Dear Friends,
Two Chances to Dance THIS Saturday!
We love being invited to share our Stop Drop and Dance class with the community for different events, however it can be quite intimidating teaching to a "new crowd" that doesn't know our dances or understand our philosophy of "letting go" and finding the "joy of dance!"
If you are available to join us on Saturday, we need you!
Your positive presence and loving energy is contagious, so the more regulars we have, the more comfortable everyone in the room feels! In addition, 2-4 backup dancers are needed for every song so feel free to pop up on stage!
PS These are perfect opportunities to invite new friends to try out a Stop Drop and Dance class!
1) 10:00am-11:15am Mother's Day Weekend Dance Class
@Christ Presbyterian Church in Terra Linda (620 Del Ganado Rd)
This is a free, community event celebrating mothers, maternal figures, and caregivers. Children are welcome to dance or CPC is also providing free childcare. Refreshments will be provided afterwards. No sign-up required beforehand.
(Wear your hot pink "Never Gonna Not Dance Again" tank if you have it!)
2) 4:15pm-5:15pm (CORRECT TIME!) Marin Foster Care's 5th Annual Dance-a-thon Fundraiser
@Corte Madera Community Center (498 Tamalpais Dr)
Join this family event and raise awareness for two very important funds necessary to support Marin's Foster Youth. Tickets are $10 for children 2-12, $25 for adults and 12+, or $60 for a family pack. Event is from 4-6pm, but dancing will begin at 4:15pm.
(Wear your blue "Better When I'm Dancing" tank if you have it!)
Thank you for your support in sharing Stop Drop and Dance with new dancers in our community!
Say Farewell to Marin Power Yoga on Sunday, May 14th!
Some of you just took my class for the first time this past weekend. Some of you joined when I started "The Power With Grace" in 2020. And some of you have been taking classes with me since 2013 when I first moved to Marin and found a yoga/fitness/dance home at Marin Power Yoga.
If you have not heard, MPY (now called San Anselmo Yoga), is closing its doors after 10 years of serving the community by providing excellent classes, outstanding teachers, and a safe environment for anyone to "Come As You Are." MPY and its owners, Jamie and Amy Ginsberg, created such a wonderful studio that will forever be remembered, and I plan to get on my mat and attend their final yoga class as a way to say thank you and goodbye!
Please join me for MPY's last Power Yoga "Sunday Service" class with Wendy and Gabe teaching at 9:30am on Sunday, May 14th as we celebrate 10 years of health, memories and friendships!
(and Happy Mother's Day!)
Last Chance to Vote For Us!
If you have not had an opportunity yet, Marin Magazine is conducting their annual "Best of the County" survey for 2023 and it would be a huge honor if "The Power With Grace" could be recognized for "Best Fitness Classes" or one of the other appropriate health and wellness categories!
It's a simple form and you don't have to vote in all categories so it should be super quick! Deadline to vote is May 22nd.
Please click on the link below to vote and write in "The Power With Grace" under "Best Fitness Classes!"
(see picture for reference courtesy of Lisa!)
No Class Saturday, May 20th to Wednesday, May 24th
We will be taking my parents on an extended family weekend getaway later this month for their 52nd anniversary, so 3 days of classes will be cancelled this month. All classes from the previous week will be recorded and available on-demand while I am away.
Thank you for your understanding. Classes will resume with Stop Drop and Dance at 9:30am on Thursday, May 25th!
(SAVE THE DATE: It's Rita Ribera Channon's 50th birthday celebration!!!)
Birthday Recap!
Last Thursday, we celebrated Tanya Burdick's birthday with so much SPICEiness! Many of the dancers came wearing matching SPICE tanks with Tanya and then in a spontaneous moment, all of them came up front for the last song together in an epic SPICE finale! Thank you Tanya for the yummy pastries and cuties afterwards too!
(Click on the video above to watch Tanya's birthday finale!)
Then on Tuesday, we celebrated Marsha Cellar's 70th birthday with 70 minutes of dancing!
Marsha's final song request was "The Wedding Hora Medley" by Eitan Masuri because not only is she celebrating her 70th, but also her daughter is getting married in a week! We did a little research on Google and YouTube to learn the official steps for the Hora Dance, which is a symbol of celebration and unity at Jewish weddings, and then we held hands in a circle and learned some new footwork for Marsha!
(Click on the video below to watch our first ever Hora Dance!)
Thank you to Erin Meyers who bought the 70th birthday decorations and to everyone who came in-person or on Zoom. Thank you also to Marsha for sharing beaded necklaces and party hats for all our dancers. Happy 70th Birthday!
Join us next Thursday, May 18th for a 75 minute graduation dance class as we celebrate Lisa Butcher, who is a mom of 3 and went back to school to earn her Bachelors in Political Science (with distinction!) from Sonoma State!
We are so proud of Lisa's accomplishment and we are excited that she will be dancing with us regularly again - woohoo! Bring something yummy to share if you would like to join a celebratory community potluck for everyone right after class at the church!
My Mother Kept a Garden
My Mother kept a garden,
A garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things,
That gave my life its start.
She turned me to the sunshine,
And encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing,
The seeds of self-esteem.
And when the winds and rain came,
She protected me enough,
But not too much because she knew,
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example,
Always taught me right from wrong,
Markers for my pathway,
That will last a lifetime long.
I am my Mother's garden,
I am her legacy,
And I hope today she feels the love,
Reflected back from me.
(Author Unknown)
To all the mothers, maternal figures, and caregivers, know that you are loved and appreciated for all that you have done and continue to do.
Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Grace
