OK, so I know and you know that dance teachers are super busy during the year. We all are, but in particular dance teachers are focused on teaching, rehearsing, competing and performing leaving no room for anything new to enter into the studio. This is why it's important for Phusia to get to DanceLife Teacher Conference, Dance Teacher Web Conference and The Dance Teacher Summit this summer. I've been to two before, different summers but really in order for the word to get out, it needs to make an impression and I need to hit all three at once. The goal is to inspire, educate and recruit Phusia instructors to help me bring women back to dance. I've put this project up on Indiegogo (a crowd funding platform) to raise money to send Phusia. I had approached Kickstarter (another crowd funding platform) but they denied my request stating it was a "fund my life" project. My appeal to them was short and sweet simply stating Phusia is a part of my life, like any dance company is the part of a director's life and I'm not asking to "fund it". These conferences are no different than the performances dance companies pitch on Kickstarter to gain an audience and support, mine happens to be over 13 days. It landed on deaf ears, but that's ok. I had already moved on and over to Indiegogo and had $640 in contributions before receiving Kickstarter's second denial.
A quick class format update, I've gone back to my original class format from a two years ago and the ladies are bringing their friends, sweating it up and dancing their butts off. Do I miss choreographing the more intricate combinations, a little. But really what is the most important thing and always has been - get women to dance again and my original format is how to do this. Pride and ego are powerful and a little ugly - luckily I could recognize this and wise up. To those taking my class, thanks for your patience. To those who used to take my class and have come back, thank you! For those of you, who are still discovering Phusia, welcome aboard. You are in for a fun ride! Thanks for joining me.
Get the latest information on Phusia. Learn the moves, start or take a class. Spread the Phusia love! Check it out at www.phusia.com.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Future of Phusia
It was only a matter of time really, everything is, when I would wake up and admit to myself something needed to shift with Phusia. It's difficult when you have a dream to experience failures yet persevere, regroup and emerge with a new perspective.
For awhile now, I've been sitting with a few problems I've had growing Phusia. The first has been getting the masses of dance teachers to get behind it. I think without a "syllabus" or technique, most dance teachers don't think of Phusia as a dance class. I understand this thought process because ultimately what does distinguish Phusia from any other "dance fitness" class if we aren't teaching any technique? Secondly, participants come and stay or come and go and when more are coming and going, you need to take a good look at why they aren't coming back. Bottom line, they are intimidated. Finally, as great of a cardio workout Phusia is, it hasn't filled the "workout" bill yet. Sure you move, sweat and the hour flies by but the next day do you wake up and feel like you "did something?"
I've come to a solution. It's raw, unpolished, a bit on the fly right now, however I think I'm on the right track. I will be working through it with my class here in Stowe and get my instructors up to date and on their paths as well.
My message to you: stick with it, it will unveil itself with patience and persistence. Also, maybe get into yoga. Yoga has freed up my head so the good stuff can come up - so thank you yoga (specifically my yoga instructor, Elisa). There, I said it. Yoga has allowed my Phusia to evolve and I'm grateful. And by the way, the solution isn't yoga based - Phusia is all about dance baby!
For awhile now, I've been sitting with a few problems I've had growing Phusia. The first has been getting the masses of dance teachers to get behind it. I think without a "syllabus" or technique, most dance teachers don't think of Phusia as a dance class. I understand this thought process because ultimately what does distinguish Phusia from any other "dance fitness" class if we aren't teaching any technique? Secondly, participants come and stay or come and go and when more are coming and going, you need to take a good look at why they aren't coming back. Bottom line, they are intimidated. Finally, as great of a cardio workout Phusia is, it hasn't filled the "workout" bill yet. Sure you move, sweat and the hour flies by but the next day do you wake up and feel like you "did something?"
I've come to a solution. It's raw, unpolished, a bit on the fly right now, however I think I'm on the right track. I will be working through it with my class here in Stowe and get my instructors up to date and on their paths as well.
My message to you: stick with it, it will unveil itself with patience and persistence. Also, maybe get into yoga. Yoga has freed up my head so the good stuff can come up - so thank you yoga (specifically my yoga instructor, Elisa). There, I said it. Yoga has allowed my Phusia to evolve and I'm grateful. And by the way, the solution isn't yoga based - Phusia is all about dance baby!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The Hippie in Me
I don't consider myself a hippie, if you knew me you wouldn't either. However, when it comes to dance I'm definitely a hippie, not in my freedom of dance expression because I'm really a technician. My inner hippie comes out when I express my deep desire to spread the love of dance, especially to women. I want them to experience dance again - the love, the freedom, the passion, the joy - true hippie ideals!
Although I think I embody, inspire and promote these deep love desires for Phusia, it's been an uphill battle getting dance teachers to do the same. This has been a bit of a wake up call for me. I thought Phusia would be embraced quickly and deeply by dance teachers.
Last summer at the conventions I attended, dance teachers were smiling, dancing and remembering what it was like to really dance again! They seemed to get the concept of spreading the Phusia love to women. By creating a choreography co-op, I want teachers to contribute to Phusia's choreography, in the hopes we can come together and really make a difference. Any dance teacher can choreograph Phusia choreography. Maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe because dance teachers are independent both in mind and spirit, to use someone else's work goes against who they are. Well, I'm here to tell you it doesn't. What is shows is you can put your ego aside, offer a super fun class, rekindle your love for dancing, be a part of something bigger than you - a team of dance teachers inspiring women to dance again through a branded dance class they can rely on from one studio to the next. Remember why you started dancing in the first place. It wasn't about competing with your friends (and certainly not with other studios). It was because you just HAD to unleash your dance goddess.
So, in the spirit of hippieness, I'm giving my choreography away. All of my videos are public. If you aren't a teacher, I have classes online and you can dance with me. If you are a teacher, I ask that if you choose to use my choreography and call your class Phusia, you pay for the license fee ($49), send me a video of you teaching and I'll support you as one of my instructors in every way I can. This isn't about making money (it never really has been). It's about defying tradition and changing the adult dance world, spreading the love of dance and inspiring women to rekindle their love for dance.
I welcome your comments!
Julie
Although I think I embody, inspire and promote these deep love desires for Phusia, it's been an uphill battle getting dance teachers to do the same. This has been a bit of a wake up call for me. I thought Phusia would be embraced quickly and deeply by dance teachers.
Last summer at the conventions I attended, dance teachers were smiling, dancing and remembering what it was like to really dance again! They seemed to get the concept of spreading the Phusia love to women. By creating a choreography co-op, I want teachers to contribute to Phusia's choreography, in the hopes we can come together and really make a difference. Any dance teacher can choreograph Phusia choreography. Maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe because dance teachers are independent both in mind and spirit, to use someone else's work goes against who they are. Well, I'm here to tell you it doesn't. What is shows is you can put your ego aside, offer a super fun class, rekindle your love for dancing, be a part of something bigger than you - a team of dance teachers inspiring women to dance again through a branded dance class they can rely on from one studio to the next. Remember why you started dancing in the first place. It wasn't about competing with your friends (and certainly not with other studios). It was because you just HAD to unleash your dance goddess.
So, in the spirit of hippieness, I'm giving my choreography away. All of my videos are public. If you aren't a teacher, I have classes online and you can dance with me. If you are a teacher, I ask that if you choose to use my choreography and call your class Phusia, you pay for the license fee ($49), send me a video of you teaching and I'll support you as one of my instructors in every way I can. This isn't about making money (it never really has been). It's about defying tradition and changing the adult dance world, spreading the love of dance and inspiring women to rekindle their love for dance.
I welcome your comments!
Julie
Location:Vermont
Friday, June 22, 2012
Getting from Here to There
In my former life (let's call that 12 years ago), I was the Queen of half read self-help books. At that time, there were four little children demanding all of my energy and I somehow was under the impression that somewhere in a book I would find myself. Then I started dancing again. First it was classes, then it was back to teaching, followed by a Zumba certification, and now I teach my own creation, Phusia. I then decided to certify others to teach it.
So guess what I am the Queen of now? I am the Queen of fully read entrepreneur books. I've read the best sellers and the unknowns. I've read the books they recommend at Middlebury College and the not so academic books filled with inspirational quotes. I tweet. I Facebook. I comment on blogs and groups. I read articles on the Internet about business, dance and the business of dance. I join tweet chats. I'm in it thick. But what I haven't sat down to do is come up with a PLAN! I wake up everyday, work at PhiT, teach Phusia and make baby steps toward my ultimate goal which is (drum roll please) to inspire millions of women to dance again. In order to do that, I need to certify approximately 30,000 instructors. So I'm saying it here and now - I will certify 30,000 instructors to teach and inspire millions of women to dance by June 2022. Ok, so it's not a plan, but it's a goal, a great goal and in order for me to get there from here, I'm taking baby steps some days and giant steps other days. All steps are forward as long as they are in the name of the dream.
Thanks for reading!
Julie
So guess what I am the Queen of now? I am the Queen of fully read entrepreneur books. I've read the best sellers and the unknowns. I've read the books they recommend at Middlebury College and the not so academic books filled with inspirational quotes. I tweet. I Facebook. I comment on blogs and groups. I read articles on the Internet about business, dance and the business of dance. I join tweet chats. I'm in it thick. But what I haven't sat down to do is come up with a PLAN! I wake up everyday, work at PhiT, teach Phusia and make baby steps toward my ultimate goal which is (drum roll please) to inspire millions of women to dance again. In order to do that, I need to certify approximately 30,000 instructors. So I'm saying it here and now - I will certify 30,000 instructors to teach and inspire millions of women to dance by June 2022. Ok, so it's not a plan, but it's a goal, a great goal and in order for me to get there from here, I'm taking baby steps some days and giant steps other days. All steps are forward as long as they are in the name of the dream.
Thanks for reading!
Julie
Monday, May 14, 2012
Out of frustration comes inspiration
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt.
This has been my mantra for about three weeks now. My guiding light as I continue my quest to inspire women to come back to the dance studio and dance.
This weekend proved to be particularly challenging as a friend of mine recorded "Shark Tank" and we watched it together. For those of you unfamiliar with this show, entrepreneurs pitch potential investors. The investors usually want a good hunk of the company and in return the entrepreneur's company can take off. This particular episode featured Billy Blanks Jr. pitching his dance fitness company, "Dance with Me." Unlike Zumba, Billy explained it included all styles. They invested and as it turns out, Zumba is behind the investor and will distribute Billy's product and market his certification weekends.
Yippee, hooray for Billy!
This was frustrating to me and I couldn't figure out why, at first. Was it because they invested in him and not me? No, not really. I'm a dancer, dance teacher, mother of five, living in Stowe Vermont - not quite Billy Blanks Jr. Was it because he was insisting he was not Zumba just like I do? Did I see a little of me in him? Was he being prideful? Am I being prideful? Should I sell out and just make my choreography easy? I pondered all of these questions.
It turns out, I'm frustrated because it's going to take me some time. In fairness to Billy, it's taken him some time too. I've watched his dance fitness class change names over the years and he has stuck with it. And so will I.
I am a dance teacher. I love to dance. I love to teach dance. I love telling people about Phusia so they too can share their passion in a new way. I love the women who come to class and want more than just an hour of sweating. They want to learn, to be inspired, to dance again. Do I want lots of people to experience it? Of course, but only because they have a passion for dance, not because it's the latest in fitness. Is fitness part of my world? Yes. But I'm a dancer first.
Phusia is a dance class first. I'm proud of this. Not in a prideful way proud, but proud that I get to teach dance every week (lots of times). It's what I studied in college and I LOVE it. Am I bummed that Billy Blanks Jr. will make the millions he deserves? No. Am I bummed that it's going to take some time? A little. I want to change the world. I want to inspire women to dance again and the gym isn't the place. The dance studio is the place where dance teachers with all of their years of training and hard work can be honored. Where classes can stand on their own and not be grouped in with a membership. We've worked too hard ladies.
I've been teaching a new routine this past week. It's so much fun. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see my students get it. They are patient with themselves and excited to learn. The concentrated looks turn into smiles. So for now, my class will continue to inspire me and I'll get to the world next.
This has been my mantra for about three weeks now. My guiding light as I continue my quest to inspire women to come back to the dance studio and dance.
This weekend proved to be particularly challenging as a friend of mine recorded "Shark Tank" and we watched it together. For those of you unfamiliar with this show, entrepreneurs pitch potential investors. The investors usually want a good hunk of the company and in return the entrepreneur's company can take off. This particular episode featured Billy Blanks Jr. pitching his dance fitness company, "Dance with Me." Unlike Zumba, Billy explained it included all styles. They invested and as it turns out, Zumba is behind the investor and will distribute Billy's product and market his certification weekends.
Yippee, hooray for Billy!
This was frustrating to me and I couldn't figure out why, at first. Was it because they invested in him and not me? No, not really. I'm a dancer, dance teacher, mother of five, living in Stowe Vermont - not quite Billy Blanks Jr. Was it because he was insisting he was not Zumba just like I do? Did I see a little of me in him? Was he being prideful? Am I being prideful? Should I sell out and just make my choreography easy? I pondered all of these questions.
It turns out, I'm frustrated because it's going to take me some time. In fairness to Billy, it's taken him some time too. I've watched his dance fitness class change names over the years and he has stuck with it. And so will I.
I am a dance teacher. I love to dance. I love to teach dance. I love telling people about Phusia so they too can share their passion in a new way. I love the women who come to class and want more than just an hour of sweating. They want to learn, to be inspired, to dance again. Do I want lots of people to experience it? Of course, but only because they have a passion for dance, not because it's the latest in fitness. Is fitness part of my world? Yes. But I'm a dancer first.
Phusia is a dance class first. I'm proud of this. Not in a prideful way proud, but proud that I get to teach dance every week (lots of times). It's what I studied in college and I LOVE it. Am I bummed that Billy Blanks Jr. will make the millions he deserves? No. Am I bummed that it's going to take some time? A little. I want to change the world. I want to inspire women to dance again and the gym isn't the place. The dance studio is the place where dance teachers with all of their years of training and hard work can be honored. Where classes can stand on their own and not be grouped in with a membership. We've worked too hard ladies.
I've been teaching a new routine this past week. It's so much fun. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see my students get it. They are patient with themselves and excited to learn. The concentrated looks turn into smiles. So for now, my class will continue to inspire me and I'll get to the world next.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
How can a swimming pool unleash my dance goddess?
About every other month, I get the urge to go to the bookstore. I know there is a book just waiting there on the shelf for me, ready for me to take it home. For those of you who don't know me, I'm the Queen of the half-read self help book. Since starting Phusia, I've become the Queen of the half-read business book. My theory is if I've gotten something out of it, then it was worth it.
Sunday, Phat Sunday actually (my absolutely do no exercise day), I was pressed by my husband and youngest son to go to the pool. I don't love the pool. I actually don't even like it, but our son Brock loves it and he is pretty amazing in it too. I was thick and deep into my newest book "Brains on Fire: Igniting powerful, sustainable word of mouth movements" by Robbin Phillips, Greg Cordell, Geno Church and Spike Jones, and I really did not want to go to the pool. But I did. I left my book and phone at home, put on my suit (which means now I'm going IN) and headed out the door with them.
The pool we go to in town is a bath temperature, fairly anonymous hotel pool. We love the privacy and temperature. It is where Brock learned to swim. I got in and quickly forgot about everything. I was in the moment watching his every lap. I got "toypedoed" (with a toy torpedoe) over and over again. We had a blast and I even practiced some swim strokes.
We returned home, made a great dinner (Ernie helped - oh yes he did) and settled in for the night. I was able to return to my book, refreshed, focused and eager. After escaping for just a little while to a place I was less than excited about I was more open to some Phusia forward motion. The fact that I was able to enjoy my beautiful youngest son and come home refreshed was an unexpected treat.
I wonder where I'll find my next unexpected inspiration......
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, Phat Sunday actually (my absolutely do no exercise day), I was pressed by my husband and youngest son to go to the pool. I don't love the pool. I actually don't even like it, but our son Brock loves it and he is pretty amazing in it too. I was thick and deep into my newest book "Brains on Fire: Igniting powerful, sustainable word of mouth movements" by Robbin Phillips, Greg Cordell, Geno Church and Spike Jones, and I really did not want to go to the pool. But I did. I left my book and phone at home, put on my suit (which means now I'm going IN) and headed out the door with them.
The pool we go to in town is a bath temperature, fairly anonymous hotel pool. We love the privacy and temperature. It is where Brock learned to swim. I got in and quickly forgot about everything. I was in the moment watching his every lap. I got "toypedoed" (with a toy torpedoe) over and over again. We had a blast and I even practiced some swim strokes.
We returned home, made a great dinner (Ernie helped - oh yes he did) and settled in for the night. I was able to return to my book, refreshed, focused and eager. After escaping for just a little while to a place I was less than excited about I was more open to some Phusia forward motion. The fact that I was able to enjoy my beautiful youngest son and come home refreshed was an unexpected treat.
I wonder where I'll find my next unexpected inspiration......
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, March 30, 2012
My Dance Blog reference guide
I love reading (when I have the time) and it's much easier to read about something that interests me. That being said, there are quite a few dance blogs out there and I'm just at the beginning of discovering some great ones. They range from professional dancers blogging about their world to the blog as a reference tool for dancers, teachers and enthusiasts. Here are some of my discoveries and personal favorites:
Access Dance for Life
This is an informative blog promoting all things health and wellness related to dance. Topics I've read include everything from the importance of a proper warm up to knee anatomy to a guest blog contributor for a great smoothie. Great to look at and super informative. (FB fan page)
The Healthy Dancer
This is another wellness based blog. One recent post I absolutely loved was the post on using periodization training in the dance studio. As a gym owner (and dance teacher), I love this concept since trainers use this technique with athletes all of the time. As a Phusia instructor, the progressive part of periodization is used as we start our students out with lots of instruction and build to a full blown dancing class. Good stuff! (FB fan page)
Dance Healthier
Dance healthier approaches dance from a healthy perspective as well. With research and interesting topics, this blog does a great job of presenting the importance of being a "whole" dancer including eating properly, training properly and injury prevention.
4 Dancers
I really like this blog since it covers topics for dancers, dance teachers and general dance enthusiasts. I like the interview section and since social media has been on my plate in a big way, I like this section too. Overall, a great resource for anyone in love with dance. (FB fan page)
Dance Advantage
I love this site. Everything for the teacher in one great, readable, informative place. Lots of topics, lots of support. A must-read. (FB fan page)
Dance Bloggers
Bringing all dance bloggers together. If the above isn't enough reading for you, you'll find much more here. A great dance blogging resource. (FB fan page)
Clearly, I'm all about the reference blog. I love them. Send me your favorite blogs! I'd love to check them out.
Access Dance for Life
This is an informative blog promoting all things health and wellness related to dance. Topics I've read include everything from the importance of a proper warm up to knee anatomy to a guest blog contributor for a great smoothie. Great to look at and super informative. (FB fan page)
The Healthy Dancer
This is another wellness based blog. One recent post I absolutely loved was the post on using periodization training in the dance studio. As a gym owner (and dance teacher), I love this concept since trainers use this technique with athletes all of the time. As a Phusia instructor, the progressive part of periodization is used as we start our students out with lots of instruction and build to a full blown dancing class. Good stuff! (FB fan page)
Dance Healthier
Dance healthier approaches dance from a healthy perspective as well. With research and interesting topics, this blog does a great job of presenting the importance of being a "whole" dancer including eating properly, training properly and injury prevention.
4 Dancers
I really like this blog since it covers topics for dancers, dance teachers and general dance enthusiasts. I like the interview section and since social media has been on my plate in a big way, I like this section too. Overall, a great resource for anyone in love with dance. (FB fan page)
Dance Advantage
I love this site. Everything for the teacher in one great, readable, informative place. Lots of topics, lots of support. A must-read. (FB fan page)
Dance Bloggers
Bringing all dance bloggers together. If the above isn't enough reading for you, you'll find much more here. A great dance blogging resource. (FB fan page)
Clearly, I'm all about the reference blog. I love them. Send me your favorite blogs! I'd love to check them out.
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