Lori Huett, Psy.D. - Proprietor & Head Instructor

Originally from Madison, WI, Dr. Lori Huett trained on scholarship with Master Teacher, Ms. Charmaine Ristow at Ballet Madison, where she also taught beginning child through advanced adult classical ballet. Lori’s training also includes consecutive summers with the Richmond Ballet in 1989 and New York’s Joffrey Ballet 1990-1992. At age 17, she was awarded a scholarship to join Joffrey’s apprenticeship program. Lori’s extensive performance experience includes regional competitions, guest solos, and a company tour in Russia and Scandinavia in 1988. Her recent performance work in Los Angeles includes cabaret and pole dancing set to orchestrated jazz and live music at Zagat-rated restaurants and lounges.

Following her dance career in New York, Lori pursued three degrees in psychology: B.A. in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College in NYC, and a Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. Throughout her academic and clinical training, Lori remained active in exercise and fitness. In New York, she worked as a certified aerobics and fitness trainer at several health clubs in Manhattan and Queens (1992-1996). In Denver, she instructed ballet on a private basis and choreographed for local fitness competitions. In clinical practice, Lori coached and counseled competitive figure skaters, gymnasts, and other athletes with regard to peak performance and mood management. Lori’s formal teaching background includes an adjunct professorship with the psychology department at Metropolitan State College in Denver. Her clinical specialization is in behavioral medicine.

Finally, Lori’s clinical residency at UCLA served as the impetus for her move to California, where she embarked on an intensive seven-year study of Iyengar & Ashtanga yoga, Pilates, Cirque-du-Soleil style acrobatics, belly dance, pole dance, and biomechanics for ballet conditioning. In addition, she completed a comprehensive certificate program in Anatomy, Nutrition, & Shiatsu Body Work from Santa Monica’s Tao Healing Arts Center.

Lori began teaching group and private pole dancing in September, 2005. With over 23 years of professional-level dance training and solid credentials in clinical/counseling psychology, Dr. Huett’s instruction is an integrated blend of existential/Eastern philosophy and behavioral-based learning, informed by the essentials of anatomy and proper biomechanics. In addition to teaching at TranZenDance, Lori instructs individuals with Parkinson's and other movement conditions with the "Rhythm & Grace" series at the Colorado Ballet studios in Denver.

“My personal mission is for every woman (and person) whom I teach to live fully, completely, and with serenity in her body—because everything that our bodies do on a day-to-day basis (e.g., nurturing relationships, childbirth/childrearing, job/career) is closely tied to our soul’s purpose and work here on this planet. When we do not nurture and stimulate the inherent growth and expansion of the body-mind, we perhaps weaken our most significant relationship... the one we have with ourselves.”

TranZenDance, STUDIO, LTD

Read what others say about Tranzendance

Gallery I -  CA Studio & Performances, '06-'07
Gallery II - Cirque-du-Pole, Denver Studio, 2008
Gallery III - Floor Moves, Denver Studio, 2008
Gallery IV - Tango, Denver Studio, 2008
Gallery V - Artistry, Denver Studio, 2008

Pole Dance Classes:
Current class schedule.
Dance and Wellness References

Below: Alex Thomas, Teaching Assistant

 About Cassi Haberler, M.A. - Instructor (above)

During the week I am the Director of Shelter Services at SafeHouse Denver, an emergency shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.  I have a masters degree in Counseling Psychology, and most of my professional experience has been providing counseling/psychology to mainly a population of women and children. 

I turned 30 a couple of years ago and decided that I wanted to do something drastically different.  I had jokingly talked about pole dance classes with my friends, but never thought that I would actually do it.  I have a background in dance and growing up went to jazz, tap, and ballet classes.  But I had not found something that I enjoyed doing in this genre as an adult.  I started looking on the internet and found Tranzendance studio. 

Coming from a psychology background, the mission of this dance studio spoke to me.  Having years of experience providing counseling, many clients tend to "hit a wall" in therapy, where talking can only get you so far.  I do believe that physically doing something different can help break through that wall.  So, in my quest to do something totally different, I went to an intro pole dancing class.  I was intrigued and decided to commit to the classes.  I wanted change in my life and found that by physically changing my movement, to take up space in a society that tells me otherwise, to move my body in a way that was always portrayed as shameful, has been that catalyst for change. 

I feel better about myself, have been able to shed the negative body image that I have always had, and walk taller.  I have been able to do things with my body that a year ago I would have told you was impossible.  I think that pole dancing is an excellent form of exercise that isn't limited to a "strip club" mentality or being young.  It is a beautiful form of dance that teaches strength, beauty, flexibility, grace and helps build self-confidence in a very powerful way.
 

About Alex Thomas, Instructor

I began taking classes at TranZenDance Studio in June of 2009 in order to combat a case of chronic insecurity as I would put it.  This studio in particular spoke to me as it mentioned several times that there is no "wrong body for dance".  Something about that really spoke to me.  The world beats us down enough that it is nice to think of a sort of safe haven, which is what TranZenDance has become to me in these short two years.  I have always been more sporty than feminine, practicing karate, playing volleyball, being a gymnast, but this is a place that I could integrate strength with beauty and strong femininity. 

I have taken classes at TranZenDance as well as well as Pole People in London, UK for several months.  I have an ever-developing style, always trying to incorporate more smoothness, stillness, and artistry rather than focusing on all of the tricks that the pole has to offer.  I prefer to dance to slow-sultry lyrical music so that it lets me focus on my dance rather than keeping to a particular rhythm.      

As a teaching philosophy, I feel that it is much easier to learn while you're enjoying yourself.  I hope in that sense that every class or party is enjoyable and people leave with a few new moves.  I think it is also important to remember that this is a very fun hobby and should not be taken too seriously.  In my class, we joke that our group of women is part dance class and part support group.  I hope every class or party will feel that close with one another and work to support each other.  Everyone needs someone in their corner.  Most of all, I hope that everyone has enjoyed TranZenDance as much as I have. 

With regard to my education and career pursuits, I have a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Construction Management. I am currently employed with a construction company in the Denver area. My specific concentration is in civil development, which includes highways, dams, and airports. I like the idea of having a mark on the world.  To see something you envisioned and had a part in created it.  It's kind of surreal, that something I had a part in will be around long after I'm gone.
 

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