STEPHANIE HERMAN'S ESPRIT DE DANSE®

Esprit de Danse is extraordinary fitness -- and an extraordinary milestone in the evolution of fitness. Increasingly, women and men are seeking more creative, life-enhancing workouts and exercise methods that go beyond mere aerobics and strength training routines. Fitness no longer connotes physical conditioning alone; it is growing to encompass total well-being that integrates body, mind and spirit throughout one's life. Esprit de Danse offers a unique, total body workout program that captures the essence of wellness -- awareness, integrity, athleticism and empowerment -- through Stephanie Herman's distinctive integration of Art, Soul & Science.

Art is physical grace. Style in athleticism. Creative expression.

Soul is conscious awareness. Body as soul. Integrity in exercise.

Science is depth conditioning. Muscle Isolation. Pilates principles in movement.

Esprit de Danse is a right-brain approach to fitness that combines proper alignment, balance, muscle isolation, coordination, innovative choreography -- and fun. The program goes beyond Joseph Pilates principles by blending Pilates with Stephanie Herman's unique dance and fitness background. (Click for Stephanie Herman's bio) From Ms. Herman's Conscious Movement fundamentals to her advanced dance fitness workouts, Esprit de Danse offers a new, refreshing and effective approach to fitness for beginners and elite athletes, dancers and non-dancers alike.

^Art Esprit de Danse is more than just fitness. Having grown out of Stephanie Herman's exceptional background as an international prima ballerina, Esprit de Danse brings to fitness the unique mixture of style, creativity and physical skill that sets dance professionals apart from other athletes. As a renowned dancer, Stephanie Herman studied and performed under some of the world's best directors, including George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham. Ms. Herman's fitness work combines the elegance of ballet, the soul of jazz, and the fun of Broadway dance with Pilates, yoga and tai chi -- an eclectic combination that adds style, depth and character to fitness and dance.

^Soul While based on proven fundamentals of dance training, physical therapy, and exercise science, the Esprit de Danse approach goes far beyond the mechanics to incorporate Ms. Herman's study of psychology, philosophy of physical expression, and the centering and balancing techniques of yoga and tai chi. Esprit de Danse dramatically departs from the "body-as-machine" methods to a unique "body-as-soul" approach that educates, exercises and energizes the whole person. Instead of the "Just Do It," power-oriented methods, Ms. Herman teaches that it's not what you do, but how you do it. By seeking to balance body, mind and spirit, Esprit de Danse helps bring harmony, vitality, and creativity to fitness -- and life. Mastering the fundamentals of Ms. Herman's approach can help women and men develop a whole new sense of self and personal power.

^Science Stephanie Herman's technical expertise in movement and fitness evolved through her efforts to resolve back and knee injuries that left her almost unable to walk. Through intimate study of bio-mechanics, she developed her therapeutically designed Conscious Movement Technique that fully healed her injuries and led to her career in fitness. She also learned to understand and respect the body's natural balance and work with the body in order to stay fit and healthy.

Ms. Herman's motto is "Find it. Feel it. Then move it." Each muscle and movement is described as it is taught: how it should feel; how you should move; how to breath correctly; and how to keep each muscle and movement in proper alignment. Participants find they achieve remarkable results through proper muscle control and focus, without having to stress and strain their muscles and bodies. Women and men benefit from heightened confidence and control as they learn to use their mind to control their body, maintain poise and balance and understand how muscle groups work together.

The Scope of Esprit de Danse^®

The Esprit de Danse approach can be enjoyed by every age and fitness level through a wide selection of specialty programs. Stephanie Herman teaches and trains both instructors and individuals in her innovative fitness techniques.

Stephanie Herman has been featured in national magazines such as Glamour, Elle, Gentry Daily News and others. Esprit de Danse specialty programs have been offered throughout the United States and Europe. Ms. Herman has been invited to teach at internationally renowned spas and health clubs, including the Reebok Sports Club/NY, The Sports Club/LA at Rockefeller Center, Peninsula Spa and Elizabeth Arden Spa in New York; Wellness Center in Hana, Hawaii; Aspen Wellness Center in Colorado; Canyon Ranch in Massachusetts; and SkyLonda Retreat and Pacific Athletic Club. The Esprit de Danse workouts are also available through Stephanie Herman's video collection.