Over the weekend I realized this business is not a dance studio. But a place to break down an individual’s fear.   As a transwoman fear keeps us safe and often out of harm’s way.  As a proudly identifying transgender woman I can say there are a number of layers of fear we deal with.  This…

We teach boys differently than we teach girls, We place a different expectation on boys dancers versus girls dancers. We expect boys dancers to learn differently than girls dancers. We expect the girl to not like the boy. You have had an expectation placed upon you as the gender you are assigned at birth. Therefore…

Eight months ago I stopped reading, seeing, hearing the news, any news, ALL NEWS.  Pandemic raging like an anti-lgbtq lobby group.   After two very serious anxiety/panic attacks I chose to not read any news.  At first I had my partner tell me anything that might be seriously relevant, COVID numbers and its spread.  At the…

There will be a grand opening June 26th from 12 – 3 pm. Free Ballet Class from 10-1130 AM. Register with Cristina at 720-515-5058 or just email me at [email protected] More information to come.

By Cristina Michaels  This is a little helpful glossary. These terms are meant to bridge the communication between student and teacher.   Turn out – In many American applied techniques encourage forcing rotation.  If taught poorly it could be considered abuse! Six rotators the size of your pinky are responsible for this rotational action.  All are…

By Cristina Michaels; A poem from TDOR 2018 Those souls we lost Those souls you lost Tears of pain Tears for my fear Tears for those  That couldn’t live  For that next day This path I now walk That freed my soul That freed my spirit This trail threw the Aspen grove To TDOR This…

Have you ever wished you had a clearer understanding of the progression of a ballet class. Well here is it. Although there are a number of variations to this theme. This may just help you grasp the order at ballet class.  These combinations would be done right (with the left hand on the barre) and…

The Demi Plie By Cristina Michaels To bend half way/ or literally – half bend or  One of the most common threads in my dance experience is the thread between demi plie. Looking closer at a dancers demi plie. It is a lesson in opposition. Despite that fact this organic action is going downward. We…

Some of the oldest forms of discrimination are in the Arts. Personally the most obvious is in classical ballet.  This “classical” movement is classically full of hostility.  Opening discriminating on age, weight, height, race, gender.  This industrial machine is a well oiled discrimination machine.   Despite the grande jete’s forward with ballet companies of color. Their…

By Cristina Michaels L.Ac. As part of the Queer Qi cultivation technique series, it is time we discuss two channels of energy.  I will be using the words “channels, vessels, or meridians.”  These words are all interchangeable with each other in the Queer Qi series.  When we focus on our breathing, there are two meridians…