Alchemy of Movement

I rented this space the end of March. It was recommended to me by a friend who ran some Thriller rehearsals here. The owner is super friendly, responsive via email, and helpful. Her response time via email is fantastic. That makes or breaks it with some venue owner interactions.
It’s a great space, very inviting, great wood floor. They also have a carpeted area to leave bags, shoes, and backpacks. My group seemed to like it. My only two minor negatives: it’s slightly difficult to find, but that’s more of a Boulder address number issue I have. And I wish it could be brighter in that main space. We certainly made do and everyone had a great time that afternoon.

Alchemy of Movement is not only a dance studio, it is a community. So many amazing people dance there, and I am blessed to have been welcomed in, to share in the playful energy produced and shared there. I first started going to class, without having had any formal dance training, and I was made to feel comfortable, right from the beginning. The classes are designed to benefit all levels of dance experience. Each instructor has a unique style, so there is something for everyone. There is also a strength class, called Barre, which has produced quick results in my body. I would (and do) highly recommend anyone to try a class (or many)!

I recently started attending the soul sweat classes at Alchemy and I am hooked. I have been practicing yoga for years and I was starting to lose some cardiovascular conditioning and was looking for a high energy way to really let go. I found what I was looking for at Alchemy and l love that each teacher has a unique dance style and taste in music so I am always surprised and never bored. I highly recommend the experience!

It is difficult to not call this space my «living room» or my «movement home.» Honestly there aren’t enough stars to convey the power and potency of Alchemy. This studio has an incredible atmosphere. It is aesthetically enchanting– but what really sets it apart is the community. Since arriving to Boulder 3 years ago Alchemy has been one of the most transformative spaces I have found. For 100 dollars a month– it’s better thy therapy;) One woman said to me the other day, «This is one of the only spaces where I can be as big as I want.» You are encouraged by teachers to take up space, to dance your heart out, and to fully be whatever it is you need to be. Sometimes I come grumpy, sad, tired– and this is the one space that holds that and has the power to shift it in merely 60 min. I walk out a new. Sassy owner Lucy Wallace is a vivacious fireball. Her class is always full of sexual artistry, poetic mischief, and embodied knowing. I’m also in love with Maria who makes you feel as if movement is prayer. I highly recommend this studio to any level of dancer and all body types. It is a sacred space. I bow to it’s power and potency.
Dance your joy!

It’s been years since I went to Alchemy. I found the classroom was way too small and too dark. I think I went to a Nia class there with a friend. The class was crowded, so there was no room to move! Nia is all about moving! It was also hot, too hot for me. I’ve heard from others that this hasn’t changed. It was also the most expensive class I would have ever been to, if not for a 50% gift card from my friend. Afterwards, I told her I wouldn’t be coming back. I could not afford to come, and didn’t like the venue at all. I went back to N. Boulder Rec Center for Nia.
One last thing, there were no locker rooms, but they did have some massage rooms.

I was excited to take the modern class with John — (his resume is impressive and he sounds like an experienced dance professional.) John had a nice enough demeanour — but he was completely unprepared and was making up the combination as he went along — (the movement sequence kept changing, the counts kept changing, he had to ask the students to remember the movement that he was making up on the spot.) I have taken hundred, thousands of dance classes — and this was, hands down, the most unprofessional dance class I’ve ever taken. I actually called the owner to talk to her about it — because I was so appalled by the unprofessional standard. Her take was that ‘John has been teaching here a year and the students just accept his style’. Being unprepared is not a style — it’s laziness, and it’s disrespectful to people who pay money to come to a class. I will definitely never go to this class, or this studio again. Low standards. Unprofessional.

Alchemy (which is what those of us who go there call it, Alchemy of Movement takes too long) is one of my fav studios. I just read that it was founded by Carolyn Rideg– hell I didn’t know that! I know Carolyn and love her classes why did I not know that?
Anyhow, I love this studio for one thing; Soul Sweat!!! God I love that class, it is so fun! Soul Sweat was founded by Chantal, and Chantal teaches a couple classes there, as well as some of the gals that I guess were probably trained by her.
Doesn’t matter who is teaching this class, it rocks. There are always at least 30 people in the class, which makes it super cool, and the music is always upbeat, cool, and unique.
Since I brought up the music let me stop for a minute.
Dear Dance teachers; in case you didn’t know this, people who go to dance class like music. That is why they like dance. Why not play some good music, as opposed to that funky beat beat beat of fitness music that sort of sounds like the background for an X-​rated movie? If any of you reading this are dance teachers out there, and you are wondering why nobody ever shows up for your class, then go to a soul sweat class and take some notes. Seriously.
I love Chantal. If not just to watch her lovely body, I also love her choreography. I love doing jete’s and turns and plié’s and flying and rolling my hips, all to the coolest music ever. Last week we had a sub– it was Lucy, the owner of the studio. I had never tried any of Lucy’s classes, and was surprised how damn sexy she was. I absolutely loved the class and I got the best workout I had had for a long time!
Lucy deserves to own this studio. Not only is it immaculate, leaning towards OCD, but it is beautiful. I applauded when she tore out that fucking carpet and exposed the wood floors.
What I would change if it was my studio: I would make it a rule that teachers don’t make you have «free-​dance». I hate free dance, and everyone looks like a dork during free dance. Just quit it.
Most of the teachers here will at some point say «take it around the room» which means dance like a loon for a minute or so.
I would also make it a rule that we never have to stand in a circle to feel each others energy. I don’t want to.
The types of people who go there: well, it’s Boulder, you can imagine, but everyone is super nice and my tattoos fit right in there.
You will want to shred your clothing right away– you get hot.
What you need to know to be able to do these classes: how to do a grapevine, how to do a chasse (step-​together-​step, or step ball-​change), how to stay out of the way of the crazy woman in class (there’s one in every class).
Bare feet
If you have knee problems, maybe wear support– there is a TON of bending them knees.

*This is for the Tribal Temple Fusion Class that is no longer offered.
I almost turned into a bike path rather than the entrance so it is close to Pearl Street on 30^th. Just a tad north of Barnes and Noble. Lots of parking spaces but it was packed when I arrived early. People really like Soul Sweat with Chantal. Expect quite a few very loud «yeeowah» screams from her.
Low lighting which is nice. Can’t stand overhead lights. Actually it borders on dark in there.
There are two restrooms — I used one. The room is covered in announcements.
Locker rooms — no.
There is a place to hang your bags and park your shoes but no lockers.
Temperature
Expect to be hot. There are three industrial fans and I am thinking they don’t use the air conditioner because it is loud? I watched as it was turned on and immediately off. The heat hit me as soon as I walked in the door.
The schedule
Seems to change and as a Living Social sign-​up I am now relegated to these classes because of my schedule and won’t be going. They did have some «funky ballet» class and a guy that was teaching «modern jazz.» I think they are gone now.
Music
I liked it. Nice bass. Standard music used in these type of classes.
Class
My first and only class was Tribal Temple Fusion so I am thinking drums and a bit of spastic hair thrashing. I can tolerate that. This is NOT what it is at all… Two red prayer flags went up immediately when I heard «intimate» and «We dance in a circle.» I should have known, oh I should have known. The third flag hit the roof when I witnessed the carnage of the instructor and a student hugging in one of those let-​me-​absorb-​your-​light ways that last way too long. I felt my spine cling to the ceiling — I think it was screaming.
Instuctor — Ixeeya
Exactly what you would expect. Five foot negative, tiny, mid to late forties, long dry hair and a soft voice with a whole lot of smiling. She is a nice woman and very into her craft, maybe a little too much.
Attire —
For all the sunshine and womanly embracing of our intestines and digestive juices that night — be sure to wear black. Wear your flowing pants because there is a lot of squatting… and shimmying. Apparently to get the real feel you need a skirt with extra long fabric love handles on your hips to wear over your pants. I came without all of the above. I forgot my duster at home.
Class Description
This is obviously a class that has been made up. There is a strong sense that she is making it up as she goes and it is a blend of yoga (i.e. lay on your back, spread your legs, grab your toes and pray no one is looking in the window — which by the way did happen, and that you don’t part someone’s hair with either orifice down there) and belly-​like dancing. Actually it really is a whole lot of shimmying — seriously. A whole lot of that and fluttering arms. Minimal to no choreography. Do you sweat — yes, it is hot as Hades in there! Is it hard? No. Does is make your skin crawl if you aren’t the least bit into this kind of thing? YES! My god YES!
Words said in class
«Hold your ball of light.» «Sit on your ball of light.» «Give a piece of your heart away.» «Smear yourself across the floor» — take a plié and stretch it out and then «smear yourself» to the right or left. No thanks — like to keep my lady bits debris free…
Class participants/​What to expect — About seven of us, including the instructor.
You have the sway back girl who looks like she is having an orgasm the entire time — she gets into and closes her eyes.
You have the girl who looks like she belongs there in all her glory WITHOUT her deoderant on. I swear ladies, teetrea oil works miracles here.
You have Kathy Griffin’s 40+ year old doppleganger.
You also have the man faced thing sporting her Alloy top and gauchos who looks like she is having a spastic attack from the waist downwhen told to shimmy.
Me, I was the fat one fading in and out of can-​I-​leave-​when-​she-​turns-​her-​back and this-​is-​such-​a-​car-​wreck-​that-​I-​have-​got-​to-​stay!
All are exactly what you would expect in this class
The reason I am harsh about this class is I am not into lovin’ my womanliness in front of other chicks. It is over the top to me. It feels forced. I am also not into «let yourself be free and move with the music» stuff. I also despise the «Everyone follow the woman in front of you and copy what she is doing.» Um wait, I am here to learn, not copy the rhythmically challeneged in front of me. Do yourself a favor, buy a Shiva Rea DVD (I have one and don’t use it) and flit about in the privacy of your own place. You will be more comfortable, can get close to a fan and will have saved yourself some money.

This is an amazing space! You will get an awesome, full-​body, toning, cardio, «I’m so stoked on life» workout at SoulSweat.
I’ve been going to SoulSweat* classes here for over a year (can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this yet though!!!) and have never had a bad class or teacher. The staff couldn’t be nicer and they are all well trained. Beginners and drop-​ins are welcome anytime (although you may want to stand in the back, directly behind the teacher).
*Note, I’ve only done the SoulSweat classes, but have heard all the other classes offered here are equally good.

Best dance class ever, I love NIA and Kendra is amazing!