Dance Class Challenge: 11/100 - Kundalini Yoga

I went to Kundalini yoga again yesterday at Dance Garden.  I was snowed under with work for the Burlesqueland festival but I had to get off my couch and keep the discipline of going to class; there's always something that can get in the way of making it to class, and this was something I could drop for an hour or so.  The added bonus: class is free the second Saturday of every month.  The price was right, and I needed the energy that Kundalini yoga offers.

We did a different set of exercises than we did the last time I was in class.  This week really worked the pelvis, hips and legs.  It was so intense that my body froze up at a couple points and I couldn't move to do the exercises.  My hips are so sore today.  I am glad I went, but there's no way I'd be able to function in a dance class today.

In my past two classes, I realized where I have flexibility weaknesses.  My hip flexors are awesome, but I don't have the flexibility in my hamstrings to get into the splits yet.  I don't have much flexibility in my shoulders or back.  I was diagnosed as having a 15% permanent disability in my back from a car accident I had when I was sixteen.  I wonder how much of that is part of my problem.  I need to find some exercises to do at home to increase my flexibility in all these areas.

Dance Class Challenge: 10/10 - Jazz Dance

I haven't taken a proper jazz dance class in 18 years.  Evie has been recommending Bill's jazz dance class at Studio A for a while, and I finally had the opportunity to take it last night.  I really like Bill as a person and a studio owner because he's been very kind and accommodating with me when I needed to rent space for classes.

As an instructor, Bill is energetic and fun.  You can tell he loves what he does.  His warm-up stretched all the things I really needed to stretch after a week on the couch hunched over craft projects.  The across-the-floor section of the class was fun and there was no pressure to perform for the instructor.  We learned a combination, drilling it over and over without music, then adding music, increasing the speed of the beat of the songs as we continued dancing.  I left the class sweat but not winded (important for an anaerobic asthmatic like me) and bought a punch card for five classes.

Something wonderfully unique about Bill's class is that he teaches one combination each week.  On Tuesday he starts everything on the right side - warm-up, across the floor and combination.  On Thursday he starts everything on the left side.  It was a delightful mental challenge for me to start thinking with starting an entire combination on the left.

The Spread

Here's the official Burlesqueland spread.  Enjoy!

Now It's Time to Say Hello!

I'd hate for anyone in So Cal to miss this epic four-day event.  Here's the schedule of events:

• Day One: Peepshow Menagerie at Bordello, 9pm.
• Day Two: We're all going to a certain Southern California theme park.
• Day Three: Fabulous Feathers tour (free) from 1pm to 3pm in Northridge.  Naked Girls Reading at Golden Apple, 7:30pm.
• Day Four: Burleskateer choreography class at Studio A from 3pm to 5pm, $30 (rsvp to me by 3/19).  Peepshow Menagerie (different show) at Bordello, 9pm.

All in the Family

My small sister received my former costume so she can create her own version of Monkey Wrench.  I'm very excited for her.  This was my first professional burlesque number and it was a lot of fun to dance.

I also sent her the special monkey pasties I wore in last year's Beatles show at Peepshow Menagerie.  She sent me a proper photo for my blog to share.

If all goes well, she'll be performing in my hometown of Hot Springs in a few months.

Dance Class Challenge: 9/10 - Hypnotic

After a sabbatical for touring, puppy rearing and dog neutering, I finally made it to another dance class!  Part of the challenge for me is still making it to dance classes when life is busy making other plans.  I managed to make it to class tonight and hope to make it to three more classes over the weekend (fingers crossed).

Tonight's Hypnotic class was a review of the basics.  It's always nice to review the basic technique of a style.  It makes one a stronger dancer to return to the basics.  It was also a great workout.  I feel nicely stretched.

The Letter Follies: March Edition

Now only $5

Shows at 10pm and 11:30pm

Join the lovely ladies of Star Garden and the talented burlesque beauties Lavendar La Rue, Miss Angie Cakes, Miss Josie Bunnie, Red Snapper, and Scarlett Letter.

Beautiful dames, pasties optional and pole work - be ready for a wonderful and entertaining night.

 

Star Garden

6630 Lankershim Boulevard

North Hollywood, CA