Monique's Ballet SF presents 2013 X'mas Heartful Flowers to seniors

Monique's Ballet SF presents  Performance for the senior residents at elderly's home Sunday, December 15, 2013 Suddenly Its December 2013, the days are short, its cold and even some time raining a bit. The holidays season is just right now on us.Delightful Christmas lights are everywhere, and you will feel that great sense of Cheers! Just be sure to enjoy it while it lasts... I really appreciate the support by all of you making our group grow in size and every other aspect.  We all have our individual lives, and there is always room for growth both individually and as a group. Part of the life is always gathering experiences and insights and share them to other as" Life experiences" with gratitude. Sustained ballet practice is one way to support  that idea, and what a great source of experiences and memories it is.. I'd be happy if class and our special events year round contributed some memorable experiences to your life in 2013.  Let's hope the harmony in our lovely circle persists into the next year!  Again! this year we were honored to present our special heartful flowers for senior residents  Kokoro elderly's home. A Wonderful opportunity to share our smile with them to deliver flower gifts and performance.  I just deeply appreciate all of you were involved " Monique's Ballet SF" for keep happening this. you accept me my existent and them I am here. human is not live only oneself in this universe. Love to all :-) Smile is sun lights of life.

Thursday, OCT31,2013.Yes it was halloween day! we celebrate halloween with us.
It was a great halloween  ballet class.
Please check these;-)

Please check this video 

http://youtu.be/_xny4xfOMx4

It was just unforgettable memory.

Thank you all, making a such lovely time possible

Breaking the news! 2013 Annual Performance:Sundy Nov3

Our annual performance will be Sunday, Nov3,2013

Start6:15 pm. 

    Please come to see us with your reservation with no charge.

Please reserve your seat for this great opotunity, email us:

                                    monqueballetsf@gmail.com

we had a great progressive rehersal with guest dancer Madoka Fukami
from Lto R:Ronnie, Momo, Madoka, Yumi, Tristan(center),Mao,Minori,
Etsuko, Wolfgang 

Ballet Picnic in Golden Gate Park July4 2013

Our annual JULY4 Ballet picnic  has back.Enjoyed ballet training, sun bathing, a great workout, and delicious picnic foods all in one. We did hike top on the strawberry hills and end up to Botanical Garden. It was really nice day, sunny, nice breeze with 79F. we all enjoyed all! 
Especially, our new member Gaudy he was just 7 month puppy was our guardian angel at the day ;-) Thank you for Scott to help us to take care our spot.Thank you for all of you support our lovely event.

we brout foods! yammy

Keiko, Gaudy, Me, Wolfgang, Yoko,Scott,Yumi

26 times valleys! way to go! Keiko and Scott

Enjoyed Badminton

Picnic time! we were hungry

Water lilly in the park

pece in the park. Lovely moment

M.B.S.F. Summer Solstice June20, 2013

Thursday, June20 was the day of this year's Summer Solstice. Bright sunshine at the dawn of the longest day of the year lended its bright warm light to the joyful dancing in our class.

We did "Kurotama"Shape pose

Here is Kurotama sweets

Yasuno just had returned from her month-long trip to Japan. She brought very cute and yummy sweets for all of us. So it was the right time for a little celebration of our reunion. Everyone enjoyed her "Kurogoma-tamale" sweets (its name would translate to "little black egg" in English).

Thank you,Yasuno-chan.

Earlier this month, Wolfgang from Germany, one of our class mates, told me about the severe floods in the south of Germany, right where his father lives.. When I think of that, I realize how great our current situation out here is. Even though I have been dealing with heavy hay fever. When on a trip home, Wolfgang always brought us nice special chocolates from his home town. Our group enjoyed very much the treat. But two weeks ago the city and all of its surroundings were under water. The damage is extensive, and support is sought for the recovery. Our group gathered a little fund for his father to his little support. 

Summer Solstice Jun20, we presented it to Wolfgang. It will go to a local organisation, that provides emergency help to those who lost everything in the flood. Every contribution is highly appreciated.

 think about Wolfgang home town

Yasuno's funny gift from Jpn

Green season!

Early summer to me is of a fresh green color.When I see the tender green of the new leaves, I know summer is coming soon. It's not only a visual thing to appriciate the season, It's also our bodyies craving for the fresh greens to replenish its resources,making us feel healthy and vital.

Like,spinach. One of One of my favorite vegetables. Like all dark, leafy greens, spinach is packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants. It's got potassium that promotes heart health and guards against dry skin and muscle weakness, it's replete with iron and lutein, which helps our ageing eyes, and a whole slew of other natural goodies to make for strong bodies and strong minds. 

Let's eat more spinach!!

Very Spinach Japanese style salad:Ohitashi

Spinach 1lb (large stems removed)
Sesame seeds : 1.5 table spoons

Kettle fried whitebait  3 table spoons

Salt ( for boiled water)  half table spoon

Soy souse  1 table spoons

Lemon (half) squeezed juice 2 table spoons

Directions:
1
Toast the sesame seeds in a skillet until lightly colored. Cool.
2
Add the spinach to a large saucepan of boiling water and cook 2 to 3 minutes until wilted.
3
Have an ice bath ready.
4
Drain the spinach in a colander, shock in the ice bath (to retain color of spinach), then drain again.
5
Squeeze dry and place in a bowl.
6
Mix the cooked spinach with the soy sauce, lemon and sesame seeds.
7
Serve at room temperature.
8 
kettle fried whitebait as topping
9
if you could't find the fried whitebait, instead of that you can use dry bonito flakes as sub.  Yammy!

Happy Easter and 2 weeks Spring naps

spring has just arrived with your bouncing about!
Spring s fast approaching! what better way to celebrate? what better way to ward off the tendency of finding any reason to take rests and hide in your comfy shell? what better way than taking the lovely
pastel pink of the season into your ballet exercise routine? Smile !! :-)
Dancing is a way sharing lovely moments with all of you and the universe.

Spring time dance is always a celebration. when I see the bunny bouncing about in the sumptuous juicy green grass under the pink cherry blossom, I just touch a moment of inncence. The bunnies are just happy bouncing about, celebrating spring has come as is the cycle of nature.

Let's be bouncing together  after long winter naps.
It will be really great wake us up!
Happy Easter!!

Ballet as Love -RX?

Beauties! Can you believe it, March 2013 is already in the middle. we are waiting to find easter eggs.Time is just flying. But thats easy when you're having a really good time, like we had with our recent events: Pink Day on Valentine,the Lunar New Year Party and the Farewell to Nao-chan class with a little performance by Nao, Yumi and Yasuno.
They did great job even though they have trained less than 6month,Congratulation!

Here,I would like to share some pics for Nao-chan farewell day.

I hope you all enjoyed these, I'm planning for more M.B.S events this year.

Nao gave me lovely touching card

gifted her Hart towel
good luck,Nao_chan,

Mao brought Nao to Ballet world! Thank you Mao_chan

 Yumi,Nao,Yasuno / "Confetti" from Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty

Our Friendship "beyond" over the world

Ballet training isn't just about looking great and getting fit, it's about feeling strong and beautiful, inside & out! And learning Ballet of course! 

 Clue is to not compare yourself to others. No need to show off your self.Just focus on what you are you doing and what you are interested in now when you move.

 I know each one of you, your skill-level and your potential. I will suggest ways for you to improve your dance skill, and it will reflect on your real life too.

Ballet as Love-Rx? My answer, Yes. My love of ballet to our associate members will go beyond the dance skill. Celebrate the beauty in YOU! we are not alone, we are always with you where ever you are. And our Friendship, take care each other and being nice each other for social skill. Love is not self center, beyond the center, then you can see,feel and deserve all what is your world and universe love. Love is very deep.  Smile :-)

Celebrations! Valentine's day and Lunar new Year 2013

PINK Ladies and a man :-) at our Valentine's day class

Dear Dancers!

It was a great week full of wonderful events.

Valentine's Class and New Year PARTY! 

As you know, the New Year's classes have already begun and I am excited about another beautiful year and semesters  together, especially after the excellent job that you all did in last years performances.

All become the close friend through a dance 

Fortunately, I have a lot of special back-stage photos that I would like to share with you all here.

I hope you enjoy them, our this 2013 year together and as you all continue to improve as we get ready for the next wonderful performances in Dec2013  for  volunteer for several  places!
From this new year  semester we will have different level classes all together because I want to help you all with some of the key fundamentals. Please don't feel bad about this,especially the older girls, as this will be very good for you.

However, for now I will also challenge some of you more while still in the same room, as helping others to get better by going a bit  slower too together. Good Luck 2013 and Lot of Happiness and Fun with us!

    

playful pose in a dress room

At New Year party 2013
"Cheers"

Lunar new year is actually our new year.
we had a nice new year party on Feb 16.
Thank you for coming my little place!
 celebrating with your smile
  

Beauty, exercise, health and dance, Love yourself!

Valentine's day has just arrived.Our Thursday class celebrated all things beauty and love with " Pink dress code" .I believe today is a day of affirmation and of love for your self ;-) Check your health, both internally and externally.

A few days ago, I spoke with my friend who is a nutrition specialist. We discussed Vitamins and how they affect our lives, specifically mental issues and sustaining energy for dance. 

Dance is harmonious combination of mind, sprit and body.  If any of these three are compromised, it will affect your ability to dance. It is hard to hide, if you are suffering with depression or fatigued, it will appear in the way you dance – you will see your less energy in your movements. 

If you want to be a great dancer, please check and take vitamins for a healthy dance life! 

I have been noticed that two specific vitamins can help improve your ability to dance -especially if you are under stress at home work, because of exams or relationship with parents and friends. They are vitamin B and D.

A Vitamin B complex is good if you are feeling fatigued, manic, experiencing a shortness of breath, negative feeling or having shoulder and neck stiffness. 

Here's a rundown of recent finding about the relationship between vitamin B-complex and depression:

Vitamin B1 (thiamine): The brain uses this vitamin to help convert glucose, or blood sugar, into fuel, and without it the brain rapidly runs out of energy. This can lead to fatigue, depression, irritability, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. Deficiencies can also cause memory problems, loss of appetite, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disorders. The consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as simple sugars, drains the body's B1 supply.

Vitamin B3 (niacin): Pellagra-which produces psychosis and dementia - among other symptoms - was eventually found to be caused by niacin deficiency. Many commercial food products now contain niacin, and pellagra has virtually disappeared. However, subclinical deficiencies of vitamin B3 can produce agitation and anxiety, as well as mental and physical slowness.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Symptoms of deficiency are fatigue, chronic stress, and depression. Vitamin B5 is needed for hormone formation and the uptake of amino acids and the brain chemical acetylcholine, which combine to prevent certain types of depression.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): This vitamin aids in the processing of amino acids, which are the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones. It is needed in the manufacture of serotonin, melatonin and dopamine. Vitamin B6 deficiencies, although very rare, cause impaired immunity, skin lesions, and mental confusion. A marginal deficiency sometimes occurs in alcoholics, patients with kidney failure, and women using oral contraceptives. MAOIs, ironically, may also lead to a shortage of this vitamin. Many nutritionally oriented doctors believe that most diets do not provide optimal amounts of this vitamin.

Vitamin B12: Because vitamin B12 is important to red blood cell formation, deficiency leads to an oxygen-transport problem known as pernicious anemia. This disorder can cause mood swings, paranoia, irritability, confusion, dementia, hallucinations, or mania, eventually followed by appetite loss, dizziness, weakness, shortage of breath, heart palpitations, diarrhea, and tingling sensations in the extremities. Deficiencies take a long time to develop, since the body stores a three- to five-year supply in the liver. When shortages do occur, they are often due to a lack of intrinsic factor, an enzyme that allows vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the intestinal tract. Since intrinsic factor diminishes with age, older people are more prone to B12 deficiencies.

Folic acid: This B vitamin is needed for DNA synthesis. It is also necessary for the production of SAM (S-adenosyl methionine). Poor dietary habits contribute to folic acid deficiencies, as do illness, alcoholism, and various drugs, including aspirin, birth control pills, barbiturates, and anticonvulsants. It is usually administered along with vitamin B12, since a B12 deficiency can mask a folic acid deficiency. Pregnant women are often advised to take this vitamin to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus.

Vitamin D called  as whine vitamin: here is great article about Vitamin D cure depression! 

http://news.menshealth.com/vitamin-d-depression/2012/07/11/

I LOVE MY SELF,Be mine!

We all have different strengths and gifts to share with the world

We all have different strengths and gifts to share with the world. 

Its been a long week getting ready for the dress rehearsal with my high school girls -lots of sweat and sores. Whats more to soothe the mind and body than a relaxing cup of freshly brewed tea and foods shared with good company. 

I just had a reunion dinner with a friend whom I haven't seen for a long time. I also invited another friend for surprise who knew him but lost the contact, too. It was a really great surprise meeting, just "how's life" and catching up with each other. We decided to do such a meeting periodically from now on.

I love reunions. So many times people become really close and then suddenly disappear. I may not see them again in my life. This seems to be part of the modern lifestyle. But the memories live on.  One has to adjust and move on, I guess. 

Makiko moved to beatyful house!

I also received a nice email from our former group member Makiko. She moved to Southern California where she enjoys the her life in three and driving her car in the warm sea breeze.

Makiko has been enjoying this beatyful view 

There were also news from our very recent group member Akari. She moved to Tokyo, where - by complete coincidence she met Mao, who was on vacation there, at a performance of the Nutcracker, of all things! Like it was meant to be. 

Its the little things of life to muse about over a cup of classy Earl Gray and simple cucumber  tea sandwiches or scorns with devon cream with boysenberry jam. Just the right thing for a pinky-out kind of event with friends. Full of happy moments!

We will have Pinky day on the Feb 14, its Thursday!! Bring your pink color on the date for our class room,if you are there.

How do you like tea?

2013,A Bright & Beautiful New Year! 

While some of the dancers are still on vacation, our 2013 class got under way on January 10, with great harmony and happiness in the mixed level class. A fresh start brimming with promises and possibilities. Thank you, Yasuno,Yumi, Ronnie, Wolfgang for making the start and enjoying the Ballet Chocolade from Moscow.

 

New years come with resolutions, so: mine - as a teacher - is to keep us healthy and take care of each other with manners and happiness. Personally I want to keep a flexilble mind, not punish my body and drink lots of water. 

I'll be indulging in healthy, balanced meals, lots of sleep, and my uniquely designed class "Monique's ballet", of course! 

 

We're also on Facebook, and recently we hit our 30th "like" for Monique's Ballet Class in Sanfrancisco. The golden "like" was by Scott who is Yumi's husband. Thank you Scott! you're part of us now ;-)  Deeply appreciate both of you, to help us and growing our future.  I deeply appreciate our international group member Akari  and her continued collaboration with me.

 

Applause! 

Please stay tuned in for announcements about our upcoming events, schedule and all things Monique's ballet  on our website, Facebook page and this blog.

Coming soon, introductions of all of our current group members, including those international or out of town.

Wishing you all much health and happiness in the year ahead!