Ballroom Dancing

American Dance Center
4002 Brandon Ave . Roanoke
540.777.0727

Ok, we confess... by the time out third dance lesson rolled around, we were all danced out. (Apparently anti-aging face cream only works on the face!) So we sent two of our interns, Emily and Jessica over to American Dance Center for a latin ballroom lesson with owner/instructor Kenneth Kinchen, who gave the girls a mini lesson in the art of Cha Cha and Tango. They learned that the little things count, like the difference between turning your foot in vs. out, correct arm placement, and how to count, step correctly, where the turns based on body movement, etc. etc. etc.

They will be the first to tell you that ballroom isn't for wussies! It takes quite a bit of mind/body coordination, and a presence on the dance floor. Jessica was graceful and caught on quickly, while Emily... well, let's just say she accidentally brought two left feet with her that day. They spent some time talking to Kenneth after the class and found out that American Dance Center has so much to offer for both the beginner, and the advanced. Packages can be totally customized based on the client's need, and are really designed to help dancers concentrate on their favorite styles. (And there are so many: Salsa, Tango, Swing, and Mambo just to name a few!) After they came back to the office and showed us their new moves, we're pretty sure they both got on Facebook to talk about their crazy internship adventures.

Ballet & Hip Hop

Valley Dance Productions
17 Elm Ave . Roanoke
540.344.5633

Next, we headed over to Valley Dance Productions for a private lesson with owner/instructor Leslie Arthur. Valley Dance has been serving the Valley for over 10 years now, and offers several adult classes such as ballet, tap, jazz, and different yoga and pilates classes. What we love about the idea of adult classes is that you don't have to have a degree in dance, or be a retired Broadway dancer to take them. They offer a casual environment that allows you to move at your own pace, and be surrounded by adults who are there for the exercise, stress relief, or even just for fun. We started off with some bar work for ballet. Wow! No wonder ballerinas have such long and lean bodies! We were really impressed by the strength it took for what looks like such effortless movement. Amy had a slight disadvantage when it came to stretching on the bar, (after all, she isn't that much taller than the bar to begin with) but she hung in there. (Literally!)

Once we were warmed up and ready to hit the stage for our version of Swan Lake, Leslie switched it up on us and we started learning a hip hop routine in the middle of the floor. Joey lasted all of two minutes, and decided to watch for the rest! Hip hop isn't easy - it requires a dancer to be able to move off beat, on beat, be fluid, then sharp, loose, then harsh all within a matter on an 8-count. (Which is where we lost Joey.)


Trust us; it's not just booty shakin'! Amy was able to keep up for the most part (show off), but she  doesn't plan on trying out for So You Think You Can Dance anytime soon. We really enjoyed our time with Leslie; it has inspired us both to look into some classes for the fall! The ballet class is perfect for anyone looking for a strength and stretching class - think yoga, but "prettier" - and hip hop is an excellent cardio workout while learning a few new moves to impress the kids. (Of course, Joey will have to impress the youngsters with something else because her "hip hop" won't impress anyone!)

Belly Dancing

Uttara Yoga Studio
112-B Kirk Ave . Roanoke
540.309.0071

Now, in all fairness to Joey, Amy (up until children) had danced all her life and even taught for several years. But dance isn't like riding a bike, especially with an extra thirty pounds to carry around... so she encountered just as many challenged as Joey (aka "Stiff as a Board Sally")! We weren't exactly sure how four left feet could make a right, but we had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and a lot of sore muscles!

We went to Uttara Yoga Studio for a belly dancing lesson with Kimberly Vest, a seasoned belly dancing and yoga instructor. Kimberly was even gracious enough to bring us some fabulous hip scarves to let us play with! We learned that belly dancing has really been "jazzed up" by Hollywood over the last half century. The costumes, glitz and glam that you see in the movies today didn't look like genies from a bottle, they remained covered up. In honor of that tradition, (and to not scare our readers) Amy kept her clothing traditional, while Joey and Kimberly bared their bellies!


There are many different styles, but we focused on Tribal, which isn't as structured, and uses stronger upper body movements to portray the strength of women. (Girl power!) Belly dancing may look easy, but it's really all about core control. We didn't realize how much effort and technique it took to jiggle and shake - but Kimberly helped us to concentrate our movements and by the end of class we were able to [belly] roll with the best of them! (P.S. This is one of the best an workouts we've had in a long time.)

Outdoor Adventures

Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing
800.782.0779

We did some research and found a fantastic facility called Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. After checking out the website we felt confident that we could endure the bugs, sweat, and tears for one day. We weren't exactly sure what to expect, but zip lining through the trees and canoeing under the sun sounded pretty exciting. They also offer camping (from a simple tent to a fabulous rustic lounge), fishing, hiking, mountain biking, high ropes courses, kayaking, rock climbing, caving and more! (They provide all the equipment too.) They are able to accommodate youth groups, families, corporate team-building events, weddings (!!)... You name it, they can make just about anything happen!

Founded in 1990, Wilderness Adventure was to be an "all-outdoor wilderness summer youth program" but today it has become one of the premier year-round adventure programs available. It was recently named as one of the Top 50 Places to Work by Outside Magazine. (And once you meet the staff and see the facilities you'll know why!) To date there have been 22 weddings (another coming up this Fall) between individuals working there, so it's also a great matchmaking service for wilderness enthusiasts!

Their modern facilities are situated on 500 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 35 miles northwest of Roanoke (click for directions). The property borders beautiful Craig Creek and hundred of square miles of wilderness in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Their facilities include a beautiful main log cabin lodge; another slightly smaller lodge, a small rustic cabin, a pavilion, a sauna, miles of hiking and biking trails, a picturesque gazebo on the water in one of their two fishing ponds, a lighted sand volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, fields for soccer, Frisbee, and football, adventure trails, and the scenic Craig Creek for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. 

After taking a tour, we made our way to the zipline. Now standing at the bottom of the mountain looking up, it really didn't seem that scary. But as we started hiking up towards the drop platform, we realized that: A) Our gear was super heavy; and B) We were going to be a lot higher than we thought. Once you're strapped up and harnessed in, you step to the edge of the platform and basically lean forward. (And don't think for one minute you can "change your mind." Once it starts you can't "wait" as Joey thought she'd be able to to!) You fly in the air at about 40 mph for 900 feet. It's one of the fastest zip lines around. (Funny poses and squealing are optional). Joey went first, because Amy wanted to make sure that the cables were working properly! We'll admit there were some second guesses in our minds right before we stepped out into mid air, but the flight was exhilarating and if we weren't so exhausted from the hike up the mountain, we would have done it again in a heartbeat!

We wanted to try out canoeing, but knew that if were were alone, in a boat, with paddles... one or both of us would end up in the water. So the Wilderness Adventure accompanied us down Craig Creek. To our surprise, we had a blast! Luckily we weren't the ones guiding the canoe, (we'd still be stuck if that was the case) but we did learn the tricks of the trade and got a pretty good upper body workout too! We learned how to spot rocks and low levels of the creek (look for the V in the water) and the proper way to row. Although, most of the time we were gossiping with the girls more than concentrating on our form. After about an hour, we made it back to the camp; but truth be told, we could have enjoyed the sun shining through the trees along the creek all afternoon. 

A Brighter Smile

Christopher L. King, D.D.S.
1835 Graves Mill Road . Forest
434.316.9220

There's something about a white and bright smile that does wonders for a beauty boost, so we decided to take a little trip to Forest and see Dr. Christopher King for a teeth brightening session. We were both pretty nervous about the visit, after all, there aren't too many people in this world that wake up and think "Yay! Today I get to see the dentist! Hoorah! Wooohooo!" But Dr. King and his assistant Dorothy put us to ease and explained everything step by step. The process is simple: polish, gel application, relax, remove, and repeat up to three times. (And did we mention the super cool shades you get to wear?) 

Much to our surprise, our teeth were already in pretty good shape, but after our session we could definitely see a difference. Our teeth seemed brighter, white, and sparkled. To really see the most effective results, 2-3 applications is suggested. But we were thrilled after just one, and spent the whole ride home smiling! (We're pretty sure the other drivers on the road thought we were either creepy or on something, but we don't care.) (Please note: the over-the-counter products are great for maintenance, but a professional whitening is by far the most economical and safest way to go. OTC products have a shelf life, and at $30-50 a box you'd have to use a lot of it to see the same immediate results we got at Dr. King's office. Also, stay clear of teeth whitening "stations" at malls and other venues... you want a professionally trained person applying chemicals to your teeth. Traveling teeth whitening opportunities going from salon to salons aren't as good either. This your teeth you're talking about, ladies.)

Unwanted Hair and Body Wraps

Allura MD Laser Aesthetics
1900 Braeburn Drive . Salem
540.444.0488
Our friends at Allura MD Laser Aesthetics in Roanoke helped us take care of some "unwanted" issues (like hair and inches!). Joey tried laser hair removal, and Amy tried a body wrap. 

Laser hair removal is just that... your hair being permanently removed with a laser. The laser kills your hair follicle at the root and after several sessions to cover a normal hair growth period (usually every four to six weeks) you won't have to shave ever again! Please note: you cannot have this procedure done if your hair is blonde and if you have been tanning, so plan accordingly. (The laser picks up color, so blonde hair isn't seen by the laser and tan skin will just cause the laser to think you're hair is in places it isn't and it will result in burning. Not a good thing. So do before summer skin sets in or well after it fades.)


Joey has already had her armpits done in previous sessions ("It's worth every penny, ladies!") and is beginning the hair on her legs. Be sure to only use highly trained technicians in a professional, licensed setting. You DO NOT want someone "experimenting" or learning on you because you are dealing with sensitive areas that could result in some serious burns... or NO hair removal at all and then you've just wasted your money. (In addition to underarms and legs, you can laser your bikini, or go for the gutso with a Brazilian, as well as lips, backs, nipples, and anywhere else you have hair where you'd rather not. Take your hairy men in too!) Be prepared for about 6 or more sessions for complete hair removal in whichever area you're going with. (But you will see noticeably less hair after the first session. Stick with all that are suggested by your technician to see the best results.) 


Okay, how does it feel? It isn't as bad as waxing, in Joey's opinion. Your technician can adjust the level to make it more comfortable... but who said the price of beauty was painless. A cooling gel is used for the laser to conduct with your skin. The wand used (looks sort of like a vibrator/"muscle massager") is on your skin and the technician moves it back and forth while pressing on the machine for the laser to "zap" the hair. It is a brief sensation, almost like a small rubber band being snapped on your skin, but it isn't even that bad. (They can numb your area too for added comfort.) Try laser hair removal! (You could "test the waters" with a smaller area before you splurge on a larger area like your legs if you're still chicken. The larger the area, the more time consuming... means the more money it will cost. So opt smaller to see if you want to go the hairless route!)

Amy's pretty content on sticking with her razors, so she opted for a slimming body wrap while at Allura. The It Works! mother/daughter team, Pam and Kaye Sowder happened to be having a wrap party at the office the same day, so we were luckily able to sit in and listen to Pam (Co-founder and Marketing Director) speak about this remarkable product.


The thing that caught our ear was that these body wraps have been in the Emmy and Oscar awards celebrity gift bags and the It Works! Team was on location for the Sex & the City movie to some last minute wrapping on Kim Cattrall! With big timers like these, Amy was ready to get started! The Ultimate Body Applicator was easy to put on, smelled amazing, and proved to be effective. Amy lost 3 inches in 45 minutes! The best part was the firmness of her skin... and it's not just a quick fix. These results last, and the wraps can be applied to any "problem" area. Honestly, we are thrilled that this product is FINALLY catching on in our area. (Since it's so popular everywhere else in the country, and beyond!)

Tanning

Sun Tan City
4208 Franklin Road . Roanoke
540.989.1800

Ok, we'll preface this topic by saying that yes; we understand that unprotected sun or UV exposure can be hazardous to your health. But we also know that a lot of Bella Girls are still doing it and we wanted to show you that IF you're going to tan there are safer options out there. So please remember that if you are going to expose your skin to direct or artificial sunlight, please be careful, do so in moderation, and use skin protection whenever possible! That being said, one of the first issues we tacked was our "Casperesque" skin tone. 


We went to Sun Tan City in Roanoke for their expertise and advice. Gone are the days of laying in a tanning bed for 20+ minutes. Today there are beds that offer much less exposure to artificial sunlight in far less time. Sun Tan City offers the most selection of options around and they can create a custom tanning plan to get the results you want. Joey tried a few sessions of their different leveled tanning beds just to get a light summer glow, and Amy tried a combination of spray tanning and the stand up bed.

While regular tanning sessions can do the trick, the staff at Sun Tan City recommends interchanging spray tan and bed use. It cuts down the UV exposure time, and really helps to boost and keep your color! Spray tanning isn't as intimidating as it may seem. (If you have seen the Friends episode where Ross goofs, and sprays his front side multiple times, you can appreciate the nerves that Amy was feeling!) But the staff walked her through everything, and made sure she was comfortable with the machine before setting her free. Her tan lasted about 5 days, where as Joey's tan, while more gradual, has lasted for weeks. It's funny how a little color made us feel sassy again. (And thinner!)

Pilates

emPower Pilates
4521 Brambleton Avenue, Suite 105 . Roanoke

Roanoke has a new pilates studio called emPower Pilates, and we couldn't be more excited about it!

What exactly is Pilates? It's an innovative system of mind-body exercise involved from the principles of Joseph Pilates. It teaches body awareness, good posture and easy, graceful movement. Pilates improves flexibility, agility and economy of motion. It can even help alleviate back pain. Professional dancers have been using pilates training for years, celebrities and models rave about pilates because of the long and lean image that they create by using it, so naturally, we had to give it a try! Now, Joey started taking classes several weeks before Amy, so she knew the drill. Amy on the other hand, was a bit intimidated by the "interesting" looking equipment, complete with leg and arm restraints. But Laura and Erin put her mind to ease, and helped her to get acquainted with the Pilates Reformer.

emPower offers a variety of weekly classes, including private classes, in Pilates and Pilates mat, as well as yoga. Erin Garvin is a certified instructor (along with many other credentials too numerous to list here) and Laura Majors is a Balanced Body University student teacher and has completed 280 of the 300 hours required for certification as a Pilates Reformer and Mat instructor!

Call the girls at emPower and try a Pilates class! You will come in a little intimidated and unsure, yet leave feeling refreshed - a little sore and possibly sweaty! - and feeling balanced and stronger.

To sign up for classes with Erin call (540) 915-6081 or with Laura call (540) 520-3064 (Bella hint: Laura offers reduced "trainer" rates!)

Hot Yoga

In Balance Yoga
401 South Main Street . Blacksburg
540.961.1030

In Balance Yoga in Blacksburg is a new yoga studio where we ventured for a hot yoga class! They offer a variety of classes, including Vinyasa, Restorative Yoga and Prenatal Yoga, along with Hot Yoga... which if you haven't heard about it already, you will! And they are the first studio in Southwest Virginia to offer a full schedule of heated yoga classes.

So what's so hot about Hot Yoga? The Hot Yoga lineage comes from Calcutta, India, which is a very hot and humid environment. The controlled environment of the yoga room creates a balance of heat and humidity that is therapeutic to the body. There are many benefits of doing hot yoga. It protects muscles as they move through their full range of motion, the heat softens collagen around the joints allowing more freedom of movement, it allows the body to release toxins through heavy sweating, releases endorphins to reverse negative effects of stress, and improves the function of the nervous system so that messages move rapidly to and from the brain and spinal cord, just to name a few!

In a (hot and sweaty) nutshell, the Hot Yoga class was just an ordinary yoga class (of 30 different poses and movements)... set in a 100 degree room with 40-50% humidity! Sound delightful? Well, to be honest, it actually was. By the end of the class we both felt as if we had sweat off about 10 pounds and we were able to do just about all the yoga moves. It must have been the heat that allowed us to be a little more limber than we normally are. (Amy's balance was way better than Joey's though!) Helpful hint: drink plenty of water before your class, and bring water with you for during because you WILL need it! We were soaking wet at the end of the class so bring a towel too, so you don't slide all over your yoga mat. Oh, and if you plan on going out in public afterwards, make sure you bring shower items, and a change of clothes! (Amy learned that the hard way.)

So we know the first thing you want to ask is: Does the room full of sweaty, stretching individuals stink? Not at all. And the next is: Were we sore for days afterwards? You bet your sweaty yoga hiney we were!

Meditation

The Dharmapala Kadampa Buddhist Center
1917 Franklin Road, Suite 113 . Roanoke
540.366.3000

With urging from a few Bella readers, we called the Dharmapala Buddhist Center in Roanoke to find out about any "beginner" sessions for meditation. After a delightful conversation with Sherri Spain, we were set to attend an upcoming evening guided meditation program. What had we gotten ourselves into?


We'll be honest. We weren't really sure what to expect. Visions of monks, robes, alters and temples crossed our minds. Would this be something totally weird? And would we be giggling throughout the entire thing? (You know you've had uncontrollable fits of the giggles during inappropriate times. Would a quiet meditation session be ours?) Luckily, we were able to control ourselves, and to our surprise, we found that our session was quite inspiring, and relatable to almost anyone's life, regardless of religion or beliefs! (We will admit we were a bit disappointed that we didn't get to sit crossed legged, and chant "ohhmmmmmmm" but it was still a great experience!)


The Dharmapala Buddhist Center is located just off Franklin Road in Roanoke, near Rivers Edge. It's located in a nondescript office complex, however upon entering, we realized it was not like anything we were expecting. (Reception area, bookstore, large mediation room and many other offices and rooms make up their facility. It is very comfortable and relaxing and the people make you feel very welcome.)

The Dharmapala Buddhist Center is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), an international union of over 1100 Centers in 40 countries around the world. They are dedicated to helping people find peace in their busy lives and offer Buddha's timeless teachings in a simple, practical manner that can help you solve your problems and find happiness from within. They provide a variety of classes suited to different levels of interest and experience, such as the General Program Drop-in Classes and the Foundation Program classes. Kadam Deann Bishop is the Resident Teacher for the Dharmapala Buddhist Center. She has studied Kadampa Buddhism for fourteen years under Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Everyone is welcome to come visit them to learn more about their special tradition or just enjoy a few minutes of rest and refuge in meditation with spiritual friends. You do no need to be a Buddhist to attend the Center or to benefit from practices such as meditation.


The guided meditation is a general program anyone can enjoy and understand. In these classes you will learn practical meditations that you can immediately apply in your daily life. The teachings are based on a special presentation of authentic Buddhist teachings that have been made relevant for modern westerners. Consisting of guided meditation (where you're helped along with "instructions" on how to relax and meditate, and what to think about), a modern day lesson tied with traditional Buddhist teachings and a Q&A session, this program is perfect for anyone looking to slow down and take a little time for yourself. (Our group of a little over 20 had people of all ages and backgrounds. Some were new, and some had been coming for years. And not a single one looked anything like a monk.) Each class includes a simple breathing meditation, a short talk on Buddhist thought and a concluding meditation. There is also time to ask questions and discuss. Classes are open and welcome to everyone - regardless of background or experience. To ensure that everyone is comfortable, they meditate sitting on chairs or on the floor on a mat, if you prefer. You do not need to wear special clothing or bring anything with you.


We did learn that meditation isn't for "relaxation" (that is a result); it's to put your mind at ease and in a positive direction. Our advice to you if you want to try out meditation; Relax into it and let the experience unfold. You are meditating if you are aware and if you just take a moment to hone in with some concentration on something in particular you are "meditating." (And no giggling!)