FAQ

Adding yourself to our classes

The best way to know if what we are doing is a match for you is to give it a try!

In our classes you will find dancers the earliest days ~ some 25 years ago, as well as those who have just discovered us and everything in between. There are folks who have trained in different movement modalities, as well as those who never fancied themselves as dancers before. This configuration of participants assures that each session has a lightness of new beginnings while being grounded in a solid foundation that has built over many years.

We welcome you to dance with us, to dance in good company!

And, if you are not ready to dance with others, we have audio programming which is you can do on your own. These lovely programs are a great starting point to movement, and a beautiful adjunct for seasoned dancers who want more time flexibility while reconnecting to your physical creativity.

Information about Covid Protocols

beginning May 12, 2024 we are changing in-person dance from masks required to masks optional.

I have made this decision to make masks optional after consulting with my partners oncologist and giving it a lot of thought. I am personally permitted to be in unmasked gatherings so long as I wear a mask. I will continue to wear a mask on Sundays, and support each of you making the decision that is best for you. Of course if you feel sick, have texted positive or had a recent Covid exposure — please don’t attend class.

Pre-registration is required and I will continue to limit the size of the Sunday Sessions to about 25 participants. Please sign up early to insure your spot.

A PERSONAL NOTE:

I am deeply touched and grateful that you have chosen to return to dance with the mask mandate in place. I know for some this restriction created a sense of safety and I know for others it has been difficult. Regardless of your personal preferences, your support of this work, each other, Meshi, my partner and me is something that I cherish and never take for granted. Many of you have never met my partner, so your kindness is being extended to someone that you don’t know. This is truly amazing and you give me hope for a world where we can act for the greater good…even if that is a singular person.

Refunds or credits will be given for those who need to cancel because of Covid issues. Otherwise your registration is not refundable.

Dancing from home

As the world returns to more and more in-person life we will continue to offer Hybrid Sunday Sessions twice a month. We continue to offer this online option to share dance with those who don’t live in Portland, including Meshi! The online offering is a great way to connect!

If you want to join us online you can register here.

As we discovered during our extensive online experiences during Covid, there are obvious differences between coming to class in our studio and dancing from home. Our own spaces come with a variety of pleasures and distractions. With this in mind we have these suggestions:

consider your space and where you will dance…make sure you have physical room.
think about privacy with other members of your household, including pets. Some might be more distracting, while others might bring added joy.
Be aware that our own spaces can bring distractions and tugs on our attention… the dishes in the sink, a dusty shelf or a to-do list might pull you away from dance. Consider this before and during the dance session.
Is there something you would like to add to your space to create your own opening? Maybe light a candle, put out some flowers…what can you do to create a lovely space for your dance?

What platforms will we use to connect classes online?

We will connect through Zoom. Check out Zoom: https://zoom.us

A Zoom Meeting Link will be provided upon registration and sent to you by email. Note the link will be sent to the email address that you use to register.

What will I need to participate?

Video: A video enabled computer is the best option for participation because it seems to be the easiest to navigate. A video phone or tablet can also work. For phones or tablets you will need to download the Zoom Meetings App.

Sound

Most computers have internal speakers, however you may want headphones or bluetooth speakers if you have them.

How will the music work?

Once we are all on Zoom, we are able to stream the music right to your computer!

How much will it cost? How will I pay?

This move to online classes is a way for us to keep our community together until we are able to meet in person again. It is also a way for Winky & Meshi to have income in these uncertain times. We understand that we are not alone in facing financial stresses that none of us anticipated.

All our classes are Sliding Scale from $25 down to $20

We trust that people will pay what they truly can.

~For those who maybe experiencing financial hardships, please reach out to either Meshi or Winky.

Solo Audio Programs

An exciting alternative to online or even in person classes are our solo audio programs. These unique programs can be accessed at the time that works best for you and do not have live streaming or video elements. All you need is your device, and some time and space.

With this play and dance program we recommend using blue tooth speakers or ear buds to get the best sound quality.