When in doubt...DANCE!

When in doubt...DANCE!
www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Support LA's Hip Hop Dance Scene - J.U.I.C.E. Hip Hop Festival



Locking, Popping, House dancing, Breaking and Old School - all of these dance styles are a part of the ever-evolving Hip Hop dance culture.  Today's generation loves Hip Hop dancing due to it's appearance and popularity on television shows  like "So You Think You Can Dance," "Dancing With The Stars," "America's Got Talent," and "America's Best Dance Crew."  At YNS we offer many of these technique classes: Popping & Locking with Troy, House with Sara & Old School with Ace, as well as choreography-based Hip Hop classes that fuse contemporary Hip Hop with basic foundations and grooves.  See our complete dance schedule here.  If you love watching these shows or taking these classes at YNS, you will LOVE the J.U.I.C.E. Hip Hop Dance Festival - a Hip Hop showcase featuring ground-breaking choreography and artwork from a variety of LA's Hottest Hip Hop dancers and artists (including YNS instructors Sara VonGillern and Josh 'Ace' Ventura). 


This Saturday, October 2nd, the 3rd Annual JUICE Hip Hop Dance Festival will take over the Ford Amphitheater courtyard starting at 7pm with live DJ's, open dance cyphers, life graffiti art, raffles, food, drinks, and merchant booths.  The main show begins at 8pm in the amazing outdoor venue featuring performances by: 


Namesless
Versastyle: Next Generation
Bboy LazyLegz & Bgirl Lynx
Antics Performance
Sabela
V.ENT
Lux Aeterna
POW
L. Scatter
World Order ft. Genki Sodu & Mari
Raphael X
One Step Ahead
big tara
Instant Noodles
Syrenz [as seen on Justin Beiber's "Somebody to Love" video!]
Toquon of Soul Elevation







JUICE (Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy) is a non-profit organization that targets adjudicated and at-risk youth in inner cities. The proceeds of the show will go towards helping this organization continue to grow and keep the youth safe by providing them a home of self expression through the elements of hip-hop.







3rd ANNUAL JUICE HIP HOP DANCE FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2 

FORD AMPHITHEATER 
2580 Cahuenga Blvd


Hollywood, CA


Doors open at 6:30pm
Show starts at 8pm

Get tickets here! (large groups get a discount!)








Monday, September 27, 2010

YNS raises $1000 for Living Beyond Breast Cancer





Hot pink leggings, playful hip rolls and sassy hair whipping from side to side filled the Shimmy Studio last Friday at Your Neighborhood Studio.   In support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), YNS invited Culver City to "Boogie For the Boobies," an evening of dance dedicated to raising money for Living Beyond Breast Cancer.  With over 40 supporters in attendance, YNS raised $1000 to donate to this organization. 

YNS instructors Seda Aybay,  Brooklin Rogers, Sara VonGillern and Ginger Broussard combined their jazz, burlesque and hip hop dance styles into one groovy and uplifting routine.  Attendees strutted their stuff to the soulful sounds of Jill Scott's "Golden," an empowering and appropriate song for this particular cause...


"I'm taking my own freedom 
Putting it in my song,




Singing loud and strong,




Grooving all day long,




I'm taking my freedom 




Putting it in my stroll,




I'll be high-steppin' y'all,




Letting the joy unfold,

I'm living my life like it's Golden!"

Watch the Boogie For the Boobies routine by clicking here.



Following the class, YNS provided red and white wine along with an assortment of yummy appetizers and desserts.  All in all, the event was a huge SUCC-SASS!!  









Thank you to all who supported "Boogie For the Boobies" - dancers, instructors, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer for partnering with our event!
  
YNS can't wait to BOOGIE with you again next year!  

Friday, September 24, 2010

Dance Your Way to Your Fitness Potential!


Are you intimidated by the gym or wish to avoid the monotony of lifting weights and running on treadmills?  A dance fitness class is a great way to not only get a great cardio workout, stretch and strengthen your entire body, but it's also a way to meet new friends and learn some fun dance moves.  In one-hour dance session you can burn up to 400 calories while toning and sculpting your body into shape without even realizing it.   To ensure that you balance your exercise regime correctly, let Your Neighborhood Studio suggest a class program that will fulfill all your cardio, stretch and strengthening needs.  Get in shape, feel great and progress your dance capacity!


What Kind of YNS Member Are You?



When you walk through the front doors of the Wiggle Room or Shimmy Studio at YNS are you

a) preparing yourself for the great workout you’re about to experience?

b) looking forward to learning new choreography and proper dance technique?

Regardless of which answer fits your motivation best, YNS has both the appropriate variety and level for your dance & fitness goals. 

For maximum results, aim for 3 cardio, 2 stretch & strength, along with 2-4 dance technique classes a week.


Cardio – 3 times a week

YNS suggests…

Zumba  - Our most popular and most user-friendly class is Zumba.  This class offers easy-to-follow Latin inspired rhythms that combine aerobic interval training with spicy dance moves.  This is a highly cardiovascular class – you can burn as many calories as running on the treadmill. SEE VIDEO HERE.

Cardio Carnivale - This class is for anyone who wants to break a serious sweat.  Taught in a follow-the-leader style with lots of repetition, this class combines Afro-Cuban, hip hop and calypso styles.   The moves are fun and easy to pick up without compromising on the workout in the end. SEE VIDEO HERE. 

Cardio Ballet – Get a long, strong dancer’s body with this challenging, high-energy, low-impact workout that combines barre work and light weights for a total-body workout that tones and tightens while keeping your heart rate high for optimum fat-burning cardio. SEE VIDEO HERE

Booiaka  - Combining Latin, Hip Hop, Reggaeton and Afro-Brazilian dance styles, this class is a serious cardio workout set to fun, dance-club worthy choreography that makes you feel like you’re starring in your own video.  The emphasis is on having fun, releasing your spirit and feeling the beat, getting your heart rate up and a sweat-drenched workout is just a sweet side effectSEE VIDEO HERE.

House - House is an underground urban dance style that first appeared in Chicago but grew and evolved in the New York club scene.  It derives its movement from many different dance genres such as Jazz, Tap, African, Capoeira, Lindy Hop and even Salsa.  Sara will touch on certain house foundations such as jacking, skating, shuffling and lofting.  She will focus on footwork basics followed by a short combo and freestyle.  Bring water and wear a cozy pair of sneakers. This class is high in cardio so you can expect to work up a serious sweat! SEE VIDEO HERE.

Cardio Bollywood  - Bollywood dance is a fusion of traditional and folk dances, classical Indian dance and western influences such as jazz, hip hop, and modern.  An easy to follow dance class that will have you sweating as much as smiling! SEE VIDEO HERE.

Hip Hop - All of our Hip Hop classes are great for cardio exercise.  High-energy warm-ups followed by contemporary hip hop choreography combinations will get your heart pumping for the entire hour.  We have 9 different classes a week to choose from.


Stretch & Strength – 2 times a week

YNS suggests…

Ballet – Basic Ballet technique including basic barre exercises and centre work, with an emphasis on placement, turnout, strength-building, balance and some jumps.  SEE VIDEO HERE.

Yoga Flow – Combining breathing & meditation exercises as well as holds in certain poses, yoga not only increases the range of motion in joints, but it also enables you to develop your flexibility, strength, and balance.  

Yoga Booty Ballet - This upbeat hybrid workout combines meditation, fun cardio dance and strength training for an uplifting workout that covers all your bases, leaving mind and body refreshed and invigorated. SEE VIDEO HERE.

Stretch & Strength - This class involves dance, yoga and pilates based exercises. It is a low to medium impact workout designed to elongate your muscles and achieve the dancers body you've always wanted without the hassle of learning choreography. This class will stretch you out, sculpt you up, and firm those places that you've been trying to hide.

Jazz/Contemporary Jazz/Lyrical – These dance classes focus on core strengthening and blend jazz, modern and ballet fundamentals.  After an extensive floor stretch and core warm-up, a short combination is taught at the end of the class. SEE VIDEO HERE.

If you are interested in exhilarating your dance technique but don’t know where to start, let us guide you towards the classes that will best suit your level. 

Beginner Dance Technique classes – 2-4 times a week

YNS suggest…

Hip Hop with Wil - This cardio intensive hip hop class gives you the opportunity to learn dance styles from old school, funk, street and Afro-fusion styles...that you can take to the club, to the street... or to your living room! SEE VIDEO ABOVE.

Belly Dance Fusion - Hip movements, arm carriage and torso isolations are emphasized during this hour of energetic expression to world music.   Be ready to reconnect with an ancient part of yourself in a modern context as you shimmy, shake AND have fun!

Burlesque Ravale - This class is for any and all women who want to get in touch with their sensual side and feel sexy and confident in their own bodies. You will start with toning your core, then heating your body up with a short cardio dance routine... followed by the saucy burlesque moves... SEE VIDEO HERE.

Basic Ballet - This class welcomes both newcomers and those looking to refresh, to the art and practice of basic ballet technique.  Included are basic barre exercises and centre work, with an emphasis on placement, turnout, strength-building, balance and some jumps.  SEE VIDEO HERE.

Samba - An energizing, fun and dynamic dance work out. Learn to dance Samba with Brazilian instructor Gisella Ferreira. Classes explore the diverse dances and rhythms of Brazil. Students will learn technique in diverse dance styles such as: Samba from Rio, Samba from Bahia, Maracatu, and Orixa dances. SEE VIDEO HERE

Booiaka - Combining Latin, Hip Hop, Reggaeton and Afro-Brazilian dance styles, this class is a serious cardio workout set to fun, dance-club worthy choreography that makes you feel like you’re starring in your own video.  The emphasis is on having fun, releasing your spirit and feeling the beat getting your heart rate up and a sweat-drenched workout is just a sweet side effect. SEE VIDEO HERE.

Salsa - This salsa class is for beginners and intermediate alike. No partner is needed. The class will focus on the footwork and arm patterns of salsa. For Men you will learn the elements needed to lead woman thru arm patterns. Woman will learn all the basics needed to follow any man on the salsa dance floor.  Every one will be encouraged to add they're own styling strengths to the basic steps and as time goes on there will be an emphasis on improvisation to the music.  

Cardio Bollywood  - Bollywood dance is a fusion of traditional and folk dances, classical Indian dance and western influences such as jazz, hip hop, and modern.  An easy to follow dance class that will have you sweating as much as smiling! SEE VIDEO HERE.

Broadway - You expect to dance it up with a mixture of the classic Broadway style and contemporary musical theater. Great for all levels this class focuses on doing up-tempo favorites from musicals like Footloose, Grease, West Side Story, Chicago and lots more. SEE VIDEO HERE.

Intermediate Dance Technique classes – 2-4 times a week

YNS suggests…

Hip Hop 2 with Ginger - This class fuses fun, usually fast-paced choreography with Hip Hop, Rap and R&B music. Some hip hop experience is suggested but not required. A desire to learn is all that's necessary.  SEE VIDEO HERE.

Contemporary Fusion - Improve your jazz technique while learning choreography that ranges from Pop to Lyrical. The first half of class focuses on warm-up and conditioning while the second half is all about improving your technique and style. 

Hip Hop with Sara - This hip hop class is always switching up the styles... breaking, locking, popping, house, wacking and commercial choreography.  Her goal is to give you a give you the variety of every hip hop style so that you’re ready to show off your hip moves wherever and whenever you dance!  SEE VIDEO HERE.

Urban Hip Hop 2 with Michelle - Michele incorporates the many diverse styles of hip hop into her class, while still keeping it authentic and true to its roots. Get ready for an upbeat and energetic class that will keep you on your toes, no matter what style you're doing! (gangsta hip hop, bboyin, dancehall, booty shakin, etc!)  SEE VIDEO HERE. 

Hip Hop with Corey – This class is a fusion of original hip-hop, street funk and pop, from old school to new school!  SEE VIDEO HERE. 

Contemporary Lyrical - Work on your ballet and jazz technique while using your body to interpret music and express emotion.  Some of the dance principles she will focus on is centering, alignment, breath, gravity, contraction, release, fall and recovery, suspension, balance and off-balance, tension and relaxation, opposition and emotion. This dance style will challenge you to portray certain emotions and stories through your body, attempting to show the meaning of the music. SEE VIDEO HERE.

Contemporary Jazz - This class is focused on cardio and core strengthening through quick weight shift, use of momentum, and body alignment. The class begins with a center warm-up designed from a classical approach to dance through various exercises to find the fundamentals. After an extensive floor stretch, a short combination is taught at the end of the class.

Intermediate Ballet - This class offers basic ballet technique and practice with more emphasis on combinations at barre and in centre.  Included are standard pirouettes, allegro jump sequences and movement across the floor. SEE VIDEO HERE.

Bollywood Fusion - For those of you who want to learn more of the Bollywood choreography this is the class for you!!! Learn intricate technique fusing the worldly dance styles of Hindi Film (Bollywood), Indian Classical, Belly Dance, Latin & Ballroom, Hip-Hop and Jazz. SEE VIDEO HERE.

Contemporary Modern - This class consists of a vigorous warm-up that helps develop endurance and includes body conditioning exercises drawn from dance, yoga, & Pilates for overall strength as well as flexibility.  She teaches basic technique exercises that focus on proper body alignment, lengthening of arms, legs and feet in both the center as well as moving across the floor but does it with her own fun and “Edgy” style.   Her choreography combinations are unique and have a definite “sassy-ness” to them with strong focus on musicality!  SEE VIDEO HERE.

If you follow this program closely you can expect to see immediate progressions in your fitness and dance level.  Dance your way to your health potential!

To see YNS class schedule and class prices click here.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Boogie For the Boobies...Donate with Dance!


October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Your Neighborhood Studio is kicking off the month's festivities by donating with dance! On September 24th, YNS invites you to "Boogie for the Boobies," an evening dedicated to raising money for Living Beyond Breast Cancer.  Led by four of our sassy instructors, Seda, Brooklin, Ginger & Sara, you will learn a short routine that fuses burlesque, hip hop and jazz styles all in one.  After class, join us for wine, cheese & yummy desserts!


This fundraiser donates its proceeds to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, an organization whose mission is "to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life."  LBBC offers education and support for patients through social networking sites, at healthy living expos and conferences, as well as their Survivor's Helpline.  Learn more about this organization by clicking here: http://www.lbbc.org/


EVENT DETAILS


Friday, September 24 
8pm-10pm


Your Neighborhood Studio
3625 Hayden Ave
Culver City, CA 90232
www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com


PRICE:
$25 - class
$40 - "Boogie for the Boobies" Tank Top & class



*Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors are FREE*