As we head into this new month and begin our 60 Day Strong Challenge it’s important to remember to set aside some time for our bodies and minds to relax. If we come out of the gate at full steam we burn out too early, and if you choose not to allow your body to rest and recover properly, at some point your body decides for you.

There are many different ways that you can allow your body and mind this rehabilitation period, I will cover a handful of the techniques that have been useful to me in the past and encourage you to take this list into consideration but also don’t be afraid to find new rituals of your own that work for you.

The first, and probably the most obvious method of rest- Sleep.

On average, adults need anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep a night! Sleep is important in improving our memory and learning as well as facilitating proper brain function while awake. Sleeping too much or too little can have a negative impact on your sleep cycle and also have an effect on your body and...

Shape Method is excited to announce our newest offering: In house Physical Therapy with Dr. Toussaint Biondi!

This collaboration has been years in the making, starting all the way back in 2010 when Jennifer hired Toussaint as her first instructor while Toussaint was completing her Kinesiology Degree at the University of Texas. Jennifer was quickly impressed with Toussaint's ability to grasp the intricate technique, and her natural ability to relate to clients and understand their unique concerns. This was the beginning of their longterm work relationship, and where the brainstorming of integrating Physical Therapy into the studio began.

After helping Jennifer open the first location of Shape Method, and serving as a lead instructor, Jennifer was proud to write Toussaint a letter of recommendation for her Physical Therapy Doctorate Program. Fast forward a decade, and one pandemic later, the two have reunited to bridge the gap between injury set backs (major and minor) and getting back...

Celebrate Mothers Day at Shape Method this year! All day, bring your mother or daughter to a group studio class for free or a group reformer class for 50% off! Read all about our new group reformer classes here!

Mix up your workout with our $30 reformer classes! In our small group reformer classes you’ll get a full body workout with our Pilates reformers. Experience a workout that challenges you like no other- similar principles to our barre and Pilates mat classes with the ability to add weight and resistance on top of your own bodyweight. These state of the art machines are regularly $45/class but we want you to try them all, so take advantage of $30 for the month of April. Reformer workouts are great for correcting muscle imbalances, rehabbing old and new injuries, and athletic conditioning for any level.

• We have multiple types of reformer classes so there is something for every age and goal. Click to learn more about all of our group equipment classes:
• ...

Hey friends!

I have been so excited to share with you my experience doing acupuncture and cupping therapy with Chris Goddin at Balance ATX.

Chris reached out about trying out a treatment and I was more than willing! I have heart about acupuncture before but never tried it. Now I can’t believe I waited so long! Here’s how it went:

Before going into the appointment, I filled out a long intake form about what was going on with my body. A lot of people do these kinds of therapies for specific ailments, but I was going in just to feel good. I had also read on their website that dry needling (acupuncture) can improve sports performance by “removing muscular inhibition and soft tissue adherence”. As someone that does multiple barre and pilates workouts every week, I definitely have some chronically tight spots.

Once I got to the office, I learned about how these therapies fit into the larger umbrella of...

In an effort to make your fitness experience the best it can be during the continuous changes through covid, please answer this short survey about your schedule preferences this fall. The survey can be found here and will also remain on this blog for the rest of September. Your feedback and support is greatly appreciated!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

At both of our locations we are committed to creating the safest possible studio environment for our clients. Our COVID-19 protocols are as followed and will continue until further notice:

5/13/21 Effective Immediately:

Due to the recent updates of CDC guidelines, Shape Method has made the decision to let masks be optional in all of our classes at both locations. We are confident in the safety of our decision and all of our instructors and staff are fully vaccinated.

We will continue to follow these safety protocols:

• Maintaining distance between stations
• Operating at under 100% capacity
• Hand sanitization upon entry AND exit
• EPA-approved wipes provided at all times
• High circulation and continuous air flow

You are ALWAYS welcome to wear a mask at Shape Method, and we will remain vigilant in...

Six years ago this month I took my first Dancers Shape Graceful class, and it changed my life. I know it sounds dramatic, but that first class was my first real workout after the birth of my son. I was out of shape, tired, and less connected with myself and my body than I had ever been. After 60 minutes with Emily, in a class I almost couldn’t complete, I felt I had found a place where I could regain my strength. And I did.

The accountability and community at the studio has helped me get into the best shape of my life. I feel better now than I did in my twenties when I was running marathons. I trust Jen and the whole DS team, and know when I come in, no matter which class I’m taking, I am going to get a great workout. This trust is why I joined Megan Adams Brown and a group of DS ladies last fall to curb my sugar addiction!

I found Megan’s program to be true to the DS mission; challenging, but approachable. The accountability the group provided each other was great. We all saw amazing results and supported each other during our 21 day journey. This is why...

You spoke and we listened! Starting January 6th, Dancers Shape will launch its 2020 schedule that has new Body By DS Classes, Groove & Glutes, and morning yoga times!

Here is what’s happening:

THERABAND EXPRESS

Join us in 2020 for our newest "Body by DS" creation! Experience a slow burn that will have you burning calories for hours after you are done. This 45 minute class will move between a variety of therabands and body work to chisel your entire body - just in time for Spring Break. Catch this class Monday nights at 5:45 pm.

CORE EXPRESS - PILATES MAT

A 45 minute condensed version of our original full body, power-packed Pilates fusion mat class. Work on the mat with our Pilates small props to build strength and stabilize between the pelvic and shoulder girdle - resulting in a strong and flexible...

Lisa Kobdish was the second instructor that owner Jennifer McCamish hired at Dancers Shape after opening in 2010. Lisa has worked on and off with the studio over the past 9 years while pursuing her professional dance career.

1) Lisa, tell us what you have been working on outside the studio.

Outside the studio I dance with Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Co, a professional modern dance company who presents concert dance work each season, and am an administrative organizer for Austin Dance Festival. I am also a company member with Blue Lapis Light and find myself dancing off the sides of buildings more frequently. I'm also an avid city cyclist and carry myself to and from work with my legs mostly :)

So You’re Hooked on Sugar? Here’s Exactly What To Do To Get Off It.

For more help than we can give you in a blog post, we’ve got awesome news… Dancers Shape is hosting a Sugar Detox! Nutrition Coach Megan Adams Brown is leading us to sugar freedom in 21 days. The DS Sugar Detox kicks off with our in-studio workshop on September 14. To join, email us in the studio or stop by the front desk to sign up.

It happens to the best of us. One thing leads to another and before you know it you’re hooked. I’m talking about when you have too much sugar and all of the sudden it’s back in your diet and you can’t seem to get rid of it.

This can be really frustrating when you’re trying to stick to a healthier routine. Maybe you went all week eating lots of greens, salads, smoothies… you know, healthy stuff.

Then a holiday, long weekend, or just a regular old weekend comes around, you have a little too much wine, bread, dessert (basically too much sugar)… all of it. And it’s all over.

Now all the delicious tempting things won’t stop staring...

If you love Groove & Glutes, but can't make the new Tuesday 7 pm time, or just want to go a little further and learn a full dance, then these Groove Music Video Dance Workshops are for you!

In each workshop, Rachael will take inspiration from the chosen artist's music video and break down the choreography. Expect the same cardio burn as you get in Groove & Glutes, while mastering a full dance. No dance experience required!

Come join us and spice up your fitness routine with these fun cardio dance workshops!

Each workshop costs $30/each OR buy all 4 at a discounted price of $100 ($25/each). Auto-debit clients receive a 10% discount.

Once you have purchased your desired workshop, please reserve your spot...

Here at Dancers Shape, we know exercising during pregnancy is greatly beneficial for low risk mothers. In fact, just recently I was chatting with our on staff physical therapist, Dr. Toussaint Biondi, and she shared this excellent blog that I thought our new mom’s and mom’s to be would really appreciate - Three Reasons You Should Rehab Like An Athlete After Having a Baby.

Dancers Shape has always specialized in Pre and Post Natal fitness where clients’ can grab our pre/post natal booklet and follow along in a regular class. However, while this booklet has invaluable information which is reviewed in a prenatal private, I see that the information needs to be repeated multiple times before clients truly settle into their correct breathing patterns...

After a very decadent Easter weekend chock full of cocktails, sugar, and salty treats, I can’t believe how quickly my beach vacation has snuck up on me at the end of May. Not only am I bloated around my midsection, but I am also having flare ups with my eczema and stomach woes. None of the above makes me pumped to bare my skin.

While I have a much easier time managing my fitness schedule (if I don’t move my body hurts and I feel like a million bucks after a DS class so the incentive is immediate), my struggles lie with my food choices and portion control. My favorite thing to do is grab dinner, drinks, dessert and spend time with friends and family. I mentioned this before in my Lift & Tone blog, but it warrants a second note - things feel and look different at 45 so I know I have to adjust my habits. I have had to modify the intensity of my workouts to protect my body which means I have to upgrade my food choices to stave off extra pounds and to calm my irritated skin and digestive system....

Introducing our Yoga Workshop Series!

Through the course of a single Vinyasa Yoga class, we put our bodies into positions and fluidly flow through the shapes. The teacher does their best to cue and assist you into your best form of each pose, but occasionally, subtle key actions can be missed. We also get questions from students about how they can achieve the bigger poses. And while we can answer this after class, it often takes more guidance, explanation, and experience in your own body to discover your potential in “big” poses. This is the inspiration for this workshop series.

In each session, we will take familiar poses and learn new ways to approach and even advance them. We will work with props and dig deep into the subtle actions of the body, some of which your body may be familiar with from barre & pilates! Each session will build on top of what we learn in the previous sessions, but will be beneficial on their own. These sessions will be accessible for all levels, though it will be helpful if you have...

Dancers Shape’s Open House is Saturday, March 30th from 8 am - 2 pm. Our third featured vendor is Letty Woman Medical Aesthetics. Letty Woman is offering a Dermasweep as one of our prizes throughout the day.

Q - What is your most popular service you offer and why?

A - Although my true love is skin remodeling treatments such as microneedling and microdermabrasions, lip and cheek filler appointments are my most popular service. I would say it’s most popular because of my less is more approach to cosmetic corrections and enhancements.

Dancers Shape’s Open House is Saturday, March 30th from 8 am - 2 pm. Our second featured vendor is the mouth watering Peached Tortilla. Peached Tortilla is located within walking distance to the Dancers Shape studio and will be providing small bites for our Open House!

Q: What is your most popular item on the menu and why?

A: The most popular item on our menu is definitely the Taco Trio. The trio consists of our three OG tacos, Bahn Mi, BBQ Brisket and Crunchy Fish. We started out as a food truck back in 2010 and with Austin's love for tacos these three have stuck with us as our most popular item since.

Q: What is your favorite thing about doing business in this neighborhood?

A: As a business, being able to participate as a face in neighborhood events like such is not only great for our brand but building these relationships is truly heartwarming. Seeing familiar faces whether it's seeing our neighborhood regulars walking their dogs down the street or coming in...