Spring 2026
Studio Temperature For warm days, I may pre-cool the studio by turning the AC to 68 before class. Then I turn it off during class, and the room generally heats up three or four degrees. It's unlikely that I will turn on the AC unless the room hits 74 degrees. We keep the door closed so that mosquitoes stay outside.
Enjoy wearing all the layers so you can strip down to shorts (or a skirt - whoo!) and a bra top if you like. Loose-fitting layers and tops with mesh can make a huge difference. REI has options under $30, like the Free Country Microtechnology Chill tops on sale or its Active Pursuit tank top.
Good Stuff
The Farmers' Markets and Railyards are open for the season!
Trevor Noah in his podcast talks about his ADHD. There are great insights from him and his hosts.
Krista Scott Dixon's reminds us"It's not about willpower. It's about support." Reach out for the support you need, and offer support as you can.
Music
Here are wonderful songs that won't end up in class: "Fabulous" by MEEK, "That's a Them Problem" by Terry Kaye and Jamison Bethea, "Mr. Eclectic" by Laufey, "Peace" by Little Simz et al, and "fucking happy" by Niia.
When you want something that is beautiful and optimistic, listen to Mas Aya and Lido Pimienta, "Reinita Candiense," the first track on A Guide to the Birdsong of Migration.
I am entirely in love with Snow Tha Product's most recent Choices. This album is a big shout out to her family.
Rosalia's LUX is on many reviewers' list of best album of 2025.
Minimalist Shoes and Studio Shoes
We've got 29 muscles in our feet. Our feet are meant to be active.
Minimalist shoes (sometimes called barefoot shoes) can help our feet stay stronger. They usually have little or no arch support and they are zero drop, which means there’s no difference in height between the ball and heel. I've found that my hips prefer a zero drop shoe, but it does mean more work for my Achilles tendon. A good barefoot shoe is wider than a traditional shoe so that our toes can splay (toe-splay-and-why-it's-important). Some minimalist shoes have very thin soles for optimal ground feel, and generally they are flexible so the foot can move and flex while we walk.
Not all minimalist shoes have thin, flexible soles. Some options are shaped-like-feet and zero drop yet are quite stiff or have very rugged soles. Topo Shoes and Lems (find locally at Happy Hiker in Old Town) and Altra shoes (find at REI) are examples of these. If your feet are narrow, there may be some Merrell options that work for you. REI also carries Xero shoes and sandals as well as Bedrock sandals that are zero drop, no arch support, and more flexible than a Chaco sandal.
If you want to throw down some bigger bucks for cuter shoes, go to Anya's Shop, where you'll find shoes for work and play in a variety of fun styles: loafers, sandals, boots, slides and sneakers. I'm wearing thin sandals from Shamma, slightly thicker sandals from Bedrock, running shoes from Freet, and hiking boots, the Farmer from Realfoot, which are very wide at the front with a narrower heel.
If you wish to wear shoes while dancing at Studio Sway, you need a pair that is worn in our studio only. If they’re worn outside, or even at your home or another dance studio, there’s likely little rocks that adhere to the sole and can scratch the studio’s floor. Minimalist shoes are a bit wider and more flexible than traditional sneakers, so you can dance and strengthen your feet and ankles more than in a rigid shoe. One option is to look for water shoes, which often are thin and flexible (though not necessarily wide or foot-shaped). If you're looking for less expensive minimalist shoes, Saguaro and Hobibears are brands with a decent reputation.
Katy Bowman’s Whole Body Barefoot is short, easy and pleasant to read. It explains the benefits of minimalist shoes. If you have foot pain, check out her book to see if what you need isn’t a stiff shoe with rigid arch support.
Activewear Suggestions
Locally, I like Savers for used, and I like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Nordstrom Rack for discounted wear.
REI has a great return policy for members, so go ahead and wear that bra or walk in those shoes for up to a year and return them if they don't work. Athleta has good quality clothing, and they've opened a store at Academy and Wyoming. Online, it's possible to order both petite and tall in a size range from 00 to 26.
Remember to wash activewear separate from cotton clothing and then hang dry all your activewear to keep them soft and free from pilling.