For ages, man has sought an answer to the eternal question – Where can I learn both dance and pilates in one place?
The quest ended at 17 S. Washington St. in downtown Oxford with the opening of Cutting Edge Center for Dance and Pilates.
Owned by a mother-daughter team, Royal Oak resident Katie Clark and Kathy Leonard, of Rochester Hills, the center offers both dance and pilates lessons.
Backed by more than 20 years dance experience and a college degree in dance management, Clark teaches classes in tap, jazz, ballet, creative movement and lyrical, “a combination of jazz and ballet” that’s basically “dancing to words or lyrics.”
Clark teaches dance to people of all ages, from 1-year-olds in her “parent and me” classes to adults.
Enrollment for her January dance classes is still open, she said.
Leonard teaches the pilates (pronounced “puh-lah-teez”) classes, which are divided into three levels essential (beginners), intermediate and advanced.
Pilates consists of more than 500 “stretching and strengthening exercises” designed to increase core stability, flexibility and strength by creating longer, leaner muscles.
“It puts you in the correct position so your working muscles from your shoulders to your hips,” said Leonard, who’s been doing pilates for a little more than two years.
Pilates students can either do their exercises on a mat using nothing but their own bodies or on specially designed equipment that aids the user.
Clark said pilates and dance “go together” because many dancers use the exercises to stay fit or as rehabilitation after an injury.
All her serious or advanced dance students are encouraged to do pilates.
“I recommend they try pilates once a week,” Clark said. “It really benefits them and helps them go farther in their dance careers.”
A group of young students from Cutting Edge Center for Dance and Pilates will be marching in Oxford’s annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 6.
People are encouraged to stop by the studio Saturday to take a look around and donate a gift to Toys for Tots. Free hot chocolate will be available.
Cutting Edge Center for Dance and Pilates is open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday (for pilates classes and private dance lessons only) 4 to 9 p.m.; and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information call (248) 628-1798.