Relax With Us

Sapphire Ballroom News - November 2021

In with the dance; out with the stress. - our 7pm mantra

This time of year, it feels like we're in an acceleration lane, trying to merge with the on-coming traffic of holiday schedules, family visits, school events, etc. It's so lovely to have a stretch of low-traffic, low-stress road on the way into the new year. Come join us for an hour of chill this month and get that time of calm amusement that your soul needs.

Before wrapping up 2021 and putting a bow on it, we still have plenty of time for private lessons and lots of group lessons to choose from: a few Friday Beginner Workshops, a couple of beginner Line Dance Lessons, two Happy Hours, and a bunch of What's Next Workshops. So, let's take time to dance and turn those spinning gears into a fun spin across the dance floor.

In this issue...

- Holiday Headlines - Specials, deals, and opportunities just for the holidays

- Schedule Highlights - Next Level Classes, November Happy Hour, FBWs in December, and Wedding Lessons

- The calming power of dance drills

- OMG - You haven’t finished your shopping yet? Relax - it's covered

- A Relaxing Rumba Playlist

- Upcoming Dance Classes and Events 

Holiday Headlines - Specials, deals, and opportunities just for the holidays

Give Smiles, Give Dance

Do something unique this year and give the gift of dance! It’s a gift that can impact a person's life in so many good ways. It’s great for co-workers, teachers, friends, parents, and (especially) sweethearts. Don’t get us wrong, we all love a good Christmas sweater, but good dancing won’t go out of fashion next year!

Family Fun Holiday Special

Looking for something to do with your family this holiday season? Bring them all out for a dance lesson! You will get to spend fun time together, move your bodies in a healthy way, and get out of your house for a while. Never danced before? We can absolutely help. It’s amazing how much easier dancing becomes when someone explains what to do before you have to do it.

This December, we are offering a Family Fun Holiday Special, very similar to the special we offered last December. It's an hour-long, fun adventure for up to 15 people at our studio in downtown Christiansburg for just $85. Schedule your family lesson now to get the best spot! And, just to be clear, we think your family can be anyone you choose, whether or not they are related to you.

Spice up your office party with some Sapphire Sparkle

Whether your office is planning a holiday party, staff retreat, or just something fun to do together to build rapport, you need to talk to Sapphire. We can come to your event to teach a dance lesson in any dance style you choose or you can bring the party to our beautiful studio in downtown Christiansburg. Either way, your group will be letting loose and having a good time while learning some dance moves. Contact us for a quote at info@sapphiredance.com or 540-382-8782.

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Schedule Highlights

The complete schedule is available at SapphireDance.com/GroupLessons.php or at the end of this newsletter.

Another Happy Hour ~ November 19

We couldn’t have been happier with the Halloween Happy Hour! Not only was there a flood (!!!) of Trick or Treaters, the studio was awash with excellent dancing at many different skill levels. The folks there declared it a success and that we really ought to do it again. So, mark your calendar, let us know you are coming, and dance your way into Thanksgiving week! Our next Happy Hour will be Friday, Nov 19, 5-7pm. Details on our website.

“Next Level” classes this month

Level 3 Carolina Shag
Because of schedule issues and trying to make this class as convenient as possible to as many people as possible, we’re shifting it into a series of 4 workshops, all based on our Level 3 Ca Shag syllabus. Attend when you can, skip when you can’t - it will all work out.
   Sunday, Nov 7 - Pivots
   Sunday, Nov 21 - Free Spins and Break Away
   Sunday, Dec 5 - Belly Roll
   Sunday, Dec 12 - Pause Walk Up

Level 3 West Coast Swing
These classes are for people already familiar with the basics of West Coast Swing and are now ready to learn or perfect high level moves and concepts. Find out more below!

FBWs (Friday Beginner Workshops) are taking a vacation the month of December

Everyone scrambles during December. Between Holidays and the year ending, and all the band concerts and relatives and weekend trips… We are lightening our load by taking a break on Fridays - over half of the workshops would have to be canceled anyway for parades and holidays. Look for the FBWs to start back up (with some exciting changes) the first Friday of 2022 (January 7). More about this in next month’s newsletter! If this makes you sad, let us know! We have had a wonderful streak of By-Request group classes at the studio over the past few months. All it takes is 4 people to create a new group class.

Planning a spectacular winter wedding? Now is the time to schedule your dance lessons!

We can take that dreaded first dance and make it a thing of pride and joy. All it takes is time and lessons. The more time and the more lessons, the more comfortable you will be when all those people are watching. But even 1 lesson can help take the stress out of what should really be a fun part of your wedding. Contact us today (info@sapphiredance.com, 540-382-8782) to schedule your lessons! As some of our recent students said, "they will be 60 minutes of fun in the midst fo wedding madness."
Details at SapphireDance.com/BridalLessons.php
 

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The calming power of dance drills

It’s 7:20ish on a Monday evening and the lovely folks attending that night’s What’s Next Workshop are all focusing on a particular type of turn. I say, “Everyone face the grey wall - we’re going to do a drill.” And predictably, everyone groans, at least a little. “It will help; I promise!” And (for the most part) they believe me, but no one is looking forward to it.

My experience, after watching hundreds of students over the years doing hundreds of drills, is that most drill-engaged people fit in one of two groups: the Bored who don’t put enough into the drills to really benefit from them and the Resigned who try to focus on all the details the drill will help improve and sometimes get overwhelmed.

I want to add a new group - the Zen.

A drill is a way to practice a specific motion, over and over, until the bits and pieces come together into a well-oiled, well-rooted whole. Usually the motion is simple but challenging evenso. For example, take a slow step forward. Start with extending your leg, then roll through your foot starting with your heel connecting to the floor and ending, balanced and in control, over the ball of that same foot. Try doing that over and over again. It’s like a mantra. Change feet and repeat, over and over again. Your muscles can (and should) get tired - that’s part of the point. Once you have absorbed that feeling (it will take several repetitions), increase your focus to include your upper body - keep your core lifted, use CBM, involve your arms. You should sweat, breathe a bit harder, get tired.

Doesn’t it remind you of that exercise (drill?) where you lie on the floor and focus on one part of your body at a time, releasing tension as you go?

The next time your teacher suggests a drill, see if you can claim the Zen. Immerse yourself in the drill. Do your best, but acknowledge that it's hard and that's why we are working on it. Remember - we love feedback. If your instructor precedes too quickly for you to achieve the zen, speak up. We are happy to either go slower and practice more or to suggest things you can do in your own time.

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OMG - You haven’t finished your shopping yet? Relax - it's covered

I know. You're worried about shipping, supply chain, everything is out-of-stock!

I said it last year, and I think I need to say it again - holiday shopping is weird. Again. And, like every year, we are here to say, “We’ve got it covered.”

Dance lessons are fun, active, social, and fulfilling. And they are easy to share with your friends, family, sweethearts, and co-workers.

Every class, workshop, and lesson we offer has a gift option. That means Friday Beginner Workshops, Line Dance Workshops, and Private Lessons, either online or in person.

Gift vouchers can be delivered electronically by email or as a paper certificate or for pick up at the Studio in Christiansburg. We can even include a greeting card if you want to jazz up your delivery a little. And yes, we are happy to mail gift certificates too, but do not guarantee timely delivery.

So, yeah the headline implies it's time to get started, but really you can wait a while more if you’re giving Sapphire Dance Lessons. (No promises for that necktie or golf club koozie you were thinking about.)

Here’s a snapshot of the popular options, but if you want something you don't see (like double date options), let us know. We would love to make it happen.

More information is available at SapphireDance.com/GiftPackages.php. Large purchase discounts available (think - a beginner workshop for everyone in your office… yeah we have a discount for that).

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Relaxing Rumba Playlist

What is relaxing Rumba? As a Latin dance style, Rumba (at its height) is full of fast, precise movements; spectacular spins; and striking, almost aggressive steps. And if you're going into a competition or planning to perform, that's what you're striving for.

But Rumba doesn't have to be like that. With a slow (not too slow) pace, a reliable rhythm, and tons of fun moves that don't require tons of athleticism, Rumba is a fantastic choice for a relaxing dance. Need a minute to switch gears from a stressful workday before starting your lesson? Rumba. Muscles are sore and need a gentle warm up? Rumba. You really want to forget your to-do list and just dance in the kitchen? Rumba. To help make all those things possible, here's a sampling of some of my favorite, relaxing Rumbas.

To see the Relaxing Rumba Playlist, visit us on YouTube at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGEmFFdzKkka9how7D9yQJH_U9tcWcpnn

To see our full Rumba Playlist, visit us at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGEmFFdzKkkac9yF5egx08ikh6ecznZYf

See all of our YouTube Playlists at https://www.youtube.com/user/SapphireBallroom/playlists
These playlists are always changing. If you have a suggestion, I’d love to hear it! Send me a link at info@sapphiredance.com.

	You've Got A Friend by James Taylor https://youtu.be/nKaWQxlTsRM
	I Just Want To Dance With You by George Strait https://youtu.be/z5Fbcmsp-5s
	Satisfy My Soul by Paul Carrack https://youtu.be/aVDGq2PXfC0
	I Got You by Jack Johnson https://youtu.be/dBWFUVq85gs
	Moonglows by Lou Rawls https://youtu.be/JAxLonGZJdc
	My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder https://youtu.be/Fjufjv4rH0s
	In My Life by The Beatles https://youtu.be/YBcdt6DsLQA
	Memories of Us by Keith Urban https://youtu.be/QkzTTvTg2
	My Girl by the Temptations https://youtu.be/4oKa7vPfeYw
	We Have All The Time In The World https://youtu.be/Fr08Ud4a3c8
	Wonderful Tonight by Michael Buble https://youtu.be/jIgj2G9eoyw Note: the Eric Clapton version of this song (https://youtu.be/b78RfUCw_fU) is an incredible Nightclub 2-Step. Both versions are great to dance to, but only the Rumba fits the theme of this list.

If you read our newsletter frequently, you know by now that we publish a playlist of dance music every month, usually with some kind of quirky theme (like songs about rivers). But do you know we also have a large library of music just for you to practice to?

Visit our YouTube Channel “Songs for Practice” and you’ll find 20+ playlists organized by dance style. There’s one for Waltz, one for Bachata, a big one for West Coast Swing, one for almost every style we teach. And they are always growing and improving. We'd love your input - if you have a suggestion, let us know by email at info@sapphiredance.com or Facebook message!

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Upcoming Dance Classes: online and in-person

Events are hosted by Sapphire Ballroom & Dance Center: online, at our studio in Christiansburg, or at the Blacksburg Community Center. Please check locations before traveling!

All group classes now require registration by noon on the day of the class. To register, call 540-382-8782, email info@sapphiredance.com, or pay for your class and register at the same time at SapphireBallroom.square.site.

More information available on our webpage or Facebook page.

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Thanks for reading; we hope you found something you liked.
Until we see you again, happy dancing!

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