Belly Dancing with Natasha

The great thing about trying new dance classes is you get to experience different styles and techniques as well as meet new teachers.  As I am jumping back on the boat, I headed to Westmount to try an Oriental dance class.  Belly dancing has been one of my favorite dances since I took basic lessons back when I was 10.  I loved the hip movements, the music as well as the discipline is requires in knowing how to properly move the body.  I have to say, my hips did not move as fluidly as they used to (lol) but it was encouraging to know that the technique still remained the same after so many years.   

This Middle Eastern dance focuses on percussive and fluid movements while incorporating shimmies, shivers and vibrations which focus on the hips and rib cage movements.  If you are looking for a dance that strengthens the spine and the abdominal muscles, this is it.  As it`s a non-impact dance which is suitable for any age helping to improve flexibility of the spine as well as proper body movement and posture.   

Natasha is a Montreal-based Oriental dance (Bellydance) teacher who specializes in teaching women of all fitness levels, ages and with or without any previous dance experience. Having worked in the education system for many years with special needs adolescents and in institutions with seniors, the remainder of her time was dedicated to fitness and dance.

Teaching oriental dance for more than 15 years, her very first Oriental dance teacher and mentor, Jalilah, continues to inspire and support her. Natasha is now dedicated full time to sharing her love of this beautiful dance with her students. Ensuring her participants are introduced to strong dance techniques, Natasha approaches teaching with humor and detailed explanations while taking into account each students’ individual strengths and abilities.

If you would like to try her classes she gives a class in NDG at the YMCA, 4335 Hampton Avenue and at Victoria Hall in Westmount, 4626 Sherbrooke West.  Contact her at natashabellydancer@gmail.com for private courses and group rates.

If you do take a class at Victoria Hall, you can always grab a ballet class while you are there: http://femmechakra.blogspot.ca/2015/02/adult-ballet-classes-with-sheila.html

My Montreal Dance and Fitness Week Oct 2015

Well it`s that time again! If you did not know, last year at this time I did a Zumba Fitness Week which I introduced the Zumba program and I choreographed some Zumba routines. I had at the time gotten certified in Ottawa and it was a way for me to get motivated as well as see what was going on within the program. There are pros and cons to every program and although I did not keep my certification, it was a great stepping stone towards seeing what was going on with dance and fitness in and around the Montreal area.

As I have been dancing ballet, jazz and tap since I was 5 and having continued learning different disciplines throughout my life, it seemed natural to write about something that I have a passion for and that I enjoy. You can read about all the classes I took on my blog under Dance and Fitness .

In April, I did my first Montreal Dance and Fitness week which I choreographed a basic ballet and a basic jazz. At the same time, I spent time taking different classes as well as interviewing some teachers about their classes, fitness and/or technique. You can view those interviews on my YouTube under Dance and Fitness Interviews. It was interesting and entertaining getting to know the teachers and programs and it helped me to try and stay motivated. Although that is not always easy for me, it has been a great experience that I hope to continue. If you do know of any classes you think I should try, don`t hesitate to contact me, I am always up to trying something new!

My idea to choreographe routines on my YouTube was to introduce basic styles of dance or fitness for those that wanted to learn a few routines. They are free for those that can`t afford classes and hopefully a few will find some of them entertaining and fun. In my Playlists on my YouTube under ``Dance Movements``, you can learn the different steps that I incorporated into the choreographies taught by some wonderful online teachers.

This week on My Montreal Dance and Fitness Week, I got together with Guylaine Maheu, Guylaine Thibeault and Sophie Protopoulos to discuss dance and fitness. I will introduce you to the dancers, you will see clips of the discussions and you will see two new basic routines I choreographed. I`m calling one a country line pop dance and the other, a fitness choreography on a soca beat. A big thanks to all the dancers for sharing their views and quickly learning and taking part in the choreographies, it was fun and a good work out.

Also, a big thanks to everyone that has taken their time whether it be for the stories I write, the interviews and/or the classes, I have learned a lot. To those that read or review My Montreal Art & Fitness, you have no idea how much I appreciate your time and support! All videos will be playing on my Facebook, Twitter and Google + pages or you can visit my YouTube and keep up to date. Hopefully you will enjoy My Montreal Dance and Fitness Week Oct 2015!

Yoga Vieux Montreal with Tanya Dawe

Last year at this time, I ventured out to try a pole dancing class at Milan Pole Dance studio in the Old Port of Montreal.  To my surprise, Yoga is now being taught at the same establishment.  Tanya Dawe is the director at YVM, Yoga Vieux Montreal and Sunday I passed by to try a Vongasa Flow class. I think it goes without saying that you should try different classes and find a teacher that you know that above all is certified, that you connect with and that you know is teaching a safe class with proper instruction.  Ask a lot of questions before you take a class and take some time to gain some insight into what class you will be taking. 

In my opinion, whether it be from ballet, martial arts and/or Yoga, etc., the bodies need to be flexible, strengthened and stretched is essential to the well being of the bodies core. Much like ballet, the next day, although sore, I could feel how much it had worked so many different muscles.  Yoga is not easy and like anything else, it takes time, dedication and discipline to profit from it.  It is not just a physical philosophy but a mental one as well. 

The great thing about trying so many different classes is the interaction with like individuals that love training, fitness and/or dance and have an all around understanding of how important proper technique and health is to the well being of the student.  You should continue to take classes when you sense that your teacher has a positive interactive energy and you feel comfortable and at ease in the environment.  For me, Tanya Dawe is one of those teachers. Her all around positive aura and easy going attitude made it enjoyable and her proper instructions helped me to focus and stay focused on the positions, the breathing and the alignment.  Knowing now that she was once a nurse working for a large pharmaceutical company and gave it up to become a Yoga instructor only enhanced my impression of her.  She has been certified for 12 years and has studied in India and Hawaii.

YVM is offering the following classes:  

Monday Morning 7:30 Gentle Yoga - A slower yoga to help your body and mind to wake up.

Beginner Flow - For beginners that have never taken a class with explanation of the steps and process of movement focusing on the balancing of the body.

Hatha Yoga - Focusing on the breathing, positioning and movement.

Core Flow and Power and Play Yoga - These are strong classes, no beginners and it focuses on the core. Sit up, planks, abdominal strengthening. Play time, hand stands and head stands, it is a louder music with light acrobatics.

Karma Yoga - Is a free class (preferably with donation) which introduces new yoga teachers with profits going to the Head and Hands organization which focuses on the physical and mental health of our community’s youth.  See more at, http://headandhands.ca/about-us/  A great cause I may add!

Vongasa Flow - This class is more dynamic focusing on postures, positions and the opening of the body.

They offer lunch hour classes for professionals and students as well as night time classes, their weekly schedule is available at http://yogavieuxmontreal.com/index.php/en/.  An added bonus, with so many Yoga classes having problems with over-crowding, the bars separate people giving everyone a comfortable space to move properly.   

Get in shape with Yoga Vieux Montreal!

Getting help with Fitness

I always admire those that have sheer determination. The ones that keep going and don`t fumble for long periods of time. The ones that motivate others and help them to obtain their goals. Someone with a toned body trains and practices what they preach. That should be your number one goal when looking for a trainer.  People that stay healthy, eat right and are motivated to help you get into shape. When you are ready to seriously start a work out program and a healthy dietary plan then I strongly recommend getting help before you waste your money. You can seriously hurt yourself more than you know. If you have no clue what you are doing, hire someone that does. It`s a little bit more expensive but in the long run, it will teach you the proper technique and the results will be faster

I try to promote fitness as best as I can because I believe that any exercise can be beneficial whether it be sports and/or dance or with equipment. Not everybody has taken dance or played a sport or even know what a gym looks like. Therefore, a personal trainer, fitness instructor and/or fitness professional can be very beneficial to help you get started and figure out what are your goals.

I am the least motivated person when it comes to fitness. I have to work really hard just to stay balanced. Dance is and always will be the only form of fitness I genuinely enjoy but that does not mean that there are not great other ways to get motivated and get back into shape. Sometimes it just takes that someone to give you that extra push or know how to make it interesting and fun. 

Coming up on My Montreal Art and Fitness are some dedicated trainers that are working at achieving those goals. Get to know them and help support Fitness in Montreal.

If you miss them coming up, you can review all the interviews on YouTube at YouTube - My Montreal Art and Fitness. You can stay up to date by subscribing. Thanks for watching!!!!

Helping to support local artists on My Montreal Art and Fitness.  Follow on FACEBOOK , TWITTER, and GOOGLE + (Click on the name to follow and for updates!)

Ethel Bruneau “Miss Swing” and “The Queen of Afro-Cuban``.

I headed to Dorval Saturday to try a tap dancing class given by Montreal legendary teacher Ethel Bruneau. Much like ballet and jazz, the technique is what makes the aspect of tap so much more difficult than other forms of fitness. Although I was a little slow to remember, it is much like riding a bike, you never forget.  The energy, the sounds and the music all coming together in harmony with the rhythm of expression.  I knew there was a reason I had loved it so much.        



Tap dance is a mixture of African drum rhythms and dance movements, English clog dance and Irish Step but it is intertwined with Swing, Lindy Hop, the Waltz and Foxtrot, amongst a few, making it a mixture of many styles and elements. In 1882, Thomas Rice added metallic soles to his shoes to add noise to his rhythmic movement and other minstrel and vaudeville actors immediately followed suit. Tap dancing spread wildly and soon became a popular form of comedy. Also emerging from the vaudeville period where the Charleston kicking dances of the chorus girls with their clacking noise on stage, the buck and wing styles of some minstrel shows and Dutch-style wooden soled shoes. Hence, tapping with a leather shoe and metal sole began to be governed by tap masters, among these, John Bubbles and ``Slap and Happy`` (Howard Daniel and Leslie Irvin). On a side note, ``soft-shoe dancing`` or ``character dancing`` is dancing without the metallic soles.

It is remarkable and ironic to think that a dance form that once started out to ridicule African-American people is now recognised internationally and praised as a milestone of success and a great representation of African-American artists. Take the time to read about the history, it is eye-opening.

Ethel Bruneau is a Montreal legend when it comes to tap dancing. Having started dancing at the age of 3, she grew up in Harlem and took classes with Mary Bruce, a famous creative inspiring teacher that taught not only Gregory Hines but great dancers such as The Nicholas Brothers, Josephine Primus and Bill Robinson. By the time she was a teenager, Ethel had danced at Carnegie Hall and had been on television across North America on The Ed Sullivan Show as a bona fide hoofer.  In 1953, at 16, she ventured to Montreal when she started working for Cab Calloway which in turn led to a working relationship with Roy Cooper, a Montreal talent agent. She recalls how busy St-Catherine street was back then.  Nightclubs boomed from St-Catherine to St-Laurent, every club had a band, shake dancer, stripper, tap dancer and/or MC.  It was the Las Vegas of North America.  She recalls thinking, ``This is amazing, I`m in another world and I`m going to stay here``.  Not only a dancer but a trained singer,  she decided Montreal was the place to be.  In 1955 she met her French Canadian husband, Henry Bruneau at the Main Café. A waiter named Red for his bright red hair, they were married at Union United Church in 1957 and had 2 children.  In 1962, performing at the Plaza Hotel, a fellow musician mentioned how great it would be if she decided to teach tap in and around the Montreal area. Hence a 60 year career began.  Having taught hundreds of children, she will forever be recognised as an icon in Montreal. She is still teaching today at 79 and says she wakes up every morning to dance and she goes to bed happy.  She received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement award because of her significant role that contributed to African-Canadian artistic culture and life in Canada.

This Sunday you can join her at the Klaxson Studio at 4055 St-Catherine West from 10:00 to 1:00 to celebrate May 25th`s National Tap Day . A remembrance created by Carol Vaughn, Nicola Daval, and Linda Christensen to remember Bill ``Bojangles`` Robinson who broke protocol and toured solo.  In the early 20the century, for African-Americans, this was rare.  A long history of dance, politics and entertainment but a remembrance that will not be forgotten.  Visit the school at https://www.facebook.com/Ethelbruneautapdancing?fref=ts or the webpage at http://tanyarivard.wix.com/ethel-bruneau for more information.

Helping to support local artists on My Montreal Art and Fitness.  Follow on FACEBOOK , TWITTER, and GOOGLE + (Click on the name to follow and for updates!)

About Fitness and Being a Better Version of Yourself

One of the biggest obstacles in my life has been my weight. For as long as I can remember I have travelled the scale from 115 pounds to 185 in the midst of 20 years. Up, down, down up, up and up, down and everything surrounding me weighing in on my bad habits and my attempts at balance. Whether it be lack of self-confidence, self-scrutiny or self-judgement, my weight has continuously determined a part of my self-worth. I could blame the media for demoralising women, blame men or even blame the metabolism of all those skinny people that can eat whatever they want and not gain anything . In that right, I could blame everyone else but myself.

Art has always played a significant role in my life. Dancing came first, then competitions, then singing, then performing, then recording, then producing, then writing. My entire life has been dedicated to being in the surrounding of very creative people. I love the Arts, creative people inspire me. For example, take a painting, it is a moment of someone`s life that is told by that person. You get to see a one second glimpse of what someone else is thinking in that moment. It`s captivating for me. Art makes me explode with creativity.

I strongly believe that motivation is one of the biggest contributions to being balanced. When I decided to start My Montreal Art and Fitness I knew that I wanted to promote Montreal artists but I also knew that it would be a challenge to keep up with the Fitness side of the idea. I`m a pretty lazy person when I get off track and any fitness requires a certain amount of dedication. I honestly don`t have enough time or money to be working out in a gym 7 days a week or taking 10 dance classes a week but I really do try and stay focused. Meeting people that are motivating and inspiring on a health level, people that teach and those that inspire me are the reasons I kept the Fitness side. At first you don`t succeed, try, try, again. Surround yourself with people that want you to succeed, learn from those that lead by example and don`t give up. I`ll learn slowly but surely and in the meantime, i`ll continue my journey to be a better version of me.

 

If ever you want to learn the choreographies, they are on my YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/femmechakra in my Playlists under ``Choreographies``.  It`s hard getting up and trying again but in the long run, once done, it really does feel great. I`m going to try and keep the choreographies going, try and add some diversity as well as some warm ups for those that are interested. These are really basic dances for people that need to get up their cardio, stretch and get slowly back into it and they are free. It`s that simple. Do the warm up, the Chacha Swing, Danse, El Merengazo and then We Want to Dance. Learn them. The steps are available on my Dance Movements if you are having trouble. Thanks to everyone that has taken the time and liked, it really is appreciated! Hope you all have a great spring (finally!!!).

Helping to support local artists on My Montreal Art and Fitness.  Follow on FACEBOOK , TWITTER, and GOOGLE + (Click on the name to follow and for updates!)

　

Montreal Dance and Fitness Week April 2015

It`s that time of the year, Montreal Dance and Fitness Week! 

In November, I did Zumba Fitness Week with guest teacher Guylaine Thibault which we introduced and discussed the Zumba Fitness program.  I also introduced a few choreographies that I created.  There was a basic Merengue, a Cha-cha swing which introduced the rhythm of the Cha-cha step and a fitness choreography which is a mix of basic jazz with a Latin flavor (Danse by Mia Martina Feat Dev). 

The idea behind Montreal Dance and Fitness Week is to introduce different styles of dance classes or fitness programs available to people in and around the Montreal area as well as introduce the teachers and/or founders of the programs and classes.   You will also see new choreographies that I have created which include a basic ballet and a basic jazz choreography. I also included the same choreography Danse by Mia Martina just because I think it`s a fun fitness choreography.   The idea behind the choreographies is to eventually have a full class on line of basic different styles of introductory dances.  As not everyone can afford to take classes, I`m hoping they will at least enjoy or learn some of the basics online for free.  In my Playlists on My YouTube under ``Dance Movements`` you can learn the different steps that I have incorporated into the choreography taught by some wonderful online teachers.

A huge thanks to Isabelle Lê from Milan Pole Dance Studio http://www.milanpoledance.com/, Laetitia Morel from T3 Triple Threat  http://t3triplethreat.com/montreal/ (who also participated in the choreography class) and Diya Sen, the founder of Jhoomlay Bollywood Dance Fitness http://www.jhoomlay.com/ for taking the time to discuss their classes and/or programs. 

To the dancers, Guylaine Maheu, Joanie Audré Côté and Julie Drouin, thank you for attending my choreography class.   They took the time to learn 3 choreographies and helped to support the idea of free online dancing.   I am hoping to do Montreal Dance and Fitness Week every few months and hopefully it will evolve and grow.  Please feel free to recommend classes or programs and I will definitely try to attend a class.  If you would like to be part of dance week please don`t hesitate to contact me.  Have a wonderful week and I do hope you enjoy Montreal Dance and Fitness Week on My Montreal Art and Fitness.  You can follow on the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/femmechakra , Twitter https://twitter.com/femmechakra or Goggle + at https://plus.google.com/+FemmeChakra/posts.  All the interviews and the choreographies will of course be on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/user/femmechakra.  Help support local talent!

Helping to support local artists on My Montreal Art and Fitness.  Follow on FACEBOOK , TWITTER, and GOOGLE + (Click on the name to follow and for updates!)


 

 

 

 

Adult ballet classes with Sheila Lawrence

I grew up in ballet which makes me very grateful that I learned a technique that has helped me to love and appreciate all forms of dance. I still believe today that it is fundamental as it teaches the core of movement, flexibility and precision. It is a highly technical form of dance and requires years of training to learn and master. It was not always my favorite class as I preferred music that made me bounce, jump or slide but I would not be the dancer I am today without the discipline dedication required by ballet. I returned to taking ballet classes once in a while in the last few years and I still greatly benefit from it.

Sheila Lawrence danced professionally with les Ballet Chiriaff (which is now known as Les Grands Ballets Canadian) under the direction of Ludmilla Chiriaeff whom is a legend in her own right in regards to development of Ballet in Quebec. Formally trained in Ottawa as well as in England, she is a respected ballet and jazz choreographer. She is a teacher as well as mother and grand-mother and has dedicated her life to the love of ballet and jazz dance. Having choreographed and/or taught at L`Ecole Superieure de Danse, Ballet Ouest, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, to mention a few, she has also produced, directed and choreographed two full productions presented at the Centaur Theatre. A woman of dedication and passion, she has lived dance all her life.

If you are looking at taking adult classes, she has a drop in class ($15.00) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:15 - 10:45 at 1090 Greene Avenue for intermediate to advanced dancers or you can join her at the Victoria Hall in Westmount http://westmount.org/victoria-hall-community-centre/  in the evenings for a beginner or intermediate class. If you register, classes are $12.00 per class, an exceptional price for the technique and training you will receive for this 1h30m class. It is a great way to get back into shape if you love pushing limits, technical training and appreciate classical music. I drop in periodically so feel free to let me know if you decide to take a class, I would love to see you there! (Photos courtesy of Sheila Lawrence)

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Why I left the Zumba Fitness Program

Let me begin by saying that the program itself for me has been a great experience since I first got certified in March 2014. It was a stepping stone to where I am today and I am extremely happy that I went out and did something different on my quest to get back into shape. It has led me to try different classes, create choreographies and inspired me to continue to write.

As a form of cardiovascular work out, Zumba Fitness is one of my favorites. I love Latin music and it`s fun. For those that need motivation to get back into shape, it is a great way to get moving. There are some really great recommended teachers out there that know how a class should be run and what is expected in regards to health and safety.

As someone that has been dancing since I was 5, it`s a very conflicting situation for me. On one side, you have a great work out that gets people moving versus the fact that anyone can become a Zumba Fitness instructor and teach. It is my belief that anyone that has a desire to teach any form of physical fitness or dance should have pre- requisites and/or references to teach. In my opinion, an 8 hour class to obtain a certificate is not safe enough to be teaching. That means, whether it`s me who has over 15 years of dancing technique or someone else that has never taken a fitness program or dance class, can both teach if we both pay.

Don`t get me wrong, there are many that have an abundance of technique and know how to be teaching the program but in the end, I don`t feel right about a program that allows just anyone to pay and obtain a certificate. My mother would be outraged that she paid 15 years of dance (lol). My advice still stands, get to know your instructor and find out as much as you can before taking a class.

Although I will not be teaching Zumba Fitness, I will still recommend if I can those that have significant dance or fitness training and teach Zumba. It is a fun program that get`s people exercising and that`s very important. Dancing is one of the best ways to get back into shape and anything that can make you move is a good thing.

Right now I will concentrate on taking different classes to see what is going on in Montreal and experiment with my own choreographies, we will see how that goes. Until then, I wish everyone nothing but the best and feel free to recommend classes, I am having a blast!

You can always review on YouTube my Zumba choreographies, the interview I did with Guylaine Thibault (whom is a really great instructor - https://www.facebook.com/danzajam?fref=ts) as well as why I am doing My Montreal Art & Fitness at https://www.youtube.com/user/femmechakra.

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Rage dance classes with Danielle Hubbard

The great thing about trying different classes and programs is that you get to experience physical fitness through different forms of exercises to see what works for your body as well as your goals. If you haven`t found one class in particular that you like, try a few and see what works best for you. Each instructor is different and although they may teach the same form of fitness; jazz, Zumba fitness, aerobics, etc, not all the classes will resemble each other solely based on the name. Music plays a big significant part when you are taking a dance class. Some like Latin, pop, techno, etc, it really depends on what makes you move. If you don`t enjoy the music, chances are, you won`t enjoy the dance class.

Rage dance class is an original concept given by Danielle Hubbard, who in her own right, is a very creative, talented and dedicated professional artist. It is a fast paced cardiovascular work out with a twist. Based mostly on jazz and contemporary dance, her movements are a little wild, a little crazy and albeit very demanding, a whole lot of fun. If you like 80`s music, funk, rock, even a small twist of metal, you will love her choreography and style. Incorporating stretching, jumping (bring your running shoes, the impact on the ground is harsh if you are not used to being bare foot) and a base core work out, this is an all around great class to work all parts of your body. Her energy is intense, original and addictive.

A graduate of the Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Danielle is a UDA member and has worked as a professional independent artist since 1997. With an extensive background in ballet, contemporary, arial hoop and fire dancing, she teaches at Concordia University, is an actress, vocalist and choreographer. Her gothic underground mesmerising style has lead her to perform 10 years for the EXOS performing project, 300 the movie, CQ2 in a leading role and as vocalist for Muruka, a tribal hard core metal band. On a contemporary side, she was soloist at the ballet ``Giselle``, a Danse Brouhaha production that played at Place des Arts and taught at the Shayda ballet company (Dir. Michelle Danesh). (Photo courtesy of Colombe Photographe and make up by Joffrey Dumas.)

If you are looking for a ballet/contemporary teacher she should definitely be on your list or you can try her Rage classes given downtown by contacting her at daninahubbard@gmail.com or on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Ragedanceclass.
(Photo courtesy of Bianca Black)

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Get in shape, try something new - Milan Pole Dance Studio

The other night I ventured out to try a pole dancing class in Old Montreal. Although the stigma stills exists that pole dancing is associated with stripping and strip clubs (which only started in the 60`s), it has evolved into a performance art focusing on fitness. There are many competitions yearly and it concentrates on a non-sexual form of dance incorporating acrobatics and gymnastics.

It is a lot harder than it appears. First, I wasn`t aware that the pole actually turns. The turning of the pole allows you to see the acrobatic side of the sport. I found the movements not only elegant, sensual and feminine but beautiful to watch.

I didn`t look or feel elegant (lol). To be able to lift your full body weight with your arms is extremely difficult. I wouldn`t compare this to Zumba, Aerobics or Bollywood dance, I didn`t feel the fast cardiovascular work out. What I did feel is toning, muscle strengthening, flexibility and endurance, more on the level of gymnastics, yoga or ballet. It`s about precision, applying strength and coordination. My arms, neck, lower and upper back, buttocks and upper legs can agree that this fitness works the muscles.   

I believe once you try a few basic classes and your body adjusts to strength and endurance you need, the class can be exceptionally fun. I like popular dance music so it`s great incorporating the dance side and the endurance side of the poll. Watching the teacher, Isabelle, you can see how sensual and artistic this fitness can be. With an upbeat and all around great personality, she will definetely whip you back into shape. Like any dance, sports or training, it takes dedication to reep the awards, no pain, no gain.

Located in the Old Port of Montreal (50 St-Jacques East), Milan Pole Dance Studio offers many classes ranging from a one time basic class at $30.00 ($25.00 if purchased online) to 5 classes for $95.00 (Current promotion - visit their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/milanpoledanceMTL for updates and specials). If you have ever been curious to try, the ambiance is friendly and you will find all ages and cultures enjoying this new modern version of pole dancing. I will definetely be back to try another class. You can find them at http://www.milanpoledance.com/. Photos courtesy of Emily Leclerc. 

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Work out at home with Mon Gym Virtuel

Working out is not always easy, between the holidays, the weather, children, being busy, Mon Gym Virtuel is a fantastic idea for those that lack time or prefer working out in the privacy of their own home.   

Julie Marchand is certified with the AAFA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America), teaches and is a professional instructor for Mon Gym Virtuel. With 5 children and 2 grand-children, her passion for training began with her son who took a serious interest in motocross and was in need of a trainer. This led her to be certified and commenced a journey to enhance her own life as well of those surrounding her. She believes that our own body has all the equipment needed to be well maintained through a well balanced diet and a good core work out. I asked her the other day why she got involved with Mon Gym Virtuel?

"When you believe in a concept and it touches a core part of you, you go out of your way to support the project. I started as a trainer and then became an associate within the idea."

I visited the website (only in French) and was very impressed. It's easy to register and navigate and offers a 3 day trial period if anyone if interested in trying. They offer different cardiovascular work outs such as aerobics, kick boxing for men, women and even parent/child videos. They concentrate on specific parts of the body such as the legs, arms and shoulders, the stomach, the back and many more. If you have ever been curious about meditation, they give you an insight as well as offer different yoga work outs. If you are looking at getting prepared to play sports, they cover ways to enhance your performance and endurance, they even have post and pregnancy video work outs. There are specific programs strategies for each of the videos and they post new ones on a regular basis. There are some great tips and advice on nutrition, movements and staying motivated and they let you know what level you are at when doing the videos. All in all, a great idea at a half the price you would pay at a gym. You can subscribe for $13.00 a month, $12.00 a month for 6 months or $11.00 a month for the year. 

If you enjoy exercising in the comfort of your home, prefer fitness work outs and are looking to get back into shape, this could definitely be an option for you. Visit Mon Gym Virtuel at https://www.mongymvirtuel.com/ or visit Julie Marchand Fitness on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Julie.Fitnesson for some great health and diet tips. She is very motivating and inspiring. 

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Bollywood Dance Fitness Class with Jhoomlay

As I am on a quest to get back into shape, I figure I would try something different. The term Bollywood was formed from two names, Bombay (the city now called Mumbai) and Hollywood. The dance originally started in Mumbai within the film industry and was based on Indian Classical Dance or Folk Dance from various parts of India. Today, it is a mixture of numerous styles which may include belly-dancing, kathak, western popular, modern jazz, etc.

I found the class, compared to Zumba Fitness, just as intense in regards to a good cardio work out. There is a lot of jumping and fast movements at a high pace, great if you are looking to shed some pounds. I admired the elegance of some of the movements and along side of the Indian music, you get a glimpse of the heritage of Indian dance. For me, I find the music stimulating probably due to the fact I took belly-dancing when I was young. It gives me an intense reaction to make me want to move my hips.

Diya Sen Pendyala is the founder of Jhoomlay (which means swing to the beat) Bollywood Dance Fitness. Not only is she a very talented lady, her smile and up beat personality make you feel at ease. Trying a new a class and not knowing anyone can be rather intimidating for some but she was pleasant, polite and made everyone feel welcomed.

This is a great beginner to intermediate fitness class that everyone can enjoy. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new.
You can find Jhoomlay on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jhoomlay?pnref=lhc or on the website at http://www.jhoomlay.com/home.html. Classes are downtown.   

Follow My Montreal Art and Fitness on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/femmechakra?ref=hl, Twitter https://twitter.com/femmechakra and Google + https://plus.google.com/113725386367312833455/posts

My Zumba Fitness Class

I want to begin by thanking Guylaine Thibault (Danza Jam), Sophie Protopoulos (Sophie P Fitness), Marie Francis and Niria Fernandez for trying my Zumba Fitness class. It was great to see everyone and I really appreciate that you took the time. It gave me a better insight into what I want to teach.

If you don`t know, I was certified in March in Ottawa and I have been spending some time trying to put together a class that I would like to teach. I don`t know how long it will take me as I`m really doing it to get back into shape. It`s hard getting back into fitness, I have to constantly find some kind of dance or work out that I enjoy or I begin to find other alternative methods to keep me occupied. It`s a constant battle for me and I`m not always as disciplined as I should be. Dancing has always kept me focused and interested.

Zumba week starts today and the video introduction chat of myself and Guylaine Thibault about``Zumba Fitness`` will be up tomorrow and then some of my choreographies will follow in the next few days. You can view them on my You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/user/femmechakra .  I am hoping to re-do some dance videos featuring my choreographies in the future.

Please keep in mind that the choreographies I am putting up are for people that have a background in dance and/or fitness. Some of the back moves I do can seriously harm you if you have no experience. The second chat with me and Guylaine talks a little about that. If you have no experience, I suggest (and I can recommend) you take a basic Zumba Fitness Class or find a personal trainer that can teach you basic movement, I have no desire to cause any injury.

In the meantime, you can follow My Montreal Art and Fitness under Femme Chakra on YouTube, my Facebook, Twitter and Google + pages. It`s a fun project for me and I hope you will enjoy it. A bientôt!!!

Workshop at Les Grands Ballet

I went Tuesday October 28, 2014 to a jazz class given by Les Grands Ballets. The teacher was Sebastien Couture http://www.grandsballets.com/en/about/dancers/jean-sebastien-couture/

For those that don`t know:

Technical dance is extremely difficult. The accuracy is much like that of an athlete. Every move is choreographed to intertwine with the the next which all in turn creates the masterpiece of the final result. The music blends the dancers and the moves.

I thought the class was absolutely great. It was fun, engaging and Sebastien was an excellent teacher that made the moves seem elegant, sexy and challenging. I`m not sure if he will be the one giving the choreography class on January 17, 2015 but I am hoping on being there. It was nice to see such a diverse age in a class and experience a level of dance that I have been missing. For those that have been lacking motivation but have an advanced base in dance, well worth the time and money to try it. I don`t recommend the workshop for those that have no experience in dance.

On a personal note: As I write this (2 days later), every time I get up, my body reminds me that I am no longer 20 years old..lol. Technically I loved every minute of it, now I just need my cardio to catch up with my moves. It`s going to be a long process but i`m motivated. I think some Zumba ® Fitness cardio would be more beneficial for me at the moment as I want to get back into shape. It`s not easy when your muscles hurt but it does not last long. I don`t count calories, I don`t have a scale and I don`t measure my fat, it depresses me..lol. I look to find new ways to be motivated and as I used to love to dance, I don`t see why I can`t feel that passion again.

Hope to see you there! Reserve your tickets at: http://www.grandsballets.com/en/support-us/jeunes_gouverneurs/

My Certificate for Zumba Fitness

I went to Ottawa on March 16, 2014 to obtain my Zumba Fitness Certificate. Considering that I have been dancing for most of my life, I thought it would be a great way to get back into shape with the enjoyment of teaching others. 

The Zumba Fitness concept, in my opinion, is ``having fun with high cardio repetitive movements while teaching the basic Latin dances``, it`s the new aerobics. I have been dancing merengue, salsa and bachata since I was 15 so I am inspired by the music and the rhythm. The teacher, Jaime( https://www.facebook.com/jaimefarfan2 ), was really engaging, fun and helpful with the history as well as the basic idea. He was entertaining and it helps when there is a sexy guy shaking his booty..lol.

Zumba Fitness is a great and a fun concept but my only concern is that anyone can obtain a Zumba Fitness teaching certificate. Anyone can pay, do the 8 hour class and obtain a license. Although the program does recommend having a fitness background or previous dancing experience, they do not enforce it. This means that you have to be very careful when taking classes. When doing any sort of base program for fitness, there is always risk of bodily harm. My advice is to find out as much as you can about the instructor. Ask if they have any previous training, a fitness certificate or any level of dance. Above all, if they are using the Zumba Fitness formation, they should have at least the respect to have obtained the certificate. If it`s the first time you are doing the class, find out what is best for you and don`t overdue it. This is a full cardio work out and when not prepared, it can lead to harm and injury. The best way is to find a personal trainer that can help teach you basic movements and how those movements effect your body. It`s a little more expensive but once you have the basics, the rest is just training.

It`s hard finding time to exercise but exercising and not enjoying it really does suck. For me, dancing has and always will be my choice of fitness. All instructors teach Zumba Fitness with a mix of their own style and know how. Some incorporate boxing, kick boxing, some martial art movements, etc., while others focus on dance movements incorporating other styles such as jazz, belly dancing, calypso, etc. You have to try a few classes before you find what works for you. If you love dancing, the Latin beat and rhythm, then Zumba Fitness is for you.

I am presently putting together a class but I haven`t yet started teaching. You are all more than welcome to come and try my class once it`s up and running.  Until then, I`m off to write :)