Happy Women’s History Month in March and International Women’s Day Saturday, March 8th, 2025!
In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I’m sharing complimentary mini dance workshops in-person and online as well as resources from the hosts of this important event.
What is IWD?
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.
Accelerate Action
This year’s theme is Accelerate Action for Gender Equality.
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
Impactful organizations and groups across the world deliver an array of effective strategies, resources, and activity that help #AccelerateAction in many areas including:
- forging women’s economic empowerment
- recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent
- supporting women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM
- designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls
- helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health
- involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security
- providing women and girls with access to quality education and training
- elevating women and girl’s participation and achievement in sport
- promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls
- addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls
There are many ways to get involved, including attending events, making an organizational statement, and striking the #AccelerateAction pose to show solidarity.
PHOTO!
IWD 2025 Statement
Collaborators were invited to film a Statement in support, which I shared on YouTube and Instagram:
“Happy Women’s History Month in March and International Women’s Day on Saturday the 8th! This year’s theme is Accelerate Action for Gender Equality.
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
I support Women of every stripe and type and intersectional equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights during IWD and all year long!
Together, let’s Accelerate Action to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.”
Mini Ballet Barre Video for IWD
This fifteen-minute Ballet Barre video on YouTube is offered in honor of International Women’s Day 2025, but is a great way to dance every day of the year!
In this video I demonstrate a typical start to my contemporary ballet classes, or a brief conditioning barre sequence for days with limited time to dance.
These combinations at the barre are provided without instruction as a dance-along for students who have practiced with me previously in-studio or online or otherwise have ballet experience. In the cards I have linked videos with instruction for each movement.
one2one Institut Open House
You are invited to join me in Cologne Rondorf on Saturday for an open house full of free workshops for women and their companions. Here is the text of the invitation in Germany:
“Liebe Gäste,
am 08.03.2025 öffnen wir von 12:00 bis 18:00 Uhr unsere Türen und laden Sie herzlich ein, praktische Einblicke in unsere ganzheitlichen Angebote zu erhalten.
Schnupperangebote:
• 13.00 Uhr – Barre à Terre (20 Min) / Blythe Stephens
• 14.00 Uhr – Martial Arts (30 Min) / Rolf Koll
• 15.00 Uhr – Qigong/Taiji (25 Min) / Dirk Nocon
• 16.00 Uhr – Barre à Terre (20 Min) / Blythe Stephens
• 16.30 Uhr – Martial Arts (30 Min) / Rolf Koll
• 17.15 Uhr – Qigong/Taiji (25 Min) / Dirk Nocon
Weitere Highlights:
• IHHT-Therapie – Zelltraining zur Leistungssteigerung und Regeneration / Pinio Bourlos-May
• Pilates – Kräftigung und Mobilisation für Körper und Geist / Pinio Bourlos-May
• Ratus Ritual – traditionelles indonesisches Kräuterritual für Entspannung und Pflege / Pinio Bourlos-May
• Endospheres – Hautstraffung und Tiefenmassage / Christine Mandelbaum
• Wimpernstyling – professionelle Verlängerung und Pflege / Frederica Lange
• Massagen – Entspannung für Körper und Geist / Tatjana Markus
• Kosmetische Behandlungen – individuelle Hautpflege / Olga Grabar
• Ästhetische Medizin – persönliche Beratung durch Dr. Nataliia Brykalina
• Aromatherapie mit Young Living Ölen / Anna Bytsenko
Vorteilsangebot:
Bei Buchung eines Termins oder eines Pakets an diesem Tag erhalten Sie einen exklusiven Rabatt!
Kommen Sie vorbei, entdecken Sie Neues und lassen Sie sich von unseren Experten beraten!
Ihre Pinio Bourlos-May
und das one2one Team”
Action All Year Long
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Resources for Further Exploration
- International Women’s Day Official Website
- IWD 2023 Yummy Gentle Yoga Replay Video on YouTube
- A Blythe Coach Online Mindful Movement Information Page
- Creative Chosen Challenges Blog Article
- Ways to Work With Me Blog Article
Questions for Reflection
- How do you enjoy ballet, dance, or other mindful movement techniques in your daily practices?
- Where is the growing edge of your artistic learning currently?
- How are you celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month?
- In what ways can you #accelerateaction for gender equity?
Thank you for moving with me, in spirit or in fact! Take good care.
Blythe Stephens, MFA, Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach: dance through your difficulties
and take leaps of faith into a joyful, fulfilling life