THE POWER OF DANCE | BRITT STEWART

This month, we sat down with Dancing with the Stars' pro, Britt Stewart who has been on a number of seasons turning contestants to dancers that we enjoy seeing across our screens! With the next season of DWTS starting on Sept 26th, we wanted to catch up with her to find out more about her background, her passion for dance, projects she's been part of and the importance of representation in dance as well as having the tools and wellness care items that we can all enjoy regardless of our skin tones! In addition, she talks about her partnership with BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE®!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to be a dancer?

BRITT STEWART: Oh, wow! I don't know if I realized it for myself because I was three years old when I started dancing, and my parents put me into it. But as soon as I started dancing, my parents knew that that was my passion. Then, I had an amazing opportunity professionally when I was 15 years old, when I was in the high school musical movies, and it was what really showed me what a career in dance would be like. After that, I just was stuck and that's what I ended up doing!

AM: Where did you train and what kind of dance do you do or lean towards?

BS: I trained in Denver, Colorado at Artistic Fusion Dance Academy. I also trained at my art school from sixth through 12th grade at Denver School of the Arts. Growing up I trained in everything. I was classically trained with ballet and modern and contemporary and jazz. I also did tap and hip hop and cultural dances. And now of course, I lean toward all styles of ballroom dance. I would have to say my favorite is jazz through and through, but I love Samba and Viennese Waltz.

AM: You have toured as a dancer for a number of artists including: Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Demi Lovato, and Florence and the Machine! You danced during Super Bowl XLIX and have also been in Grey's Anatomy, Bunheads, and the Gilmore Girls to name a few - how has it been to showcase your talents on so many stages and different ways?

BS: My career feels so expansive because I started so young, and I also feel very blessed that I got so many different experiences on so many different stages, from live stage to TV and film. It has really been a blessing to be able to call my passion my career and my work. I know that that is something that doesn't always happen, so I don't take it for granted.

AM: You joined Dancing with the Stars as a dancer in Season 23 - 27 and then became the first black female pro on the show in Season 29! What attracted you to being on this show and what is the difference between being a dancer versus a pro?

BS: The show actually started as just a regular commercial job. I got hired to do one little performance, and that is where the producers saw me and asked me to audition for the show. It really came out of the blue! I knew that I wanted something different and I wanted to be challenged. This was right after Katy Perry's tour. I had been with her for three years, and I really loved working with her, but I knew that I just wanted something different at that moment. And literally, Dancing with the Stars fell into my lap. It pushed me in so many ways. The biggest difference between being a dancer and a Dancing with the Stars pro is it really does hold so much responsibility. As a pro you not only get to dance, but to choreograph and to teach and really create a relationship with whoever your partner is.

AM: You've partnered with Johnny Weir, Martin Kove, and Daniel Durant - how do you prepare to work with partners who have varying levels of expertise and what's that process like?

BS: The process of working with all levels and expertise is very unique to each season. I stay true to myself as a choreographer and as a teacher, but I always enter the room with an open heart and open mind and choreograph and teach for that partner's needs.

AM: What has been your favorite memory of being on this show?

BS: Oh my goodness. Well, my favorite memory on Dancing With The Stars is hard to choose because my first season was so rewarding. I really earned a friend for life from Johnny Weir, and he was honestly the perfect first partner I could have asked for. But then, I don't know. I mean, being partnered with Daniel and then falling in love with him, I guess that's my favorite memory!

AM: What can you tell us about the upcoming season that we should keep an eye out for and what are you looking forward to?

BS: Unfortunately, I can’t share too much information about the upcoming season but stay tuned for more to come shortly!

AM: Tell me about Share The Movement, how you are partnering with BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® with Dance Clinics here in NYC, LA, and Atlanta, and why this was synergistic for you.

BS: Share The Movement is a nonprofit organization and I’m lucky enough to serve as President. Share the Movement was created by an amazing group of dancers, choreographers and dance enthusiasts, and we launched in April of 2021. Our mission is to increase diversity in the professional dance industry. As an organization, we’ve really grown in the last several years through our mentorship and summer scholarship programs. We also help young BIPOC dancers continue with training and development opportunities.

Through our partnership with BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE®, we’re putting our mission into action - helping to develop young, diverse dancers. Together we are hosting a series of free dance clinics in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles. I'm currently here at the New York City event, which just begun, and it's been amazing to create a space where everyone can feel seen and heard. It has been so special.

AM: I'm caramel complected and the fact that there is an option to have wound care options that match our skin is really exciting. Why is this important for dancers?

BS: Having a brand that embraces different skin tones is so important for everyone, especially dancers. We are always on stage or in class where we are prone to cuts, bruises, blisters— you name it. Having BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® bandages at the ready and matching my skin tone just adds that extra layer of confidence to any rehearsal or performance, shifting the focus back to my performance rather than exposing a wound.

AM: How are you using your platform to amplify content from Black and Brown dancers for National Dance Day?

BS: BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® and I are teaming up for a giveaway in celebration of National Dance Day on Sunday, September 16! People will have the chance to celebrate dancers and win some of my favorite dance essentials, including BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® bandages. Be sure to stay tuned for additional details and how you can enter the giveaway on BAND-AID® Brand's Instagram page @bandaidbrand.

IG @brittbenae

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | ABC/Dancing with the Stars | 9LIST STORI3S ABC/Dancing with the Stars |

Read the SEP ISSUE #93 of Athleisure Mag and see THE POWER OF DANCE | Britt Stewart in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | STEEZY

STEEZY was founded in 2014 by Connor Lim & Evan Zhou initially as a blog. In 2015, STEEZY Studio launched as an online dance class subscription service offering on-demand digital dance tutorials for dancers of all skill levels, with the goal to make online dance classes accessible to anyone, anywhere while bringing the dance community together as a whole.

Rather than simply taking a physical dance class online, STEEZY develops technology to make learning to dance easier, so you can enjoy dancing faster. The platform utilizes custom features allowing users to see everything, review faster, and practice more efficiently. Users can easily switch views, view specific sections of a dance, loop moves, control speed, and even watch themselves dance with the “see yourself” mode. This feature allows users to see themselves on screen side by side with the instructor, by using the computer's webcam.

Each class and program is thoughtfully designed by the most sought after choreographers including CJ Salvador (credits include Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez), J Blaze (Justin Bieber, Usher, Chris Brown, Robin Thicke), Kiira Harper (Beyonce, Lizzo, Drake, Janelle Monae, Trey Songz), Lyle Beniga (Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Christina Aguilera), Nicole Kirkland (Prince, Iggy Azalea, Kehlani, Gwen Stefani), Ysabelle Capitule (Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Kehlani, Mya), and many more.

STEEZY currently offers 700+ classes with new dances added weekly in 9 different styles: Urban Dance, Breaking/ BBoy, Dancehall, Popping, Hip Hop, Whacking, House, Krump, and Heels/Jazz Funk. Upcoming new style launches include: Dance Fitness - 7/26, Intro to Heels - 8/23, LiteFeet - 9/6, K-pop Dances - 9/20 and Locking - 10/11.

Videos remain on the platform permanently unless noted otherwise. Each STEEZY user can save classes or programs within their account. iOS and Android users also have the ability to download for offline mode.

STEEZY is available for $20/month or $99.99/year. First-time users can enjoy this app with a free 7-day trial.

STEEZY

www.steezy.co

IG @steezystudio

Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag #55 and see Athleisure List | STEEZY in mag.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN WITH BROOKE ENCE

We had a great time chatting with International CrossFit Star and actress, Brooke Ence who took her love of dance, fitness and being a natural athlete to another level. She shared the road to the CrossFit Games. We have enjoyed watching her in Wonder Woman as well as Justice League as well as in her new show where she plays a Resident Tagger in FOX's Ultimate Tag which takes the game to another level with an array of courses. She talks about her journey, the importance of timing, sacrifice and being ina team of people that are focused on her success. We also talk about her new app that she recently launched that allows us to stay fit and embrace a community that supports the efforts that she believes in.

ATHLEISURE MAG: We know you have a dance background and that you have been in the fitness industry for some time, when did you know that you wanted to work in this industry?

BROOKE ENCE: I never really knew that I wanted to be in fitness. As far as in dance and performance, since I was like 3. I really found CrossFit in preparation for an audition that I had for a show in Las Vegas called Le Rêve which is a Cirque du Soleil show. It really started as me training in CrossFit to compete against an individual athlete in 2013. I was doing it before hand while still going to school. I was a fulltime Dance Major at the University of Utah. I was one of stronger girls in the gym, I was on the team and I didn’t decide that I wanted to compete and do it as an individual until 2013 CrossFit Games when I was spectating. I didn’t expect other opportunities that came across and happened. The opportunities that came were byproducts of what I was doing. Now everything that I do, health, fitness, performance, dance, training, competing or just to have a voice and influence on people to live a happier and healthier life, I know that this is where I’m definitely meant to be. I still like to do other things like dabbling in movies and films.

AM: What is it about CrossFit that you enjoy? We know of a number of our followers and listeners that started it a few months ago and they’re just obsessed with it. Can you tell us what CrossFit is and what is it that people embrace about it?

BE: CrossFit as a sport is very different then CrossFit as a training methodology. The goal for training is to keep you doing the things that you love. You use it as a means to get better at doing other things that you do a sport or an activity. Beyond that, it’s about keeping people functional as long as they are living. Keeping them to do a series of basic functions and tasks so that they feel that they can do better and to be able to do things for yourself. It’s just about living a happy, healthy lifestyle that you can maintain forever.

As we get older, some things will be different, but the biggest goal is to keep you in whatever time that you’re on in your life journey as healthy as possible. I think that what people are really drawn to – people who come from an athletic background or played sports, at a certain age, if a professional athletic career wasn’t in the books for you, it’s a great opportunity for people to kind of do this and it feels satisfying to give them another chance to be really good at something competitive for that want and that drive. A lot of people maybe never were as they didn’t play sports and weren’t on team sports or anything competitive like that. It transfers over to how you work in your family, your business and it’s a community.

When it comes to fitness, when you’re thinking of truly having a better lifestyle, that’s how we create health and fitness longevity. You have to adjust your lifestyle. Being able to connect to a community where everyone is doing the same thing, you have these things that you can really connect with and relate to. It feels so amazing when you are able to do something that you have never done before and it becomes very addicting. It’s the opportunity and experience to become better, accomplish goals and to see yourself do things that you couldn’t do before. It's very motivating and you see yourself getting better. When you have a group of people doing it with you, you have the better chance of sticking with it longterm and making the lifestyle changes.

AM: What is involved? We’re definitely excited to hear from a World CrossFit Champion on what that is!

BE: Right! Just to clarify, I didn’t win the CrossFit Games, but I was the Champion of the California Regional and in my Rookie appearance, I took 2 first place finishes and I finished 14 in the world! When you want to get better at anything. You have to be willing to sacrifice, time, how bad you want it and when do you want it. Fitness isn’t free and the work that you’re going to put it in it is what you are going to get out of it. People are in training mode - they’re in that schedule all the time. It becomes like the most important thing. Everyone that is part of their team, everyone is thinking about that person’s training. You have to be super consistent. You’re training has to be really balanced. Your coach whether they are at your CrossFit gym or someone that is just for you. It’s this big road map that you have to think about in terms of looking at the big picture. You can’t take a week, it’s months and years of being really consistent. The better you get, the stronger you get, the harder it is for you to have adaptations and the longer it takes for you to get stronger – it takes time. The only way to do that and to reach those goals and get better is that you have to constantly push the limit so that your body can adapt to what you’re doing. It’s a full time job!

AM: In addition to that, you crossed over to Hollywood by being in Wonder Woman and Justice League. We enjoyed both of those movies. How is that to go into this part of your career and how did it take place?

BE: I always wanted to be in a movie growing up. I really wanted to be on Broadway! I spent most of my time doing dancing, singing and doing musical theater. Musical theater is much more theatrical. It was crazy to me to get a call out of the blue to read for a movie and I was just focused on my training in 2015 when they called me. I was on my way to the CrossFit Games and I almost turned it down!

AM: Wait what – it’s Wonder Woman, we love that movie.

BE: I found out that when they called me and I got the part, I thought it was cool and a great opportunity. I thought that we would be filming in Hollywood so I could continue to train in the gyms down there so I could keep up my schedule. I was worried that I would do this and what if I didn’t make it back to the CrossFit Games and it disrupts my training so much that I would let them down.

AM: Now on May 20th, you will be one of the Resident Taggers in FOX’s new show, Ultimate Tag which is hosted by NFL brother’s JJ, TJ and Derek Watt. Can you tell us more about this show and why you wanted to be apart of it?

BE: It is Ultimate Tag! It is the adult athlete version of a flag football version of tag and awesome. It’s high intensity, really fun – like most games we played as kids. You get beat up! I got beat up! I didn't know anything know anything beyond that when they called me. I was brought in extremely last minute. BE: It’s a brand new show and I wanted to try something new, do something exciting and be around people where we would have a really positive experience. It’s so much more than what you think it would be and I think that they have done a really good job in showcasing that in the way that it is filmed too. Fingers crossed that they have a second season and that they can get even better at being able to show the best way that an audience and the people at home can experience this! You’ll feel the intensity on the floor.

AM: As a Resident Tagger, will you be on the show every season?

BE: No so, we have a pretty big tagger team. Not every tagger plays every game. We sub taggers in and out. You don’t want one tagger being out there and taking too much time taking out one person. It’s so intense out there as you’re going from 0-100 that we play our teams the smartest way possible. We think about the strengths of the taggers to put the best person in based on their abilities.

AM: You must have been really tiring after filming each episode with so much energy and physicality going into it!

BE: For me, the other taggers were there when I went down to try out. They had been there. Fun Fact: Every time we played, it was my first time seeing the game and doing it! Every time I was like wow – it was my first time seeing the game and doing it! Every time I was like wow – my nerves were very high and coming from a very athletic background and playing a lot of sports growing up, even with CrossFit and the practice of adapting to things and learning on the fly and learning quickly. That helped me.

AM: That is insane! Many of us during this time have figured out how we can continue to keep our workouts going. What are some tips that you have that we can share that people should think about in terms of their fitness as well as items they can buy to aid their fitness goals?

BE: Of course, I’m going to just plug myself as I 100% stand behind this program – it’s called Naked Training App. We launched 2 at home programs. One is with body weight and one is with dumbbells. If you need some kind of equipment at your house, I would say that a couple pairs of dumbbells is great. We have all the videos to show you how to do things. What’s cool with what you’re trying to do when you’re working out, it’s so much easier when someone is there to show you what to do. It’s like, “what am I doing – oh that? Ok let me do that.” Not only do that, but my team creates the road map because we know we’re all here to get fit and strong. Our team does the work of programming it for you with the big picture in mind If you want to get fitter, stronger etc you do have to adapt with the times and your circumstances and to be realistic about it. You have to do more then just something. If you’re looking for minimal equipment and the goal in mind when programming is to get you closer to being a stronger, healthier more fit person – while the programmer understands where we are in our situation right now, you have a better chance of sticking to your goal while not sacrificing too much as we can’t really leave our house too much!

AM: For the Naked Training App, do you have nutrition in there as well as a sense of community?

BE: We do have nutrition. We have a Facebook Group. We have an ebook available to get you started and we do talk about nutrition through our Facebook Live and we're in the process of launching our own nutrition along with coaching. It will become much more than just hearing this information to get started – but then it would be in the person’s hands and a lot more 1-on-1 coaching and following. We didn't want to run too fast into nutrition without having the team behind it.

IG @BrookeEnce

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 121 + 126 Brooke Ence | PG 118 + 127 FOX | 122 Michael Becker/FOX |

Read the May Issue of Athleisure

Hear from CrossFit Star and FOX's Ultimate Tag Brooke Ence on our show, Bungalow SK - which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! Make sure to subscribe to find out when the episode drops. You can hear it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast.

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Let the Games Begin with Brooke Ence in mag.

WHAT TYPE OF DANCE CLASSES SHOULD YOU SIGN UP FOR?

There are as many dance class options as there are moods you go through. Learn how to choose the best type of dance classes for you here.

Hoping to learn how to dance? 

From social graces to freedom of expression, you can always find a dance for it. You’ll also find that your every mood might have a dance to go with it.

This is why finding the right type of dance classes for you is important. After all, dancing changes the way you think. By that, we don’t mean only rhythmic and body coordination, but also health.

Did you know that learning to dance can benefit those with Parkinson’s disease? According to research on a group with Parkinson’s, dancing helped improved their divergent thinking skills. Below, we’ll elaborate further on the other benefits of dance as well as the different kinds of dance.

1. Find Where Your Interests and Goals Lie

Before you look for a type of dance class, it’s good to take a breath and do some reflection first. Why did you decide you want to dance and what is your goal with dance? Your intention can range from trying new things with your friends to self-improvement.

Are you looking to dance for better health? According to Golden Dance & Cheer Academy, one of the health benefits of dance is improving balance and coordination. It improves your mental health and social skills, too.

The next question to ask is what type of dance classes you’re interested in. What kind of music, tempo, and energy interests you? If you’re unsure, watching videos online can help you decide.

2. Consider Your Budget and Other Limitations

Motivation isn’t enough to keep you going. It’s always a smart move to consider your budget. Otherwise, you might find yourself doing a do-si-do out the door before the lesson even begins. 

Private dance lessons are more expensive. The area in which you live also influences the rates of dance classes. If you are aiming to do competitive dancing or dance sport, expect a higher fee.

Other limitations include your health and body. For most types of dance styles, you need good health. Some dances demand specific strengths, although you can always develop them with practice.

For example, ballet challenges your legs and feet. If you have plantar fasciitis or scoliosis, you’ll want something less straining. Instead, something more casual like social ballroom dancing may be a better choice.

3. What Is the Best Type of Dance Classes for You?

Now, it’s time to talk about the different types of dance classes. Picture your inspiration for dancing and think about the style of dance that you want to learn. Don’t forget to consider your personality, too.

Below is a list of the popular dance classes you’ll likely find in your area.

Ballroom and Other Pairs Dancing

If you remember Dancing with the Stars, then you’d have likely enjoyed the ballroom pieces they presented. If you’re a big movie buff, you might remember Richard Gere hiding his dancing with J Lo in Shall We Dance. If you’ve got a partner who’s as interested in dancing, learn ballroom dance.

In ballroom dancing, you’ll find there are many styles to learn, like the waltz. If you want something livelier, swing, cha-cha, and quickstep are other great options. If you want something sexier, the tango and rumba are top choices for hottest ballroom dances.

Ballet

Let’s start with classical ballet. If you’re in love with classical music and a deeper appreciation of dance, ballet makes for a great choice. If you’re ready to dance like Odette/Odile from Swan Lake, put on your pointe shoes and get ready to learn the pointe!

Most ballet schools will have a structured environment. Once you’ve mastered it, opportunities to perform or become employed are open to you. Plus, ballet is the kind of dance style you can transfer to other styles of dance too.

Jazz

If you feel more inclined to learn a new form of freedom, jazz dance classes are what you’re looking for.  Most jazz dance classes will teach you the basic moves. After that, it’s up to you to personalize, combine, and showcase them.

The dancing style emphasizes improvisation and individual skill. This high-energy dance style uses fast footwork, big leaps, and quick turns. Think Michael Jackson and Katherine Dunham.

Hip Hop, Modern, and Contemporary

Hip hop is a high-energy, highly-personalized dance expression. You can go solo at it but it also works wonders for groups. If you’ve got a good sense of rhythm, you’re sure to do great at it.

Newer types of dance classes include contemporary dance. Modern and contemporary dances challenge the traditional perceptions of dance. Expect to use your body as a versatile tool here. 

Tap Dance and Theatrical Dance

If you love story-telling, tap dancing is one way to go about it. Instead of using your mouth to tell a story, you’re using your feet! It’s also a great way to practice your internal rhythm and balance.

If you want to be more expressive about it, try your hand at a theatrical dance. The best part of this is that you can enjoy it with props and costumes. Oh, and don’t forget, stage presence is a must.

4. What Are Other Types of Dance Classes?

There’s more to add to our list of different types of dance classes yet. With dance being as versatile as music, people are bringing more and more to the limelight. The following is a list of other dance styles you may have an interest in: 

• Cheer dance

• Pole dance

• Belly dance

• Concert or stage dance

• Breakdance

• Capoeira

The list goes on. The specific types of African-American and Latin dances alone are so many that it could take a lifetime to learn them all! With different types of dance classes available, you’re sure to find one that offers to teach your type of dance.

5. Tips on Finding a Dance Class for You

With all the great dance classes you can choose from, it can be daunting to decide on one. Don’t worry because there’s no rule that you can’t enroll in more than one dance class. If you can handle it, sign up for more than one class.

If you want to learn and master a certain style first, sign up for one class. After some time, you can then choose to shift to the next dance style of your choice. For example, dance students begin with ballet and graduate with jazz.

You might find that a type of dance class is the one for you right from the beginning. For other people, it’s trial-and-error. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and cover all your bases.

Some dance classes are more expensive than others. Research the rates of dance classes in your area to find out if the dance class is the one for your wallet. Do note that dance teachers with more experience might have higher fees. 

Keep dancing and, in time, it may even help you make a living. A statistics report states the median pay is $18.17 per hour for dancers. You can also take inspiration from professional competitive dancers who earn more than money.

Step It Up

Now, you know how to find the best type of dance classes for you. If you’re ready to get rid of your two left feet, get your dance shoes on. Or stick to sneakers if you’re going contemporary.

If you’re interested in reading more of our other guides, feel free to check out the rest. We’ve got tons of other helpful guides in abun-dance!

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

5 WAYS TO KEEP FIT WHILE HAVING FUN

Are you finding it stressful to work out? Does it feel like work? Although you know it is paramount that you exercise to burn calories, lose weight, and keep fit, mustering the motivation to do so is sometimes a problem. Fit doesn’t have to be painful. Here are 5 fun ways to stay in shape without even realizing it.

Get on the Dance Floor

If you are not the sporty type – then dancing can be a great alternative if you want to get fit – And there are different dance types. You'll find at least one that appeals to you: salsa, square dancing, ballroom, African, Country, Western, and folk dancing. Not having a partner holding you back? Try hula, clogging, belly or tap dancing.

A recent and more strenuous physical fitness craze is Capoeira which adds some martial arts to dancing. You dance to music turning your back head and back using moves that may be interpreted as kickboxing or dancing.

Go on a Treasure Hunt

Take a group of friends or even your family on a geocaching adventure. Geocaching will involve the use of GPS to find a hidden logbook and cache of trinkets. While it sounds simple, cachers keep adding new twists. For instance, one has to carry a “hitchhiker” from one cache to the next. The process of getting to a cache may be like a leisurely zip-line glide or even call for expertise as is the case with rock-climbing. The first step is simply acquiring a GPS device. The information regarding cache locations and geocaching is on geocaching websites.  

Join a Sport You Love

Maybe you have a sport that you always enjoyed as a child or have always wanted to try – such as netball. Find a local team and join it. Alternatively, you can mobilize friends and family members and organize regular games. Having teammates waiting on you will help you muster the motivation you need to get out of your comfort zone and be consistent.  The social aspects of being a member of a team will make it feel like less of an exercise.

Skating

Skating is a fun-filled outdoor activity that will help you tone your body especially the lower part. It is an excellent alternative to jogging as it's easier on the joints. Both inline and ice skating are good in burning calories. A 30-minute glide around the neighborhood can help you burn about 250 calories. If you have no clue on how to skate, you can find programs within your reach that cater for beginners of all ages.

Prepare for an Active Vacation

Have you ever considered spending your time at a fantasy sports camp, or going on a country bike tour? Such activities can satisfy your craving for fun while helping you stay in shape. But the extent of injuries sustained during such events may inform your decision - whether to take the next trip or not. To limit muscle injury and soreness, make sure to train before embarking on your trip – the upcoming vacation will be your source of inspiration. Also, check with Medicine Direct for some medication that you can carry along when the time comes. 

You can still identify other activities that you find enjoyable and take the first step – move.