Our On-Demand Classes are a brand-new pre-recorded video series that help people with intellectual and developmental disability practice various physical, social and professional skills through movement.
Featuring performers with and without disabilities, our on-demand classes allow participants to explore and practice a wide range of life skills via movement and dance. Among them:
- Talking with a trusted friend about emotions like frustration and sadness
- Using the voice appropriately in different situations, such as at a party or in a class
- Tapping into breathwork to help calm our bodies and minds
- Coping with unwelcome surprises
- Improving balance and body awareness
Our on-demand classes are suitable for all ages, all abilities, whether participants are sitting or standing, sighted or not, hearing-impaired or not. The videos (and their accompanying materials for teachers, parents, caregivers and participants) are designed for use in the special education classroom; for use as a group activity led by DSPs or others working with the I/DD population; and at home in tandem with caregiver supervision and participation.
Our Classes:
Skin Wake Up
JJ and Kelly wake up their skin, bones and muscles by “applying” imaginary suntan lotion, playing in pretend waves and imitating sea creatures. A total body-and-brain wakeup that revitalizes us when our energy is low and we need a little boost. more info >>
JJ and Kelly wake up their skin, bones and muscles by “applying” imaginary suntan lotion, playing in pretend waves and imitating sea creatures. A total body-and-brain wakeup that revitalizes us when our energy is low and we need a little boost. more info >>
Shake Out
Kelly leads JJ and Margot in a full-body “shakeout” to rev up our heart rates, boost our energy and help us feel more optimistic. In this video, we develop our abilities to keep rhythm, choose the movements that suit our bodies and share the joy of moving together. more info >>
Kelly leads JJ and Margot in a full-body “shakeout” to rev up our heart rates, boost our energy and help us feel more optimistic. In this video, we develop our abilities to keep rhythm, choose the movements that suit our bodies and share the joy of moving together. more info >>
Isoloations, Slow and Fast
Kelly helps us learn how to isolate specific body parts using a technique adapted from jazz dance. Focusing on one body part at a time helps us build strength, flexibility, mobility, and body awareness. more info >>
Kelly helps us learn how to isolate specific body parts using a technique adapted from jazz dance. Focusing on one body part at a time helps us build strength, flexibility, mobility, and body awareness. more info >>
Take a Breathing Break
Deep breathing activates the body’s internal “brake,” the parasympathetic nervous system. When we feel afraid, worried, angry or overstimulated, we can use techniques demonstrated by Kelly to calm ourselves down and bring about changes in our physical and emotional states that will help us feel safe and secure. more info >>
Deep breathing activates the body’s internal “brake,” the parasympathetic nervous system. When we feel afraid, worried, angry or overstimulated, we can use techniques demonstrated by Kelly to calm ourselves down and bring about changes in our physical and emotional states that will help us feel safe and secure. more info >>
Relaxed Body, Clear Voice
In this video, JJ leads Kelly, Margot and the rest of us through physical and vocal warmups that help us have stronger, clearer voices, explore volume control and improve articulation. As you’ll see, the whole body – not just the mouth and vocal cords – gets involved in this fun and playful clip. more info >>
In this video, JJ leads Kelly, Margot and the rest of us through physical and vocal warmups that help us have stronger, clearer voices, explore volume control and improve articulation. As you’ll see, the whole body – not just the mouth and vocal cords – gets involved in this fun and playful clip. more info >>
Turning on our Eyes
Many of us use our eyes to navigate the world safely. In this video, Margot makes a dance to strengthen our visual and physical awareness using our eyes in tandem with other parts of the body. more info >>
Many of us use our eyes to navigate the world safely. In this video, Margot makes a dance to strengthen our visual and physical awareness using our eyes in tandem with other parts of the body. more info >>
Prepare for the Day
Kelly leads us through a fun dance about getting ready for our day: waking up with a big stretch, brushing our teeth, putting on our clothes, and getting what we need for the day ahead. Talking about the steps we take to prepare while we dance helps sharpen the executive function skills we use every day. more info >>
Kelly leads us through a fun dance about getting ready for our day: waking up with a big stretch, brushing our teeth, putting on our clothes, and getting what we need for the day ahead. Talking about the steps we take to prepare while we dance helps sharpen the executive function skills we use every day. more info >>
Talking about Emotions with People We Trust
The performers you see in this video, JJ and Amy, happen to be friends in real life. They’ve performed together for over five years, so they know and trust each other well. In this video, Amy talks about how it feels to make a video and JJ practices listening to what Amy has to say. They then make a dance to help them remember the listening process. more info >>
The performers you see in this video, JJ and Amy, happen to be friends in real life. They’ve performed together for over five years, so they know and trust each other well. In this video, Amy talks about how it feels to make a video and JJ practices listening to what Amy has to say. They then make a dance to help them remember the listening process. more info >>
Make a Snack Using Safe Knife Skills
Tuyet (pronounced “Twee”) shows us how to wash our hands, wake up our hands, and practice safe knife skills as we make a favorite snack: apples and peanut butter. Preparing simple snacks and meals is a powerful way for young people to build self-esteem, develop independence, and connect with others over food. This video encompasses multiple skills for daily living, including knife safety, planning ahead, hand/eye coordination, good kitchen hygiene, and choosing healthy foods. more info >>
Tuyet (pronounced “Twee”) shows us how to wash our hands, wake up our hands, and practice safe knife skills as we make a favorite snack: apples and peanut butter. Preparing simple snacks and meals is a powerful way for young people to build self-esteem, develop independence, and connect with others over food. This video encompasses multiple skills for daily living, including knife safety, planning ahead, hand/eye coordination, good kitchen hygiene, and choosing healthy foods. more info >>
Responding to Surprises
In this 30-minute class, Margot and Amy warm up with two dances – one inspired by circles and the other by opposites – that help wake up our whole body. Next, we’ll explore in dance this question: “How do we respond to a surprise?” Especially when it’s something we don’t like? In this dance about resilience and resourcefulness, Amy will imagine a scenario in which her friend can’t come to her party. While Amy initially feels like she’s been ‘stood up,’ she finds an alternate way to spend time with her friend. more info >>
In this 30-minute class, Margot and Amy warm up with two dances – one inspired by circles and the other by opposites – that help wake up our whole body. Next, we’ll explore in dance this question: “How do we respond to a surprise?” Especially when it’s something we don’t like? In this dance about resilience and resourcefulness, Amy will imagine a scenario in which her friend can’t come to her party. While Amy initially feels like she’s been ‘stood up,’ she finds an alternate way to spend time with her friend. more info >>