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...

Dancers Shape’s Open House is Saturday March 30th from 8 am - 2 pm. Over the next three weeks we will be highlight one of our local neighbors who is partnering with us for complimentary services or treats. Tune in to our blog weekly to see what makes them special!

Up first, Restoring Harmony Massage who will be providing chair massages from 10 am - 12 noon the day of our event!

Q: What is your favorite service you offer and why?

A: I would have to say my deep tissue massage is what I specialize in, so I tend to favor it more. I love this service because I understand what it means to have chronic pain or just have those knots that are continuously nagging at you, and I find with my deep tissue work I am able to work and provide some relief of those pesky knots while also providing some much needed relaxation for my clients.

In honor of everyone’s hard work during the 2019 Reset & Rebalance (R&R) Challenge, we wanted to share and highlight a few of our client’s results. See how these women (at all different ages and stages of life) added in strength, cardio, and mindfulness and felt and saw the changes in their mind and body!

Looking for more variety in your Dancers Shape classes? Check out the Pilates Small Group Equipment classes, Lift & Tone, Basic Spin, and more!

Congratulations! You made it to week 4 of the R&R Challenge. I hope each of you are feeling stronger and more balanced each day. Our last step in this challenge is to arm you with the tools necessary to stay committed to your re-balanced life. Let’s get started!

1) Aim to attend 3 - 4 classes per week. If you get more in awesome! If you get less, don’t sweat it. You have built up a solid base that will allow you the flexibility to miss more some weeks and less on other weeks depending on your schedule.

2) Try to keep the variety with strength, cardio, and mindfulness to mix things up so your body and mind do not plateau. This will also help prevent injuries by avoiding overuse of the same muscles and movements. Each week choose 1 - 2 classes from the 3 categories below. If you can get more than 1 in each category that is a bonus! But again, don’t sweat it if you do 3 of the same types of exercise for the entire week without mixing it up - the goal is simply to stay...

“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.” - Malcom Gladwell

You have made it to the last week of this challenge! Give yourself a big pat on the back for this accomplishment!

Throughout this month, we have introduced small yet effective things to add to your daily lives to help you live mindfully and healthily. Sit and reflect on how your body and mind has changed over the last few weeks. And I totally suggest writing it down so that you can see and appreciate the effects of these changes! This week, I want you to continue integrating mindfulness into your daily life with your breathing practice, your conscious writing, and your meditation.

Now I want you to think beyond this 4 week challenge. Grab your handy notebook again :) and write down what you want your life to look like 1 month from now. Write down goals, small or big. Write about your daily routine. Even write about your ideal weekly routine. Then do the same for 6 months from...

You’ve made it to week four - Congratulations are in order. Way to go!!!

That means you’ve made it over the hump and the new practices you’ve been implementing through the #RRChallenge2019 are hopefully now feeling more like regular habits.

Way to stick with it. And even if you don’t feel like you’ve been sticking with it as much as you like, just the fact that you’re here reading this post means you’re in this thing. You’re doing it, whether you like it or not. ;)

So you’ve made it four weeks (whatever that looks like for you), you’ve got yourself up and running with some new healthy livin’ momentum, now how do we keep those wheels turning so you can keep going and going with it? You can do anything for a few weeks, it’s making it last where it gets tricky.

Today I want to share with you three tips for long-term success. Each of these are key pieces in turning what you’ve started here in the #RRChallenge2019 into a lasting healthy lifestyle.

In this third week of the R&R Challenge we are focusing our efforts across the board on listening to our bodies. Our minds love to be in charge, but the body speaks to us all the time when it comes to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness. Allow yourself to hear it and learn from it.

Take it from me (an ex-professional dancer) where pain was part of the game. It took several injuries for me to realize how to listen to my body and work with its specific needs:

• Stick with the types of exercise I enjoyed and felt best in my body.

• It’s ok to modify, I don’t have to push 110% ALL of the time.

• Do not work through pain.

• Taking a day off or participating in a lower level class is not shameful. In fact, these realizations helped me stay at the top of my game.

Whether you are a fitness buff or a fitness newbie, it is completely normal for your body to fluctuate in how it feels during your workout from day to day. What felt easy one day may feel...

“Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better, it’s about befriending who we are.” – Ani Pema Chodron

Take a moment to sit and reflect...how did things go this week? Were you able to get your notebook out every day? Did you sit and observe your breath? How many times a day did you practice your breath? Did it feel overwhelming? Did being overwhelmed prevent you from doing any of it?

I want you to keep at it. Find the time of day that is best for you. Maybe it’s after dropping the kids at school, or your lunch hour, or after dinner. Spending 5-10 minutes each day practicing mindfulness is an investment in you. Remember, you are taking steps to uncover insights into your internal world. The more you discover, the more tools you are able to develop for yourself. These tools will be there to support the joy in your life.

This week we have small additions to keep you on this path:

Our bodies are constantly talking to us. Only problem is they’re speaking a different language. And whispering. And everything else out there is screaming for our attention (hello, low carb craze), drowning out that small, still voice, telling you something else. That poor little whisper doesn’t stand a chance.

This is why “listening to your body” is so much easier said than done.

Tuning into your own body is more than skill. I call it a sense, like seeing or smelling, because it’s like a survival tool for your body.

It takes some practice to hone and strengthen it. As you do though, that small, still voice gets louder and stronger. Think of it like a muscle you haven’t worked out in awhile, or that you didn’t even know was there until after a particularly challenging workout.

Identifying and maintaining this muscle is how you truly take charge of your health.

There’s not a doctor, or a test that compares to the power of...

In week 2 of R&R, we are discussing the importance of mixing it up. Lucky for you, one of Dancers Shape's basic foundations is variety. Yahoo! DS works hard at creating fresh, new, safe programming so that your body and mind don’t plateau. We believe in the importance of a well balanced exercise routine that addresses strength and cardio needs.

1) Step out of your comfort zone and try a new class.

It is completely normal to feel intimidated when trying something new. For example, I don’t typically enjoy cardio exercise (unless it is dance). Running hurts my hips/back and cardio machines at the gym are mind numbing for me. So when I was invited to a spin class I was terrified but I wanted to see what all the rage was about. I told myself, “do what you can and have an open mind - it is just a bicycle.” Within the first minute of class I thought I might have to excuse myself because my quads were burning so bad. But then I remembered, it’s just a bike, not a competition. Sit down, slow down, and experience the class. Part of the fear factor in...

“Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.” - Sylvia Boorstein

By engaging in daily mindfulness practices, we gradually develop tools that can serve us throughout our lives. For just a moment, bring to mind a difficult situation (no matter how small or big) in your life that you feel you didn’t handle with the best judgement or grace. Over time, our practice gives us tools in our tool belt to use when we inevitably encounter these situations again. Small, steady steps of mindfulness help us calibrate our internal (and external) reactions to stressors, as well as help us engage with the people and the world around us. And when we are truly engaged, we can begin to relax and enjoy our lives.

Your addition for mindfulness last week was to carry an object with you that invokes joy and to practice watching your breath 3-5...

If I had to choose one area that’s the most important thing you can do for your health and wellbeing, it’d be learning to cook and meal prep.

I know it may not sound like much fun. Maybe you’re thinking “errr, I don’t like to cook.”…

But here’s the thing, this is so much more than something you like to do or not (as if it were optional), an interest or a hobby. Cooking is a survival skill. It’s that important and essential.

Over the years as I’ve coached so many different people who’ve wanted to take charge of their health for one reason or another, no matter their “what” or “why,” with every single one we end up in the kitchen learning these basic skills.

It’s why now I always say - the path to health is through the kitchen. There’s no way around it.

And it’s why I’ve created an entire stand alone digital program to teach people the easiest, most efficient way to cook possible. It’s called...

If you have taken my class in the past then you have heard me say many times, “I am looking for the quality of your movement, not how big your range of movement is...”

I am referencing the basic principles of Pilates - master perfect form before adding in speed and/or coordination for the challenge. Everybody has specific body mechanics unique to them, so we must learn to embrace what our personal range looks like, and more importantly, what it should feel like in your body. By mastering the subtle sensation and engagement of the deepest layers of your trunk you will build a solid base to improve your range of motion and get stronger quickly.

Along with getting your 20 DS classes in, I want to challenge you to focus on how to engage your pelvic floor and transverse abdominals before adding advanced options in.

1) How to engage your pelvic floor before you begin any movement.

The pelvic floor is a layer of muscles that lies between the sitz bones and the...

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

What does being mindful mean? It simply means slowing down just enough that you are present, aware, truly experiencing everything you are doing. In our technology driven, hyper-scheduled lives, we tend towards speeding through our daily tasks and experiences without checking in with our internal reactions. This can lead to losing our original intent, and while going through the motions, we can even become unaware of the effects on our bodies and minds.

With the beginning of a new year, we are used to setting new goals and resolutions. Throughout this challenge, instead of focusing on changing ourselves to fit our new ideas, we will begin adding in new habits that will act to serve your goals. I will give you tools to check in, slow down, and allow you to process events and changes in your daily life and through this...

I believe so much of your success when it comes to making lifestyle changes that last comes down to perspective. This is something I learned for myself after years of trying to avoid the “bad” foods but only wanting them even more because they were “off limits.” It’s classic want what you can’t have. Basically, we’re all still toddlers deep down inside.

The game changer: When I started focusing and getting excited about all the foods that I CAN and should be eating. Instead of making it about “eliminating processed food” and “not eating sugar” I started appreciating whole foods and cooking more and finding the fun in trying new vegetables and learning new and interesting ways to prepare them that below myself and others away with how delicious they could be.

My personal experience has shaped my philosophy that it’s so much easier to, as I call it, “add in to crowd out.” The idea is you only focus on adding in as many whole, real foods - vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, lean protein… and you’ll naturally crowd out the not-so-healthy stuff....

SIGN UP HERE - Free R&R Challenge

We all know that the end of year hustle and bustle can produce stress and inflammation leaving you feeling depleted, bloated, injured, and ready to get back to your best self. Dancers Shape is here to help and we are excited to announce our FREE 4 week challenge for 2019 - RESET & REBALANCE (R&R) running from January 7th - February 2nd.

Dancers Shape has partnered with Certified Health Coach, Megan Adams Brown, who shares similar views on how we approach wellness. We both believe “one size doesn’t fit all” and that there should be equal focus on fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition.

For four weeks, we're going to make small changes in each area of focus - a little bit every day and every week -...

As I hit my mid 40’s I have noticed changes in my body that are new and sometimes frustrating. I wanted to switch up my routine and protect my muscle and bone mass by adding a class that used heavier weights. We all know variety is the best way to avoid plateauing and to keep yourself engaged. By staying true to the Dancers shape techniques and philosophies, which are injury prevention and variety, we created our newest class called Lift and Tone to help freshen and strengthen your routine.

Body by DS - November’s Featured Class:

LIFT & TONE

***This class requires tennis shoes.

As we age, we begin to lose bone density and muscle mass and one of the best ways to prevent this from happening is through weight lifting. We have designed this 45 minute class to target your large muscle groups as well as the small stabilizers by alternating heavy weights with barre work. This combination will improve muscle mass and bone density while not neglecting our injury prevention focus...

As we roll out our “Body by DS” program, in which we bring new and old favorite classes to our schedule for a limited time, we thought we would bring you another specialty combo class, Spin & Zen. The first half of this class will rev up your metabolism with an energetic and challenging spin section. Once we have tapped into a high caloric burn, we will move into a yoga flow designed to slow down the nervous system and lengthen your posture. We will move our spine in multiple directions, open your hips, and reset your body. Come try our New Spin & Zen class on Saturdays at 10:30am.

We're rewarding you for spreading the word about your favorite classes at Dancers Shape! Simply screenshot this image and share on your social media. Then have your friends screenshot your post (make sure it includes your name!) and bring it to the studio or email us and we'll give them a free week and you a credit on your account! How easy and fun is that?!

*Offer good for new DS clients or those who haven't been to the studio in 3 months or longer.

Calling All New Clients for the Month of May!

Dancers Shape has so much class variety that we think you need a full week to try all of our offerings. Check out our wide variety of Barre, Pilates, Yoga & Spin. Register for your free week here! (valid for new clients only) and tell your friends!

Are you a busy working professional? Do you feel there are not enough days in the week to get your work outs in? Are you interested in a class designed specifically for weight loss? Then Dancers Shape has got you covered! Come try our New Split Class: 30 minutes barre/core & 30 minutes spin.

We're excited to welcome Alex as a new Spin instructor at Dancers Shape! You will love his upbeat attitude and playlists! Find out more about him:

We're excited to welcome our newest Yoga instructor: Emily Farr! Read her full bio and come see her for Yoga this week!

We're excited to welcome our newest Spin instructor Amy to the DS Family! She's on the schedule starting now so please come by and take her class to welcome her. Read her full bio here and find out more below:

Welcome the newest face in the DS Family: Laura Merkel! Come by the studio and see her soon and say hello. Read more about her:

We're excited to be growing our Dancers Shape Family with new instructors as we get ready to open our 2nd location inside Hill Country Indoor! Today we're happy to welcome Angela Sparks. Read more about her:

We're excited to welcome the newest member of our Dancers Shape Family, instructor Hailley! Find out some more about this new face:

DS- Where are you from?

Hailley: I'm from NYC but I moved to Austin 9 years ago.

DS- What do you like to do for fun?

HS: I like going to movies, music concerts, sewing and making jewelry, playing with my cats and hanging with my friends

DS- Do you have any special talents?

HS: I am a film and commercial actress as well as a professional dancer. I also choreograph for music videos and dance live onstage with local bands.

DS- What brought you to Dancers Shape?

HS: I came to Dancers Shape because of the design of the classes and results I've seen it give the clients and instructors. I was also drawn to the Dancers Shape community as a lot of friends take and teach here.

DS- Anything else that would be fun for clients to know?

HS: I LOVE animals of all kinds! I also work for a traveling petting zoo...

We have a new exciting offering at Dancers Shape: Therapeutic Pilates with licensed Physical Therapist Toussaint Biondi. We recently chatted with Toussaint about this new offering and how it can help people like you. Read on:

We're so excited to welcome our new Burnet Rd. Studio Manager, Brittany Ignas! She moved to Austin from NYC to work at Dancers Shape and we are so happy to have her join the DS Family. Check out her bio and get to know more about her in our interview below:

The Dancers Shape community has generously raised money for both The Miracle Foundation ($350) and Little Helping Hands ($347) since the start of the year.

We continue Sunday’s Donation Meditation with a new charity for the summer. Our sessions will now benefit Kids in a New Groove.

As we ramp up our sister studio in Bee Cave we are offering Community Spin classes for $10/class. We have temporarily turned our back room into a training spin studio and are offering spin classes. Come tap it back, groove on a bike, and blast those calories!

Welcome to our newest blog series: Love Local. Here we will be featuring fellow small, locally-owned businesses in the neighborhood. We love our local Burnet Road location and supporting fellow small Austin-owned businesses.

One of the yummiest places on Burnet Road is The Peached Tortilla. Their Asian/Southern fusion is awesome for happy hour, casual dinners, brunch and now lunch. We were excited when founder Eric Silverstein took a few minutes to chat with us about this delicious eatery.

Welcome to our newest blog series: Love Local. Here we will be featuring fellow small, locally-owned businesses in the neighborhood. We love our local Burnet Road location and supporting fellow small Austin-owned businesses.

Today we're chatting with our close neighbors coffee shop Monkey Nest. We find ourselves at Monkey Nest quite often to grab a cup of joe or a quick snack between classes.

We had so much fun helping Brides of Austin model wedding dresses for their new spring issue. It’s officially wedding season so we want to remind you that we have awesome bridal specials available! You can also kick off your bachelorette party with a fun private cardio dance or barre class!

Contact us for all the details.

For our Academy Award challenge we asked participants to submit their stories and we were blown away by the responses. Today we're sharing some of our favorites. The challenge may be over but these stories will stick with us and continue to inspire. Keep up the good work everyone!

The beginning of March, brings a new charity for our Sunday Donation Meditation. This month we will be donating to Austin-based Little Helping Hands.

I am a full-time fitness and dance instructor teaching. I dance with a contemporary company and direct another company, so I am always on the go. I love it, but my schedule leaves little grace if I haven’t meal prepped the night before. I decided to try Snap meals for every dinner that took place between teaching my classes since that is the meal that always seems to get missed. It is very difficult for me to find meals that don’t leave me tired and a little nauseous when I need to eat quick and then jump back into moving so I was very interested in seeing how Snap would leave me feeling.

What can I say, it was 10’s across the board.

Snap Kitchen has become my friend for those chaotic, killer weeks-

After nearly 20 days of vacation, away from my decently balanced 2016 schedule, I've had to hit the ground running into a new 2017 work load. Between teaching barre fitness and dance cardio classes at Dancers Shape, rehearsing and/ or performing nightly in a modern dance show, cycling to and from work, and moving into a new place, I definitely had my work cut out for me last week! I felt nervous that I wouldn't be getting enough rest with such a strained schedule, and as I'd packed up most of my kitchen things for the move, I was worried about where and how I would get enough nourishing, healthy food to sustain me through the days. Luckily, Snap is just right down the road!

Change happens one step at a time. Meditation is like a seed. It starts small, it gradually grows, and it can affect change with the beauty it grows into. As our Dancers Shape community meets, one Sunday at a time, we slowly create the change within ourselves while benefiting a wonderful cause. Let’s meet our selected charity for January/February!

The Miracle Foundation is dedicated to empowering orphans to reach their full potential. Based in Austin, TX, the Foundation travels to India lend their time and generosity. They look to transform local orphanages into homes, train displaced women to become cherished mothers, and fund scholarships for education. In their own words: “....when you empower those with a lot of heart, you affect real change.”

The foundation helps create families out of those in need by bringing a group of children...

“Healthy, handmade meals for busy people.” This is the mission of Snap Kitchen, and for someone like myself this kind of service is a dream come true. I am a full-time fitness and dance instructor so healthy living is of the utmost importance to me, however at times I find it really hard to find healthy, tasty food, fast!

So I decided to spend an entire day surviving off only Snap Kitchen meals. The first benefit was immediate and obvious, I didn’t have to worry about finding the time to cook or what it was I was going to eat. Knowing that I had healthy, easy to prep food choices waiting for me in the fridge allowed me to slow down a bit both mentally and physically.

With a crazy schedule that’s different from day to day, Snap Kitchen meals take the stress out of meal planning and cooking. Very often I work late one night and work early the next day, so trying to fit in my own workouts and cooking my own meals can be quite stressful. I found that the meals from Snap were perfectly portioned and very convenient for those days when there was no time to spare. Here are some of the meals I tried:

Our modern lives move fast. Stimulus from the outside world can distract us from listening to our bodies and emotions. This can lead to ignoring signs of mental, emotional, and physical distress. By removing this outside stimulus and sitting in silence, we can observe our minds and bodies. We can once again reconnect to who we are, identify how we feel about and react to life’s pressures, and discover what we need to do to maintain a peaceful, positive attitude towards life.

The New Year is a great time to take a look at our habits and reset with a healthy mindset. After all the holiday sweets, drinks and snacks we feel like a reset is a great way to adjust our bad habits and set our 2017 nutrition goals! Here are some awesome local options to look into if you're trying to reset and start the year off right.

Biomechanics and proper form can be a mystery to many, especially when dealing with the intricacies of the Dancers Shape technique. I get many questions on what cues mean and how to apply them to different body types. At one point in the class you might have thought “Why do I not look like the instructor doing that move?” “I don’t feel anything in that exercise.” “Why does my back hurt in abs?” These are all answerable questions so I wanted to start an interactive forum to share tips and modifications for different body types and injuries. Please leave us questions and comments below and on social media if there is a topic you would like us to address. Welcome to our new “Ask The Pro” series!

As you may know we just celebrated our 6 year anniversary over the weekend. Thank you so much to everyone who joined us. If you came to this year's party or any of our anniversaries in the past you may have had the chance to sample a Bunny Muffin. These addictive sweets are made by Pam (Jennifer's mother) with love each year. Although they may not be the world's healthiest choice they are so comforting and delicious. Make these around the holidays for a cozy treat!

It's finally starting to feel cooler and we are so excited for warming and comforting fall foods. Here are some of our staff's favorite healthy seasonal recipes:

Dancers Shape knows a tight backside will help alleviate daily aches and pains but also fill you with confidence. These five exercises are full body work that will improve your posture, lift your seat, tone the triceps, define the upper back and sculpt the hamstrings in only 8 minutes. Perform each exercise daily for one minute to see results in 5 weeks.

We're so excited to add our newest class Core/Cardio to our Saturday line up. Sign up to try one this weekend!

We're so excited to add Restorative to our Saturday line up. Sign up to try one this weekend!

There are many benefits to improving your core strength - better balance and efficient movement patterns which improve overall strength for sports performance as well as injury prevention and rehabilitation of old injuries. When discussing the core, it is important to note that the core is more than just your abdominal muscles. Your core is the trunk of the body - the shoulder girdle to the hip girdle. Training the core to engage as one unit can change the way you feel and perform. Here are four exercises that can be performed in 5 minutes every day to help strengthen your core in 4 weeks. Perform each exercise for one minute.

We want to thank all the loyal faces we see so often. We are adding these new perks for all our Autodebit customers! Autodebit clients enjoy:

• 10% off retail
• 10% off privates
• 10% off workshops
• 2 free buddy passes each month (expire at end of the month)

Autodebit is $160 a month for unlimited classes & $210 for unlimited + spin. A 3 month minimum and a 30 day cancellation notice are required.

Want in? Get on autodebit today!

Summer is almost over and school is starting up. It's time to reset those healthy habits and get back into a good routine. Here are some tried and true tips to help you get back on track!

Between staying cool and keeping things interesting, cooking in the summer can get more complicated than anyone wants to deal with. With Cilantro Lime, a local meal kit delivery service providing curated meals for the Austin area, you can spend more time enjoying summer and less time worrying about getting stuck in traffic to pick up dinner. Putting a spin on the summer salad is your best bet for a quick snack or fun and entertaining dish! Refreshing, green, and light, our salads are not your average iceberg appetizer. From all over the world, these salads are anything but boring.

After my second foot surgery I felt pretty blue. I had already been relatively sedentary for the previous 3 months, and just when I was getting back on my feet I started the entire process over again on the other foot. It made me reflect that an injury is not just challenging physically, but can also do a number on your mental psyche as well. Here are a few tips I incorporated to help refuel my tank that put a smile back on my face and positive outlook on my recovery process.

If you’re reading this, you are on some kind of device- a phone, a computer, an iPad, a tablet… or some other newfangled thing that I haven’t heard of yet. And, as someone who uses technology to spread my message and build my business, I am grateful you are powered up and/or plugged in and chose to read my article. So, thank you.

But, at the same time, I am worried about you. I’m worried about all of us, really. With all of the time we spend clicking, surfing, commenting, “liking” and posting are we missing out on living our best lives? Are we letting text messages, Facebook notifications and Candy Crush be the boss of us? I know that there have been times when my iPhone has absolutely been the boss of me- dictating my mood and where I put my attention. Does this sound a little too familiar?

While it may not be realistic for most of us to live completely off of the grid, I believe it is important (and possible) to practice moderation when it comes to technology. We need to be the boss of our gadgets, not at the mercy of...

Refreshing cocktails are fantastic in the summer but some can be loaded with fat, sugar and calories! Today we're sharing some of our favorite lightened up libations of the season. Cheers!

With Fourth of July weekend coming up we thought we'd share some of our favorite snacks for summer. These are hydrating, light and delicious!

It's travel season and we love to be stylish but comfortable on long drives and plane rides. Here are some ideas on how to dress up your favorite athleisure pieces to create cute and wearable travel looks. You can find the Splits59, Lucy Activewear and FitFit pieces for sale in our studio!

When you get letters like this, it validates all the hard work that is put into owning a small business. This is why we love our jobs and adore our clients and community that has been built over the years at Dancers Shape! Thank you Amanda (and all the others) for your kind words.- Jennifer

We all love a good summer jam! Here's a list of our instructor's current favorites and a link to our spotify playlist so you can dance along with us!

I have written blogs about this topic in the past - how proud I am of my staff and what effort it requires to find the right fit. My instructors and front desk staff are intelligent, sincere, hard working and I consider them a part of my family. I am excited to announce some familiar faces that will be returning to Dancers Shape! Please welcome back Toussaint, Lisa and Alison.

Over the years, we’ve had many brides-to-be come to Dancers Shape looking for a way to get in shape and look amazing in their wedding dress. We asked one of our most recent brides, Tyler, to reflect on her experience getting ready for her big day. Here’s what she had to say:

Our workshop on Saturday, May 14 will focus on the strong standing poses in the yoga practice. Why focus on this particular group of poses instead of others? Building a strong foundation in our standing postures creates strength, stability, and confidence when looking at the other categories.

Life gets busy and we don't always have as much time as we'd like to make time to exercise. Some days you have busy mornings and evenings too! But don't worry we have some quick ideas that will help you squeeze a little workout in on your lunch break! Even a little bit of exercise will help break up your day, release endorphins and make you feel better.

Craving something sweet? Try these healthier alternatives before reaching for that cookie!

As most of you know I have some pretty severe bunions from my professional dancing days. Some of you may have seen me stuff my tennis shoes with toe garb before Groove. Or perhaps you have witnessed me in one of our cardio classes not being able to jump throughout the entire hour. Well I have finally had enough of this foot pain standing in my way of my favorite thing in the world (movement and exercise) and decided to have bunion surgery. This is how I prepped:

We could all use new ideas when it comes to quick, simple and nutritious meals. Here are a few of our instructor's favorite dinners for busy weeknights. Share your favorites in the comments!

The weather is heating up and it's the perfect time to introduce fresh new habits just in time for spring. Here are a few easy tips to spring clean your daily routine.

Bikini season is almost here so we went to a professional for some tips! Kandice Pelletier was a Radio City Rockette with Jennifer & went on to become Miss New York! She's also got her own pageant swimsuit line- Kandice Pelletier Swimwear. We asked her to share some of her favorite bikini tips with us!

In a rut with the same classes? Variety keeps things fun, fresh, and will help you avoid hitting a plateau in your workout routine. Did you know that Dancers Shape offers 13 different classes?! We have gathered some of our clients to tell you their favorite aspects of each of these classes and why they love them. Read what they have to say and let them help inspire you to try something new!

When diving into extreme sports such as marathons, triathlons and crossfit competitions, there always needs to be a cross training plan in place to help prevent injuries - before, during, and after the event. The goal is to create an efficient body so that biomechanics move smoothly and in turn, the body is able to support the optimal shock absorption position which is a neutral pelvis and spine. With the Austin Marathon right around the corner (February 14!) and many extreme sports competitions coming this spring, I’m offering my tips to stay healthy and injury free during the training process.

For marathon running, focus on strengthening the core (shoulder girdle to hip girdle), hips, and knees for best results.

‘Tis the season for holiday parties, family gatherings and work functions. With a packed social calendar, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. No need to let the stress of the holiday season leave you looking drab and run down. Try these quick and easy, no hassle, hairstyles brought to you by the DS team. No matter what the occasion, you’ll be able to celebrate in style with these fun and festive holiday hair-dos!

There is nothing like New York City this time of year to get me in the holiday spirit. The chill in the air, decadent window displays, dining at Balthazar, bubbles and cocktails at Del Frisco’s…then throw in some of the most creative and talented people in the entertainment industry (who just happen to be some of my closest friends) on opening night of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular - and whoa la, the magic happens!

The winter season presents us with shorter, colder days, and with the holiday shopping and planning, stress naturally builds. Deadlines come with the concluding of one year and to-do lists are formed with the beginning of a new one. It’s natural to fall into a winter funk and let things become chaotic. But what if we could take steps to avoid this?

The holidays are creeping up and it's time to think about buying gifts. We love supporting other local Austin businesses in our neighborhood so today we're sharing some of our favorite places to stock up. Do you have any to add? Feel free to comment- we'll use any excuse to shop!

Self-care is commonly defined as any intentional actions we take to care for our physical, mental and emotional health. Sounds great, right? Who can argue with taking care of oneself? So, if it’s as non-controversial and agreeable as momma and apple pie, why are so few of us practicing it?

We're excited to welcome the newest face to the DS family: Jennell! She's on the schedule currently teaching Shape. Come try her class and say hello.

I can’t believe it has been five years since I first opened Dancers Shape. The personal and professional growth I’ve experienced in the last five years is hard to put into words. I am beyond grateful to all who have helped me make my dream and vision a reality. In celebration of Dancers Shape’s five year anniversary, here are five things I’m thankful for in year five:

Join us in welcoming our newest DS instructor Rachael Hulse! She's currently on the schedule teaching Shape. Sign up for one of her classes and say hello!

Privates are special to me as an instructor because I get to see bodies improve. We did a quick Q&A with my private client Rebecca to see how she feels taking privates regularly. I’ve seen a huge change from the time we started working together in her quality of movement, precision, efficient movement patterns, strength and control. - Jennifer

Tired of your ponytail falling out during cardio classes? Or an uncomfortable hair tie pressing into your head as you lay down for ab work? Well, we have the solutions to keep your hair out of your face and feeling comfortable while still looking presentable and stylish after class. Here are a few super cute hairstyles for the girl on the go!

When Dancers Shape opened it’s doors 5 years ago, there was one yoga class on the schedule. Over the years interest in yoga has grown and we are excited to be adding our 4th class!

Our new class, called Recovery, draws from both the ancient practice of Yin yoga and myofascial release. It is a wonderful class to rejuvenate the body and is important to add to any workout regimen. Both disciplines explored in this class focus on the soft tissue of the body and will liberate the joints from tight muscles.

Do you look into your workout wardrobe and see some items that you haven’t worn in a while? Maybe there are some items that just don’t look quite like they used to. Here are some tips from our instructors on ways to freshen up your look and make use of those items sitting in your closet.

A single day can leave us exhausted. Yet so many of us toss and turn at night recounting the events of the day or even going through the next day’s to-do list. Our bodies and minds hold on to so much from day to day. It is important to take time for self-care. Incorporating these few yoga poses before bed will calm your nervous system and release tension to relax the body and mind, and therefore, lead to deeper, more restful sleep.

As we head into the last month of Summer, and unpack our suitcases from our final summer vacay, it’s easy to feel a little blue about those grueling fall schedules right around the corner. Why not keep the summer spirit alive for just a bit longer, and have all that vacation fun right here in our hometown? (The weather will most definitely be warm for at least another few months!) Kick those “back to school blues” with these fun warm weather staycation ideas.

We recently hit our first triple digit days of heat here in Austin and boy does it feel hot! There is certainly nothing glamorous about sweating your foundation off before a night on the town, but if you are a girly girl like me then you have no intentions of going a la naturale. Instead of completely ditching your favorite products think substitutions. Here are a few of my favorite heat proof summer products that keep me feeling great - even through the Texas summer scorchers.

We all experience mornings differently. Some of us identify with the label “morning person” and others have a very different view of those first hours of the day. However you handle mornings, some morning yoga can help you get a jump start for the day. Tuning into your breath as well as moving and stretching your body will aid in the transition from a night’s sleep to the start of your day. Here are 5 different poses that will give you a boost before that first sip of coffee and it only takes about 10 minutes!

If you're looking for a great snack to have before or after you exercise, choosing something high in protein is the way to go. Protein helps with muscle recovery, gives you energy, keeps you full, and helps to even blood sugar levels. Here are some of our favorite go-to high protein snacks!

At Dancers Shape, music is essential to keeping our classes fun and upbeat. We put together this playlist featuring our instructor’s favorite workout songs of the moment to keep you motivated – in and out of the studio:

We’ve all been there. You put off your diet and exercise routine until the last minute. Now your summer vacation is right around the corner, and you don’t feeling confident getting into that bikini! No need to panic, here are a few simple pre-vacation tips that will help you feel summer slim in no time.

If you’re like us, you want to enjoy tasty summer drinks without worrying about them ruining your diet. While those ice cold margaritas and pina coladas are yummy as can be, the sugar and calorie content can counteract all of your hard work at the barre! Here are two recommendations for the skinny way to enjoy your beverages this summer in Austin. For some more healthy cocktail recipes check out this post.

Keeping your body loose and flexible are integral parts of sports performance since lengthened muscles are less prone to injury. Not to mention staying loose helps you feel better on a daily basis and can keep stress at bay. However, natural flexibility is not something that everyone is blessed with. Some need to work daily to achieve lasting flexibility. Here are a few tips to get you started...

Over the years I have been photographed in many costumes during my time as a professional dancer at Radio City. I have also spent many hours on the other side of the camera as a make-up artist and have learned some great tips to ensure a flattering picture. This was really brought to my attention one day as I was photographing a client who won a giveaway who hates having her picture taken but was blown away with how great she looked after a few tips on how to angle her body. Since she was so happy with just a few simple tweaks I thought I would share with everyone so that you may capture the perfect pic the next time you are heading out.

We're excited to welcome our newest instructor to the Dancers Shape family. Corrie (pronounced Ca-ree) is a Longhorn alum (hook em!) and she's also got big dreams of being a Rockette! Read more about Corrie below!

Our client Paola recently gave birth to adorable twin boys! She worked out at DS before, during and after her pregnancy taking advantage of both our pre-natal private session and our new momma bounce back special. Now she's back to her pre-pregnancy weight and is working on toning her abs again through the help of classes like Core. Read her story below!

I know it’s not just me that works out better when I'm rocking some awesome designer workout wear. Maybe the Splits59 Raquel Warriors or the fun Fitfit printed leggings. You are looking super stylish but you are fearful of ruining your new prized possessions in the wash. Here are a few tips to care for your favorite workout wear to make sure they last as long as possible!

We're excited to welcome our newest instructor Kelly Sims to the Dancers Shape family. Kelly is a choreographer, performer and teacher whose life’s purpose is to inspire, teach, and lead. Growing up she was first inspired to dance by watching Michael Jackson’s music videos on MTV. She will be teaching Groove so come try her class and say hi! Read more about Kelly:

Allison started coming to Dancers Shape classes when she was 23 weeks pregnant and now that she has her baby she is taking advantage of our Bounce Back special. We offer prenatal privates for moms to be to show modifications for pregnancy. Read how our classes helped Allison during and after her pregnancy!

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? We are so lucky to be on Burnet Road close to some awesome local Austin businesses. We asked our amazing instructors to share their favorite spots close to our studio. Come take a class then get your shop, eat or drink on while you're in the area! What are some of your favorites in our 'hood?

Kayleigh & Alfire are the last of our 5 inspirational winners from our New Year New You challenge. Make sure to check the blog to see the other 3 winning stories! Kayleigh is a former dancer who has found more energy working out at DS and Alfire is a busy grad student who comes to class to destress. Read their stories below:

We picked 5 inspirational winners from our New Year New You challenge and now we're sharing their stories. Last week we shared Deena's story and this week we're featuring Suzanne. Suzanne lost an impressive 8lbs during our challenge with a lot of hard work at DS & some nutrition help from Chelsea. Now she's feeling confident and strong!

Some of you have been asking "What work are we having done to the front studio floor?" So we thought we would take this opportunity to educate our clients about our joint conscious sprung wood floor.

So what is the difference between a sprung wood floor and a regular wood floor and why do we need it for exercise? Read on for all the details.

We picked 5 inspirational winners from our New Year New You challenge and now we're sharing their stories. Last week we shared Lara's story and this week we have Deena. Deena suffers from MS but never lets that keep her down. She found mental & physical success during the challenge. Her upbeat positive attitude is contagious!

As you may remember, we picked 5 inspirational winners from our New Year New You challenge and we're taking this time to share their wonderful stories. First up is Lara Bridger, a very special client who has been battling breast cancer. Read her inpsiring story below.

With two of her children planning weddings, Valerie used DS classes to not only keep in shape but also keep her sanity. Know someone planning a wedding? Check out our bridal specials. Here's what Valerie has to say about her DS experience:

Need some help hanging in there day after day during SXSW? Have you been indulging a bit too much with cocktails and treats? Well here are some helpful hints to maintain your stamina and feel your best during this week of fun.

Have you tried Cardio Wild Card yet? It's an awesome hour-long cardio class that burns up to 700 or 800 calories! Everyone's burn is going to be different. It all depends on weight, height, age, level of conditioning and how much effort you expend during the hour. One of our clients who tracks her calories burned said that when she takes this class in the morning she burns more calories throughout the day. Now who can argue with getting your day started with a serious calorie burn that will last all day? Cardio Wild Card is a great calorie burst of cardio and you will feel so accomplished after! Plus it's way more FUN than spending an hour on a treadmill.

If you came to our New Year New You wrap party you probably sampled some of our nutritionist Chelsea's yummy (and healthy) sweets! Check out the pictures from the event here and try these recipes soon.

Read Part 1 here. Chelsea will be at our New Year New You Wrap party on 3/1 all day selling some of her favorite supplements. Stop by and say hello!

Now I’ll share with you some of the most common supplements I recommend to my clients and how you might benefit from them too:

Does your head start spinning when you stand in the supplement aisle at the grocery store? Are you inundated by friends trying to get you to buy-in to a supplement line that will “change your life”? Between all of the choices and the overload of information, you start thinking…Maybe I need this. And this. And this. And before you know it, you have an ever-growing cabinet full of supplements that you never take. With supplements, there are a few things you need to think about:

Looking to spice things up in the bedroom just in time for Valentine’s Day? Check out these three barre exercises that can make a big difference in your sex life. They will stretch and strengthen in all the right places!

These Pilates chair exercises are all about the booty, waistline and thighs. All these moves can be done in Pilates Circuit Burn, Chair Plus & in private sessions. Book now!

You probably recognize our newest instructor Allison. She's been working with us for about a year and was previously at the Front Desk before she started instructor training. Now she's teaching Shape- come try her class & welcome her! Allison is a native Austinite and is a recent University of Texas graduate with a major in Applied Learning and Development. She's been dancing since she was 4 years old and has been teaching dance through college.

As many of you know our very own instructor Mariclaire is in a pretty sweet band called MCG. Their first album is coming out next month on February 7th (go to their Release Party at the North Door!) so we thought this would be a good time to chat with Mariclaire and find out more. Buy the album on Bandcamp, or any of your other favorite online music stores.

Green smoothies are one of our favorite ways to start the day in a healthy way. If you come to the studio in the morning you're likely to see many of the instructors sipping on them. Jennifer & Carissa are sharing their favorite smoothie ingredients below- just combine everything in your blender (we LOVE Vitamix). What do you like to put in your smoothie?

We're doing something a little different for our New Year Challenge and we hope you love it. In order to look & feel your best you need to implement lifestyle changes like consistent exercise and eating right. We're here to help you kickstart that lifestyle with a two month challenge that will go from 1/1/15-3/1/15. We challenge you to take 32 classes in this time and we're also partnering with nutritionist Chelsea Blackbird for optimum results!

Sign up for the challenge by 1/10/14 by calling (512) 382-9150, emailing or stopping by the front desk. Join us for our kick off party on 1/10/14 from 8am-1:30pm to take a class, set goals, mingle, enjoy snacks from Kind & sips from Vita Coco, shop a Fitfit trunk show and meet Chelsea. At 1 pm Chelsea will speak in more detail about how she has...

Still looking for gift ideas? Here are a few of my favorite healthy things to give:

There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to decorate your home. Here are three great ways to decorate your house this season!

We're thrilled to welcome our two newest instructors to the Dancers Shape family! Sign up for one of their classes today & say hello. Read more about them below:

The holiday season is upon us, which means parties galore and plenty of reasons to dress up in sparkly numbers. A great way to make your dazzling outfit pop is to pair it with the perfect red lip, and boy do I know how to get the perfect red lip!

What better place than Dancers Shape to find out what women are dying to slip into after a long day? The owner and instructors took out some time to test some of Underwear’s favorite pieces in the studio.

After multiple classes and their own workouts we wanted to know what are their favorite items to lounge in. Check out what pieces from our store they rocked for a fun studio photo shoot and what their most prized pieces are at home.

We're thankful year-round for these awesome picks from Chelsea! If you prefer to shop locally (which we do) a lot of these are available at People's Pharmacy or Central Market.

It can feel like we are all mandated to catch the Holiday Spirit from Thanksgiving through the New Year. But, life doesn’t always work that way, does it? Even if the halls are being decked with boughs of holly, life is still happening and not everyone finds themselves filled with cheer during the holiday season. It’s not uncommon for the season to bring up feelings of loneliness, anxiety and memories of lost loved ones among other painful emotions. If the holidays are going to be difficult for you, I hope these 4 tips will help you navigate the season in a way that is healthy and authentic for you.

Here at Urban Betty Salon as fall and winter rolls around, we begin our search for new hair inspiration to update summer highlights with richer autumn hues! With the weather changing, so do our tresses, this also gives us a reason to try out new cuts. This year the bright emerald, peacock, and maroon colors that flooded the runways, along with the stacked sweater scarves and the structured jackets inspired our fall hair trends.

Congratulations to Melinda Barsales! She was our grand prize winner and will receive 1 month TOTALLY unlimited (group + equipment) from Dancers Shape, DS t-shirt and tote bag ($210 value), Full Hour Customized Facial OR Half Set of Lash Extensions from Ethree Esthetics ($95 value) & $50 gift card to Uchi!

We can hardly believe we just celebrated our 4 year anniversary! We couldn’t be more grateful for the warm welcome and support our clients have given us over the years. As a small local business it means the world to us and we look forward to serving the Austin area for many years to come! Thanks to the other Austin businesses who helped us celebrate:

• Jay from Salon Hush
• E3 Esthetics
• ...

Halloween can definitely be scary….for your body! Sugar is flying around faster than a witch on a broom. But never fear. Here are 5 ways to enjoy Healthier Halloween Treats:

(PS- check out our Pinterest board for even more healthy holiday treats)- DS

We are so inspired by our awesome client Amanda & she has continued to lose weight since we originally posted her story. In fact, she's lost 40 lbs. and 29.5 inches total in a year!!

She says: "I feel so much better after I take a DS class, and that's what has kept me motivated. I feel so much more energized, even after a long workday. I've realized that I am so much less stressed than I used to be, and I do think it's because I've been able to incorporate the classes into my everyday life. I'm in the best shape of my LIFE! I have never in my life been this fit. I feel fantastic!" Way to go Amanda!

Halloween is almost here, so to distract you from the seemingly endless supply of bite-sized candy hanging around the home and office, there’s no better time to highlight a few great things about some in-season fall foods.

Here are a few fall vegetables you’ll find on the menu at Snap Kitchen and available at your local farmers market (where you will also likely NOT find peanut butter cups).

It's hard to believe it's already been four amazing years for Dancers Shape! Our anniversary is always a great time to thank our clients with a big anniversary party & sale on October 25th! Plus this year we're doing some amazing social media giveaways too. Thank you all for being so supportive and wonderful to work with - here's to many more years!

Now that September is here we are all feeling the itch for "FALL" which means sweater weather, autumn soups, and snuggling up next to a hot fire and drinking tea. However, here in Central Texas we are still battling the higher temperatures, so maybe it's a bit early for boots and jeans, but that doesn't mean your home can't start feeling festive.

Here are some tips for bringing fall indoors:

Food and football are two of my favorite things about fall. It’s a great time for getting together with friends to celebrate. But don’t let the tailgating festivities be hard on your tailside! There are many ways to graze on fun party foods and stay healthy at the same time. Make these great options for your next football party:

Our client Juli has been through so much and we are so proud of her continued strength & success. She graciously shares her journey for us below. Read more DS rehabilitation stories here.

The days of boring, bland dorm rooms are over. There are a lot of great ways to spruce up your dorm room so it stands out from the rest! Here are some fun tips to help your style shine through in your small space.

Going to college should be an experience that you remember for the rest of your life. It is an important rite of passage in which you transition from living at home with your parents to being a self-sufficient adult. However, we know these adult decisions are hard to make when you are dealing with the all-you-can-eat buffet in the dining hall, the stress of meeting new friends and teachers, and oh yes, those dreaded FINALS! It is no wonder the pounds can creep on leaving you feeling bloated, sluggish, and unattractive during this important stage of life. You want to look back on your college pictures and remember the fun, life-experiences you had building new relationships and self-discoveries…not cringing at your freshman 15 lbs. Here are some healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine to help keep your mind and body feeling your best - inside and out.

It’s back-to-school time! As parents, we want to do everything we can to help our children succeed. There’s so much you can do to prime those little brains for optimal learning! Check out my Top 5 Back-To-School Tips to get your kids ready for a great school year:

Sitting at a desk job can zap energy quickly. Here are a few quick tips for 10 - 15 breaks that can help wake you up and keep your brain power going. Try one or two options from each category below to energize your body and mind during that mid-day slump. Add a big glass of water to the routine to give yourself an extra dose of stimulation.

All good things must come to an end... So this is my last entry to my Vacation Diary series in Ecuador. (Read Part 1 and Part 2) I hope you have had fun reading the stories and perhaps picked up a few healthy tips along the way. Parting with your vacation habits and getting back to reality is the hardest part of coming home. Here are my tips:

Just like the movie, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” my recent trip to Ecuador definitely had multiple forms of transportation. We took planes to boats to buses to taxis and back to planes again to arrive at our destinations. Every location was worth the hassle, but with so many forms of transportation you can guarantee something will go wrong at some point, leaving you stranded without food or water, and needing to relax tight and achy muscles. Here are my plan ahead tips:

Summer vacations might be one of my favorite things in life; exploring a new part of the world, escaping from the hectic day to day grind, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life with fun activities. However, as much as I love to travel and temporarily abandon the norm, I still need to keep some of my healthy and active habits intact to keep myself sane. I just got back from a fabulous vacation in Ecuador and wanted to share a few fun antidotes I incorporated on this vacation to lessen the sting when returning back to my “health reality.”

Over 40 million Americans are using some kind of online dating service. I bet you know at least one success story of a cyber-romance that ended in love and marriage. But, I’m sure you’ve also heard at least a dozen online dating horror stories. So, what’s a girl to do? Whether you are contemplating online dating or have been using it for awhile, I hope you find these tips helpful.

After moving home to Texas in 2009, Dancers Shape owner Jennifer McCamish experienced a career shock. She’d lived in New York City for 13 years and had successful careers as a Rockette and a makeup artist but was anxious to take the next step in her life. Moving to Austin to open her business meant leaving behind an extended creative family that was made up of dancers, dressers, stage managers, make-up artists, and stage hands. When she took a leap of faith and opened the doors to Dancers Shape in late October 2010, she had no idea of the familial bond she’d form with instructors, clients, and staff.

“I can honestly say this is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I have such a connection to my business because the clients and the instructors and staff are like family,” she says. “I wanted to create a friendly environment where the instructors and I could get to know our clients, and I think I’ve achieved that.”

Summer is here and its one of my favorite times of the year to spend in Austin. I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite summertime activities is to be out on Lake Austin and BBQ with friends and family. There’s also nothing better than sipping on a refreshing cocktail after a day on the water and watching a beautiful sunset. I just recently took my annual "girl's trip" to a friend's lake house and did just that with a tasty Greyhound in hand. (see recipe below)

It’s summer: What better time to look & feel your best? To help encourage you we’re doing a Summer Shape Up Challenge. This two month challenge starts July 1st and goes through August 31. Remember some of the amazing results clients had during our last challenge? Plus we have some great prizes to motivate you!

HOW TO ENTER:

• Sign up by emailing us, calling us (512) 382-9150, telling us at the front desk by July 7th.

• Take a total of 32 classes during July & August.

• At least two of your 32 classes must be group equipment classes (Beg/Int Chair, Chair Plus, or Pilates Circuit Burn). Take advantage of our BOGO offer! (found under Chair & Circuit Equipment)

• Receive a free guest pass when you complete 16 classes (half way...

Our friend and chiropractor Abby Blackburn has offered some great tips to keep your body and joints healthy through the summer months. Read her tips and take advantage of her Summer Special!

The summer heat is in full force so here are a few safety tips for your outdoor exercises to keep yourself safe and comfortable during your summer activities.

Wear Sunscreen – Even on those beautiful not so scorching days don’t forget the sunscreen. Skin can suffer damage in as little as 15 – 30 minutes. Apply sunblock 30 minutes before exercising to give it time to soak into the skin for full protection. Use a waterproof version so you don’t get any sting in the eyes as you start to sweat and reapply after heavy sweating. I would also recommend wearing a hat for extra face protection. The sun is one of the biggest culprits for wrinkles.

Stay hydrated – In the hot months extra intake of fluids is critical to having a safe and effective workout. You will most likely need more water than the old rule of 8 – 8 oz. of water a day. Drink water before and after your workout and check with your doctor on the appropriate amount of water needed during your exercise regimen.

Wear Shades –...

We introduced you to Amanda a while back and we're thrilled to share her first post in a her Women's Series!

We are so excited to welcome our newest instructor to the DS Family, Kelley Smith! Please help us in welcoming her! Here are a few fun facts about her:

1. She got married last October to her husband Riley.
2. She has a cat named Kitty.
3. She loves being outdoors. She can snowboard and has been skydiving twice!

Kelley began dancing at an early age in Odessa, Texas where she grew up studying jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, hip hop and musical theater. As a member of the Dance Elite performing group, she had the opportunity to travel and compete at several conventions including Los Angeles Dance Force, Co. Dance and Dance Magic. Her training was also enriched during the summers by attending classes at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and studying under their top instructors. Kelley served as captain of the Odessa High School Showgirls drill team and had the opportunity to perform in the 2001...

We are always impressed with our clients who are recovering from injury. In Caris’s case, she has dealt with back pain for almost half her life before Dancers Shape. We are thrilled to share her story of recovery! If you’re wondering if these workouts can help you, contact us & we’ll be happy to talk with you about working through your injuries.

What Caris had to say:

“As a pre-teen, I developed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This condition tends to progress as you grow through your teenage years. By the time I was 13, my case became severe enough to justify spinal fusion surgery to prevent my spine from becoming more crooked as I grew. The doctor did a great job of correcting the curves in my spine, but I was left with 13 of my vertebrae fused together and titanium rods holding them in place. This means I have very little spinal flexibility for bending and twisting. I am also at...

A while back we asked some of our instructors about their favorite beauty products and today we have even more picks from Carissa & Jennifer. They shared their favorite things for skin, hair and nails that keep both of them looking beautiful.

Spring is here and the golf season is upon us. Most of you know that Jennifer trains a variety of professional athletes at the studio (NFL players, Tri-Athletes, Olympic runner, competitive college swimmers) but did you know she also trains a professional golfer? Today she is sharing the benefits of Pilates along with a few exercises to help prepare you for your golf game. Book a private today to improve your golf game!

The golf swing requires power, agility and control. The golfer creates this powerful controlled swing with maximum upper body rotation against minimum lower body rotation. Golf pros refer to this coiled effect as the “X Factor”. A golf-specific Pilates program can help improve a golfer’s “X Factor” by strengthening the core and developing links to the periphery.

We want to give a big shout out to all the mom’s out there! For Mother’s Day this year we’re doing something special for you. All weekend (5/09-5/11) bring your mom or your daughter to class for FREE! What a fun way to bond! Show your daughter how strong you are or take your mom to her first Graceful class! Sign up now.

Dancers Shape encourages health in all aspects of life, including mental health! Our friend Amanda McPherson is a DS client and is passionate about helping women through her counseling services and her blog. She will be writing for us in the coming months about struggles that all women can relate to and how we can cope with common issues (like self esteem, dating, confidence and more!) Get to know Amanda here and be on the lookout for her upcoming posts!

Dancers Shape was featured in the Austin American Statesman last week with an article & video from reporter Pam LeBlanc. Jennifer has been training several NFL players during their off season using the new Pilates chairs, barre & mat Pilates techniques. This class helps the athletes strengthen their core & deep stabilizers surrounding the spine and joints to help prevent injury during their season. Brian Orakpo said “..it was one of the hardest workouts I’ve ever done.”

For Chelsea Blackbird, a certified nutritional therapist, diet is a dirty word.

“It implies a short-term goal with a sacrificial mindset. Health is an everyday, long-term goal full of delicious opportunities, and when we focus on health instead of fitting into our skinny jeans, our skinny jeans usually start fitting better by default,” she says.

However, Blackbird typically has to do some “dietary myth-busting” with clients to get them on the right health track. Here, she tackles the top-five nutrition myths that lead to common problematic mindsets.

When the clients starting pointing out how toned up Dancers Shape instructor Emily B. was looking, we decided it was time to sit and chat about how she slimmed down this past year since she’s been an instructor at Dancers Shape.

Dancers Shape: As an instructor, can you share a little bit about how you’re working your own body during a class you’re teaching so we can get a realisticidea?

Emily B.: I currently teach class about 10-11 times a week, but it’s not the same as if I were taking 10-11 classes a week. When teaching the class, instructors have to take time out to do demonstrations and then watch to make corrections so that clients are properly (and safely) doing the movements. Talking on top of demonstrating actually amps up my work load – especially in the abdominals and weight sections.

Oh, how I love sunscreen! Let me count the ways. I could go on all day, but here are just a couple:

1. Daily use helps prevent skin cancer.
2. Daily use leaves you looking younger.

Want proof? According to results of a study published last year in theAnnals of Internal Medicine, research participants who used sunscreen every day showed 24 percent less skin aging compared to individuals who applied lotion at their own discretion. And numerous scientific studies have demonstrated sunscreen’s effectiveness in preventing melanoma and other skin cancers.

We all have that one beauty product we can’t live without. Mine is sunscreen, but we’ll get to that in a future post.

I polled a few of the Dancers Shape instructors, and here are a some of their favorite, can’t-live-without items that you might find useful as well!

I will warn you in advance, this story is not super warm and fuzzy. That’s just not how I roll. But it is real and if nothing else, I hope it helps other mothers in some way—even if it is just by giving them a laugh in between changing poopy diapers.

We recently launched our March Madness Chair Plus special (5 Class Card: Limited Time 20% off AND your first class is FREE)! We have had great response with the Chair Plus class and we wanted to share what our clients are saying about it! Scroll down to see how to sign up.

“This class is great! It’s challenging and motivating and shows you precisely where your weak areas are.”

“Chair Plus is a lot of fun and breaks up challenging chair and balance sequences with more stabilized moves. I also loved the cardio mixed into it as well.”

“This class is just what I needed to get back in my workouts. I loved it!”

Have you been wondering about the Chair classes at the studio? Now is the time to try your first class out…for FREE! Chair Plus starts this Saturday so call (512-382-9150) or email (info@dancersshape.com) us to reserve your free class today. Chair Plus is scheduled Saturdays 1:15 pm, Sundays 10:30 am, Mondays 5:45 pm.

Chair Plus – 5 Class Card: Limited Time 20% OFF

During March, take advantage of this special offer of 20% off a Chair Plus – 5 Class Card! When purchasing, use PROMO CODE: ChairPlus1. It may be used online or in the studio. *Limit one per client. Purchase in the Online Store now.

The cliché you are what you eat hits especially close to home when it’s time to exercise. Failure to eat an appropriate, healthy snack before and after a workout can be disastrous. For me, if I don’t eat a snack with complex carbohydrates and protein before I hit the gym, I feel faint and shaky midway though exercise. To help others avoid such a fate, Snap Kitchen’s Registered Dietitian Andrea Hinsdale helps take the guesswork out of healthy snacking with her top five pre-workout and post-workout snacks.

Hinsdale says that in general, energy-filled snacks featuring carbohydrates like whole grains and fruit combined with protein are your best bet before and after a workout.

Many changes have been happening at the Dancers Shape studio (have you noticed the Pilates equipment?)! Dancers Shape is now offering Chair and Reformer Privates and group classes with a twist.

To celebrate the occasion, we are giving away a Private Chair or Reformer class for two! It’s our Valentine Giveaway, and it’s super easy to get yourself entered. Oh, and if you’re wondering, the loved one in your picture doesn’t have to come with you to the class if you win. Post away, ‘like’ other contestant’s photos, and enjoy time with your sweetie this weekend!

Basic Chair Workshops are starting this weekend (Feb. 15, 2014)! Get ramped up now, as you must take this workshop to master the basics OR register for the Introductory Chair Special (Found in the Online Store under Contracts and Packages) *For a limited time only you may register for the Basic Chair Workshop with your current class card, monthly unlimited or auto-debit.

Pilates is a series of non-impact exercises designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and body awareness at any age – from the professional athlete to seniors. When applied correctly, these principles lay the groundwork for conditioning the body and the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries.

Dancers Shape’s specialty is studying bodies in motion. Our focus is the detection and correction of poor movement patterns that create musculoskeletal pain and injury. Once assessed, we dig in to strengthen and retrain movement to synchronize and initiate from the core. The results are improved biomechanics, posture, flexibility, balance, coordination, muscle tone and pain free movement. We like to...

Congrats to everyone who finished the New Years Challenge! If you’re anything like me you are feeling great. I did the Holiday Challenge AND the New Years Challenge and I’m so excited to share my final results with you!

I’ve lost 15 lbs total (5 shy of my goal of 20 which I’m still working towards)!

The last 5 pounds are notorious for being the hardest to lose but I am not giving up! Hopefully in the next month or two I will be at my goal weight. Even more exciting than my weight loss is my measurements. This month I lost 1.5 inches from my waist, 1.5 inches from my hips, 1.25 inches from my thighs and ¼ inch from my arms. That makes my total loss (from Dec. & Jan.) 3.5 inches from my waist, 2 ¾ from my hips, 2 inches from my thighs, and 1 inch from my arms. I am blown away by these results! My waist hasn’t been this small since college and I have Dancers Shape to thank for whittling it!

We kicked off 2014 with our 2nd annual New Year’s Fitness Challenge at Dancers Shape with inspired ladies (and ‘gents), ready to take on the new year. It’s been so much fun playing a role in helping each one of you conquer this challenge. We wanted to share a few comments to inspire you to help keep your challenge going strong.

We know; it wasn’t a walk in the park. Hopefully our giveaways throughout the month on social media and our big fat grand prize giveaway, which included one month of unlimited classes from Dancers Shape, a $150 beauty gift from Salon Colour Bar, a Searsucker gift certificate, plus other goodies from Dancers Shape, helped you stay on track!

We are excited to announce that Taylor Nyberg is our randomly selected grand prize winner!

At Dancers Shape we are always looking to spice things up so we keep things fresh and exciting for our clients. If you haven’t heard, we have made some enhancements to our Advanced class and hope you hop in the studio to try it out.

A few changes you’ll see:

• Resistant bands have been incorporated to amp up the cardio and strength challenges for amaximum caloric burn during class which will continue for hours after.
• Gliders have been infused throughout the weight section to intensify balance and core control.
• The Pilates abs with a twist sequence willchisel your waistline and leave no muscle untouched.
• Coordinated balance challenges mixed with weight changes keep your mind active and thinking on your toes – literally

We’re hearing people say, “My whole body feels like Jello,” and “We didn’t miss one muscle.“Clients are feeling fabulous and enjoying the sculpting effects the bands have on their...

There’s just one more week left in the New Year’s challenge! How is everyone feeling? I’m feeling pretty good. I lost 1 pound this week, making my total lost – 14 lbs. so far!

I took Shape, Advanced and Yoga this week and I have 2 classes left to meet my goal of 16 in January! Now that it’s part of my routine I will probably keep going to at least 3 per week though since I certainly like the results and how my body looks and feels.

I’ve been doing a good amount of running on days when I’m not doing Dancers Shape and I’m excited to say that I think the Dancers Shape classes really help my running! My average mile time has gone down a full minute and the strength training from barre classes really helps to prevent injuries- no achy knees! This week I finally registered for a...

Winter sports enthusiasts can’t wait for the cold months to sink in so they can hit the slopes, while others are inspired to suite up after watching the winter Olympics. Either way, it is important to prep vulnerable joints like your knees before picking back up where you left off last year or giving it a go for your first time.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, MCL and ACLtears and strains are the most common amongst skiing knee injuries and “attention to preseason conditioning with an emphasis on sport specific exercises will help delay muscle fatigue which often contributes to an injury.”

Barre and Pilates based exercises are an excellent way to help condition your lower extremities pre-season because the exercises naturally create a balanced body, strong core and improved balance. The barre technique also utilizes the concept of muscle overload (working past your fatigue zone), which builds strength quicker and helps to ward off...

It’s hard to believe that this challenge is almost over (just 2 more weeks to go). I lost 1 lb. this week which is OK. I keep hearing that the last pounds are the hardest to lose so I just have to keep up my hard work and hopefully they will come off with time.

This week I met my goal of doing 5 classes! I took 2 Shape classes, 2 Power classes and Advanced. I am starting to notice that I feel stronger in class and I can stay in the positions (like chair) much longer that I used to be able to. It’s nice to feel strong!

The belt is too loose for my waist!

My boyfriend Chris & I went to a work dinner on Friday night and I was planning on wearing a dress that I bought in the fall for a wedding we attended. But when I put it on it was too big! I was really surprised and happy (even though I like that dress!). So then I...

Have you been in our back studio recently? You may have noticed the beautiful machines in the room. We are currently taking privates, duets, and trio classes now, so email us at info@dancersshape.com or give us a call to learn more! Staying true to Dancers Shape innovative style: reformer and chair classes coming soon.

The NFL guys are back and are giving them a test run. Two thumbs up from this morning!

It’s a New Year and time for a new you. The highly popular semi-annual two-day shopping event, Le Garage Sale returns to Austin January 23-25, offering access to a whole new wardrobe without breaking the bank.

New this year, Le Garage sale will host a brand new VIP pre-shop event on Thursday evening, giving eager buyers a chance purchase the goods before the weekend crowds. With deep discounts from some of your favorite local retailers carrying everything from women’s and men’s apparel & accessories to children’s wear and home goods, the selection can be overwhelming for first-timers. Not to worry, Le Garage Sale producer Suellen Young has quite a bit of experience navigating the popular semi-annual sale.

Judy Foster discovered Dancers Shape last spring and took her very first Graceful class with NFL players Brian Orakpo and Frank Okam. “I was startled to see very large and well-muscled men standing at the barre. Being in my eighth decade and standing five feet tall, I considered heading for the exit but instead hung around. Despite all that brawn, some of the moves seemed a bit hard for them,” she says.

After that first memorable class, Foster realized she needed a class that moved at a slower pace and featured more modifications. “I liked the teachers and classes but found the sessions very difficult. Being a bit competitive, I sometimes overdid it and ended up with new aches and pains,” she says. Dancers Shape owner Jennifer McCamish created the Restorative class for clients like Foster who are approaching an age bracket where they want to exercise but find it challenging due to common aging issues such as osteoporosis, arthritis and hip and knee replacements.

Hello Dancers Shape Challengers! How is everyone feeling now that we’re 2 weeks in to the New Year’s challenge? I’m feeling pretty good lately. I’m down 12 lbs and I’m nicely fitting into all my clothes again which makes me feel great. I feel more confident in how I look and that’s always nice. I’ve been blogging each week about my experience in the Dancers Shape barre challenges.

I’m also feeling more comfortable with my healthy routines. These good choices are becoming habits and I feel annoyed when I have to miss a workout. If I can’t make it to a Dancers Shape class I try to go for a jog or at least take Rufus for a long walk. I’m used to cooking healthy meals and buying fresh fruits/veggies to stock my fridge.

Another week down and the New Year’s challenge has finally begun! I’m sharing my experience every week on the Dancers Shape blog to bring some inspiration to others, and keep myself focused. This officially marks my halfway point, and I have some exciting results to share!

Since beginning the Holiday Challenge on December 1st, I have lost 10 lbs! If that’s not great enough, Jennifer took my measurements today and I’ve lost 2 inches off my waist, 1.25 inches from my hips, ¾ of an inch off my thighs, and ¾ of an inch from my arms. I am so thrilled with these results and I feel so encouraged to keep going! I am especially happy to see the inches come off my hips since that is where I carry a lot of my weight. I think the Dancers Shape classes really help to target those areas a lot of women would like to reduce (like waistline, bum, & triceps). I really recommend taking your measurements and revisiting them monthly if you are...

Hello again! I took part in the Holiday Challenge at Dancers Shape (12 classes in December) and then I’m also kicking off the New Year’s Challenge (with huge prizes). I’m sharing my experience every week on the Dancers Shape blog to share inspiration, and stay focused. Hopefully it’ll help you in knowing you’re not the only one facing the barre fitness challenge!

WEEK 4: I hope everyone had a nice Christmas! Mine was good but I have to tell you that this week was one of the most stressful ones I’ve had in a long time. The holidays can be maddening on their own (but also fun). I enjoyed Christmas eve and Christmas with my family. We had lots of yummy food and I didn’t go overboard. I also fit in some exercise every day which helped me feel good. I think it an accomplishment not to gain any weight with the holiday and that’s exactly what I did! I didn’t lose any either but I didn’t...

Known as one of Austin’s top shopping destinations for over 34 years, By George has long supplied local fashion lovers and visitors with a well-edited selection of designer and contemporary collections. Ranging from an array of designer styles at the Flagship location on 6th & Lamar to more contemporary collections at the sister SoCo store, stylists at both locations provide tips for holiday dressing whether you’re trying to impress at the holiday office party or going out for New Year’s Eve, they have you covered.

By George’s Flagship manager Rene Pettyjohn and SoCo manager Bethany Morgio suggest a few ways to reinvent some classic looks and create new ones just in time for those lingering holiday get-togethers and New Year’s parties.

Recycling Your Little Black Dress

Having a great LBD (little black dress) is a staple for any wardrobe, especially around the holidays, acting similar to a blank canvas. Adding a patterned jacket along with...

We know resolutions are not always easy to keep – Okay, are they ever easy to keep if they are good ones? Because many of you are taking our New Year’s Challenge this month, we decided to share a few tips from over the years, which have helped us tremendously to stay focused on our health goals and New Year’s resolutions.

1) Don’t stress when you slip up – We are human and we are going to make mistakes so if you fall off track, forgive yourself and don’t beat yourself up over it. Self induced guilt will only make you feel further from your goal and can keep you off track. Get over it and give yourself a chance to do better the next day.

2) Lock it up during the week and allow yourself a managed treat day - Not a destructive binge. Be diligent throughout the week with healthy choices and portions but give yourself a day of something you really enjoy in moderation – wine, chocolate, favorite dish. Completely depriving yourself of lifes pleasures can make it hard to stick to your ultimate goal.

3) Move every day....

Top knot for long hair and festive embellishments for short hair:

Whether you have long locks that rival Rapunzel’s or an adorable pixie cut a la Michelle Williams, Jay Morris of Salon Hushhas some fun and merry style options for you this holiday season. Perfect for a New Year’s Eve party! Dancers Shape owner Jennifer McCamish recently sat down to have Morris create a chic top knot with her long tresses. The top knot (or bun for the old school among us) looks complicated, but Morris explains it’s actually quite simple to execute thanks to modern hair tools.

Here’s what you’ll need for an effortless top knot:

• Rubber bands,

• A hair donut,

• Bobby pins,

• Unite whipped cream or your favorite styling cream, and

• A firm-hold hairspray

It’s hard to believe this Holiday Challenge is over halfway finished! I’m really looking forward to the New Years Challenge now! Have you seen the prizes? It will be great when more people are in the healthy mindset along with me. This week I’m down 8.5 lbs. I am still really excited to lose 10, but I seem to be losing weight a bit slower now (which I think is normal). If the scale hasn’t changed from the day before, I just remind myself to keep my good habits and that it will happen in time.

This week I attended a Shape class and 2 Advanced classes. On Friday I was able to preview the revamped Advanced class that Jennifer will be starting in January. It’s very similar to the class now with some new moves, and it also includes resistance...

Drumrolll, please! Brought back by popular demand, we are so thrilled to announce that our big New Year’s Challenge at Dancers Shape is just around the bend! We have a gift for anyone who completes the challenge, and one incredible grand prize for a lucky winner. Plus, keep your eyes out on Facebook and Twitter for weekly inspirations and giveaways.

HOW TO ENTER:

• Sign up today by emailing info@dancersshape.com, calling the studio (512-382-9150) or stopping by.
• Attend at least 16 classes during January.
• Out of those 16 classes, try at least 2 different classes of the following: Groove, Core, Advanced, Power, Yoga,...

I’m taking part in the Holiday Challenge at Dancers Shape (12 classes in December) and then I’m also going to do the New Year’s Challenge in January. I’m sharing my experience every week on the Dancers Shape blog to share inspiration, and stay focused. Hopefully it’ll help you in knowing you’re not the only one facing the barre fitness challenge!

WEEK 2

I’ve made it another week and I’m still feeling great. This week I’m down 7 lbs!I’m trying to think of a good reward for myself once I hit 10 lbs. Maybe a cute new Splits59 top? Comment if you have a good idea!

This week I went to two Shape classes and Advanced Shape class. I’ve been wearing a heart rate monitor in my classes to see how many calories I...

Do you want to look red carpet-ready for upcoming holiday festivities but don’t know where to start? Never fear! Makeup artist McKenzy Windham is here to guide us on recreating the hottest look this season: a red lips-cat eye combo that’s guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd.

Windham knows her stuff; she works at Kiss N’ Makeup just down the road from Dancers Shape and frequently helps women look their best for special events. For red lips-cat eye inspiration, Windham looks no further than Taylor Swift, who expertly pulls off this look. Windham advises women who are emulating a celebrity’s makeup to be sure to adapt the look to suit their age and complement their skin tone. “The key to successfully replicating this look is playing up one feature. In this case, it’s the red lips. You also want to be sure to keep the overall effect light, bright,...

The Dancers Shape family is so excited to announce a new instructor to the team at the studio. Each instructor at Dancers Shape has a unique story, and we’re thrilled to introduce Katie to you! Don’t be shy welcoming her in your next class. A few quick fun facts:

1. She has been a judge for Dance Competitions around the country.
2. She is currently licensed in the state of Texas as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
3. She has taught fitness classes for a Kinesiology Department.

Katie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Webster University in St. Louis. While in school, she danced with Webster Dance Ensemble and the local professional company, Webster Dance Theatre. Following graduation, Katie choreographed, danced, and taught in the Midwest, Los Angeles, and Central Texas and judged for Jamfest Dance Competition in Long Beach,...

Last week I shared how I’m taking part in the Holiday Challenge at Dancers Shape (12 classes in December) and then I’m also going to do the New Year’s Challenge in January. I’m sharing my experience every week on the Dancers Shape blog, so hopefully you can get inspiration, learn what’s working and not working for me, or simply know you’re not facing the barre fitness challenge on your own!

WEEK 1

So far I’m feeling really good on the holiday challenge and have already lost 4 pounds!

Getting ready for the holiday party!

Starting out I was worried that I would be hungry all the time or tired and I’m happy to say that I don’t feel like that at all. The biggest change I’ve noticed so far is that my skin is so much more hydrated from drinking LOTS of water. I usually have really dry skin but it’s been soft & glowing so that encourages me to keep drinking up. This week I went to...

Making a lasting impression and turning heads this holiday season is easy, thanks to some direction from Jay Morris of Salon Hush. I paid Morris a visit, and she instructed me on executing two hot hairstyles for the holidays: sexy waves and the faux bob. After Morris worked her magic, I felt like I was channeling Veronica Lake, the epitome of Old Hollywood glamour.

Morris chose me to model these styles because they’re ideal for medium-length hair. But you can pull them off if your hair is a little longer or a little shorter than mine.

My name is Laura and I’ve been coming to Dancers Shape for almost 3 years. I love the studio, instructors and workout so much that I can’t imagine not having it in my routine. Right now I usually come to one or two classes a week but I think it’s about time to step it up. I’m taking part in the Holiday Challenge (12 classes in December) and then I’m also going to do the New Year’s Challenge in January (They will have details soon, so keep your eyes out on Facebook). Dancers Shape has asked me to share my experiences on the blog.

I attended the 4:15 p.m. yoga class on a Sunday at Dancers Shape, and it was a supremely chill but rejuvenating way to conclude my weekend. I went into the class with extremely tight oblique muscles. Yoga was just what the doctor ordered. My instructor focused on moves that incorporated gentle twists. When I left class, I felt more loose, and much of the pain I’d been experiencing from tight muscles had subsided.

Holiday Gift Card Special: Now Available

When you buy $100 gift certificate between Nov. 13th and Dec. 25th, 2013, you’ll receive a $25 gift card to use towards merchandise.

Limit one offer per client. $25 gift card expiration date – 6 months from purchase.

Have you tried the new Power Shape class at Dancers Shape? If you haven’t, you’re missing out on the perfect union of the barre studio’s signature Shape class with Sport class. I had the privilege of participating in the inaugural class, and it definitely exceeded my expectations.

Power Shape started off with a standard warm-up and quickly moved into an intense, high-energy cardio workout that got my heart racing. I made the mistake of forgetting to bring water to the class. Be sure to grab your water bottle because you’ll need to stay hydrated for the calorie blast you’ll endure.

Dancers Shape classes are the high note of opera singer Tamsen Cohagan’s weekly routine. She spends her days singing and teaching opera while keeping up with her two children, Liam, age 10, and Kai, age 7. The working mom has been a regular at the studio for the past two years. Shape is her signature class, but she also enjoys Advanced, Power, Graceful, Groove, Core, and Yoga.

Congratulations to Erica Linneman! She was our grand prize winner and will receive 1 month unlimited from Dancers Shape and tote bag ($175 value), Perfect Day Spa Treatment (120 minutes – value $225) from Spa Réveil at the Domain, and 3 Day Cleanse from Skinny Limits ($147 value)!

We can hardly believe we just celebrated our 3 year anniversary! We couldn’t be more grateful for the warm welcome and support our clients have given us here in Austin! Opening Dancers Shape has not been without challenges, but the reward of connecting and helping our community feel their best is so much sweeter. Thank you for your feedback and support and we look forward to serving the Austin area for many years to come! Check out some photos from the event!

We know you love the excellent toning effects you see from our classic Shape classes, but we wanted to give you a new option that will take your fitness goals to the next level. Our newest addition Power Shape will help you lose weight, change the way your body looks and feels, and give you a full body workout that covers your cardio and strength needs all in one hour. This class will kick-start your metabolism and help you tone up in record time!

Creating new and interesting ways to keep clients active and feeling results in a safe and effective way is one of the most fun aspects of my job. This means we are committed to continually re-vamping old classes, creating new ones, and researching efforts for effective props and movements that can be incorporated to help change things up so that you and your body don’t get bored or plateau.

Join us Saturday, October 26th to celebrate our anniversary!

We are so thrilled that Dancers Shape will be celebrating our 3 year anniversary this month. To toast this milestone and give thanks to our wonderful clients, we are celebrating with a 1 Day Special Sale on Saturday, October 26th. Not able to visit the studio, but want the big savings? Scroll below!

• 15% off 10 and 20 class cards [Clients may buy multiple cards-subject to exp. date of 4/26/14. Clients are welcome to participate in our unique rollover program.]
• 15% off all full-priced merchandise
• Sale rack up to 50% off
• Mimosas and gourmet snacks
• Surprise giveaways at each class
• One amazing grand prize giveaway – value over $500!

We were so thrilled to hear the positive feedback from the first week of our newly created Restorative Class. Thank you to those who came to class and got a feel for it! It’s officially on the schedule now, and we hope you join us:

Tuesdays at 10:45 am – 11:45 am

Thursdays at 10:45 am – 11:45 am

Sign up for class!

Who is Restorative Class Designed For?

This new class is designed for the ages 60+ (but certainly not limited to that). It is forclients looking to stay active and add longevity to their bodies but need additional modifications due to common degenerative joint disease such as arthritis, osteoporosis and knee and hip replacements.

I’m a big fan of the Athletic Conditioning class at Dancers Shape. The new iteration of Co-ed is a challenging workout that makes even NFL players sweat. No worries, though, because you don’t have to be a professional athlete to endure the exercises and reap the benefits.

I recently attended Athletic Conditioning with my husband, Patrick. I was pleasantly surprised to see that men outnumbered women seven to three in our class. I admit I felt a little intimidated at first, but my trepidation washed away once the routine gained momentum. Athletic Conditioning focuses on balance and core exercises. If you took Co-ed, which my instructor aptly described as “Shape without the shimmy,” then this class won’t seem foreign. Athletic Conditioning features many of the Dancers Shape signature barre moves, but the class ditches the weights in favor of stability ball work for the...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with work, family or life and it feels too difficult to focus on your health? Does the statement, “I don’t have time to make dinner”, apply to you? I’m guessing you’re nodding your head right now and thinking, “I have so much to do today!” Sound oh-too-familiar?

When you have a busy schedule it’s even more important to eat well so that you can strengthen your immune system. Last December I worked an average of 70 hours a week while teaching private fitness, instructing classes at Dancers Shape, and dancing 8 shows a week at ZACH Theatre. I knew that between an intense schedule, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it would be very easy to become sick. Instead, I took a pro-active approach towards my health, and I planned ahead. Many people asked me after that month, “how in the world did you do that and stay healthy”? I thought I’d share my tips in hopes this helps you during your next busy week or month!

5 Tips for Eating Healthy On-The-Go

1. Wash, cut, and store fresh fruits and vegetables in ziplock bags so you...

Meet awe-inspiring Dancers Shapeaddict Carolyn Rector. Despite her rapidly approaching pregnancy due date (Sept. 27!), she manages to get to the studio three times a week and battles her way through Advanced and Shape classes. She hasn’t let her delicate condition hinder her from exercising and credits Dancers Shape with her ability to tie her shoes, paint her toe nails, and shave her legs this far along in her pregnancy.

“I feel like myself when I am at Dancers Shape. So much of myself has changed physically, but it is uplifting to still be able to come to the studio and do a good portion of the exercises I was able to do pre-pregnancy,” she says.

We are excited to announce that Sara Paul will be joining our Dancers Shape family, starting Wednesday, Sept. 4th! This gal is filled with passions of travel and photography, loves speaking French, and is a killer dancer!

Country music star and Dancers Shape client Kelly Willis talks about touring while raising a family and staying active on the road. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to put family and well-being first. She and her husband, Bruce Robison, released a new albumthis year titled “Cheaters Game.” We’ve been loving this song for cool down.

Have you been to Groove class lately? You may have met our new instructor Andrea Lindzey! We’re so excited to welcome this multi-talented, groovin’ gal to our Dancers Shape Family!

Last summer, my wife started taking the classes at Dancers Shape and came home raving about how hard and satisfying they were as fitness classes. Having just finished my second consecutive year of doing a full Ironman, my body was in rough shape. My hamstrings and hips were giving me some serious trouble from an old injury.

When I heard that NFL players and University of Texas track stars were training at the Athletic Conditioning class, I thought it might not just be for females. Heck, if it was helping these types of athletes, I wanted in on the action!

It is a tough hour-long workout that will absolutely kick your butt. If you are a triathlete, cyclist, runner, or some other kind of fitness freak, this class is totally for you. It will rival the best workout you’ve gotten from a boot camp or brick workout. It’s a fantastic off-season way to build muscle strength and stability to prevent injury. It was...

I am always bragging about my Dancers Shape family, and it is time to let one of my first chickies fly. I first interviewed Toussaint in the coffee shop which once stood next door to the studio. My walls were still in the process of being built so I toured her around the framework and dust pointing out where the front studio would be. After chatting about her Pilates and dance background, she told me her grandmother had been a “Roxyette.” With those words I knew I had to hire her. (The Roxyettes were the original Rockettes before they were brought to NYC and re-named the Rockettes).

I began training her in a temporary location and occasionally in my parents TV room. The stress levels were quite high starting a new business, and I knew she was terrified since it was her first teaching job and with a brand new technique. She sailed through her first class...

Jennifer McCamish, owner of Dancers Shape, and Emmanuel Acho, former UT Football player and current NFL linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles, hop on the Good Day Austin show to talk about the importance of conditioning. Watch the video here!

Two new mommies, who are clients at Dancers Shape, wanted to share their story so other mommas-to-be can take advantage of the fitness benefits and be armed with important information.

When we receive really kind comments and reviews about Dancers Shape, it absolutely makes our day, heck sometimes it makes our month! All that hard work paying off, andreally making a difference in a client’s life means the world to us. It reminds us how proud we are of what we created. So, we just had to share this incredible testimonial with you, and publicly thank Nicole Williams for taking the time and sharing her story with us.

What Nicole had to say:

“I am sure you have had many, many, testimonies over the years with your wonderful studio, but I thought one more could not hurt to hear! I cannot tell you how much your fitness classes, teachers and style has changed my life. To truly understand how much of an impact Shape has had on my life…let me start at the beginning.

I was always a very active person, from soccer year round, running half marathons and training with David King Fitness (they are no joke!!). However, at the same time I battled a very low immune system and...

The mere thought of running 26 miles makes me want to assume the fetal position and weep. I’m seriously in awe of anyone who aspires to complete a marathon and actually accomplishes it. Putting your body through such an agonizing physical test takes commitment and courage. Enduring that kind of wear and tear can also take a toll on your joints, resulting ininjury. Running mile after countless mile, without any additional form of stability and strength exercise probably isn’t the best idea. One Dancers Shape client learned that lesson more than once, and since she discovered the barre method last summer, her workouts at the studio have made her a better, pain- and injury-free runner.

Bethany Albertson is responsible for teaching 350 students as an assistant professor in the government department at UT. She’s also working on a book about anxiety and politics and keeps up with her active two-year-old son, Will. She has run two marathons and plans to complete the Marine Corps Marathon in...

When I saw Brian Orakpo, Linebacker for the Washington Redskins, and Frank Okam, Defensive Tackle for the New York Giants, coming to my studio looking for flexibility, I wanted to offer them more that just flexibility. After all, Dancers Shape specializes in techniques that offer injury prevention and rehabilitation benefits, so why stop with just flexibility?

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of trying out the Dancers Shape signature Shape class led by the studio’s owner, Jennifer McCamish. Having never taken a true barre class before, I found it challenging, well-taught and, well… challenging! As my legs shook and my muscles burned, I quickly realized that there are some areas of fitness that I need to work on!

After class, Jennifer and I got to talking, and she shared something that really clicked with me. She said, “While I was in New York, I was taking all sorts of classes: yoga, Pilates, barre and more. But none of the studios offered all of the classes I wanted to take in a single location, so I ended up with punch cards for a lot of different studios. Trying to juggle the cards, the locations and the expiration dates just became a hassle. That’s why I wanted to open a studio that offers all the types of classes that I want to take.”

As I talked with Dancers Shape instructor Carissa Topham, I found myself thinking this is the kind of girl everyone wants to be friends with. She’s cool and lots of fun. After meeting her, I wanted to go shopping with her, grab a drink, and talk about boys. Carissa has been teaching classes at the studio for about a year, and she adores her Dancers Shape clients. Her strong background in dance makes her an ideal instructor, and she’s excited to further her fitness education as she adds her official Stott Pilates certification to her resume this summer.

I’m happy to report my March 2 wedding was a tremendous success! I’m currently basking in the glow of newlywed bliss (which I’m told wears off eventually). Now that I’m no longer “Sweating for the Wedding,” I thought it appropriate to discuss the role exercise played in keeping me slim during the days leading up to the big day. I wore a gorgeous form-fitting gown, and I felt like a princess wearing it. I can’t imagine feeling self-conscious about my appearance on one of the most important days of my life. I credit my workouts at Dancers Shape and my twice-weekly sessions with trainers at the UT Fitness Institute with helping me realize fitness results above and beyond what I imagined.

Lydia Lowry is a 53 year-old client who has been attending Dancers Shape classes for a year, and has even taken on our Advanced class. She also went from never being smaller than a size 8 and is now fitting into a size 4. We often hear ladies in their 50s or 60s ask us if Dancers Shape could be for them. We sometimes hear fear in their question about it possibly being only for “20 year olds” or “how it might be too difficult” or they “might feel uncomfortable.”

We want to set the record straight: Dancers Shape is for all ages!

Have you tried a green smoothie yet? It’s an easy and delicious way to add some extra produce into your diet. As opposed to juicing, making a smoothie ensures that you get all the pulp (fiber & nutrition) of the raw fruits and vegetables. As long as you follow a general formula, you can use extra leftover fruits & veggies from your fridge and have a delicious and nutritious treat.

Here’s what you need:

• Fruits: any fresh or frozen fruit you like!

• Veggies: For a more mild taste try using kale, spinach or cabbage or mix in any green you have on hand. You can also add carrots, celery, cucumbers, avocado… the sky’s the limit!

• Liquid: Options include fruit juice, milk, soy or almond milk, water, coconut water, etc.

• Extras (optional): Here’s where you can add some extra nutrition or protein. I like to add chia seeds, hemp seeds, protein powder, Greek yogurt, peanut butter or wheatgrass.

We know exercising during pregnancy is beneficial for low risk mothers, but there are many myths surrounding what types of exercise are best and how you can modify your favorite activities to reap the benefits throughout your pregnancy.

Being certified in pre and post natal Pilates and personal training, the Dancers Shape team has researched and met with physicians and physical therapists to put together a comprehensive program that will walk women through each trimester with safe and effective options to help promote a healthy mom and baby before, during and after their delivery. Learn more about pre/post natal training at DS.

Unseasonably warm winter weather is part of the package when you live in Central Texas. I’m sure we all end up in short sleeves and skirts much more often than our neighbors to the north do during the winter months. That’s why it’s important we remain diligent and focus on leg exercises year-round. As I prepare to don a short gold sequin dress at my rehearsal dinner the night before my wedding, I find myself increasingly focusing on my legswhen I exercise. The moves listed below are easy to do in your living room and don’t require any fancy equipment.

Dancers Shape owner Jennifer McCamish advises doing each of the top-three leg exercises for 30 seconds to one minute with perfect form and repeating each once more if you’re able.“These three exercises will give you the ‘shrink wrap effect’ for long, lean dancer legs,” she says.

My friends and I gathered at Dancers Shape for a fun and fit, Austin-style bachelorette party over the weekend. I had a rowdy shindig in Las Vegas back in November, but many of my mommy friends couldn’t go. I wanted to ensure they had an opportunity to be part of the festivities leading up to the big day. My Dancers Shape private event fit the bill.

Ten of my girlfriends joined me in the afternoon for a Graceful class taught by studio owner Jennifer McCamish. I’d never taken Graceful, but it was the ideal class for a mixed group of women, many of whom had never taken a barre method class. McCamish kept the atmosphere fun and light, and my friends gave her and the class rave reviews. Graceful closely mirrors the Shape class but moves at a slower pace, adds modifications, and allows for more stretching as you go.

I spotted Dancers Shape instructor Mariclaire Gamble immediately at Starbucks. The tall, slender, platinum blonde is hard to miss. We pulled up a seat and chatted about her artistic pursuits, the unexpected opportunities she’s had, and the future. On top of being extremely talented, I found the Texas native to be kind, humble, wise beyond her years, and refreshingly awkward deep down inside.

Here’s the lowdown on Gamble:

• In addition to working as a Dancers Shape instructor, Gamble is a member of the Kathy Dunn Hamrick dance company and is recording music for an upcoming album release. That’s right; she’s a song bird and describes her musical style as soul and folk meet Swedish and French rock pop. You can listen to some tracks from her 2007 album by searching “Mariclaire” on iTunes. “I consider The Cardigans, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, and Ella Fitzgerald my biggest musical influences,” she says.
• She was daddy’s prodigy growing up. Gamble says her father (who passed away a little over a year ago)...
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As my wedding day draws nearer, I’ve become increasingly aware that all eyes will be on my back as I walk down the aisle passing each guest. Like many women, I’ve struggled with the appearance of back fat, and I know it takes hard work to reduce and even eliminate it. As women, our bodies want to cling to those fat deposits for dear life. Not fair!

But don’t get discouraged; incorporate these basic back exercises into your workout regimen! For each of the exercises below, you’re going to be in a pitched position. To prepare for the exercises, engage your core muscles as you hinge forward at the waist, aligning your head and neck with your spine — Dancers Shape owner Jennifer McCamish says it’s essential to perform the moves properly to avoid muscle strain and injury. She advises doing these exercises every other day. You’ll eventually notice more sculpted muscles. Here’s a bonus: those tight-fitting shirts and open-back numbers will look even more flattering on you.

I had my first wedding dress fitting a bit ago, and I’m happy to report that all my hard work at the studio is paying off. My fit-and-flare gown actually needs to be taken in! While I’m pleased with the way my dream dress is fitting, I know I have to stay motivated from a fitness standpoint and watch what I eat to maintain my figure and build muscle.

When I told a personal trainer about the Sweating for the Wedding series, she insisted my first post focus on arms. She says her bride clients desperately want to eliminate flab and replace it with lean, toned arm muscles. Whether you’re preparing to slip into a wedding dress or a strapless number for a hot date, the top three arm exercises illustrated here will help you achieve sculpted arms. Dancers Shape owner Jennifer McCamish recommends doing these three simple, standard exercises every other day for maximum results. I’ll definitely be incorporating these moves into my strength training routine in the hopes of building killer arm...

The Radio City Rockettes are celebrating their 85th Anniversary this year and I was a member of this iconic group when they celebrated their 75th Anniversary. I still get a rush of emotional memories when I think of that opening night because I realized what a special role we played in thousands of families holiday traditions.

As you know, NYC is the city that never sleeps which means the Rockettes perform on all holidays – Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and even Veteren’s Day. My first year at Radio City I was a little bummed with the thought of spending the holidays in NYC alone; riding the dingy subway back to a tiny non-decorated apartment and miss out on my mom’s yummy cooking and cozy house. But I couldn’t exactly complain, I mean this WAS my dream job and an honor others only dreamt about. Plus the Rockettes had been entertaining families on Christmas Day since 1932.

I’ll admit it: I’m hooked on the high-energy classes at Dancers Shape. The friendly atmosphere and challenging workouts have kept me coming back to the studio for the past year.

I’m Crystal, and I enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity to be a guest blogger for Dancers Shape when owner Jennifer McCamish told me she planned to launch her business into the blogosphere. I’m a professional writer by day, and I have a passion for health, fitness, and beauty. I dedicated much of my childhood to gymnastics, and I’ve always felt my best when I’m most active.

I hope my blog posts will inspire you to achieve your health and fitness goals while learning more about what Dancers Shape has to offer. As you follow me throughout the coming months, you’ll witness how I fare at keeping my sanity and sculpting my physique while preparing for a March 2 wedding. I’ll share exercises with you targeted by muscle group in a series called Sweating for the Wedding, and I’ll serve as fitness guinea pig in a sequence titled New Kid in Class. I’ll also give you a glimpse into the Dancers...

By now most people who frequent Dancers Shape know I was a professional dancer in my former life – A Radio City Rockette at the famous Radio City Music Hall. It was my childhood dream to dance with this iconic group and being up on that stage was magical. However, many might not know that I also worked as a makeup artist during my 13 year stint in NYC; my clients varied from the Rockettes to Chanel to movie stars to brides, allowing me to work in all beauty genres. My love for beauty products and fashion has always coincided with my passion for dance and fitness.

However, my journey coming back to Austin to create a brand new life and business (from scratch) has proven to be my favorite love story thus far. With so many colorful, fun and challenging career choices and events shaping my path through life, I wanted to share a little of what I have learned over the years, consulting with other professionals forging their paths in similar fields.