Kiwa Dance FitnessSM is a local small business that supports another local small business. The studio for in-person classes is located inside Innovate Dance Arts in Parksville (425 Stanford Avenue, in the back, behind Arrowsmith Brewing).
While the pandemic normalized doing many normal daily activities on-line, the post-pandemic world gives us options so we can choose if on-line or in-person is better for us. When it comes to fitness classes, there are advantages and disadvantages to both studio formats:
In-person classes can be intimidating to someone new to fitness or the format. Doing the class at home means you don’t have to worry about how you look. The reality is that even in an in-person class you don’t have to worry about that because everyone is too busy watching me. The downside to not being seen is that I can’t see you to ensure you are performing moves safely.
On-line classes can be harder to follow since you have to watch a small screen and may spend half your time try to see what’s going on versus doing it. It’s much easier to follow a full size instructor who is right there with you. Visibility problems occur in in-person classes when they are overcrowded, this is not a concern in Kiwa classes since I limit class sizes so you can see and move freely.
In-person classes may be hard to fit into your schedule and you do have to commit in advance to attending. In comparison, on-line classes require no commitment and can be done whenever you want. The downside to no commitment is that it’s too easy to procrastinate.
The up/down side to on-line classes is that you are alone. This is a good thing when we are limiting our social contacts during cold/flu season, but it is not so good for mental health since it encourages isolation and loneliness. Another downside to being alone is that if you do have a fall or feel unwell, there is no one there to provide assistance if necessary. When you attend an in-person class you become part of a group of likeminded women who you automatically have something in common with and who have your back in the event of injury or physical unwellness.
Based on the above and Kiwa Dance Fitness’s mandate to provide classes that are safe, I have chosen to only offer in-person classes.
Updated: January 2025
KIWA dance fitness 