What does DanceCal mean?
DanceCal is the combination of two important words: dance and calisthenics. These serve as the two cornerstones of our programming.
Calisthenics (n.) - exercises to achieve bodily fitness and grace of movement. Typically performed rhymically.
/ˌkaləsˈTHeniks/
Dance (n.) - a series of movements that match the speed and rhythm of a piece of music.
/dans/
Together, these two methodologies allow us to bring you a new form of exercise that keeps the fun and energy of dance, while integrating the strength and calisthenic mobility that your body needs to keep performing at it's best.
Why Choose This Program?
Maybe we're biased, but we think dance is pretty special. It takes flexibility, cardiovascular strength, bodyweight and resistance training, understanding of alignment, general mobility, and core strength- list goes on and on. On top of that, being able to set exercises to music has always helped guide athletes through even the toughest of training sessions. Other activities offer some of these components like weight training, running, yoga, CrossFit, etc., but nothing fits the bill of hard work, continuity, and fun quite like dance can. It's undeniable everyone’s quality of life would be improved with dance, but it can be an intimidating world to join at first (especially later in life) and the typical dance class isn't exactly suited for the average exercise enthusiast.
Enter DanceCal Fitness- all of the benefits of dance tailored into a format suited for professional dancers and dancers at heart alike. Our choreographed exercises tailored to each core element will get you feeling strong and mobile, and our one-of-a-kind cardio choreography style will leave you sweaty and with a smile!
Where does DanceCal Fitness draw inspiration?
There is an ancient practice in Japan called Rajio Taiso. Rajio Taiso is a calisthenic exercise set to music that plays on the radio in Japan every morning, and has been around for over 100 years. Starting at a young age in school and continuing on to even some workplaces as adults, it is a priority to stop other activities and participate in this exercise all together as a group. It is the same exercise every morning, so it is quickly memorized and everyone of all ability levels is able to follow along. Not surprisingly, these exercises are very similar to the beginning of a typical dance warm up: isolations of body movements, warming up the neck and shoulders, dynamic stretching, opening of the hips, graceful movement- all set to music.
The idea of an entire culture valuing these movements for all citizens regardless of their activity level, profession, or passion, was game changing to the inception of DanceCal Fitness. We took the dance class model, and made adjustments to shape it in the same fashion as Raijo Taiso by making it accessible to all without any added expectations or pressure. The spirit of a traditional dance class remains, but with the focus of Raijo Taiso: routine, community, and wellness. Not to mention the rising popularity of dance on social media led us to create our one-of-a-kind combination of choreography and lead and follow material. And from there DanceCal was born! We can't wait for you to try it for yourself.
