Blythely Dancing

I absolutely love the positive “It Gets Better” campaign that has arisen from the tragic deaths of gay teens who have experienced brutal bullying. It is not right for young lives, who have so much ahead of them, be lost! Yet it is easy to lose sight of possibility in the face of so much hurt. The "It Gets Better" message is relevant to all sorts of young people, not exclusively those who have been bullied for being queer, although that can be particularly tough- any kind of difference can bring ridicule. To have so many people speaking out about what gifts maturing has brought them is an exciting shift for a youth-centric culture. In their messages, the celebrities and everyday people are sharing how they celebrate what growing up brings, how they've had the courage to embrace who they really are, and how they've created a supportive community, pursued their passions, found love, etc. Recently I’ve been lucky enough to be helping a small alternative high schoo...

The fireworks have burst, champagne corks popped, folks resolved to make exciting changes in their lives… and I have reflected, envisioned, committed, and eaten my black eyed peas. What does your New Year process look like? This New Year, I took stock of the last year’s accomplishments and challenges in creating my vision and practices for the future, as well as a bit further back, reading through old journals and notes back to 2004. 2010 was one of my most eventful and challenging yet, and in some areas I have been disappointed with my progress. Happily, taking just a slightly longer view revealed that I have been moving on an upward spiral towards my dreams, even with the tough times of life along the way, and some out and out failures! I continue to get more clear about what I want, and move step by step, of course stumbling and trying again, toward it. Here are some particularly relevant bits of my reflections and milestones over the last 7 years: February 2004- “I fee...

West Hawaii Dance Theatre Offers January Ballet Classes with West Hawaii Dance Academy Alumna BLYTHE STEPHENS January 22,24 & 29, 2011 Blythe began her dance education at WHDT from the age of 5-16, going on to graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Whitman College and performed extensively with Whitman Dance Theatre and Whitman Dance Productions. Now residing in Portland, OR, she is the President of the Dance Coalition of Oregon, performs with Mythobolus Mask Theatre and The Dolly Pops, and teaches ballet at the Collins View Dance and Arts Center. Saturday Schedule 11:00-12:30pm Ballet Technique 12:30-1:30pm Pointe 1:30-2:00pm Performance Group Monday Schedule 3:30-4:15pm Ballet Ages 7-8 4:15-5:15pm Ballet ages 9+ 5:15-6:30pm Ballet III/IV 6:30-7:15pm Performance Group Phone (808)329-8876 West Hawaii Dance Theatre...

"We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God." - Martha Graham “I like living.  I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, wracked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.”  - Agatha Christie “Do not fear mistakes- there are none.” - Miles Davis “We are here to abet creation and to witness to it, to notice each other’s beautiful face and complex nature so that creation need not play to an empty house.” - Annie Dillard “Sometimes our light goes out but is blown back into flame by an encounter with another human being.  Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.” -Albert Schweitzer “If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy.  If it were merely challenging, t...

“Blythe’s approach is direct and kind.  Working with Blythe is a weekly reminder that I am in the driver’s seat of my life.  She listens for the awesome essence in her clients and supports that, reminding them to move in life towards what makes them shine.”  - JM “I can clearly see the many ways in which our time together benefited me: I routinely use and stick to an online budget to keep myself financially accountable; I regularly attend faith services and continue to grow on my spiritual journey; I go antiquing on the weekends and practice my armchair appraisal skills in preparation for an auctioneering career; and I have taken the much needed step of seeing a naturopath, which has had a profound effect on my energy levels.  None of the above were practices of mine before Blythe.  Blythe also made an observation about the way I approach stressful situations which has grown into a profound revelation for me and has really changed the way I approach prob...

Mission and Personal Vision Blythe is the proper noun usage of “blithe”, which is a quality I seek to bring to all the interactions in my life.  It means joyous, merry, gay in disposition, glad, cheerful and carefree.  Negatively interpreted, it can also mean without thought or regard or heedless- I don’t own that interpretation, but it reminds me to be balanced and keep perspective.  My perspective, both positive and balanced, is invaluable in supporting clients through life transitions and generating the life of their dreams.  In my coaching, I don’t believe that there is anything “wrong” to be fixed, but that we do need to know what is so in order to create something new.  The finest leaders and human beings I know are both powerful and able to gracefully own their challenges and foibles, taking full responsibility and empowering themselves to choose what is next.  It is beautiful to behold, folks out there living their purpose and making a difference...

Coaching Life coaching supports people in creating unprecedented results in their lives.  This can be in any area of life: career, relationships, leadership, spirituality, finance, health, and creativity.  Ontological  coaching defined Ontology is the area of metaphysics that has to do with being.  What this means in our work together is that we address your goals and actions ( doing ) in the foreground, while attending to the impact of where you’re coming from in your life ( Being ) on your results. Role of the coach The role of the coach is to provide perspective and facilitate insight and action.  My strengths are providing that kind of perspective and support with energy, enthusiasm, and passion.  Also, if you find yourself saying “I want what she’s having!” that’s a great indicator that a coaching partnership could be for you.  Let’s talk and see if there’s a fit! Many of my clients seek powerful...