the spine, hips and shoulders, followed by a standing sequence to increase the heart rate, strengthen the arms and legs, open the hips and lengthen the spine. Eventually the class will move to the floor and you will be encouraged to use breath to ease into various parts of the body to counteract stiffness and tightness that can lead to chronic injury and pain. By the end of the class you should feel refreshed, relaxed and ready to dive back into the world.

Tuesday Nights 8:30-9:30 PM

Amber grew up in Australia, New Mexico, Brazil and Canada before finding herself in Los Angeles. Upon arrival in LA she fell in love with the historically-based, forward-looking healing power of different yogic postures, meditations and breathing techniques. She completed the Hatha and Kundalini mixed Teacher Training Program at Karuna Yoga in Los Feliz in the fall of 2007. Currently, she is expanding her yoga studies through the Yoga Therapy Rx Porgram at Loyola Marymont. She believes yoga allows her to breathe into the precious, transcendent parts of her body to allow her moments of calm, acceptance, inspiration and contentment. She is consistently awed and humbled by the gift of teaching yoga to others. She strives to provide a space for her students wherein they can breath and relax into the innate strength, stability and sacred silence that exists in their bodies and minds. Yoga aside, Amber has a degree in Art History from the University of British Columbia and she strives to read, watch, listen and tell stories as often as she can.

Volunteer/Work Exchange

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!

Community Events

Special shopping day in Atwater Village- Saturday Nov. 15th 1:00-5:00 PM:

Heartbeat House
Under the Table
Mila
Movements
Violet Willow
Woof

Come by Under the Table Store and Heartbeat House for a special linked promotion: spend $20 at Under the Table art and gift store and receive $10 off a class package at Heartbeat House.

For more information on the other store promotions in Atwater Village, goto: Movements

PRODUCT SALE- only $10!
Heartbeat House Apparel & Bags

It's a deal! It's a steal! All Heartbeat House apparel and bags are on sale now for only $10! Buy you or your friend a gift from your favorite neighborhood dance, yoga, and fitness studio!

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.

FEEDBACK and TESTIMONIALS

We appreciate any and all feedback you have about our studio, our classes, our teachers, requests, etc.

If you love our little studio and have had experienced some real fitness and fun results- please help us promote by sending us testimonials. Email or write!

Thank you!