​

Hello beautiful,

Happy end of Ramadan to those who celebrate, and solar eclipse to those who enjoyed the phenomena! Yoga Teacher Susanna Barkataki shared: “From a Vedic POV, eclipses are a time for reflection, introspection, changing directions. Where things eclipse or block the light we can experience challenges. And these blocks or challenges can be the very thing we need to grow into our fullest potential.”

It might be hard to face at the time, but absolutely rings true in my life that challenge presents growth and expansion, at least eventually, If you're in the thick of it, keep going and let me know how I can support you on the journey. Springtime can be a potent time of change as well!

Coming up, I'm looking forward to Dance Week coming up the 19th-28th and a visit to the US at the end of the month. National Dance Week is specially set aside to spread the delight and joys of dancing, and to create awareness about its impact and benefits. I will be participating by dancing live & online and sharing valuable resources on the topic of dance from myself and other splendid creators!

Being a reader and book-lover as well as a dancer, I delight in books about dance and have a few I turn to again and again. This week's video release is part of a series on favorite books I use in my artistic and educational process and it also includes bonus cat content. Previously I have shared volumes from my youth at art school, some book gifts for graduates and times of change, and poetry favorites (below), and in the future I also plan to pass along titles in modern and other dance styles, as well as my choice topics such as yoga, coaching, and creativity.

My creations, recommendations, and questions for you are:

Viewing:

• New Blythe's Beloved Ballet Books Video about educational and creative resources of lasting inspiration
• My Poetry Resources video is from 2020 and the pieces still resonate
• My Spring Poetry Selections Video also has seasonal hits, though I should probably provide an update, have had new finds since then

Listening:

• “Pua Lilia” by the Brothers Cazimero makes me feel all the nostalgic feelings about my Tutu, my home, and joyful anticipation of being there next month
• My Waltzing into Spring playlist has a variety of 3/4 faves that just seem to suit twirling into the season

Reading:

• When in Rome by Sarah Adams has been heavily promoted and I admit I was a bit turned-off by the stereotypically cis/hetero characters and romantic roles. And yet, something about the slow-building emotional connection and search for happiness (even for people who are outwardly successful) keeps me reading

Practicing:

• I consider myself to be a teaching artist and multipassionate creative coach, but there is overlap with the health and fitness industry, with that in mind The Future of Fitness is Trauma Informed podcast is helping expand my understanding of what it means to be a trauma informed practitioner.

Practicing Together LIVE this week:

• In-Studio Adult Beginner Ballet, 6-7:00pm CET Mondays, Tanzschule Tanzraum Nippes, Cologne, creates a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance (German)
• Online Yogalicious Gentle Yoga 7-8:00pm CET Tuesdays (7:00am HI) is a delicious mindful movement feast which balances strength, balance and coordination, mind body and spirit (English)
• In-Studio Barre a Terre / Strength & Stretch for all dancers at 6-7:00pm CET Thursdays, Tanzschule Tanzraum Nippes, Cologne, Germany is an hour of floor-based feel-good functional conditioning for all dancers (German)
• Online Balletlicious Gentle Adaptive Ballet Barre+ 8-9:00am CET (Usually Fridays, but will be on MONDAY the next two weeks, April 15th & 22nd and then back to Fridays as usual). It is mostly barre with a little dancey centre and creates a strong, body-friendly, and graceful foundation for dance at home or anywhere in the world. Glad to be able to flexible to accommodate our schedules and to have this opportunity for folks to try it out from whom Friday doesn't work as well.(English)

Inquiring:

• What are your favorite ballet and dance books? (Or in another medium or discipline if dance isn't your thing)
• Which titles do you look forward to checking out?
• Are there changes happening that you've been looking forward to or waiting for?
• How can we work together for positive change?

Let me know what is up in your world by replying to this email or on social media for those who use it.

Glad to be in community with you and wishing you a very special spring!

​

Love, Blythe

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

P.S.- If you signed up for my email newsletter in order to try a free class or coaching session, just reply and let me know what you're looking for, happy to help!

P.P.S- Did you happen to receive this email as a forward from a friend? Thanks for checking it out! Sign up for my free weekly email newsletter to continue to receive resources, updates, and inspiration in your email inbox.