Cardio Hip Hop Breakdown

Wil-son Williams leads this week's DANCE BREAKDOWN: Cardio Hip Hop.  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!


Check it out!

Cardio Hip Hop with Wil
Tuesdays and Fridays 10:30am-11:30am


About the Instructor:
Wil-son Williams is a professional dancer and dance fitness instructor.  He has formal training from acclaimed Tap and Jazz Broadway performer Maurice Hines.  Wil-son has performed at the Apollo Theater in New York, on the television show "People Talk" and at The Freedom Theater in Philedelphia.  As a student at The High School for Creative and Performing Arts in Philadelphia Wil honed and refined his skills.  This prepared him for performances with The Los Angeles Choreographers and Dancers Company, specializing in dance techniques such as African, Latin, Modern and Hip Hop.  


For more information about Wil visit www.clubzumba.com

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When in doubt...DANCE: A YNS Member's Success Story

Laura Damschen is not a dancer. She is a normal person who just simply can't live without it. This LA County Kindergarten teacher found her passion for dance just over three months ago and lost 22 pounds in the process. Her fitness success stems from the pure joy and therapy that dancing gives her and she just can't get enough.

Laura grew up in Orange County and moved to Los Angeles one year ago to work in an inner city charter school. Moving to the big city gave her more opportunities to meet a diverse group of friends, try new things and stir up her creative side as well. Like most LA residents, she signed up for a gym membership to maintain her health goals. Being a teacher in the community, she enjoyed taking the group fitness classes. However, she disliked how every class felt "like a cattle call." Laura's curiosity perked up one night when she saw a Zumba infomercial. She had heard about the Zumba fitness craze but had never seen it done or had the means of trying it before. Her friend introduced her to Your Neighborhood Studio, where she tried her first Zumba class and immediately fell in love.

"The instructors [at YNS] are so talented, interesting, caring and engaging," she said. She felt an immediate connection with the instructors and loves the fact that they not only give corrections to their students but they also give high fives! "I'm not thinking about the workout when I'm in class...my shirt may be drenched in sweat but when one song ends, I find myself thinking, what song is next...let's keep dancing!"

She began her YNS addiction with all cardio-based “follow-the-leader-style” classes, like Zumba, Cardio Hip Hop, Cardio Carnivale, Cardio Bellydance and Cardio Disco. She since has worked her way towards more choreographed dance classes like Burlesque, Cabana Cabaret and Booiaka. Although, choreography is new to her, and she doesn't nail every step, she says she leaves each class with "a new sense of accomplishment." She aspires to keep expanding her dance vocabulary and technique.

Since her first visit to YNS in March 2011, Laura has lost 22 pounds. The dance classes she takes are her sole workout on top of her Weight Watchers diet plan. She started attending 1 class a week at the studio and now attends 4-5 classes a week. Once the school year ends, she plans to spend her summer vacation dancing every day and adding new hobbies to her schedule like guitar and art/painting lessons.

Laura cannot imagine her life without dance. When she tells her friends about her new passion for dance, "they tell me I'm glowing," she said. No matter how hard or crazy her work day may be, she makes time for her dance classes. Dance is, in fact, her therapy. She further explained, "Someone made me feel bad one day and instead of turning to eating or sitting around feeling bad for myself, I came to dance at YNS." Her frustrations and worries melt away when she dances. Laura Damschen is living proof of the YNS motto: "When in doubt...DANCE!"


Do you have a similar success story? We'd love to hear more about it!

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GROOV3 Dance Breakdown

Ben Allen guides you through his GROOV3 class in this week's YNS Dance Breakdown.  Get ready for a high energy, dance-your-butt off cardio funk combination.  This week, Ben's class includes some old school moves as well of some of his own dance vocabulary (we especially love his "booty hey's")!  Throw on your flyest kicks, turn up your favorite jam and get ready to join the GROOV3MENT!

GROOV3 

Thursdays 7pm-8pm 

GROOV3 is a one hour, beginner-friendly cardio dance class with a LIVE DJ!  Targeting non professionals with the emphasis on important tools to healthy living - confidence, weight management and an overall sense of well-being - Ben creates easy-to-learn dance combinations for all levels to enjoy and really DANCE, SWEAT, LIVE!

To learn more about GROOV3 and their upcoming events visit:
www.dancesweatlive.com 

About Ben:
Ben has worked in film, television, live stage shows and has taught all over the world.  One of the most rewarding experiences he has to date has been teaching - motivating and inspiring others through his gift of dance has been a dream come true.  He recently started a production company called Real Dance Productions (www.realdanceproductions.com) which puts dance related events and fundraisers throughout the year and aims to unite communities and, in turn, change people's lives through dance.  You can also follow Ben on www.danceplug.com as he hosts each week's Danceplug dish, keeping you up-to-date on the latest news in the dance scene.

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