Archive for August, 2009

I was honored to be a participant at the 1st annual Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service’s (BBCS) East New York Wellness Day, outdoor fair on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.  The day was fun-filled for families and children with music, face painting, tasty refreshments, and a live marching band. There were free health screenings available, and opportunities for adults to give blood. The primary focus of the event was on children, and providing them with tools on how to take care of their bodies and maintain good health.

I taught a beginner modern dance class to a group of energetic, enthusiastic kids from the East New York area of Brooklyn. Much to my delight these children were so focused, and eager to dance! (A dance teacher’s dream.) I was particularly excited to have boys who stepped up to the front and were uninhibited in their expression (I have found that boys tend to be less open to learning modern dance.)

    Dancing is a fantastic way for kids to get in shape; however the benefits of dance in a child’s life are far more than physical. I like the way Creative Dance Teacher Mary Joyce states it in her book, Teaching Creative Dance to Children: “Children find a fulfillment through dance that can be realized through no other discipline, because dance simultaneously involves the inner being and the physical body…dance experience teaches children both awareness and control of movement. They use these skills in games, sports, and everyday living…movement is closely connected with the mind and the spirit. It is inherent in any kind of growth activity. The act of growing is movement. Mentally, spiritually, and physically, children need to move-a lot.”

In addition to my dance class, kids and their families were able to sign up for a Brooklyn public library card, and had the thrill of meeting Maurice Evans, a professional football player with the New York Giants who also gave many tips about exercise. 

The Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service’s 1st annual East New York Wellness Day- It was definitely a day well spent, and an event I was proud to be a part of.

If you’ve never studied classical ballet, or if you are not proficient in French; chances are you have no idea what plie is! Plie, [plee-AY] is a French classical ballet word, which means to bend your knees.

Many dance classes for children, as well as for adults begin with plies, because of its ability to warm-up the knees. The knees are very vulnerable to injury while dancing; therefore the proper execution of plie is crucial. I found a great picture on photobucket of a dancer in a plie position:

Dancer's feet are in fifth position

Although it is a part of the ballet terminology, plies may be used in the warm-up for other genres of dance like: modern technique, hip-hop, jazz, African, and tap to name a few.

Urban Plie, Inc is a dance program that I started in April of this year for children between the ages of 3-18. I currently offer ballet, modern dance technique, creative movement (children ages 3-5 only), West African, jazz, and yoga. Inspiring kids through dance is the mission of my program. 

I am focused on urban communities throughout the country because: dance classes are usually more readily available to children who live in suburban neighborhoods, and there are many kids who live in large cities who would love dance as a creative form of expression.

Urban Plie dance programs are accessible wherever there are children who want to learn how to dance; whether it be an after school program, a workshop at a children’s museum, a youth program at a church, or at a public library.

If you would like to know how you can set up a dance workshop, or a dance class for your event feel free to send me an email at, natasha@urbanplie.com.

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