When I moved Onsite Youth Training (OYT) to San Antonio, Texas I was hoping to find a way to reach more young people that would benefit from our services. We started out in 2014 teaching private lessons and instructing small group classes in Sacramento, California. The students were happy and we were having a positive impact on their lives. Yet I knew that we could do more, the question was how do we reach the students that would benefit from our services the most?
Ms. Morgan teaching her Hip-Hop choreography class at Hutchins Elementary.
The answer to that question was SA Youth. They had the students and the best part was, that if we could find a way to partner with them, the classes would be free to the families. SA Youth has been in business for over 30 years helping San Antonio’s low-income children stay in school and helping young adults who have quit school gain a second chance through high-school credit recovery and workforce training. So I was determined to get my business in business with SA Youth.
The Hip-Hop choreography class at Heritage Elementary with Ms. Amy.
Flash forward to April 11th, 2016 and I was signing a contract with SA Youth to provide 8 school sites with Hip-Hop dance classes twice a week. This now allowed us to reach over 300 students a week! The choice to move OYT to San Antonio was a great one and with the help of SA Youth we will continue to create a healthier and happier generation.
Mr. Chris getting funky with with his Breakdancing class.
We all know that regular physical exercise is good for a girl's body, mind, and spirit. But you can get your daily dose of endorphins from a jog around the block.
So why dance? The Women's Sports Foundation has discovered that dance offer some extra benefits for girls in addition to having fun and getting fit.
Here are a few:
Girls who dance do better in school. You might think that athletics will take up all your study time. But research shows that girls who dance do better in school and are more likely to graduate than those who don't. Exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration, which can give active girls an advantage when it comes to the classroom.
Girls who dance learn teamwork and goal-setting skills. Working with coaches, trainers, and teammates to win battles and meet goals is great practice for success later in life. Being a team player can make it easier to work with others and solve problems, whether on the dance floor or in the workplace.
Dance has hidden health benefits. Some benefits of dance are obvious — like improving fitness and maintaining a healthy weight. But girls who dance are also less likely to smoke and have a reduced chance of getting breast cancer and
osteoporosis later in life. Sure, you can get these benefits from any type of exercise. But if you have trouble getting to the gym, there may be more incentive to show up and play if you know your coaches or teammates depend on you.
Dancing builds self-confidence. Girls involved in dance feel better about themselves, both physically and socially. It helps to build confidence when you see your skills improving and your goals becoming reality. Other esteem-boosting benefits of dance participation include getting in shape, maintaining a healthy weight, and making new friends.
Exercise can cut the pressure. Pressure is a big part of life. Dancing can help you deal with it, since exercise is a natural mood lifter and a great way to relieve stress and fight depression. Plus, when you are on a team, you have friends who support you both on and off the dance floor.
Terrence came to OYT after a class-mate told him about us. His mother was looking for a way to help him build esteem and have fun being physically fit. After a few weeks of private lessons, Terrence was ready to join and keep up with our group class. His mother informed us that he was teaching the skills he learned to peers at school, allowing him to gain peer attention and support his self esteem. Terrence has made great strides during his time with us and he will continue to grow stronger and happier.
We made a stop in Hamburg, Germany to visit breakdancing pioneer Sonny T. While in town we did a bit of sight seeing, hosted a dance workshop at Sonny's dance studio and contributed to a legal art wall in downtown Hamburg.
The dance workshop went great! The students and I had tons of fun and got a great workout.
Signing autographs for sweaty students.
Glaze adding his contribution to the community art project.
Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People” by working to provide all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience. Learn more in this short video.
Matthew came to us after his mother heard about OYT from a co-worker. After the first lesson, Matthew was hooked on Parkour! He had natural ability and an abundance of energy. He has taken to instruction well and has reached Level 2 in our Parkour program. With the support of his family, Matthew will gracefully maneuver through any obstacle in life.
Matthew executing a "tic tac" on, then off a tree.
While on a tour throughout Europe we made a stop in Zamosc, Poland to teach two dance workshops and give a lecture at the local University. The dance workshops focused on individual growth and we introduced a few new skills. The lecture focused on creating a happy and positive life by expanding on your hobbies and turning them into a source of happiness as well as income. The weekend was filled with positivity and new friends.
