The Mill Ballet School Introduces Gyrokinesis and Dance Conditioning and Breakdancing

Registration for Fall classes at The Mill Ballet School began on July 1st.  This year the school has held off tuition increases until August 15th to help offset the escalating cost of living.  Over the last two years, the school has also been able to provide financial assistance to families in need through the Denise Alexander Scholarship Fund.  Directors Mark and Melisa Roxey believe that dance should be a part of all childrens education, and they have expanded the schools class offerings in order to reach more students in the community.
    In addition to its standard schedule of Ballet for all ages, Pointe, Jazz, Modern and Musical Theatre, this year the school debuts Gyrokinesis, a form of exercise that offers benefits similar to those of yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and Tai Chi. Appropriate for students aged 10- 100, movements are fluid and gentle, allowing anyone the ability to perform the exercises, while still providing a good workout.  Postures are smoothly connected through the use of breathing, making exercises look and feel more like a dance than like traditional yoga.  A typical class begins with students practicing simple breathing patterns before exercises begin.  While seated on low stools, students move the spine through a series of rotating, bending and twisting movements.  These movements are developed into patterns that are designed to increase flexibility and relaxation.  The class will be taught by Evalina Wallis Cain, who is specially certified in Gyrokinesis.  Day and evening classes are offered in order to provide access for a variety of student schedules.  Ten week sessions of both Gyrokinesis and Dance Conditioning begin September 15th.
    The Dance Conditioning class, taught by Denise Houriet, targets the muscles used for dance. The objective is to strengthen and improve the coordination of those muscles as well as balance and align the joints. The exercises are dance specific and incorporate the use of elastic bands. Core training is also a component of this workout.  Ms. Houriet is a certified Personal Trainer and Pilates Teacher who has also studied the mind/body connection through The Franklin Method in Switzerland.  Her classes began in July during the Mill Ballet Schools Summer Performance Workshop.
School Directors, Melissa and Mark Roxey have also put Breakdancing back onto the yearly schedule.  They have revived Breakdancing, a past favorite, to meet the increasing interest in Hip Hop culture and dance.  Breakdance, breaking, b-boying or b-girling is the dance style developed on the streets in the 1970s in Manhattan and the South Bronx of New York City.  Mark Roxey, who will be teaching the class, grew up popping and locking during the breaking evolution.  Classes are offered for ages 7 and up.
    Classes begin September 15th and run through June 1st, 2009.  The schedule of classes can viewed at The Mill Ballet Schools website, www.millballetschool.com, or by visiting the school.  The school accepts registrations online, by mail and in person.  New students are encouraged to meet the directors before registering.
The Mill Ballet School is located at 243 N. Union St in Lambertville, NJ.  The Directors can be reached by phone at (609) 397-7244 and by e-mail info@millballetschool.com.