Move with Grace every Wednesday at 8:15pm

Get to know BB's sweet, fun resident CheerFit instructor, Grace Seghini, as she shares a bit about herself and her class.  
 

BB: WHAT GOT YOU INTO THE DANCE/FITNESS WORLD? 

Grace: I started dancing when I was 5 years old and trained in ballet, jazz, and tap. But when my studio closed down after three years I turned to musical theatre to continue dancing and performing. Now I am working as a professional cheerleader and dancer, among other odd jobs. I honestly wasn't the hugest fan of fitness for a long time. But as a professional cheerleader you need to balance dancing with working out, weight training, and other fitness methods. That's why I got into cheerFIT, because I can combine two of my passions and make working out fun.
 

BB: LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?

Grace: "Bad Decisions" by Ariana Grande; been vibing on her new album.
 

BB: WHAT MOVES YOU?

Grace: I'm moved to dance by many things. I'm quite a shy person, so when I dance I am allowed to communicate freely and in my most open form. I don't feel judged, and it's a very empowering medium for me. When a song comes on I can't help but dance; music is such a moving force. Even when I'm sitting down at other jobs, my coworkers always tell me how they can see me dancing in my seat and in my mind whenever a song comes on. I'm also moved by my determination to reach my goals, as a hope to become a touring dancer one day. I've already had the taste of travel from one opportunity, with the Gotham City Cheerleaders, and it's made me hungry for more.
 

BB: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DREAM JOB?

Grace: When I was in fifth grade I had to write down what I wanted to be when I grow up for the school yearbook, so I put "Ice Performer" because I was watching the Winter Olympics at the time! I'm a Michelle Kwan fan, and I took ice skating lessons (very briefly) as a child, so it sounded fun to me. I've always been into lots of different things though, so I was never set on just one occupation.
 

BB: FIRST AOL SCREEN NAME?

Grace: It was: MissKix33. Haha, the Kix is because my favorite cereal is Kix, and the 33 was my jersey number in middle school when I played soccer. The Miss is because everyone needed "Miss" or "Lil" in their screen name of course! I was being tame with just one x though.
 

BB: WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN A CHEERFIT CLASS?

Grace: Expect a high energy bootcamp class that combines classic cheer moves with fitness moves set to upbeat tunes! Exercises that cheerleaders use to stay fit and in cheer shape all year 'round are incorporated into the class to tone, sculpt, and define. Everyone gets a set of pom poms, of course, so you can feel like a cheerleader on the sidelines. There's some dancing and cheer chants thrown in as well. Oh, and get ready for lots of squats :D

Check out BB's CheerFit class with Grace every Wednesday at 8:15pm. 

 

Brittny and Ashley Sugarman of Dance Kit share what moves them

BB: What got you into the dance/fitness world? 

Ashley: I used to competitive dance when I was younger, but as I got older, it became more of a fun hobby.  Now, with dance fitness classes becoming more and more accessible, it allows me to still dance for fun and release my inner Rihanna after working for 8 hours! 

Brittny: Dance has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and want to do it every chance I get. I dance for a living, so what's better than getting to do it for your health as well?!  I love how they have now combined them to make working out more enjoyable. 

 

BB: How did you guys come up with Dance Kit?

Ashley and Brittny: We wanted to create something that could be universally used in the dance world, no matter what age, genre or level you are.  Also, with the athleisure marketing exploding over the past few years, it really changed people's mindsets on how they get ready to workout now.  Just because you are going to dance or workout, you still gotta look fab! 

 

BB: Name 3 random scenarios a Dance Kit could come in handy.

Ashley:

1. Who wants to take a dance class to a Beyonce song with flat hair?! One hair flip and a few hairspray spritzes before your dance class, and wait until you see the difference in how you slay that choreo!  
2. Jazz heel classes have become so popular and are so much fun- until you have blisters from your shoes!  Your DanceKit has bandaids so you don't have to sacrifice dancing full out.
3. You are SO OVER dumping your purse or gym bag upside down to find that ONE hair tie you have been holding onto for weeks because your others seem to disappear.  Your DanceKit has a stack of them, nice and tidy in a zipper compartment!

Brittny:

1. If you are like me you ask yourself everyday, "where did all my bobby pins go?"  Somehow they love to disappear, but not with DanceKit. You know exactly where they are at all times!
2. Whenever I audition for major artists or movies, image can be a big part of it. It is so great knowing I have that perfect red lipstick handy to get ready and book the job :) 
3. Another audition technique gone wrong is when you are dancing so hard with your audition number and it falls off. It's very important that the casting directors know your number in order for them to book you. Having my DanceKit assures me they will never miss my number by having safety pins on me incase it falls off. 
    

BB: If you could dance with anyone, who would it be?

Ashley: Ellen DeGeneres.

Brittny: Michael Jackson
 

BB: We're so excited for your master class at BB! What can we look forward to seeing/doing/experiencing?

Ashley: Brittny can move like no one else!  She was one of the main dancers from the Step Up movie franchise, so expect to learn the hip hop moves inspired by those movies! Also, dancing at studios in L.A. like Millennium Dance Complex, you are always pushed to your fullest potential, so be prepared to go full out all class and break a major sweat!  For the hour class, you can live out your J.Lo backup dancer alter ego! 

Brittny: I am so excited to be teaching at BB! I believe fun and confidence is the most important part of becoming the best dancer you can be. I am going to be bringing not only choreography, but different techniques to make sure every student leaves there sweaty, with a smile, confident, and have learned at least 1 thing. 

REGISTER FOR CLASSES HERE

 

BB: Lastly, what is your JAM? (i.e. that song that gets you up to bodyroll no matter what you're doing) 

Ashley: A$AP ROCKY- Problems

Brittny: Beyoncé- Formation

A Love Letter From Our Founder

Dear Breakin Boundaries family, sponsors & community members,
 

I would like to take this time to say THANK YOU! Sunday's relaunch event at Breakin Boundaries was more than I could have ever imagined. I am still flying high from all the energy that exuded from you all. The amount of support, love and dedication was overwhelmingly infectious. 

A special thanks to all the incredible sponsors for your generosity. Whether you were a vendor, donated raffle prizes, or supplied us with products or services, we are so appreciative of your support for a woman-owned local business. We are looking forward to future collaborations.

To my Breakin Boundaries squad, my team of excellence -- Conchita, our studio manager, for keeping me sane through this whole relaunch process helping us with our kickass NEW website (sponsored by DUPO.is); Danielle, our head yoga instructor, for always providing BB with awesome visuals, including our new logo, flyers and merchandise; Carolyn our fitness coordinator, for her constant sense of humor,  social media, marketing and branding ideas; and of course, Stephanie, for being there from day one, my partner in crime, our new Master Trainer, and my friend. To our summer interns Deanna and Agata, thanks so much for all your help. To Nate Parson, for such great photos that accurately depict who we are. And Russell our desk associate, for handling front desk duties among other things, and being our in-house handy man. I can't thank you all enough for your efforts!

To all the BB instructors, for continuously delivering kick ass dance and fitness classes each week. Your diverse styles, cultures and personalities are what draw me to you all. For your ongoing support and believing in my vision for what Breakin Boundaries should be. Much love for you all.

And of course our Breakin Boundaries VIP's, members and extended community. It's because of each and every one of you that BB thrives. We are so BLESSED and honored to  have such amazing people take class week after week. Thank you for trusting me with your fitness and nutritional goals. It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know you all on a personal level, and welcome you all to the BB FAMILY! 

I would like to share with you my all time favorite quote:

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves,
Who am I to be brilliant,gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some, it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others. 
                     
- Marianne Williamson

Thank you again,
Renee Manzolillo

---

More photos to come soon!