Sevillanas is a timeless dance!

Winter-Spring 2014 Youth Flamenco & Yoga Classes with Eve Costarelli

Winter-Spring 2014 Youth Flamenco & Yoga Classes with Eve Costarelli

Mondays:
Youth Yoga (Ages 8+)
4:30-5:30PM
Open Spirit, 39 Edwards St., Framingham, MA 
Wednesdays:
Youth Flamenco (Ages 5-16)
4:00-5:00PM (Ages 5-10) Level 1
5:00-6:00PM (Ages 11-16) Level 2
Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA 
Thursdays:
Youth Yoga (Ages 8-14)
3:00-4:00PM (please call to inquire 617-566-9642)
DownUnder Yoga, 1052 Beacon St., Brookline 
Youth Flamenco (ages 4-12)
4:30-5:15PM (Ages 4-7)
5:15-6:15PM (Ages 8-12)
*Brookline Location TBD; please call or email to inquire: 617-5216-1643; AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com

• Bring The Birth of Flamenco to your school or community event. Discover the fiery art of Flamenco, a creation of the Roma (or Gypsies) who fused dance from Spaniards, music from the Moors and song from Sephardic Jews. Through movement, music and words, Eve Costarelli traces the origins of this emotive form from India to Andalusia. In addition to Flamenco’s rich history, students will learn about compás (rhythm) tacaneo (footwork) and the communication between dancer and guitarist. They’ll join in the performance using palmas (clapping rhythms) and jaleo (calls) and volunteers will be called upon to learn a few moves!
  
  Please contact Jason Rabin at Young Audiences of Massachusetts for more information and scheduling questions. Workshops available. scheduling@yamass.org or call 617-629-9262 
• Eve is available for private/semi private/ family lessons, birthday parties for all ages, performances.

Contact Eve Costarelli 617-216-1643 or AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; www.AlwaysBeDancing.com

Breath Easy Through The Season: And above all dance flamenco!

Thanksgiving is surely a time to be thankful for all the good graces that are in our lives, but truth be told it can also be a stressful time. All ages, kids to adult, have to combat overeating, stress, sadness, lack of exercise and imbalance.

I like to make sure my students have a few good things  in their tool box of way to cope with these feelings.

Remember if things do get stressful:

1. Breath: inhale though your nose and out through your nose. Try to elongate the exhale to calm you.

2. Do a simple inversion: forward bends, which can be done leaning forward onto a chair if the floor is just too far away. Yoga poses like forward bend and downward facing dog raise your blood pressure enough to trigger the body's natural calming mechanisms (do not do inversions if you have high blood pressure-the best thing here to do would be to sit and rest your head on a table).

3. Do heart opening poses to combat depression: cobra, bridge, bow, wheel, locust, fish, camel. Simply you can sit on a chair, place your hands by your sides, lift up your chest and feel you back arching up.

4. You can tame feelings of fear and instability by doing twists, hip openers and side bends. These will help balance your emotions: butterfly, child's pose, 1/2 lord of the fishes, simple lying twist and dimple seated twist (on the floor or in a chair).

5. DANCE FLAMENCO! Above all let your hearts be free, it will help you digest your food and you will feel great!

Here is a past post of mine called "Smell The Roses In Your Poses" 

http://alwaysbdancing.blogspot.com/2012/11/smell-roses-in-your-poses-thanksgiving.html

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

¡Ole! ¡Namaste!

CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES FOR EVE COSTARELLI SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES FOR EVE COSTARELLI SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013


CLASSES:
Veteran’s Yoga (Mondays 6:15-7:15) Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA

• This yoga class is free for all veterans, family members and providers. This class focuses on the specific needs of veterans. Experience the benefits of yoga to relieve stress, recover from trauma, focus the mind and heal the body. All veterans welcome regardless of age or physical ability. No previous yoga experience is necessary. Mats and props are provided. Please wear comfortable clothing and avoid eating at least one hour before class. (Classes are co-taught with Michael Thomas and Lynn Stoller)

Yoga for Tweens and Teens (Mondays 4:30-5:30; starts Monday September 30) Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA

• Yoga is the perfect complement to all activities as it promotes flexibility, strength, friendliness and calmness. Students will learn yoga postures to work the body, breathing techniques to increase the flow of oxygen to the body’s tissues and meditation to calm the mind.

Youth Flamenco (ages 4-16) (Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 (ages 4-9) & 5:00-6:00 (ages 10-16)

The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

• Youth I (Level 1/2), ages 4-10

This class includes basic technique and technique to improve flamenco dance to include correct posture, hand, arm, and foot placement. The student will become familiar with basic flamenco vocabulary. The course will include exercises that will develop and improve the clarity of the students’ footwork, develop their upper-body to lower-body coordination as well as stamina and endurance are included. Basic castanet playing exercises are practiced. Basic to medium level footwork and choreographic variations are taught. Repertoire will be taught. Required attire: leotard or fitted top, castanets, flamenco shoes and skirt for girls. Castanets and flamenco boots for boys.

• Youth II (Level 2/3+), ages 10-16

This class offers Flamenco technique to improve posture, hand, arm, and foot placement. Exercises that will improve clarity of the students’ footwork, upper-body to lower-body coordination as well as stamina and endurance are included. Medium to complex footwork and choreographic variations are taught. Repertoire will be taught.

Required Attire: Flamenco shoes, flamenco skirt, leotard or fitted top, castanets. Castanets and flamenco boots for boys. Other dance accessories may be required such as Spanish hat, mantón and fan, when necessary.

WORKSHOPS:

Intro to Youth and adult Flamenco Workshops; Saturday October 19^th 2013 Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham

• Introduction to Youth Flamenco 1:00-2:00PM
• Adult Introductory Flamenco 2:30-3:45PM
  
• These introductory workshops will introduce beginners of all ages to the joys of flamenco dancing: the rhythms (compás), correct posture (postura) , arm and hand movements (braceo y floreo), footwork (taconeo) and the flamenco heart (duende). No previous dance experience is necessary.
  

All participants should wear hard bottomed shoes; women and girls should also wear skirts.

Pre-Registration is encouraged. For more information, please contact Eve Costarelli 617-216-1643 or AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com

PERFORMANCES:

ZARZUELA! SPANISH OPERA FROM THE BOSTON ARTS CONSORT TO YOU Saturday September 28^th 2013

• The Boston Arts Consort and the Democracy Center are proud to be part of Boston’s inaugural ArtWeek.

Zarzuela! Spain’s unique brand of opera filled with music, dance, comedy and passion is coming to the Democracy Center in Cambridge on Saturday, September 28th. Be part of the production by singing the fiery choruses and clapping to the rhythmic palmas of flamenco, while lovers woo and men duel over their señoritas, and get to know a little-known gem in Harvard Square —the Democracy Center, a non-profit haven that has been incubating grassroots organizations and providing space for events, classes, the arts, and community collaboration for over a decade with the goal of advancing peace and justice.
Drawing from the many talented musicians, artists and scholars from the Boston area and abroad since 2008, the Boston Arts Consort presents programs that combine the aesthetic, cultural, and historical elements of its themes for a well-rounded and enjoyable audience experience. The Boston Arts Consort performers include Elizabeth Leehey, clarinet; Eva Lorca, flamenco artist; Donal O’Sullivan, actor; Linda Papatopoli, pianist and director; Roberto Rios, flamenco guitar; Clara Sandler, mezzo-soprano; and Gary Tucker, baritone; with lecture by Margarita Campos, Professor of Communications at Barcelona University.
Refreshments will be provided.

Tour of the Democracy Center at 7 pm, Lecture and performance at 8 pm
Tour is free, “Zarzuela” is free for students, $10 general public
45 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Call The Boston Arts Consort (617-666-7973) or the Democracy Center (617-492-8855) for more information.

Flamenco & Yoga: Summer 2013: Northeast Youth Ballet, Reading, MA.

Flamenco & Yoga: Summer 2013: Northeast Youth Ballet, Reading, MA.

This summer, for my 12 consecutive year, I joined the staff at Northeast Youth Ballet for six weeks of flamenco and yoga classes. To say that teaching at this school is an absolute pleasure would be an understatement. This is an amazing dance school. The dedication of the owners and the teachers to the students is unparalleled. You can tell this from the moment you walk in the door. The total vibe of the place is one of harmony, cooperation, focus and positivity. I am so fortunate to be part of it all!


The last four weeks have been dedicated to the intermediate and advanced students. Having them both for flamenco and yoga has really upped my game. I can work theories of physical and energetic movement throughout flamenco class, using the pulsations of the specific rhythm they are working on and then bring those same energetic movements back in during yoga class. I am so satisfied being able to combine these two art forms. This is where my heart lies.


At the beginning of each class, I would lead a flamenco centering exercise to get them in the mindset for flamenco. I needed them to connect to the songs they would be dancing too and to soak their minds and bodies with the rhythms. Most of the time, we started lying on the floor. After an initial breathing exercise, we would listen to the song to ingest it. I would talk about the essence of the song, how it's particular rhythm would motivate the movement and allow your soul to show through while you danced it. I would talk about grounding, being able to hold the song in the heart, almost being able to grasp it with their hands.


The intermediate students and I worked on the fourth Sevillanas. Now it is true, that you would normally learn them in order -1, 2, 3, 4- but I chose just to work number four with this group. It is full of -step, ball change- which I knew would be a motor skill they already possessed and by working on only one Sevillanas, we would have time to do it in partners and in a circle formation. For the demonstration, they are dancing it four times. Firstly they will do it facing the audience; second, they find their partners; third, still in same partnerships; and the fourth time, they move into two circles, one inside the other, and then those two circles partner each other. It reminds me of Bugsby Berkeley’s choreography from the 1920's (stylistically, my favorite era).



The advanced students took on a Tangos de Triana ( I was so motivated by my workshop with La Lupi to explore the rhythm and movement of this song style. It is really snarky (from the Urban Dictionary “A witty mannerism, personality, or behavior that is a combination of sarcasm and cynicism. Usually accepted as a complimentary term”) and full of bravada and fun. The attitude just jumps right out of my heart. I tell them it feels like hip hop danced on the street-an expression of the creators, the gypsies in Andalucia, fighting persecution, like the blues. We worked tirelessly on giving the dance the right attitude and grounded-ness. 







I cannot wait for tomorrow's performance to see these students dance. To see them perform my flamenco but also to see them dance ballet, character, modern and musical theater. I adore seeing them in all these different elements and how each of their souls comes out. It just is so revitalizing!


Teaching yoga after a full day of flamenco is idyllic. My dream job. I love to use energetic movement, from inside the body, the subtle body’s movement, to heighten the yoga experience. This is a perfect age group for this as it allows them to drop down and totally relax, take notice of their breath and how their bodies are feeling, and then begin movement from a place of presence. I find a good combination of activities in a youth yoga class, keeps the kids present and fully engaged. Some of the things I like to include are meditation, breath-work, poses, games and open discussions about principles such as Ahimsa (a principle of yoga that means to do not harm), karma , practicing yoga off the mat.

Karma class. Karma is defined as an action or a deed; a result of an action; destiny or fate, following as effect from cause. Synonyms are fortune, fate, destiny. Karma yoga is the yoga of selfless service (altruism= one acts without being attached to the fruits of one's deeds).


Kinder people live longer lives; people who volunteer experience fewer aches and pains. We feel good when we give because we experience the “giver's lift”, a distinct physical sensation from helping. Kindness makes us happy. It reduces depression, lowers anxiety and builds our self esteem.


How to you practice Karma? One way is with Random Acts of Kindness (RAK). It is stated that one RAK a day keeps self-centeredness away! As Aesop said “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”


I read to the class-I love reading stories out loud to kids of all ages-The Three Questions (Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. It is a wonderful story about Nikolai who wants to “be a good person” and so proposes three questions to his friends: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? They never answer him directly, but by the end of the story, Nikolai has answered the questions for himself. I had them contemplate kindness and the ways they are already kind and the ways they might like to add more kindness into their lives. I gave each of them two pieces of paper and a crayon and they wrote two examples of how they are and how they want to be kind. The recurring themes were of helping out family members, giving attention to those around them, and being positive, friendly, loving people. We left our slips of paper in a vase soother people could read our notes and feel connected.


We then stood and did some fun flows to different songs on my play list: Jamaica Resting by The Pool; Give Me The Sunshine by Leo's Sunshipp; The Sun Can't Compare by Larry Heard presenting Mr. White.


Taking a cue from one of my mentors, Shakta Khalsa, I taught them the “Detective” game (from the Radiant Child Yoga's teacher's manual). Dividing the the girls into smaller groups, I had them sit in circles. One person, the “detective”, would leave the room. The group them decides who will be the secret leader. The leader makes different motions such as leg taps, hand claps, eye blinks, small quiet movements or loud fast movements and everyone else follows as immediately as possible, trying to accomplish this seamlessly as to not give away the “it” person. The detective then returns to the scene and tries to determine who is it. This game develops powers of observation and the ability to be subtle, focused and alert. The game was a huge success and the smaller groups allowed for each girl to take a turn.


I wandered around the room listening into their giggles and relaxed chatter.  We gathered into one large circle, held hands, breathed in and then lay back (usually we play the hand squeeze game here, but today I just had them relax).

These students have been the most willing participants in everything I have given them this summer. They have expanded their repertoires, their presence, and their characters. They have expanded mine. 

Ole Namaste!

Eve Costarelli

Youth Flamenco Open Houses and The Dance For World Community

Youth Flamenco Open House

“Come give flamenco a try! Children love flamenco. They love flamenco because it is fun! They are fascinated by the rhythms, by stamping their feet loudly, clapping their hands, snapping their fingers, and shouting ole! Children love flamenco because it allows them to feel free, as if they can do anything. Children love flamenco because it gives them character.”

Wednesday 6/5/2013 @ the Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA

·        Youth Flamenco (Beginner) Ages 6-9  4:00-5:00PM

·        Youth Flamenco (Intermediate) Ages 9-16 5:00-6:00PM

Friday 6/7/2013 @ Open Spirit at Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA:

·        Adult/Teen Flamenco: Sevillanas series (Ages12+) 10:00-11:15AM

***Please come support these beautiful,  joyous, passionate flamenco dancers at the Dance for World Community, Saturday June 8^th , 3PM Stage #1. Free and open to the public.***

***the Dance for World  Community will be held on the Cambridge Commons***

Natick Farmer's Market Opening Day Celebration!

SAVE THE DATE
 Natick Farmer's Market Opening Day Celebration!

Saturday May 4th

The Natick Farmers Market will hold it's opening day celebration on the Common on May 4th! 

Come shop for your for your fresh produce, desserts and check out the new vendors! Stay to enjoy live music, a martial arts demonstration, and Flamenco dancing by Always Be Dancing at 12 PM! The Farmer's Market will run from 9-1 and local farmers will offer a variety of vegetables and fruits, meats and seafood, homemade bread and baked goods, fresh cheese and pasta, honey, coffee and teas, wine, and prepared foods like homemade chowder and hummus. Artisans' booths include handmade moccasins, silk screen T-shirts, wool and alpaca products, knitted products, handmade wood products, jewelry, candles and more. For a list of participating vendors and a calendar of special events, please visit the Natick  FarmersMarket.

2013 Classes with Eve Costarelli

         2013 Classes with Eve Costarelli

                   AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; 617-216-1643

                         www. AlwaysBDancing.blogspot.com

Mondays @ Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA; 617-216-1643

4:30-5:30PM Youth Yoga for grades 5-12 (New session) 

6:00-7:30PM Veteran’s Yoga (co-taught with Michael Thomas)

Tuesdays @ Spirit Bear Power Yoga, 19 Main Street, Natick, MA; 508-655-YOGA (9642)

4:00-5:00PM Youth Yoga for grades 5-12 (New session)

Tuesdays @ Dancing Arts Center, 9 Whitney Street, Holliston, MA; 508-429-7577

6:00-7:00PM Youth Tap (ages 6-10) (New sessions starting January 22, 2013)

7:00-8:00PM Teen Tap (ages 11+)

8:00-9:00PM Adult Tap

Wednesdays @ the Dance Complex, 536 Mass Avenue, Cambridge, MA; 617-216-1643

4:00-5:00PM Youth Flamenco 1 (ages 6-10)

5:00-6:00PM Youth Flamenco 2 (ages 11+)

Fridays @ Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA; 617-216-1643

10:00-11:15 Adult/Teen Flamenco: 8-week Sevillanas Series (Welcoming home-schoolers ages 11+) (New session January 11, 2013-March 8, 2013)

Sevillanas:

Sevillanas is a timeless folkdance from southern Spain that has become virtually synonymous with the flamenco of Andalucía. Based on traditional Spanish dances, the Sevillanas form was adopted by the residents of Sevilla (both gypsies and non-gypsies) and merged with their strong flamenco culture to become the most recognizable symbol of the region. Sevillanas are danced in pairs by children, teenagers and adults at nightclubs, parties, and most famously at the annual Feria de Abril in Sevilla. Sevillanas is a fun and exciting dance that enlivens any party and is essential in the repertoire of any flamenco dancer and for all who just love the art of flamenco.

This class will guide the beginner dancer through the basic steps of all four parts of the Sevillanas. The course will cover the basic flamenco style, posture, hand, arm and foot placement. 

2013 Classes with Eve Costarelli: Youth Yoga, Youth Flamenco; Adult/Teen Flamenco: Sevillanas; Tap Dance for all ages

2013 Classes with Eve Costarelli: Youth Yoga, Youth Flamenco; Adult/Teen Flamenco: Sevillanas; Tap Dance for all ages

Mondays @ Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA

4:30-5:30PM Youth Yoga for grades 5-12

6:00-7:30PM Veteran’s Yoga (co-taught with Michael Thomas)

Tuesdays @ Spirit Bear Power Yoga, 19 Main Street, Natick, MA

4:00-5:00PM Youth Yoga for grades 5-12

Tuesdays @ Dancing Arts Center, 9 Whitney Street, Holliston, MA

6:00-7:00PM Youth Tap (ages 6-10)

7:00-8:00PM Teen Tap (ages 11+)

8:00-9:00PM Adult Tap

Wednesdays @ the Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

4:00-5:00PM Youth Flamenco 1 (ages 6-10)

5:00-6:00PM Youth Flamenco 2 (ages 11+)

Fridays @ Open Spirit, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA

10:00-11:15 Adult/Teen Flamenco: 8-week Sevillanas Series (Welcoming home schoolers ages 11+) Session January 11, 2013-March 28, 2013

For more information, please contact Eve Costarelli AlwaysBDancing@gmail.com or 617-216-1643.

Classes with Eve Costarelli: Flamenco, Tap and Yoga; Yoga Retreat for Daughters and Moms

Looking ahead to the week 12/10/2012-12/16/2012

Monday 12/10/2012 @ Open Spirit at Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA:

·       Youth Yoga for Grades 5-8 4:30-5:30PM

·       Veterans Yoga 6:00-7:30PM

Tuesday starting January 8, 2013 @ Spirit Bear Power Yoga, 19 Main Street, Natick, MA

·        Youth Yoga for Grades 5-8 4:00-5:00PM

Wednesday 12/12/2012 @ the Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA

·       Youth Flamenco (Beginner) Ages 6-9  4:00-5:00PM

·        Youth Flamenco (Intermediate) Ages 10-16 5:00-6:00PM

Friday 12/14/2012 @ Open Spirit at Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA:

·        Adult/Teen Flamenco Ages 12+ (This class will resumes 1/11/2013)

Sunday 12/16/2012

Yoga Retreat at Open Spirit for Girls & Moms
Yoga Retreat for Girls (ages 8-14) and Moms (or any adult female) with Eve Costarelli at Open Spirit: A Place of Hope, Health and Harmony.

Sunday, December 16th:  1:00 – 3:00pm

Bring your mom (or any adult female) to yoga and practice with someone you love! In a fun and upbeat class, we will explore yoga poses, philosophy, breath work and meditation as well as journaling and the creation of personal mandalas. This class promotes harmony, positive communication, mutual respect, relaxation and friendship. We learn to not only practice yoga on our mat but also how to bring these skills off the mat and into the world.

Expect to leave feeling connected and balanced!

Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, block and strap (if you have them). We do have some community props available. Also bring a water bottle and dress for movement. Do not eat for up to one hour before class.

For more information & to register, please contact:

Eve Costarelli 617-216-1643 or AlwaysBDancing@gmail.com

Suggested donation:

$25 per couple (additional siblings $5 each)

Open Spirit is a new multi-faith center for the wider community, a place to celebrate and strengthen our connectedness, to promote healing and wholeness, and to experience spiritual nourishment.

Open Spirit, A Place of Hope, Health and Harmony
39 Edwards Street · Framingham · MA 01701 · info@openspiritcenter.org · 508-877-8162 

   Remember to always be dancing!

          No olvides bailar siempre

www.alwaysbdancing.blogspot.com

Flamenco, Yoga & Tap Classes with Eve Costarelli (Classes/Yoga Retreat)

Looking ahead to the week 11/19/2012-11/23/2012

Monday 11/19/2012 @ Open Spirit at Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA:

·       Youth Yoga for Grades 5-8 4:30-5:30PM

·       Veterans Yoga 6:00-7:30PM

Tuesday 11/20/2012 @ Dancing Arts Center, 9 Whitney Street, Holliston, MA

·       Teen Tap 7:00-8:00PM (NEW CLASS)

Tuesday starting January 8, 2013 @ Spirit Bear Power Yoga, 19 Main Street, Natick, MA

·        Youth Yoga for Grades 5-8 4:00-5:00PM

Wednesday 11/21/2012 @ the Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave., Cambridge, MA

·       Youth Flamenco (Beginner) Ages 6-9  4:00-5:00PM (No Class Today)

·       Youth Flamenco (Intermediate) Ages 9-16 5:00-6:00PM (No Class Today)

Friday 11/23/2012 @ Open Spirit at Edwards Church, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, MA:

·       Adult/Teen Flamenco Ages 12+ 10:00-11:15AM (No Class Today)

COMING SOON:

Yoga Retreat at Open Spirit for Girls & Moms

Yoga Retreat for Girls (ages 8-14) and Moms (or any adult female) with Eve Costarelli at Open Spirit: A Place of Hope, Health and Harmony.

Sunday, December 16th:  1:00 – 3:00pm

Bring your mom (or any adult female) to yoga and practice with someone you love! In a fun and upbeat class, we will explore yoga poses, philosophy, breath work and meditation as well as journaling and the creation of personal mandalas. This class promotes harmony, positive communication, mutual respect, relaxation and friendship. We learn to not only practice yoga on our mat but also how to bring these skills off the mat and into the world.

Expect to leave feeling connected and balanced!

Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, block and strap (if you have them). We do have some community props available. Also bring a water bottle and dress for movement. Do not eat for up to one hour before class.

For more information, please contact:

Eve Costarelli 617-216-1643 or AlwaysBDancing@gmail.com

Suggested donation:

$25 per couple (additional siblings $5 each)

Open Spirit is a new multi-faith center for the wider community, a place to celebrate and strengthen our connectedness, to promote healing and wholeness, and to experience spiritual nourishment.

Open Spirit, A Place of Hope, Health and Harmony
39 Edwards Street · Framingham · MA 01701 · info@openspiritcenter.org · 508-877-8162