Class Descriptions
Integrate thinking, emotion, creation, and physicality
Energizing Dance and Open Floor Movement Classes
International Folk Dancing with Louise Brill and Larry Gordon
If you like unusual rhythms and patterns, ethnic dance music, friendly people, and an informal atmosphere, these Sunday afternoon events are for you. Easier line and circle dances are taught the first hour, then intermediate dances, reviews, and open request dancing. No partner is necessary and beginners are welcome. Wear informal, comfortable clothing. The beautiful wood floor is made for dancing, so soft, clean soled shoes that have not been
worn outside are absolutely required. Bare feet are welcome.
Both teachers are experienced, friendly, dynamic workshop leaders. For questions or more info: call Louise, 540-1020 or send email to: dance@together.net
Sundays in Burlington, Vermont
Next sessions TBA:
$6 donation
Belly Dance with Sila Rood:
Experience the movement, music, and tradition of this ancient dance form. (1 Hour)
Mondays, 6:45-8:00PM
$14 single class — drop-ins and beginners welcome.
Save on classes by paying for the month - $12/class, paid at the 1st of each month. Or use your studio Take Any Class Card..
Nia Suzy Finnefrock:
Experience the movement, music, and tradition of this ancient dance form. (1 Hour)
Wednesdays, 6:45-7:45PM
$13 single class — drop-ins and beginners welcome.
Save on classes by paying for the month - $10/class, paid at the 1st of each month. Or use your studio Take Any Class Card..
Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts. It empowers people of all shapes and sizes by connecting the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Classes are taken barefoot to soul-stirring music in more than 45 countries. Every experience can be adapted to individual needs and abilities. Nia draws from Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, jazz dance, modern dance, Duncan dance, yoga, Alexander Technique and Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais.
Classical Lines: Ballet Basics Prepare. It is the first word we hear in every ballet exercise... Experience elegance, personal growth and fun while shaping, toning, and aligning your body to move with ease and grace. One of the best ways to condition the body and perfect for beginning-level students, our classes draw upon the wisdom, traditions, and the feeling of inner beauty of classical dance for good health and a balanced physique.
Foundations of Non-verbal Literacy:
Everyone 'understands' body language — here is a place to explore how to speak more clearly... how to listen to what your body is telling you, how one might better 'know thyself'. Come to class and learn about meaning and self expression for the creative tools, strength, alignment, and endurance to move with meaning, elegance, and style. Classes are taught by Lucille Dyer and include teachings of masters of movement, ballet, and expression: Pilates, Delsarte, Laban, Bartenieff, and the lineage of Bronislava Nijinska and Mr. Balanchine through her most influential ballet teacher, Sheila Rozann, for balance and harmony in the mind, heart, and body. For the most consistent personal and professional development, regular attendance is recommended, though 'drop-ins' are welcome! Every class is different. Wednesdays 5:45-7:00pm. Classes are designed for people without limiting (painful) chronic bone, joint or health concerns which might restrict full participation in a sometimes rigorous practice.
Natural Bodies Pilates
Pilates Circuit Class, Fun with variety and all the benefits every body loves! Designed the way Joe Pilates built it, this class includes Mat, Cadillac, Reformer, and Standing Weight Bearing and Coordination exercises essential for body, mind, and heart. Classes are limited to six students, so you get the attention you need to know you are doing the exercises for the most benefit! Good Health, Happy Body, Great Prices! (55-minutes)
Pilates Basics: Support muscle mass, balance, flexibility and independence with essential full body exercise for health and wellness. Learn to practice Bartenieff Fundamentals® along with seated and standing versions of muscle building Pilates exercises you can do at home. Designed for ages 50+, and everyone is invited!(55-minutes)
Pilates Mat (Open Level): The 55-Minute Mat class is a series of strength and flexibility exercises practiced on a mat - mostly lying or rolling on the back, side, or front of the body, with some standing exercise for balance and coordination. Sometimes we use stretch bands, light weights, or other portable equipment. Some of the exercises are similar to yoga or ballet stretches, and are more "movements" than "postures".
In addition to strength and flexibility the exercise relieves stress, promotes whole body health, restores awareness, and results in a general sense of well-being. These sessions include Basic, Level 1 and Intermediate Pilates Exercise (or Advanced, depending on the level of the class as a whole). Though not required, private introductory sessions are available with a certified Pilates instructor prior to joining a class, and many people feel that it is very helpful, especially to learn personalized modifications ($45). (55-minutes)
Reformer 1: Deepen your body-mind connection and enhance your coordination, flexibility, and strength in this combination of Reformer, Cadillac, and Mat exercises. Advanced students find these classes to be extremely helpful as a way to refine awareness, deepen the sensitivity and connectivity, and cultivate healthy breath patterns. Please note: An average of 3 private sessions are required prior to joining Reformer classes. These sessions familiarize students with the equipment and the Classical Format Pilates sessions. (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Reformer All Level, with Lucille Dyer. Taught to the level of those attending the class, the exercises include both fundamental building blocks for deeper awareness and a relaxed inner approach, to preparations for advancing students into classes with more demanding challenges. (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Reformer 2, with Lucille Dyer. Enjoy the benefits of challenging exercises that advance strength, coordination, balance, and lung capacity. (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5 (Special 2-Session Private Package rate available to prepare for this level)
Reformer 3, with Lucille Dyer. This class will return to the schedule in May! Get ready! Challenge your whole-body endurance, mental focus, timing, efficiency, balance, and coordination with advanced exercises in Classical Pilates. (Special 2-3 Session Private Package rate available to prepare for these challenging and advanced Mat, Cadillac, and Reformer exercises). (55 minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Mat & Cadillac Combination: Challenge your strength and coordination with Classical Pilates Mat exercises combined with the 'Half-Cadillac' (tower) at the head of the Reformer. Allows greater control for some exercises, and more challenge in others. A basic familiarity with Level 1 Mat exercises and studio safety guidelines required prior to registering for this class. (55-minutes) Maximum class size: 5
Past offerings scheduled to return - let us know if you are interested in teaching or taking classes such as these!
Modern Dance Technique and Improvisation
The Modern Dance Program aims to provide a rewarding modern dance experience with dance phrases which explore movement with ease and specificity while still challenging the dancer's technical strength. Explore, define, observe and refine how you move your body. Appreciate the Language of Dance through a combination of Modern Dance warm-ups, somatic awareness practices, guided improvisation, and fundamentals of Dance Notation. Learn about the techniques of the early Modern Dancers, and apply them to the development of your personal choreographic process. Designed for ages 14 to adult, this class is fun, informative and creative, and helps to build confidence as a dancer and choreographer. (See Prices Page for 1.25 Hour Dance class)
Intermediate to advanced Modern technique
- Floor and standing warm-up, across the floor and phrase work
- Gain technical skill by learning to articulate and define specific parts of the body as well as learning to move the body as a cohesive whole
- Students are expected to have some previous modern dance experience and feel capable of keeping up with/up to the challenge of an intermediate to advanced class
Art of Relaxation with Lucille Dyer.
Start with undoing tension from bodily mis-alignment, and progress to moving freely with strength, endurance and fun! This gradual healthy movement simply feels good, encourages whole-life wellness choices, and sparks the simple enjoyment of how we are 'meant' to move - from the center. The class includes Pilates and Bartenieff Fundamentals along with standing balance and coordination practices that are the cornerstones of healthy movement. (Returns in September) (55 Minutes)
Shakti Dance with Sila Rood:
"Music makes you inexhaustible. This class starts with yoga to harness the power that simmers at our base, and explodes into dance. The mansion of creation is in our hips. Train your hips to have an unlimited axis of movement, so this desire can take on its fullest form. We will do floor work and bandhas to train proper muscle use, and practice the technique of dance steps and hip movements that have been enjoyed by women from many cultures over the ages. Integrate these movements into your everyday life. Everything from slamming the car door shut with your hips while you carry groceries, to walking with a jug of water on your head is an opportunity to express your body like a piece of art. Send joy into the body through dance." ~Sila
TangoFlow® with Cathy Salmons:
Explore the energy, sensuality and passion of Argentine Tango . . . while getting a great whole-body workout! Rhythmic, expressive, sweaty and FUN! No partner needed..
Tai Chi Foundations with Payton Swick:
About the instructor: Payton Swick has trained extensively in the Wu Style of Tai Chi Chuan and Energy Gates Qigong. He started Green Leaf Tai Chi to focus on making the underlying principles of these arts accessible and applicable to the daily activities of the casual student. He is an Energy Arts certified instructor.
Fibromyalgia Free with Lucille Dyer:
Lucille offers this Community class as a place for others with similar challenges to exercise: Bartenieff and Pilates Fundamentals, along with teachings from the Delsarte System of Expression for balance and harmony in the body, mind, and heart. This class is not designed to replace medical supervision, and a physicians clearance may be required prior to attending. Mondays in March: 11:00am-Noon
Morning Yoga for the Spine
Join Sila Rood for an exceptional start to the day by building an internal fire through Kundalini, breathing, and Vinyasa. Set your intentions and carry this heat with you throughout the day as fuel for your journey. Sila’s classes are designed to awaken the serpent spine. Support your spine through a series of exercises designed to strengthen the core and teach the body to move and undulate naturally, in its animal form. We will recognize the blockages in our energy that cause pain and stagnation. Pay close attention to our body habits and posture in a safe environment, and give love to those places in our body that we so often neglect.
Slow Yoga 50+:
Slow Yoga is a great tool for slowing down in a sped-up world and for deepening your practice. In addition to increasing strength, balance, and flexibility, it gives you time...
- to explore what feels best as you go into a pose
- to notice what’s going on in your body and make adjustments
- to allow your muscles to relax and gravity to do its work
- to find your own best expression of each pose in the moment
These classes are designed particularly for people age 50 and up, but everyone is welcome.
Most of our classes are designed for generally healthy students with no chronic bone, joint or health issues or current injuries. Private sessions designed to teach practice of safe modifications are highly recommended, and in most cases may be required for students with these concerns. Some students may be asked to provide a "Physician's Clearance" (recommendations and/or specific limitations) provided by their primary care physician or physical therapist prior to beginning any session.