Dance Day every day, Spring on the wing, Big Island adventures


Hello beautiful,

Hope you had a peaceful World Tai Chi/Qigong Day, freely moving International Dance Day as well as the other events of April. After a full year away, I made it back to Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i and I'm so happy and fortunate to be able to spend time at home with my parents as well as have some time by the sea and adventures with Ela.

For the next couple of weeks I'll be less connected online but still occasionally present and publishing, focusing on being here, celebrating my Dad's 80th birthday, and having some well-deserved vacation time. Online Mindful Movement courses continue on a modified schedule, see below, and in-person classes will have substitutes until my mid-May return to Cologne.

Other creations, recommendations, and questions for you are:

Listening:

Reading:

Viewing:

Practicing:

  • ​Relishing Rond de Jambe en L'Aire - Basic Ballet Technique - Balletlicious Barre Exercises video on YouTube: Circles or ovals of the leg in the air make an accent you and your audience will relish in classical ballet technique. Check out my "Small Space Juliet Variation" to see them action in choreography! Due to the posture, stability, control, and coordination required, this is a demanding intermediate step best tackled once your basic Rond de Jambe a Terre (circles of the leg on the ground) are competently performed. Both are great for developing strength in your core, hips, and the whole standing side. Rotary movements in ballet are fun to try at the barre and eventually in center and I hope you have a rollicking good time exploring them.
  • Packed my bags using my analog Illustrated Travel Packing List about which I posted a video on YouTube, as well as my electronic checklist, continuing my Creative Sketchbook Adventures​

Practicing Together LIVE / Adult Movement Classes:

  • Online Balletlicious Adaptive Ballet Barre+, 7-8:00am CEST Tuesdays (Monday p.m. HI) consists of mostly supported barre exercises with a little dancey centre work, building a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance at home or anywhere in the world. (English) The week of May 18-24 the class will move to Fridays at 8:30 for the summer, write with any questions!
  • Online Yogalicious Gentle Yoga. 7-8:00pm CEST Tuesdays (7-8:00am HI) provides a delicious mindful movement feast which balances strength, balance and coordination for mind, body, and spirit and is adaptable to all levels and conditions (English)

Inquiring:

  • How do you adapt your creative and self-care practices for space and time constraints?
  • Will you move with me this month online or in-person in Cologne or Kailua-Kona?
  • In what ways do you get perspective on life?
  • How do you remember to focus on what is important?
  • How can I support you in blooming this season?

Gladly share your response to the questions above or provide other updates by replying to this email.

Thank you for reading, for being, and for dancing with me, in spirit or in fact. Take care of yourself, pay attention, and keep moving mindfully!

Love, Blythe

Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life

P.S.- If you signed up for my email newsletter in order to try a free class or coaching session, just reply and let me know what you're looking for, happy to help!

P.P.S- Did you happen to receive this email as a forward from a friend? Thanks for checking it out! Sign up for my free email newsletter to continue to receive resources, updates, and inspiration in your email inbox.

A Blythe Coach

Helping multi passionate creatives dance through their difficulties and take leaps of faith. Writing and sharing inspirational resources about mindful movement, dance education, coaching and creativity is my jam.

Read more from A Blythe Coach
Apple & Hazelnut Season

Hello gentle person, Boo, it's October! Colorful leaves and seasonal changes subtle and dramatic are all around in Cologne. Unfortunately this includes some nasty viruses in which, with the changeable weather and exposure to many students, I am partaking. Doing my best to recover for an exciting and productive month, and wishing you health, both physical and mental at this transitional time. Cat-o-ber in my journal School started in Nordrhein Westfalen, I've begun my elective classes for the...

Eclipsing expectations

Hello gentle person, Happy almost-September! Since my last message we have been enjoying warm weather in Cologne, and meanwhile my parents weathered Hurricane Lala in Hawai'i! They came through ok, though other areas were devastated by flooding. I've been dancing every day this month, with my own in-studio and online classes continuing as well as covering classes for colleagues taking vacation. Still had a bit more leisure time than I will soon, to explore some of the hobbies and activities...

Summer Arts and Crafts Camp journal spread

Hello gentle person, Happy almost-August, still solidly Summer Break from school here in Germany, but back-to-school in many parts of the US. Making the most of a lighter season of work myself for reflection, dabbling in seasonal activities and hobbies. Saddened to hear of the delivery truck attack on Berlin Pride, a reminder that we must keep coming together for the cause of love and acceptance, to demonstrate and protest and take political action as well as live our fullest, freest lives....