Ms Karli and her Hip Hop Classes in Woodward

Our Ms Karli spent time at a hip hop training and met Paul Ross (Choreo Cookies) and  Cameron (Misfit) Graham. Be sure to check out her hip hop classes for children though adult.

Ms Karli and Cameron Graham

Paul Ross and Ms Karli

Join us for Hip Hop Classes!

Bring A Friend Week

So When Is Big Not Better?

We sometimes have a problem in the states. It is the "Big Is Better" Syndrome. We choose to shop in large malls that provide a majority of Big Retail stores. We buy memberships to large shopping clubs to receive Big Discounts. We drive Big SUVs and have a Big Gas bill and insurance bill so that we have comfort and are considered well to do. We overlook the small fitness gyms in favor of the Big Ones, because that is where everyone goes.

We also look at Big Universities for our children, in hopes that it will bring about Big Accomplishments. We select Big Team Sports over individual ones, so that our child can sit the bench with the other 12 in case they do not get to play. We hold their birthday parties at the locations with the Biggest Party Room, just in case all 22 children invited might show up.

So when is BIG not really better?

We complain about our children's classrooms being over filled and the teacher has no time for each individual child. We complain about our daycare systems and how they do not hire enough top quality people to care for all the children on site.

We complain when the drive through at the local fast food place to get a meal for our children that is guaranteed to make them happy, is too long of a wait. And we complain that the drive is too far to the Bigger and Better school across town because we like their playground better.

We complain that our child does not get enough attention in a dance class because there are three lines, and ours is always on the back row. We complain that our child tool three years of gymnastics and cannot do a technically correct cartwheel yet. We complain that the band director at the public school has no time to work with our child and how unfair that is.

So when is Big Not Better?

We complain that our two hour trip to a movie theater to see a movie on a Bigger Screen with Bigger Sound was a bust because we did not like the movie. We complain that when we went to the Big Town for our anniversary, we had to wait for over an hour to be seated to eat.

So when is Big Not Better?

We complain that the special group we hold membership in, is no longer working for us and search out another Big Group or one that everyone wants to be a member of. We complain that life is  not fair and we want someone else life, happiness, family, friends, business, church, etc., etc.

So when is Big Not Better?

Well, I believe that Big is Not Better when the situation makes you unhappy and you can only see and hear the complaints. Nothing about staying in those situations, or seeking out other similar groups, places, sports, activities and friends, will make a Big Difference.

I can say that I do believe that smaller, more intimate, supporting, loving, positive and uplifting choices can make a Big Difference in your life and of those you love.

So when is Big Not Better in a fine arts school, gym or sport?

*When your child takes more than two years of classes and has not developed a vocabulary for the movements, steps, and technique.
*When your child cannot tell you what they worked on in class or training that day.
*When your child has not been helped to explore the history and passion of and for what they participate in.
*When your child is afraid to miss a practice or class because they had been "throwing up" the night before.
*When your child wants to sit the bench with 12 others so they "can belong" and not be noticed for their efforts or do so to please a friend or parent.
*When your child is so overlooked by the teacher or coach because they (the coach/teacher) do not see the value of having to help your child to become better. It is not their job.
*When you, as their parent, have tears in your eyes and hold disappointment in your heart because your child is not being fully valued.
*When your tears and disappointment have turned to anger and rage at the teacher or coach's insensitivity to those that are not included fully in some way.
*When your budget and time will not allow you to get private coaching and lessons so you can then put them back into the Big Events at a better or higher participating level.
*When you just want to yank them from the program and teach your child to quit.

When Small May Be Better........

Our daughters took part in group school sports as well as non-school groups and individual situations. They did not attend the largest dance conventions, sports camps or played on the most dominant summer sports leagues. All three attended small private universities. They competed in small group and solo dance competitions. All three were involved in university level sports. They are all doing very well in life and are now raising their own families. One is a mental health expert, another a Chiropractor and the other a multi business manager.

When together and reminiscing about their time together, they talk only a tiny bit of time about their school sports and large group activities. Mostly they talk and laugh about the good times and friends at our school, dance conventions, dance recitals, solos dances that went well and some that did not. I love taking a back seat and watching all of this instead of joining in and trying to lead the conversation. They watch old dance recital videos. They ask if I know what ever happened to former friends and classmates.

I get teary eyed at times at watching this amazing thing that happens. I see how strong they are. How well rounded they are in life, without being too well rounded that they are a square peg that does not fit. I am happy that I said "no" a few times to groups they wanted to be a part of for all the wrong reasons. And I know that Big is Not Better because it never gives you the time and the space to find your real self and your own passions.