Joey L. Dowdy – World Dance Groove Fitness

This man’s talent and abilities cannot be overestimated. He is, BY FAR, the greatest dancer, choreographer, and more importantly, teacher, that I have ever had the pleasure to be around. I’ve been taking his class at Athletic Garage for over 3 years and I have come out of every single one of his classes Joey feeling like I just had the greatest experience of my life: not ONCE have I not had a phenomenal experience (ok, once, 2 years ago in spring when he opened the garage door & my severe allergy to california oak took over and I had to leave, but that wasn’t his fault!).
I’ll be honest and tell you I had to work up the nerve to take his class: he’s this huge, muscular man but he MOVES like he’s made of air: he’s just an amazing dancer and I’m easily intimidated… but his class is a consistent, weekly reminder that there ARE beautiful moments in life, and the body was NOT made to just drive to work, sit in front of a computer, and atrophy at a slow and steady pace: your body is made for expression and creating beauty with every movement!
he has this intuition where he can read what his students are dealing with: there have been so many times that he has yelled out in class «let it GO, work it OUT» and there I was dancing but thinking about some tough stuff I was dealing with: he’s good like that. One class I was especially bashful and dancing behind everyone and he encouraged me not with rah rah «you can do it» forest gump crap, but by putting me in a group of veterans and said «this is where you need to be,» and I rose to the occasion. I haven’t forgotten that, and I haven’t missed a class with him since. Not to say that I’m really that good at his class, but I’m enjoying every single minute.
The only con for his class that it’s only once a week, and it’s only an hour… wish there were more of his classes. :)

Joey is phenomenal. He is passionate, exciting, exacting and a very gifted teacher. I took his classes in a gym that I recently quit. He was the by far the most consistently excellent aspect of that gym. One day I realized that I had been attending his class for a year. Within that year, Joey had taught me to be more physically expressive and how to better learn and retain choreography. I enjoy freestyle dancing so much more because of the moves we practiced in his class. His style is fun and original. He is very patient with newcomers, but he expects his veteran students to display the skills he has taught them. I have found his classes to be as challenging as kickboxing and spinning. You will have an amazing workout! You’ll be loaded with energy. And you’ll be tripping on all those endorphins!

I caught up with Joey L. Dowdy and his World Dance Groove at the Athletic Garage Dance Showcase in Pasadena last Sunday. I have known Joey for several years, and I love his enthusiasm but all fitness gurus sound the same to me. Eat right-​blah, blah, blah, Exercise-​blah, blah, blah. The usual svelte, youngsters were well, OK fine, but that is not me. Then Shonda came on stage, 6 + feet and 250+lbs, and moves like the wind. I was awestruck! Move over Victoria’s Secret models because you have nothing on this woman. I am inspired to dance! All women should learn these dance moves. The guys in your life will be impressed and you do not need to be a size 3. It’s been life-​changing for me and I’m officially off the couch. Joey’s music is captivating, the dances are seductive and the experience was totally rewarding. For those of you that are not in Pasadena, Joey has a DVD and that works for me too because I am often too lazy to go to class. I can just pop it in the DVD player when I have a moment and dance. Getting back to the show, it was a. great opportunity for me to experience the raw power of movement across a variety of dance forms. There is something for everyone, even cute size 3 dancers. For more information about Joey or to buy the video visit:
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