When Cirque Du Soleil came to the Cedar Park Center I had to catch the show and I’m eagerly awaiting their return with Quidam this year, which will run February 29 – March 4. Since my youthful dreams of running away to join the circus have since been cruelly dashed, over the past weekend I took the slightly more adult excursion.

Austin’s Sky Candy offers aerial classes that allow you to test your skills on everything from trapeze to lyra to silks, hammock and rope (or corde lisse, as they say). Their drop-in introductory aerial class is the best way to get started with an experienced instructor and runs $20. Beginners can also choose to try a six-week series that specializes on the apparatus of their choice. Since the summer of 2010, the Sky Candy collective has been run by a group of performers who can usually be found also teaching classes. Their new studio space is located at the east end of 6th Street, where they share a building with the (delicious) Hops & Grains Brewery and Tasting Room.

So what was it like?

There were three other women in my class. It takes an incredible amount of upper body and core strength to do anything, namely to even get up on any of the equipment. My muscles were trembly by the end and I am definitely sore now. I was most thrilled with the trapeze but quite disappointed in the silks. Climbing them was nearly impossible. Not to mention, it looks soft and luxurious but when you’re twisting or hanging in the hammock version from your hips, it’s highly uncomfortable.

Did you know that both the trapeze bar and lyra are made of steel? Yep. There is certainly an art to making those movements look so effortless and beautiful. I think I have a bruise or two to prove it. Still it was worth it to have the chance to take to the sky. Maybe the greatest of ease part will come with more practice.

Here’s a trapeze routine by one of the resident performers.

Chickster welcomes guest blogger Justine Tal Goldberg to share helpful info about WriteByNight’s upcoming Running Over Resolution Roadblocks seminar.

According to our knowledgeable friend the Internet, only 8% of people are always successful in sticking to their New Year’s resolutions. We don’t all make them, but I do. Counted among my (wildly unsuccessful) New Year’s resolutions are: quit smoking (excuse me while I take a puff); be nicer to my mother (when she stops nagging, I’ll stop yelling); and, of course, write more. Some years I write more than others, but this has very little to do with what promises I did or did not make to myself at the stroke of midnight between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Rather, the intensity of my literary output has to do with whether or not I put out … literarily, that is. This has nothing to do with New Year’s magic and everything to do with planning. Strategy, ladies and gentlemen, is key.

And no one knows more about strategy than WriteByNight friend and When I Grow Up Coach Michelle Ward. This sassy, Brooklyn-based lady helps creative people who are at a crossroads between their passions and their grown-up careers. Whether you’re an accountant with the soul of a poet or a real estate agent who just wants to dance, Michelle will get you rhyming or boogieing in no time.

For those of you with the literary bug, Michelle and I are offering a 90-minute teleseminar to prove to you once and for all that New Year’s resolutions are bull*$#! and arm you with some powerful alternative methods of being productive in the new year. We’ll cover how to start your creative projects, how to keep going, and how to finish; we’ll answer questions live during the session; we’ll even provide an ebook chock-full of interactive worksheets and guides so you can take the lessons and make them your own.

So if you’re down with making 2012 your most productive year yet, join us live on December 6th for a resolution-busting workshop you won’t soon forget. Your writing—and your mother—will thank you for it.

Running Over Resolution Roadblocks:
How to Set, Start & Complete Your Writing Projects in 2012
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. Pacific/6 p.m. Central/7 p.m. Eastern
WHERE: the comfort of your own home via telephone
INCLUSIONS: 90-minute teleseminar, Q&A, event recording, e-book
PRICE: $39

Can’t join us live on Dec. 6? Don’t fret! All registrants will receive a recording of the seminar via email within 48 hours of the live event. Click here to learn more.

Justine Tal Goldberg is an award-winning writer and editor of both fiction and nonfiction. Her short stories have appeared in Anomalous Press, Whiskey Island, Fringe Magazine, and other publications. Her journalistic work has appeared in the Texas Observer, Austin Monthly, and Publishing Perspectives, among others. She holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College. She owns and operates WriteByNight, a writing center and writers’ service headquartered in Austin.

Just like many others, we here at Chickster have always dreamed about penning the Great American Novel. In this Class Act Guest Post, Katie Schnack of WriteByNight shares how their Self-Publishing Series can help you get one step closer.

Lady writers of Austin (and male writers, if you happen to be reading this blog, despite it being called Chickster—no shame!), are you ready to give the boot to traditional publishing and take your writing future into your own hands? Great. But do you also feel like you could use a little guidance before embarking on such an overwhelming endeavor? Great! I have just the thing for you: the upcoming Self-Publishing Series at WriteByNight.

What is WriteByNight, you ask? A writing center and writers’ service smack dab in the middle of funky East Sixth Street. So why have you not been there yet? WriteByNight offers manuscript consultation, coaching, and publication services, open writing hours, and lots of writing-related programming–like the Self-Publishing Series!

What is this Self-Publishing Series, you ask? Man, you have a lot of questions, but no worries, as I have the time to answer. The Self-Publishing Series is a collaborative effort of WriteByNight and TLC Graphics & Narrow Gate Books. This three-part series will teach you how to get your work out there in a successful, professional way. From the starting steps all the way to design and marketing, these seminars will give you the know-how to make your book stand apart from the rest.

The first session is called Self-Publishing for Profit, and will teach you to lay the foundation needed to produce and publish a book that will drive readers to your product. Learn how to become the go-to expert in your field through self-publishing as the methods other entrepreneurs have used to grow their businesses through books is explored.

As much as we don’t want to admit it, we often do make a snap judgment about books based on the cover. Make yours attract positive attention by learning what constitutes a good design in Book Design That Gets Buzz. Through easy-to-understand tips and examples, you will learn proven methods of making your cover and interior look professional and attractive. Whether you want to design it yourself, or just learn the best way to go about hiring a professional, you will leave this session knowing the right steps to take.

The third seminar is How’d They Do It?: Publishers Share Profitable Pointers, during which you’ll learn the secrets to self-publishing success, like how a first-time fiction writer sold more than 5,000 books in four months, and how the redesigning of a book bumped a small publisher’s sales by 97%. Three accomplished self-published authors will share what they did to create a market demand for their books, and how you can do the same.

TLC Graphics & Narrow Gate Books are the full-package small publishing solution. They guide manuscripts from beginning to end, and in post-production, assist in marketing, PR, fulfillment, and distribution. TLC Graphics & Narrow Gate Books has helped dozens of authors produce a professional product that catches a reader’s attention, and are excited about teaching you how to do the same.

All sessions will be held at WriteByNight headquarters, 1305 E. 6th Street, Suite 4, Austin. The cost is $29 per event or $80 for all three sessions.

Self-Publishing for Profit – October 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
Book Design That Gets Buzz – October 20, 6-7:30 p.m.
How’d They Do It?: Publishers Share Profitable Pointers – November 17, 6-7:30 p.m.

Can’t make it? Don’t worry! Audio files of these events will be available for purchase. Click here to reserve your seat or purchase the audio file(s) today!

Katie’s work has been featured in Austin Lifestyle Magazine, Redbook Magazine, Thrillist.com and Homerun.com. She is also excited to be contributing to the new Austin publication BE Mag, launching its first issue this November. Prior to moving to Austin, Katie worked as an associate producer for an NBC affiliate in South Florida.

As someone who loves dancing, I’ve always been fascinated by ballet but never actually attempted it. Even though I’ve now been cured of any desire to ever dance “Swan Lake,” the ballet influence of Pure Barre was what initially attracted to me to Pure Barre. During my first class, I realized it was so much more and would probably describe it as something closer to Pilates and its super-isolated muscle movements.

The Westlake studio that Pure Barre occupies is surprisingly wee, perhaps half the size of the average yoga studio. Two walls were lined with mirrors, and the entire room was flanked by ballet barres, like the one you’ll see in the photo below:

For each workout, you use a set of light weights, a small inflatable ball and a stretch cord. And socks! In fact, Pure Barre even sells its own line of socks with those rubber non-slip dots on the bottom, which I’ve found also work really well on the wood floors of my house. Between the socks, the high-energy dance music and the extremely intense and precise movements, the Pure Barre workout was unlike anything I’d ever done before. And about two minutes into the warm-up, I thought I was going to pass out or my muscles were going to snap. Either way, it wasn’t going to be pretty. I powered through, and by the end of the 55 minutes, my muscles were exhausted, but I was invigorated–and most importantly, ready to come back for more. Between the arm, abs, glute, thigh and back work, the Pure Barre technique gives you a complete body workout in a new and innovative way that won’t bore you to tears.

While I can’t afford to the steep class price now that my coupon has ended, I would consider shelling out for a DVD to practice the technique in the privacy of my own living room. Now if I can only convince my husband to install a barre…

As we Chicksters have confessed before, we’re all suckers for dance movies. In fact, we are such suckers that it extends to us attempting to bust a move as well. So when a Groupon became available for The Dance Zone, I simply couldn’t pass it up.

Located on the ground floor of The Castillian dorm near the University of Texas campus, The Dance Zone is a simple dance studio, just like the ones Baby, Johnny Castle and every amazing dancer in the Step Up movies ever practiced in. The first course I took was an introduction to hip hop. During the class, the instructor broke down a routine step-by-step. Even step-by-step proved not basic enough for me at times, but as we slowly built on each move to create one routine to one song, I felt my confidence grow little by little. The class size was small, fewer than 10, which allowed us to receive personalized instruction and also gave us some room to spin and fall.

Next, I tried The Dance Zone’s Cardio Strip Hop class, which totally kicked my ass. The class was packed, and I wouldn’t be surprise to find out that it might be the studio’s most popular class. With the lights turned low and some strobes on, the energy was intense with everyone giving it their all and jamming out to the strong bass of pop and club songs. I felt a little intimidated at first because I couldn’t keep up, but once you realize that everyone is only paying attention to themselves, you lose some of your inhibitions too and just have fun.

I wish my schedule had permitted me to take more classes, but The Dance Zone’s prices are pretty reasonable, so I could see myself taking another spin on their dance floor someday. One more fitness class left in my Groupon fitness series, and it’s also dance-inspired. In the meantime, bust a move in the privacy of your home (or office) to Robyn’s awesome “Dancing On My Own”:

As a boot camp first-timer, I couldn’t have had a better experience than the one I had with Austin Adventure Boot Camp. Not only did they offer women’s only sessions, but they also stressed the importance of diet along with all that exercise. Setting my alarm to get up before 5 a.m. to make the 5:30 a.m. classes may have never lost its painfulness, but once I arrived at the school where the session I attended was held, the instructor, Paige, kept things peppy with upbeat music (she even took requests!) and upbeat attitude. The session began with an evaluation that tested how fast we could run (or walk, if need be) a mile, how many sit-ups we could do, how many push-ups we could do and more to see exactly how much we would improve in four weeks.

Four mornings a week, I increased my vocabulary at an astonishing rate as I learned about tabatas, dead lifts, mountain climbers and many, many more. My muscles also learned to dread those phrases too. But throughout it all, the team-based structure of the program kept me motivated. I’d never played organized sports (band nerd!), so this was as close as I ever got. Everyone in our session cheered each other on, which made the agony much more bearable.

Austin is home to an array of different boot camp offerings, but I’m not sure if all provide the same nutrition support that Austin Adventure Boot Camp does. Without trying to sell us any additional services or products, our instructor allowed us to send her our daily food diaries, which she would evaluate and provide guidance on. For that service alone, along with those butt-kicking workouts, I can see how boot camp can deliver major results if you stick with it.

But for me, sticking with it wasn’t meant to be, as my next Groupon was burning up a hole in my email. And I had to put on my dancing shoes!

Anyway, I belonged to a gym for years, but I could never be bothered to go and slave away on the elliptical, but I was a very committed class-goer. I’ve realized that when it comes to physical fitness, if I don’t have a class or an accountability partner, then I just won’t do it. My TV won’t watch itself after all. So since I left my gym I’ve fallen into the Groupon (or Living Social or Localiter or aDealio, etc.) Fitness Plan, which involves buying up months of memberships to different fitness organizations. I’ve found it to be a fantastic way to try new workouts and also have that class-commitment mentality I need, all for a price I can actually afford.

So in honor of everyone’s favorite month to sweat, I thought I’d share some of the places I’ve worked out thanks to social marketing. First up, Bodhi Yoga, where I sweated more than I’ve ever sweat in my life.

Bodhi has two locations, one next to FINO near campus and one across from the Hill Country Galleria. I only ever attended classes at the latter location, which is also the newer one, and I highly recommend it because of the serene view from the larger studio that is walled with glass on two sides.

I’m not a super-experienced yoga student at all. I very much like it, and I’ve taken some classes. I hope to be better at it someday. So the first class I took at the studio was Kundalini yoga, which was in the smaller room and completely not my cup of tea. The stretching, strength-training and relaxation aspects of yoga are what interest me and inspire me most. Chanting–well, it’s just not for me. Kundalini yoga seemed to me to be more focused on the spiritual aspects of yoga than the physical. The others in my class seemed to get a lot out of it, so I just chalk up my reaction to an impatient and unpracticed mind. Also, it was hard to focus when you could hear the instructor in the adjacent studio through the garage door-esque wall that connected the two.

However, all my concerns were blown away when I took Bodhi’s signature class, The Hot 26. It was my first experience with yoga in a heated room, and, wow, did it ever kick my arse. In the best possible way. First, you know you’re in trouble when you walk in the room and immediately break into a sweat. That’s because the room is heated to 100 degrees. Then when the front desk insists you have both a towel and a large jug of water, you know you’re in for some hardcore sweating.

Hot 26 lives up to its name, taking you through 26 postures while you work up the biggest sweat of your life. The heat really allows your body to stretch to an even greater extent, and I found myself surprised how much deeper I could go into some poses than I had previously thought. That said, hot yoga isn’t for everyone. Some people find saunas relaxing; I don’t, mostly because we Texans live in one from June to September. At first, I had a hard time focusing on anything other than the sweat dripping down my forehead, but eventually, the heat does become peaceful and you do relax.

If I lived closer to Bodhi Yoga and had a chunk of spare change to spare, I can see myself really getting into hot yoga. But after my month was over, I moved on to my next Groupon. Boot camp!

Here’s a little preview of their hands-on, updated take on upholstery and “furniture match-making” using vintage pieces.

Friday’s party will have food, drinks, and the ladies of Spruce will be unveiling – ta-da – the Spruce Mobile and premier episode of Spruce TV!

Well she’d make the cut, but I won’t be running away to the circus any time soon. (They wouldn’t take me.) I couldn’t even lift my legs and wrap them around the stick and hang after 4 tries, which is step 1….

Trapeze is harder than it looks, but it’s still hella fun, even if you sadly discover, like me, that you’ve lost your ab muscles somewhere along the 40-hour-a-week-office-job trail. Though I was disappointed in my own non-ability, I was not disappointed in this class offered by Trapeze Austin. Even at full price it would be a bargain. You get 2 hours of training, and you’re up on the platform performing your first leg tuck and hang (unless you’re me) within the first 20 minutes. You do this while being strung from safety lines and over a very sturdy net, of course. The most dangerous part is the climb up the narrow ladder and holding on with white knuckles as you try to chalk your hands. The rest isn’t so bad after that first “hep” and drop. Here is a video of my prodigy friend performing a catch on her very first try.

Despite my brief foray into pole dancing, I am not an athlete. In fact, I’m like the least athletic person ever. I got my PE credit in high school from marching band. (Band geeks unite!) I’ve done a lot of fast walking for exercise, but I’ve always dreamed about being one of the people running past me on the Lady Bird Lake trails. Running can seem pretty daunting to someone who has never tried it, so if you’re also a running newbie, I recommend three things: (1) find a running buddy, (2) commit to a training plan and (3) sign up for a 5K, preferably one that offers mimosas at the finish line, like the one I’ll be running in this weekend.

First, I lucked out in my running buddy, past Chickster guest blogger Barbara, not only because she is awesome and loves the idea of mimosas after a workout as much as I do, but because she is married to a bona fide marathon runner who found us the perfect (and oh-so-grueling) five-week 5K training program from Runner’s World magazine. Here it is:

As a running newbie, the training trail wasn’t without bumps. Sweating just plain sucks. And it’s really hot out. Those are givens, but I wasn’t expecting to get so sore in my shins. Luckily, a trip to RunTex to get fitted for new shoes and learn some good stretches for my shins and calves helped immensely. Even if you feel foolish stretching in public, don’t skip it. Your legs will thank you after, believe me. And on the walking or cross training days, I found that throwing in a little yoga helped my sore muscles feel better too.

If you’re intimidated by running like I was, you might also look for a 5K that is billed more as a “fun run” than a hyper-competitive chip-timed event where everyone will be focused on their completion time. We opted for a women’s only 5K that’s part of the Lavender Festival in Blanco, but the Keep Austin Weird 5K is coming up on June 26 and carries with it the low-pressure billing of “the slowest 5K you’ll ever run,” not to mention the fact that people run in wacky costumes. Or if you’d rather suffer through your five kilometers while supporting your favorite team (Edward or Jacob, of course), check out the vampire-themed Twilight 5K at the Hill Country Galleria, also on June 26. For a listing of running events in the Hill Country area, visit RunTex’s comprehensive calendar.

We’re in the final week of training, and I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be able to run 3.5 miles without stopping, but somehow, I made it through. (For my indoor training days, I owe a shout-out to SoapNet’s endless supply of “Beverly Hills, 90210″ reruns for helping make those treadmill sessions bearable.) Now that I think about it, I probably should have held out on this post until after I (hopefully!) complete the 5K this weekend. Depending on how it goes down, I might have to come back next week with a post on how NOT to train for your first 5K. But either way, at least I know there will be a mimosa waiting for me at the finish line.

Founded in March 2007 by singer/songwriter extraordinaire Mandy Rowden, Girl Guitar includes a host of other experienced musician teachers of the female persuasion who specialize in everything from beginning classes to vocal harmony and stagecraft. With small, intimate classes, you’ll get to know your fellow songstresses through your six-week class, culminating in a performance of your choice of covers or original songs at famous blues bar Antone’s downtown. Mandy’s encouraging words help get past the blisters on your fingers and any stage fright that might overtake you. She’s bound to insist as she does with all her students, “You’re all very pretty!” and make you get on with the show.

Forget about waiting for some sad-eyed guy with floppy hair to serenade you with his guitar. Instead invite him to check you out on stage at your next gig with Girl Guitar!

What to expect from a class at Yoga Yoga? The first class can be free if you purchase a class pass, starting with an eight class minimum. Newbies should explore the Beginners series for a slower paced introduction geared toward those who are new or returning to yoga after a break. If you don’t have a yoga mat, you can rent one for as little as a $1 a class from the front desk. Blankets and bolsters are provided to aid you with different poses and teachers are careful to instruct you on how to avoid injury. With so many different yoga teachers at Yoga Yoga, you’re sure to find one whose teaching style you like. Classes run for 75 minutes, and while that may seem intimidatingly long, once you’ve settled into the final relaxation pose savasana you are guaranteed to be reluctant to end your session. A cup of delicious yogi tea is the only thing worth getting up for at that point, and Yoga Yoga never fails to serve it up in a biodegradable cup at the end of your practice. You’ll feel refreshed, rejuvinated and a lot more limber than if you went out for cocktails. You can enjoy Yogi tea from home too, from this delicious recipe off the Yoga Yoga website.

Yogi Tea

To make two quarts:

• 2 quarts water
• 15 whole cloves
• 20 black peppercorns
• 3 sticks of cinnamon
• 20 whole cardamon pods (split the pods first)
• 8 ginger slices (1/4-inch thick, no need to peel)
• 1/2 teaspoon black tea leaves (we use decaf)
• Milk and honey to taste

1. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a 3-4 quart pot. Add cloves and boil for one minute. Next, add cardamon, peppercorns, cinnamon and fresh ginger root. Cover and boil for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, cover and simmer for two to three hours! When ready, remove from heat, add black tea and let cool. Strain tea. When ready to drink, add soy or dairy milk and sweeten to taste with honey or maple syrup.
2. Drink often!

In addition to offering classes for yoga students, Yoga Yoga also offers their Teacher Training Program, a nationally recognized program for Hatha, Kundalini and Advanced Studies in yoga. Yoga Yoga also recently acquired The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, one of only a handful of vegetarian cooking schools in the U.S. Community cooking classes are currently being offered at Casa de Luz, but will be moved to Yoga Yoga’s South location in May.

Well, okay, you’re not really a co-ed stripping your way through college, but that’s just part of the act. The ladies of Brass Ovaries Pole Dancing use this scenario to help you slip into a more explicit side of yourself in their beginner pole dancing classes, which are offered twice a month for $20 a pop at Forbidden Fruit on North Loop.

Anyone who has ever seen “Showgirls” or set foot in a strip club knows that pole dancing is pretty hard work, but the ladies of Brass Ovaries Pole Dancing kick it up a notch, elevating pole dancing to a cross between a sport and an art. These women are strong, badass and confident, which are three things I aspire to be (as I imagine every Chickster out there does). I first read about Brass Ovaries in the February issue of Rare magazine, and when I noticed that they offered beginner classes, I had to give it a try.

That’s not to say I didn’t have any trepidation. Anytime you get a group of girls together in a room and instruct them to act sexy, it can range from awkward to hostile. But Miss Natasha and Sarah from Brass Ovaries put everyone at ease immediately, thanks in part to Miss Natasha’s social butterfly service dog, Amigo. (Dogs always just make everyone feel better.) They were also quick to dispel the myth that pole dancing is just for strippers and that anyone could do it. Then they demonstrated some of their awesome skills on the pole. I was seriously impressed. They also delved more into the history of pole dancing, which began in Southeast Asia long ago as a form of recreation for men! Women didn’t take up pole dancing until 20th century, when strip clubs became more popular. Today, many pole dancers are actually lobbying for the sport to be included in the Olympics, and after spending some time on the pole, I can say firsthand that those ladies are awesome athletes.

The class size was limited to 15, and some of the girls came with friends and some came alone, but everyone was very supportive and friendly from the beginning to the end, cheering each other on when it was her turn on the pole or even during the introductions. It also helped that everyone, including Miss Natasha and Sarah, wore basic workout clothes and either tennis shoes or bare feet. There were no five-inch lucite heels to be seen.

The 90-minute class was broken down into moves that in the end were assembled to create a routine. Miss Natasha and Sarah would demonstrate the move, and then each participant in the class got a chance to do it. I won’t lie – the first time I stepped up on the platform next to the pole, I’m sure I turned every shade of red in the Pantone color wheel and felt so self-conscious I wanted to laugh. But eventually, you almost can tune out everyone else around you and focus on what you’re doing. We started with a simple walk around the pole, then progressed to pirouettes, assisted backbends and even an ankle spin. Put it all together, and you’ve got a fun little routine that could totally earn you some crisp bills.

The best part about the class is just how fun and different it is compared to your standard workout. I was definitely sore the next day, especially in my shoulders. The worst part about the class is that you don’t get too terribly much pole time. I’d love to have had more time to practice each move. When you’re up there, you do almost feel like with a little practice, you would feel pretty confident and powerful. Brass Ovaries offers open studio time at their studio on South Congress and additional classes in pole dancing, or even the circus-inspired aerial hoop, which looks pretty damn cool. Miss Natasha and Sarah also discussed the best options for investing in a pole of your own. Who knew they made portable poles specifically for renters? And is it wrong that I kind of want one now? Sadly, the price of a good pole is shocking – around $350.

By the end of the class, I had a newfound appreciation for strippers who are able to do all those moves and even more, all while wearing five-inch lucite heels and little else. And about one thing Miss Natasha was definitely right – after you take a pole dancing class, you’ll never look at a stop sign the same way again.

To make your own mosaic, start with something small and simple, like a MALMA IKEA Mirror (just $2.99) that I use here (or even a little RÖNNBÄRR terracotta flowerpot).

1. You can leave the wood untreated or you can paint it any color that strikes your fancy. It won’t show on the finished product but helps seal the wood and may make it easier to apply mosaic pieces.

2. Gather together materials to add. Blue Moon Glassworks in Austin’s Hyde Park has beautiful panels of stained glass available that are quite fun to smash and break into different size pieces. You can incorporate everything from broken China plates, seashells, buttons, pebbles to found objects to junk jewelry.

3. Get a strong adhesive. Omni Gel dries clear and will permanently attach just about anything. Welbond is also an excellent water based glue for indoor mosaics.

4. Choose a pattern or create your own. Just makes sure you have a plan before you start gluing things down, and be sure to leave gaps between glued items to add grout later. If you are using glass, rubber gloves will help protect your fingertips, and be sure to put on safety glasses before you take a hammer to anything. TIP: For smoother edges, put glass or China pieces into an empty Mason jar and shake it around until the edges are worn down before attempting to apply to any surface.

5. Mix grout and avoid breathing in any dust. It’s a messy job, so you will probably want to do this outside. Darker grout usually looks best, but you can also pick a contrasting color of grout to make your design pop. The grout should have the consistency of cookie dough before it is applied to your mirror’s frame.

6. Use masking tape to protect the mirror’s surface and add grout between the gaps. Let dry overnight,  then wipe the grout off your mosaic pieces with a damp sponge for a nice shine. Peel the tape off mirror and see your smiling face as you admire your work of art.

7. Voila! Hang prominently in your house and impress visitors with your DIY skills.

If you’d like to take a mosaic class in Austin, The Art Pad offers a variety of different mosaic courses for all skill levels. The Austin Museum of Art also offers a five-week beginner class through their Art School at their picturesque Laguna Gloria location.

For a more ambitious mirror project, click here for another take on how to make a mirror mosaic.

I decided it was time to discover if I had two left feet. Back in middle school I was forced through that Southern rite of passage, Cotillion, where I took my first faltering dance steps. It was very awkward and strangely formal, with all the girls required to wear gloves.

Ballet Austin’s Butler Community School on the other hand, I thought might be just the ticket to put those dancing shoes on again. Serving over 3,000 people of all ages and skill level each year, classes vary from ballet to modern, hip hop to hula, and jazz to Broadway. Better yet, they offer adult beginner class so you don’t have to suffer the indignity of dancing around with a bunch of children.

Located downtown on West 3rd, the studio is beautiful and modern, with huge clear windows and an inviting spiral staircase leading up from the front entrance. Walking in with some trepidation (think Jennifer Beals’ character in Flashdance as she goes for her audition, without the mad breakdancing skills), I was relieved to see the girl at the front desk casually reading Klosterman’s Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs. Maybe this would turn out all right after all.

Taught by Maria Antonieta Bravo, or Toni, as she prefers, our class was quickly inducted into the contemporary dance mindset, as she invited us to literally kick off our shoes. “We’re not going to defy gravity here,” Toni says. “That’s pretty and all, but that’s not what were going to do here.”

Originally from Mexico City, Toni has a Master’s Degree in Theatre History and Criticism, with a minor in Dance Pedagogy. With a last name like Bravo, it seems only natural that she would be drawn to expressing herself on stage.  “Don’t get me wrong,” says Toni. “I danced ballet for many years and I loved it. In ballet, you can be a flower, or a snowflake, or a bon bon,” she says. “But this is something entirely different.”

She proceeded to direct us into a series of twists and turns, until we were crawling on the floor, from inauguration to what she called “articulation” to the awesomely expressive tunes of Portishead. Beginning students learn the same choreography she has created as the intermediate and advanced classes.

“Think of the point of your body like stars in a constellation, shifting and spinning,” she instructs.

I just might be hooked, I’m definitely going back…