Teaching
Dani Oblitas (they/she) is a dance artist and educator based in Chicago, IL. With an emphasis in choreography, Dani graduated from St. Olaf College with a BA in Dance and Environmental Studies. She has taught as a dance educator for Performing Ourselves, KLJ Movement, and taught Senior Movement Meditation classes at the Madison Public Library. Currently, they are a teaching artist for Studio North Academy of Performing Arts, Simantikos Dance, Ideabox Integrated Arts, and a Teaching Artist Mentor with ArtsxChange. Dani offers private lessons for kids in modern, contemporary, choreography, and audition preparation.
Dani is a Relative Motion certified teacher and completed the Spiral Body Techniques® (SBT) teacher certification with Molly Shanahan in 2024.
Spiral Body Techniques®, a movement framework developed by Molly Shanahan, holds values such as challenging the compulsory holding of the body, facilitating the conscious release and opening of the body, and emphasizing the use of spiral, undulation, and fluidity.
Current Offerings
Spiral Body Techniques® (SBT) classes at the Rooted Space
Weekly on Thursdays from 7:35-9:05pm. Spiral Body Techniques® is the dance and movement framework developed by choreographer Molly Shanahan. Essential Level Spiral Body Techniques® classes introduce and develop foundational movement principles, emphasizing increasing whole-self dancing, articulation and coordinated availability of the ball-and-socket joints, and moving with a dynamic center through the release and reengagement of musculature.
The easiest, most challenging dance class you’ve ever taken.
While geared towards more advanced dancers, movers of all levels are welcome to take class at their own pace.
During class, we start on the floor and progressively work towards moving and traveling while standing. Through floor and locomotive phrases, we will explore ball-and-socket joint access and connectivity in spiral based movement. There is an emphasis on the release and reeducation of habitual muscular holding and trusting the body's innate intelligence to find ease and joy in movement. While not required, knee pads and long pants are recommended.
Past Offerings
Intermediate Modern at HIVE Chicago
Weekly drop-in adult classes at the HIVE: connect to grounded movements that emphasize spinal and pelvic mobility, as well as across the floor movement sequences
Practice Spiral Body Techniques® (SBT) classes
A free practice class offering as a I work towards my certification at Links Hall Wednesdays and Fridays at 10-11am from September 27th 2024- November 15th 2024. Drop in and spiral with me!
Basic Modern/Ballet for Seniors
A series of classes at Senior Centers in the Chicago area for a study about seniors’ health through dance for Columbia College/Rush Hospital.
Contemporary Reggaeton at Groove Chicago
In this no movement experience necessary class, we will be dipping our toes into contemporary dance forms and finding freedom of movement to your favorite Reggaeton songs. We will start with a sweaty warmup and slowly build up to learning a movement phrase. Get ready to groove and get sweaty!
Absolutely Beginner Ballet for Adults at Groove Chicago
This is a dance class to feed and nurture your inner child! We will learn basic ballet steps and terminology as well as body placement and muscle awareness. This is a class for those with zero dance experience. Feel free to dress up or be comfy!
Movement to Power
A combined dance and collective art-making event to raise funds for human rights defenders in the Philippines. We will connect with and release tension in our bodies in a beginner friendly contemporary class and a watercolor painting art space.
Senior Movement Meditation
A series of movement classes at the Madison Public Library for older adults to stay active and connect with their bodies through creative play, strengthening exercises, improvisation, and meditation.