Save some cash...

So in my on-going quest to make the dancer's life a little easier, I thought I would clue you in on a couple "steals" that I think other dancers might want to take advantage of...First of all, we all know that taking class in the city can be on of your biggest expenses. Currently, a single class at Broadway Dance Center is $18 or, translation...three meals. OK, but you have no choice, right? Well yes and no, there really is no good substitute for a damn good ballet class (Nancy Bielski at STEPS, anyone??) and if you want to bone up on a particular style like vogueing or house, then going to a class certainly is worth the green. On the other hand, sometimes you just need to maintain, stretch the muscles, strenthen the upper body, work your releve...and for that my friends, a great Vinyasa yoga class might just do the trick. Take the 6 train to Astor Place or NQRW to 8th street, walk east on St. Marks Place. Here you will find Yoga To The People...I cannot recommend this place enough. It has a totally laid back atmosphere, chill crowd, great music and they don't wimp out on the intensity...YOU WILL SWEAT, I repeat, SWEATING WILL OCCUR. For any of you who have taken my class before, you know that I am extremely pro-sweat, so for me to say this means its really going to kick your bootay. Best of all, the class is donation based, which means you NEVER have a financial excuse for sitting on your butt and doing nothing. When times are good and the check's in the gate, drop an extra ten in the kleenex box(ya, that's their "cash register") and when money is tight, down-dog yourself to St. Marks and be grateful for this amazin resource. Second tipper...I know that I might receive emails and tsk tsk from people for this next one, but I think its very individual and only applies to some people. But the city can be a very dreary place from Oct to May, and it can really start to affect your mood. Coming from California, I grew up going to the beach and the feeling of being in the sun and sand has always picked me up. In addition, if an audition for Capri Sun is casting in Jan, the agency doesnt care if its 13 below, they want you to look like you just drove in from Oahu. So my suggestion for those of you who DO NOT BURN and TAN EASILY...mid-city gym on 42nd street, between 8th and 9th, offers unlimited standing tanning beds for $20 a month. Ya, I know, my jaw dropped when I found this one, unheard of price. And please, for those of you who can't wait to write me about the dangers of UV rays, the research I have done indicates the importance of not burning. Some people can be in a tanning bed for two minutes and come out beet red...for them, its probably a BAD idea. But if you have a little color and brown with ease, a little bit of sunshine can do amazing things for your mood. The last little tip I have is the Russian Turkish Baths on East Tenth, between first and A. This place is $30 for the entire day, and will relax your body in unbelieveable ways, there are saunas, cool pools, Russian furnace, massage, showers, and a cafe. Check it out, your body will thank you. Alright, thats all for now. Peace and Love to you all!!