Stephanie Battle
Brooklyn, NY
" Welcome to my Site..."
Services: Modern Dancing, Yoga
- $2530 min
- 0Classes Taught
- 5Recommendations
When I was 12 yrs old I was told by an orthopoedist that I would never be a professional dancer. I had severe scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and had to be braced from neck to hip until I was 21. Well, I had already done 3 Nutcrackers and had been taking ballet from the time I was 6. I knew my path early and was an extremely determined child. So I exercised my will and set out to prove this doctor wrong! I wore this brace 23 hrs a day with only an hr out to bathe for the first few years. I learned how to ride a bike, hike and run with the brace. And when the doctor began to decrease my hrs in the brace because of improvement, I stayed in the brace longer.
Six years later, still wearing the brace about 12 hrs a day I set out to attain a Bachelors degree in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts. I'm blessed to be able to say that I've lived my dream!
I received my BFA. I went on to perform on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall, at The Paris Opera House and across 4 continents.
Movement saved my life...the movement of my will, of ideas and dreams, of my spirit and of my body.
In May 2010 I received my 200 hr yoga certification expanding my knowledge of the movement of the body and the spirit. Compassion, breath, focus, expansion, grace, love, determination and peace...all yogic principles had been in my life, serving me for as long as I could remember. And it's my passion sharing dance and yoga with my community!
I'm currently teaching Gentle Yoga to active adults and seniors at a church in NJ where I grew up, and where my Mom and Dad also participate in class. The role that dance and yoga has played in my life has come full circle. There's nothing more empowering than sharing a gift with your family and community that gives right back!
Every spirit can dance. Every mind has the ability to focus. And every body can move with grace and intention. Namaste.
Student Recommendations
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Sharon T. November 23, 2010
"This is a must take class - Stephanie has the ability to provide the right level of focus and instruction to each person while still keeping the class moving and learning something new at each session. Regardless of what other exercise routine you may or may not have this is a must do. Allow yourself to step away from your day to day demands and stress and you will enjoy receiving g focus , relaxation and physical i benefits from this instructor . I have taken classes previously and found tthis to the most focused, knowledgable and in touch person you could find. Try it you will come back and bring your friends ! "
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Janice C. December 15, 2010
"Stephanie Battle has a wonderful gift of perseverance plus gentle persuasion as she teaches her Yoga classes. You are constantly surprised at the strength and flexibility you gain each week with her expert instruction and encouragement. Students who claim that they can't move or stretch are amazed at what they actually CAN accomplish as they continue in Stephanie's classes. Steph makes you feel that you have a personal trainer because she takes time with each of her students so that she can focus on improving their particular stresses or physical limitations. Her knowledge of Yoga and anatomy (VERY important!) coupled with her cheerfulness and sense of humor make her a 5 star instructor!"
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Carol J. December 22, 2010
"Stephanie is an excellent instructor. She has taught me how to breath while stretching. The classes are fun and she doesn't force you to go beyond your limitations."
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Beata A. September 15, 2011
"I took a hot yoga class (60 minutes, 95 degrees) with Stephanie, and she was great at making it challenging while still keeping it manageable. It's been a while since yoga was part of my everyday routine, so the class was a good way to ease back in without taking it too easy, and Stephanie gave great individual feedback for adjusting poses. I left feeling refreshed and cleansed. :) A note on my experience of hot yoga in general: The heat did make it a lot easier to stretch, and I was much less sore the next day than I would have been with a class at normal temperatures, but I think I prefer regular vinyasa yoga overall. I'd also advise anyone with sensitive skin to make sure they bring a cool towel to dab their face - I had a bit of heat rash afterwards from sweating so much and wiping my face with my t-shirt."
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Neeraj M. September 4
"its nice to learn yoga from stephs"