A Balanced Perspective Weekly
March 31, 2008

Life Coaching, Professional Women's Groups,
Organic Cooking Classes, and Inspiration

MyHeartDances^(TM) was developed to support individuals in living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after your dreams to "let your heart dance!" www.myheartdances.com

1. Why Does Weight Loss Matter?
2. 12 Week Health and Fitness Weight Loss Group
3. 2008 Cooking Classes
4. Life Coaching and Wellness Packages
5. On-Camera Commercial Acting Class

1. Why Do I Think Weight Loss is Important?

Occasionally you see me writing an article about weight loss, or advertising an upcoming weight loss group that I'm holding. If I'm so interested in building self-esteem and helping women to speak their minds and live fully, how does weight loss fit into this? Isn't the new movement to help women feel secure no matter what their weight?

I really want to empower women (yes, and men too!) to live the life they were meant to live, meaning to not live a life that is externally edited by all of the social pressures they encounter. I want to see people saying what they mean, to stop feeling that they need to play games in order to navigate relationships successfully, and to take meaningful risks in life.

Self-Esteem and Self Worth

I think weight gain and weight loss are strongly correlated with self-esteem and self worth. Whether it is they symptom or the cause, women often hide behind their weight. They believe that they will not be recognized by the kind of men they would like to date, that they will have a more difficult time being respected in social settings, and/or that they will be more challenged to get ahead in their career.

On the flip side, some women protect themselves from sexual advances by keeping on weight. They use their extra weight to get around feminine ideals and demand respect in their workplace or intellectual field.

Most women I know feel the affects of their extra weight. They worry about their health. They worry about lost opportunities in life. They feel uncomfortable in their clothes, etc. I think part of the reason that weight loss is difficult to maintain is because as one begins to lose weight, they begin to feel more vulnerable in the world. The weight, unknowingly, has been a protective barrier. Rejection that is experienced or inadequacies that one has can be blamed on weight.

When a person begins to lose weight, they may begin to feel vulnerable because now people can see the real person underneath. That person can no longer blame their perceived inadequacies on their weight. People might want to get close to that person, but perhaps the woman who is losing weight fears that she cannot live up to expectations of some feminine ideal.

Weight Gain as a Cause of Insecurity

Sometimes weight gain has nothing to do with any of these things. Weight gain comes slowly overtime, and along with it insecurity and lower self-confidence. In this situation, weight gain may be the cause of low self worth as opposed to the symptom.

Either way, what I think is beautiful and amazing, is that when a woman begins taking care of herself, she feels proud of this. She begins to understand her self worth because she is not only treating herself as worthy, but she also sees herself as more beautiful in social context. She will often begin taking chances that she was too afraid to take before. Maybe she will flirt with that man she has always had an interest in. Maybe she will realize that if she could lose weight, she can accomplish anything, so she will go after another dream and successfully attain it.

I work on weight loss with women because I think women hide themselves behind their weight, and I want to see the women I know feel good about presenting themselves confidently. I want to see them feel good in their body. I want to see them feel great in the clothes they try on. We can say that a person should be able to do these things even if they are heavier, but I don't see this being lived out very often. Most women I know don't feel good with the extra weight on them, irrespective of social values.

Spring/Summer Weight Loss Group

I am starting a group the first week of May. It will run till the end of July. You will have 12 weeks of support sessions, lessons, private sessions with me, and fitness classes. Going on vacation, no problem... we have structure built in to help you while you're away. We will discuss healthy eating, self-esteem, emotional eating, etc. etc. If you participate in this program, and follow the guidelines, you will make significant progress.

Right now I am taking names for women who have their mornings free during the week. If you are intrigued by this program, but cannot participate in a morning program, please contact me. We may add an additional program.

See below for more details. I look forward to working with you all!!

xoxo
Melissa

2. 12 Week Health and Fitness Weight Loss Group

You Get:

• Weekly Meeting with a Lesson and Group Support
• Twice a Week - One-Hour Group Workouts in the Park with a Personal Trainer
• One Initial Private Session with Melissa (that's me!) -
• Plus, Two Additional Private Sessions with Melissa that you can use anytime during the three months (especially great if you go on vacation & miss a month)
• Group E-mail Support Throughout the Week
• Group is Limited to Six Women

Group Begins the First Week of May and Ends the Last Week of July with One Week Off. Most events will take place on the Upper West Side

Fee: $625 for the entire three months

It's time to take your weight loss goals seriously! Be fit by August and enjoy the last month of summer in a great body!

Who Is This Group Right For

• If you are ready to take your weight loss goals seriously and are ready to give up fad diets
• If you do well with structure, support and accountability
• If you are not happy with the way your body looks and feels, but you know you have what it takes to achieve your goals
• If you know what to eat, but just haven't had the discipline to stick to it
• If you don't know what to eat, and would like to find out
• If you want to do this in a healthful way
• If you also want to work on the deeper issues around self-esteem and body image, not just weight loss

Classes and sessions will discuss healthy eating, portion control, effective weight loss strategies, self-esteem, body image, stress eating, emotional eating, and more!

When Will The Group Meet?

Currently I am taking names for a group that will meet during the week in the mornings.

If you have a serious interest in this group, but cannot meet in the mornings, please contact me. We may do an additional group for those who work days.

If you are a man and have a serious interest in this group, please contact me, we are also looking at doing a men's group.

Call today to talk to me about whether this group is right for you.

or 917-689-6530

April 10 - (Dessert Night) 6:30/Thursday
Mooless Chocolate Mousse
Vegan Peanut Butter Pie
Almond Carob Coconut Balls
Cashew Creme

May 8 - 6:30/Thursday
Salmon Burgers
Spring Out Quinoa
Sunset Salad
Parsley Ginger Dressing

Pre-register Today - Only $50 per class -
Gift Certificates Available
All classes are held on the Upper West Side

Class is from 6:30 until 8:30 unless otherwise noted.
All classes include the following:

*Hands-on instruction
*Meet new people
*Learn cool facts and tips about the food you're preparing
*Get healthy tips
*Receive a copy of the recipe to take home
*Enjoy a DELICIOUS meal at the end of class!
Made by The Fabulous You!

Please contact Melissa at for more details and to register, or call 917-689-6530

**Classes are fun, relaxed, and not intimidating! They are great for beginners!

**Private classes are also available, more details at: http://www.myheartdances.com/services/cook_class.htm

5. On-Camera Commercial Class

ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL CLASS
WITH CASTING DIRECTOR
NADETTE STASA
small class, personalized attention, practical tools and fun!

to be a part of Nadette's e-mail list, please contact her at

One spot still available for this class.

ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL CLASS
Meets for three consecutive Monday evenings:
April 7, 14, & 21
7-10 PM

This class is suitable for seasoned professionals who want a refresher, commercial actors who are not familiar with my approach to commercial work, actors seeking a basic commercial class and non-actors who are interested in doing commercials. The workshop is designed to take you from wherever you are and bring you to the next level. I am committed to leaving you with an understanding of what you need in order to succeed in the field of commercial acting.

WORKSHOP LOCATION:
THE STUDIO AT STRICKMAN-RIPPS CASTING
66 WEST BROADWAY (bet. Murray & Warren)
One block south of Chambers
1, 2, 3 A or C to Chambers Street

WORKSHOP FEE: $299

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 212-971-1989

TO REGISTER
Email ( ) or call 212-971-1989 to reserve your space in the workshop and send a check made out to Nadette Stasa to:

Nadette Stasa
Strickman-Ripps Casting
66 West Broadway, Suite 602
NY NY 10007
PLEASE SEND A PICTURE AND RESUME (if you have one) WITH YOUR CHECK AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE
YOUR EMAIL AND YOUR PHONE NUMBER

Note from Nadette about the on-camera commercial acting:
I started teaching a commercial class when I encountered a lot of talented actors who really didn't know the medium. As a casting director and an actor I have a unique perspective and expertise. I love actors and want them to work. And commercials can be a wonderful way to supplement the art of acting. I've also worked with people who just think it would be fun to try acting in commercials and give them an inside look at how it's done. Whether you are just starting out or a professional looking to fine tune your role in the commercial acting scene, working with me may be just what you need. Any advancement takes knowledge, understanding and practice. I look forward to working with you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call (212-971-1989) or e-mail ( ).

Sincerely,

Nadette

Nadette Stasa is a freelance casting director who works with New York's top commercial casting offices including Strickman-Ripps Casting, Martine Casting, Toni Roberts Casting, Donald Case Casting, Liz Lewis Casting Partners and more. She has also run New York sessions (primarily voice casting) for Tighe & Doyle Casting. Nadette has more than 12 years of experience as a casting director, and 10 years of experience coaching and teaching commercial acting. In addition to her casting work, Nadette is an experienced on-camera commercial and voice-over actor. She can currently be seen in network spots for Jenny Craig and Kleenex and can be heard as the voice of HBO Family Jam.

Here's what students are saying about working with Nadette:

"I wanted to let you know how constructive and enjoyable your workshop was to attend. Thanks again for creating such a positive and supportive atmosphere."

"Just wanted you to know that since I've taken your class, I've booked 3 on camera commercials (spike TV, Comcast, Time Warner) and 1 voice over (lenscrafters). Thanks so much for your help!"

"Thanks so much! You're really wonderful to take your depository of experience and knowledge and actually share it. (Many commercial people who give classes still can't really talk to actors about what they need to do from the inside out.)"

"I wanted to thank you for teaching me so much. I can't imagine entering the commercial world without having this knowledge."