ballet without barriers
Ballet is for everyBODY! This season, BDM will begin offering Pilates, Adaptive Dance, and Fundamentals of Movement classes to the public, both on and off-site. These opportunities will extend the transformative power of dance beyond the stage and bring its physical, emotional, and social benefits directly into the lives of those who need it most.
These classes will be appropriate for dancers of all ages and abilities, from older adults managing chronic conditions to those recovering from illness or injury. Participants will experience improvements in mobility, strength, balance, coordination, and confidence, all while fostering self-awareness and a sense of agency in their bodies. By incorporating gentle, low-impact movement rooted in classical and therapeutic practices, these offerings are truly accessible and adaptable to every body.
Classes will include:
Adaptive Dance for Older Adults: Movement for Parkinson’s, Neuropathy, Arthritis & Mobility Challenges, including chair-based classes
Fundamentals of Movement: Repatterning the Body for Strength, Awareness, and Well-Being
Strengthen | Align | Restore: Rooted in classical Mat Pilates, this all-levels class is designed to build core strength, improve postural alignment, increase flexibility, and support whole-body wellness through mindful movement
ballet is for everybody
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Classical Ballet Barre
ROTATING INSTRUCTORS
Train like a dancer with a full-body ballet workout rooted in classical technique. This barre-only ballet class targets abdominals, legs, glutes, and posture through precise, low-impact, barre exercises that build stamina, balance, strength and flexibility all while keeping one (or both) hand(s) on the barre. You’ll leave feeling stronger, taller, graceful and more energized — no center work required. All fitness and dance levels welcome.
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Fundamentals of Movement
INSTRUCTOR: TODD RHOADES
This mat-based class blends yoga, Pilates, Laban-Bartenieff fundamentals, and physical therapy-informed exercises to help participants reconnect with their bodies and move with greater awareness, ease, and efficiency. Focusing on foundational movement patterns, breath, and alignment, the class is designed to reawaken underused muscles, reengage core stability, and re-pattern habitual movement to support long-term mobility and physical resilience.
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MAT PILATES
INSTRUCTOR: TODD RHOADES
This all-levels class is rooted in classical Mat Pilates, a movement system designed to build core strength, improve posture, and create a balanced connection between strength and flexibility. Pilates focuses on mindful movement, breath control, and precise alignment to support whole-body wellness and injury prevention. Whether you're new to Pilates or an experienced practitioner, each exercise is adapted to meet your body and ability.
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Every. Body. Dance: Movement for All Abilities
INSTRUCTOR: TODD RHOADES
A research-informed approach to movement and wellness for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, arthritis, joint degeneration, and other age-related physical or neurological conditions. This class uses music and dance to improve motor function, enhance balance and coordination, support cognitive function, and foster emotional well-being. Exercises can be performed seated or standing and are tailored to meet the diverse needs and abilities of each participant.