The strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility gained through dance and gymnastics training makes it the perfect starting point for every sport or physical arts form.  

Dance

Meet Dancer and Choreographer Lawrence Storm

Those of you who have been a member of the Head Over Heels family know Lawrence Storm as the helpful young man working part time at our front desk. Most do not realize that Lawrence is a gifted dancer and choreographer who has shared his craft with students for ten years.

At the tender age of three Lawrence Storm saw Michael Jackson perform on television and knew that dance was his calling. By the time he enrolled in high school Lawrence had had intensive training in Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Streetfunk, Modern and Tap.

His unwavering passion for dance lead him to enroll in an independent study program for high school which allowed Lawrence the maximum amount of time for daily dance instruction. It was during these high school years that Lawrence founded The Attitude Dance Company. Originally developed to fulfill his elective and arts credit requirements, The Attitude Dance Company allowed Lawrence to bring together all forms of dance developing his own style of choreography. Lawrence spent his after school time developing dance routines and teaching them to the students who signed up to be in his company. By the age of sixteen Lawrence had practical experience not only choreographing, teaching, and directing dance routines, but also developing budgets, networking for production needs and booking venues, as well as designing costumes, lighting, and sets. With his mom sewing costumes and his dad building sets Lawrence created eight individual dance productions, each performed for sold out audiences, all before his eighteenth birthday. In recognition of his accomplishment Lawrence was honored in 2000 as one of Oakland’s Most Positive Youth Images of the Year.

Lawrence has performed professionally with several local companies including Young Urban Dance Squad, Move Dance Theatre, MDT II, H.A.R.D. Dance Troupe, and Dance Masters Productions. He has taught dance both as the primary and assistant instructor since the age of fourteen at East Bay Dance Center and the Hayward Area Recreation Department.

Head Over Heels is excited to have Lawrence develop our new dance program set to begin in September 2009. His passion for dance is infectious and we look forward to having dance as part of Spring Show 2010.

5 Fun Facts About DANCE'S Health Benefits

Did you know dancing if good for your brain, your bones and even your relati

1. It's a fun way to burn big calories.

An hour of vigorous dancing (think quickstep, not waltz) can burn up to 500 to 700 calories depending on your height, weight and fitness level. And it's a lot more fun than trudging along on the treadmill.

2. You'll ward off disease.

Studies by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have shown that regular activity through dance can help prevent heart disease and decrease blood pressure. Dancing also helps strengthen your bones and joints, preventing osteoporosis, and keeps your weight in check, helping against diabetes. Another study even found that dancing reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly.

3. You'll get lean... and less mean.

Not only does dancing improve posture, flexibility and help manage weight, but it's also a proven stress and tension reducer for the mind and body. (Unless, you're performing live in front of millions of viewers—we hear that can be pretty stressful, too.)

4. Music helps your brain work out, too.

If you're dancing, you're probably doing it to some of your favorite tunes, which not only keeps your body moving, but your brain as well. A study in the Heart & Lung journal showed that people who listened to music while they exercised showed better "verbal fluency," as listening to music "may stimulate and increase cognitive arousal while helping to organize cognitive output." So turn up the stereo and get your brain in on the action!

5. Dancing can improve your relationships.

When he's not kicking up his heels on Dancing with the Stars, Tony Dovolani (Dancing with the Stars) gives private dance lessons, and has seen first hand how learning to dance can improve a couple's emotional well-being. "It's almost like you have a newfound love for each other," Dovolani tells YourTango.com. "Discovering new steps together teaches couples to interact with each other. They're looking into each other's eyes, anticipating the next move. It opens up energy channels of feeling and connection. It rejuvenates everything." He cites dance's abilities to foster communication skills and respect, as well as relieve stress, as other positive influences on couples who learn to dance together.