BODYWORK BEYOND MASSAGE - SOARING SPIRITS GROUNDED BODIES
Dance Classes
(see also "Classes and Presentations" page)
Introduction to Ballet 1 begins again, September 14th, 2026!
Mondays, 10:45 - 12:15
This class is for total beginners, although those who took dance before and want to learn basics/experience this approach are welcome.
If you have ever taken a Beginning Ballet class and felt lost and overwhelmed, this might be a good class for you.
If you have tried Ballet before but everything hurt, this might be a good class for you.
We will learn basic ballet vocabulary and exercises, focusing on proper biomechanical execution, quality of movement/stillness, and musicality.
We will learn the sequencing of a ballet class.
We will not learn all the barre/center exercises at once. We will not be doing a full barre/center every class.
Instead, we will take the time to learn the basic exercises in depth, developing the foundation upon which to build more complex movements and exercises.
We will learn some basic anatomy as it relates to bringing ease into our ballet movements.
We will explore the movements so that they work for the body executing them.
Individual corrections and support given.
Class will be offered in 5-6 week blocks (pay by block).
Each block builds on the one before. By the end of the school year, students who were total beginners should be comfortable taking a regular Beginner class (some students will feel comfortable earlier).
September 14th is a single class, $30.
For the 5-6 week blocks, class will be limited to 7 students.
Prices: 4 or more students: $25/class.
3 students: $30/class.
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Introduction to Ballet 1, 2025-2026, finishes out the school year at Amherst Ballet, as a High Beginning Ballet class.
Our goal was to learn fundamental alignment, ballet positions and exercises- Goal achieved!
Students are moving beautifully, and we have progressed to more complex movement sequences/exercises/principles.
We will continue on, now as a High Beginning Ballet class.
In many ways this class is more than a High Beginner class.
We explore the movements so that they work for the body executing them. Learning the principles behind the movements/exercises allows students to do more than just mimic motions.
This is not a class that is based on automatic-pilot, rote, repetition.
High Beginning Ballet, Mondays, 9:00-10:30 a.m Continuing through the summer/fall.
Classes held at Amherst Ballet's new location - 65 Sunderland Road, N. Amherst
** Some classes may be held at Comsopolitan Ballet Theatre's Florence studio **
As with all of my work, each session/class pays attention to the individual(s) and their current capabilities, with the intent of helping to guide them into a more ease-filled, aligned, and dynamically balanced way of living in their body.
Private lessons are also available.
For information about other classes, see Bodyworkbeyondmassage.com, "Classes and Presentations" page
Contact Karen for more information/to register:
Bodyworkbeyondmassage@yahoo.com
(413) 665 - 4977
My Story
IMAGERY AND ENERGY CREATE ALIGNMENT AND STRENGTH
Karen Michaels has been a licensed massage therapist for over 40 years, is a Movement Educator/Coach, certified Embodyoga teacher, and the developer of Dynamic Balanced Movement. Trained originally as a modern dancer, Karen has studied ballet extensively and holds a BFA from the Boston Conservatory of Music. Karen has been teaching dance/movement to all ages in the Pioneer Valley area since 2004.
Once Karen began teaching adult beginning ballet, she realized that most classes for adult beginners assumed students had experience/knowledge that they do not have.
Additionally, because of Karen's other trainings, she is aware of how confusion and uncertainty influence learning and the creation and execution of movement patterns.
As a result, Karen has devised an approach to teaching beginners that is different from typical adult beginner classes.
Individual attention and support is given to each student, encouraging focus and presence, and creating an environment where students feel safe to explore and challenge themselves.
All movement classes, functional movement, and postural re-patterning sessions are taught from the perspective of Dynamic Balanced Movement, with attention to musicality (when applicable) and incorporating imagery and practicality within the modality of the class/session.
Karen continues to take classes in dance, movement, and bodywork techniques/therapies on an on-going basis, and brings these concepts/practices into all of her work with clients/students.
For more information: On this website, see pages:
"Classes and Presentations", "About", "Movement"