Happy Winter Solstice, arriving in late December in the Northern Hemisphere (June in the Southern), a time of celebrations of light in many cultures. The stark, bleak, dreary days are here in Cologne and strings of lights, candles, treats, and traditions help to warm the cold of winter. It can be a difficult time for many reasons, so be gentle with yourself and make exquisite self-care and kindness for self and others a priority.

November featured the full Beaver Moon, our last gasp of Autumn's colors, art and culture at Museumsnacht Koeln, and a parade of birthday celebrations. Cooler temperatures even brought the first snow of the season, the earliest I've experienced since moving to Germany! It being the month of American Thanksgiving, I still took time to be grateful for my life and everything in it and hope you had a lovely feast if you celebrate. Mom's knee surgery was a success, the U.S. Presidential Election not so much...

This paper takes the approach of critical pedagogy to investigate practices in integrating somatics into teaching ballet technique. Originally part of my MFA in Dance research methods work in 2012, the conversation continues about how to best train dancers to honor the tradition of classical ballet while also educating the whole dancer and person in contemporary society.

Right now we need to feel good and move for change more than ever, therefore I'm taking on a personal challenge to dance every day in December and inviting you to join in, too! Thus we will move mindfully and joyfully through the winter holidays and into 2025. Or you can take the challenge and repeat as desired at any time of year.

Hard times come to us all, so how can we bounce back and recover? Here are the tools that work for me when I need to cope with difficult developments and which I share with clients and students to support their commitment to what's important in their lives despite setbacks. Leaning on them now and curious to hear what you find works best for you!

October was an extra-long, very action-packed, fun, and also anxious for various reasons. I managed to vote in the US Primary Election and was worried about the outcome, as well as various other concerns personal and professional. A short visit with family members I haven't seen in ages was lovely. Our weekend escape to Mendig with friends was a refreshing adventure. My new fountain pen hobby provided creative diversion.

This is for my true Pen Friends, people who are nerdy about their writing tools and creative gear, and for my future self as I reflect on my journey, from the grand themes to the minute moments of beauty like those when pen meets paper.

Folks often ask why I mostly wear socks to teach and dance these days, and what they themselves should wear to beginner ballet or other styles of dance classes. This year I've been studying Argentine Tango for the first time, and that requires different considerations in terms of footwear, due to the type of flooring and the technique. I've recently been sharing my creative supplies and EDC/Everyday Carry essentials, so along those lines, here is an informal chat with more information about what dance shoes I regularly use and what is appropriate for a first movement class for adults or children.

September I really got in the swing of "Back-to-School" and my Fall schedule, celebrating the Autumn Equinox and Oktoberfest, looking back at Quarter 3 and forward to Quarter 4 and a new year on it's way before we know it.

Judith Peters, aka "Sympatexter" inspired me to not just write a yearly summary article, but to publish monthly reflections this year. Peters hosts a "Blogtober" blogging challenge in October, so I decided to jump in, with the theme this month being to write about what we'd like to accomplish and experience in the last quarter of 2024. On my list, some items are bigger or longer-term goals, some small, some Fall and holiday Bucket-List type items and small experiences to savor.

Self-Care September is about practices that promote well-being to empower service, learning, and creativity.

As a lifelong learner, educator and academic at heart, Back-to-School will always be an exciting concept for me. Living based in a temperate climate like I do in Cologne, Germany, as soon as I feel the first chill in the air and sight a colored leaf or Back-to-School sale, I feel a surge of energy, […]