People often perceive fitness as a rigid regimen and dance as a free-form art. How do you blend the art and expression of dance with fitness. How do you negate/ promote each perception and how do you blend dance with fitness? Fitness is an art form that is a balance between structure and freedom. Fitness is used as an expression to release emotions with use of our inner power and strength. There is science and research to prove facts about the human anatomy; however, there is also, the inexplicable, the power of the mind. It is the combination of both that allows for a freedom in structure; the balance between flow and rigidity. Dance allows people to connect to their bodies in new ways. I use my experience in dance in my training technique as it only strengthens my student ability for performance and result. What has been the biggest obstacle blending the two? Working with a new client and teaching them this philosophy. When we start fresh, I often have to feel them out and decide where to start: teaching them the foundation in structure first? or teaching them the freedom and expressiveness in movement and one's ability to connect to music and the body. Once I understand their level and psychology, I am able to assess where to begin.
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What is the mission of Hard Candy Fitness? Hard Candy Fitness is a global, luxury fitness brand focusing on unique and innovative fitness programming. The mission is to give our members a one of a kind fitness experience, from the stylish club design and amenities to our signature group fitness programming. At the core of our proprietary classes is the “Addicted to Sweat” group fitness programming based on the actual workout routines that I use with Madonna. How has your previous training influenced its development? With my experiences as a professional dancer and personal trainer, I developed the Addicted to Sweat program series to incorporate dance, cardio and toning. Your title at Hard Candy is Creative Director, an unusual position for a fitness center. How do you personally incorporate creativity into Hard Candy's mission/execution? My official title is Group Fitness Choreographer Consultant for the Addicted to Sweat group fitness programming. I view personal training as an art form and so each program in the Addicted to Sweat series was created with that in mind. When shaping the content for Hard Candy Fitness, my goal is for members to feel inspired, free and creative as well.