Studio 52

I tried a BaDi class through ClassPass and enjoyed it. I’ve been trying to mix in dance classes into my fitness routine, and have tried a few different dance classes to find a good fit.
BaDi takes its inspiration from a lot of sources, among them: Nia and tai chi, and it attracts a very «Eat, Pray, Love» crowd. The class is well thought out and I find it to be the most intuitive for beginners. It started with a slower, tai chi inspired routine and built up with faster, more upbeat songs from the 80s, 90s and current Top 40 hits. I like Dina, the instructor and co-​founder of BaDi. She made the class really easy to follow by breaking down complex movements and demonstrating scaled down versions for the newbies. The class is not intense, but you’ll sweat.
The studio can be hard to find. It shares the same building as Sur 16, so just go through the door marked Sur 16 and then go down the stairs to your left. Bonus: This is one of those rare places in Capitol Hill where free parking is easy to come by.

Thank you ClassPass, otherwise I would’ve never found BaDi. What an amazing experience! I love the energy the instructors and the other class members have. You leave feeling accomplished after a thorough workout while dancing to great songs.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came here. It was a bit confusing trying to find the studio. When you enter from street level, you have to go downstairs towards the Underground Dance Studio. You can either dance barefoot or with shoes (wish they could make a rule about which one because my feet always get dirty). The class starts off with some warm up dances and then moves through different types of styles of dancing with each song change. You get to express yourself however you want to. You don’t have to do every single move the same way and they encourage movement around the floor. Thankfully there are a bunch of fans around the room because by the 3^rd song I’m always sweating. There are no official breaks so step off the dance floor and get water as necessary. Class ends with some stretching and warm cloths with some sort of essential oil.
I can’t wait til the next class!

Studio 52 is one of my favorite spots to spend time, period. I always leave classes feeling uplifted, more joyful, and refreshed. Classes give me greater mental clarity and almost always provide a killer workout (some classes are more intense than others). Each and every class is unique and you never know exactly what your experience will be like – which is part of the fun! Classes work on a drop-​in basis, so you need not pre-​book most of the time (except for special events) and you don’t have to worry about missed material.
These classes make me feel like I’m in a club getting my groove on and I am often inspired to sing, yell out, and whoop along. The ambience and community is unique to the studio and something you won’t find anywhere else.
While both founders/(primary) instructors, Barb and Dina, encourage you to move to the beat of your own «BaDi», their instruction styles differ significantly. Dina’s classes tend to be a bit more freeform and have a hypnotic edge to them – she brings her background as a psychotherapist/​counselor into her movement instruction. Barb’s classes are a bit more structured/​grounded, and are also incredibly high energy and delightful – a guaranteed great workout every time!
If I’m in a bad mood or a rut I know attending a Badi class will snap me out of it within the first half hour of class. In fact, these classes have also helped me get through some particularly challenging times in my life – including times of illness, pregnancy and early parenthood, when I needed to make sure I was honoring myself with a bit of «me» time.
I danced throughout both of my pregnancies and attribute dance to minimizing complications. My first child, however, was born prematurely and there came a time during my second pregnancy when I was literally terrified to move, for fear of having another premie. Badi helped me move through and PAST the fear. The more I danced, the stronger and less fearful I became. Badi helped, and continues to help, me to let go of things beyond my control and instead to focus on the joy and blessings of the present.
Apologies for the lengthy review! But there you have it :)

I love this place. The instructors are super friendly and enthusiastic. The songs are fun (hi there, all-​Beyonce workout and throwbacks like «No Diggity»). The community really gets into the dancing, and between that and the dim lighting, you don’t have to feel like an idiot if you miss a step as you’re breaking it down.
I recently moved to Seattle and was looking for a place with Zumba classes when I stumbled across Studio 52/​BaDi. BaDi is pretty close to Zumba but also seems to mix in some yoga, martial arts and dance disciplines for a really nice workout. The hour always flies by, and I look forward to the classes.

I chose the BaDi (trade marked) dance classes with Dina leading. I went with a friend that had found them via Groupon. I just love it. I am not super coordinated but love to dance, They light the studio with Christmas lights so its dim and cute lighting, I dance to my hearts content. I enjoy dancing and not caring if I have the wrong foot or can’t keep up. They have easy moves and fast moves mixed into the hour so if you are new, you can always be brilliant for most of the hour. Dina is a beautiful person and smiles at everyone in her class through the mirror. Great night, great workout and good prices.
Close to the Starbucks and Bagel place on 15^th (Capitol Hill).

Studio 52 will change your life.
Where else can you get an amazing cardio work out while dancing amongst a community of lovely people? I’ve never liked traditional gyms and was nervous about taking a dance class but at Studio 52 I feel good about my body. I’ve never smiled so much while working out. The teachers are welcoming, energetic, and awesome. Get yourself to a class! You will not regret it.

So much love for this place. I’m the least coordinated person in the world and normally I hate things where I’m having to dance or otherwise move my body in a coordinated fashion because I feel like everyone is laughing at me, but I have always enjoyed coming here. I love all the instructors and have a great time in their classes.
Lately, my schedule has been a bit crazy so I haven’t had a chance to go as often and I can’t wait to get back into it!

I have always found value in dancing, but have not felt that I was that great at it. I have taken a few classes as an adult, but only seem to find instructors that are too demanding and have felt that their expectations are too high, which in return makes dancing not fun and causing me to quit. At Studio 52 I have had the exact opposite experience. The instructors are SO thrilled that you are there and you can tell they all really enjoy teaching.
What I like about this studio is that they teach you steps and encourage you to make it your own. They do not expect you to shadow them EXACTLY, but they praise you for putting your own style into it. The instructors are inspiring and they have strengthened my confidence.
The studio itself is beautiful with enormous mirrors around the entire studio! It’s a treat and sort of a big deal to watch yourself dance. There are times when you feel sexy and times where you just have to laugh at yourself. In any case, if you’re going to dance I recommend this studio because I feel like there is a place for everyone here.

I just started taking Hula Hoop Sculpting class at Studio 52 and it is amazing! I had heard rave reviews about this place and it is all true. Lyndsay is a great teacher and you really get a workout without the boredom of the gym. I can’t wait to take more classes and for my next hoop class!

Hula Hooping my way to fitness thanks to Studio 52. I went originally because of a Groupon and tried the full range of classes, all of them good. Hoop Class is the one that stuck! Lindsay is a terrific instructor. She takes the time to break down the individual moves so you can easily understand what it is you are doing. She also takes the time to check in with each student and offer individual instruction. Lindsay even makes hoops for you to try and to purchase so you do not have to worry about tracking down a hoop from so odd source. I highly recommend Hoop Class at Studio 52!

I came across this place when I bought one of the 8-​class package from one of those deal sites (don’t remember if it was AmazonLocal, Groupon or some other sites). I figured I would just try this place out since it was quite close to my home and it had good reviews.
I was pleasantly surprised at how cheerful and upbeat all the instructors are (I tried Zumba/​Hiphop and More than Dance classes and probably have been in classes with 5 different instructors (depending on the day/​time you choose to go). What I can say is that all the instructors are have their own styles but are definitely wonderful and will keep you happily dancing.
What I particularly like about this place is the christmas lighting and the setting that makes you not feel so self-​conscious about what you are doing wrong or how terrible of a dancer you may think you are. I admit that I’m not a naturally good dancer and I have a good time everytime I go there. There are, of course, some people there who can dance like rock stars and look really cool when they dance. However, the instructors there are very encouraging and provide guidance what you can do as a beginner, intermediate or advanced dancers, so you can really just do things at your own level and not care so much about others. It definitely feels liberating to just be able to dance your own style, at your own pace/​level, and nobody is judging you on how you look or how weird you dance :).
After the package ran out, I ended up signing up for more classes and still go there whenever I find some free time.

Oh Sweet Heavens. this place changed my life.
ts has gone through changes in positive fun ways, and added some fabulous teachers Sara and Daren to the already great Dina and Barb classes.
This is where I was first introduced to Nia.
Now having Nia-​ed all over the county I realize they really did it in their own special way that resonated with me both with fun music and routine variety and all over wellness. They’ve since re-​branded their Nia classes to «More than Dance» and it’s true!
Can’t go wrong. I dearly miss living two blocks away!

Ok lets first get real. If you have actually training in dance and you expect a dance class, you will be disappointed. Take it for what it is, a fun Zumba workout! I like the regular Zumba the best. Zumba/​hip hop isn’t anywhere close to real hip hop dance and sometimes the music isn’t hip hop either, but still a good time! More Than Dance — reminds me of the hippies at Folklife Festival that are lost in their bodies. It’s great for being connected to your body. It’s great and worth a try! If you are new, sometimes the regulars will just stand right in front of you if you are in their «spot» but the majority of the time it’s unpretentious and a great time!

Thanks to Groupon, I got a month’s worth of classes at Studio 52. Customer service is great — they let me extend the deadline of my Groupon because of some health issues, and were really nice when I attended the classes. I tried several of the Zumba and More Than Dance classes, hoping for some variety, but the two seemed pretty similar. Neither were as strenuous as I’d hoped, but I still broke a slight sweat. The routines are fun, the energy is high, and the dim lights make me look great. :)

I’ve really come to love this place. I was originally bought in by a groupon that was about to expire, because I’d heard about Zumba and thought it’d be a fun part of my «new life» thing that was happening (post-​break up … you know those?). Anyway, oddly enough, I have yet to go to a Zumba class, here or anywhere, and have really fallen for the Nia – now More Than Dance – classes with Dina.
What continues to draw me in: the whole-​body, interconnected functional strength element. Like upright, musical Pilates or something … all if it’s done right, and with Dina and what I’ve experienced of Barb, it certainly is here.
As a side-​bonus, going out dancing in clubs or wherever has been way more fun lately. Coincidence? Naaaaah …

Barb and Dina have kept dance and movement in my life for almost six years now. When I started, I’d barely danced in public; now, I bust a move without hesitation.
The classes, songs, and moves are influenced by myriad influences and by their own fun, impeccable taste. Zumba, Nia, hip hop, modern dance, and a million other possibilities are woven into each class. You’ll jump, wiggle, kick, punch, yell, and love every minute of it. You’ll feel strong and graceful in the same moment that you feel gorgeous and brave.
Everyone who teaches at Studio 52 loves what they do — and loves teaching you to do it too. Fun, fun, fun, and new and different every time. I recommend it to my friends who love exercise, variety, and being healthy — in a smart and healthy way. Can’t recommend it enough.

Dina and Barb have created an incredible community at Studio 52.
The energy on the big gorgeous dance floor is infective! A place were I can express myself freely through movement.
I crave the fellowship as much as the kick-​ass workout!
And would highly recommend as a spiritual and physical oasis.

Tried the zumba/​hip hop class on Sunday using my groupon and I really enjoyed it. The music selection was fun, current and upbeat. Dina kept us moving throughout the session. One small suggestion is that maybe the movements can be explained a little better, to make sure we do it right, especially for the students who are new to zumba.

Zumba is my absolute favorite part of my day! I have found something that is an incredible work out, can be as challenging as you want it to be, keeps my interest, and makes me feel HAPPY when I do it. I love it so much that I zumba at Studio 52 almost everyday.
I have been to other Zumba studios and there is truly NO comparison. At Studio 52 you actually can learn real Latin/​hip hop dance. I have felt that at other studios it is more jumping around, with light dance. This makes a world of difference after a month or two when you have become a bit more seasoned, and want a challenge.
I cant say enough about the location, the huge beautifully-​lighted studio, the teachers, and the community at Studio 52. You truly feel empowered and part of something bigger by being a part of this studio. Zumba at Studio 52 has helped me feel well-​rounded and whole! It is SO much fun, and it’s so great to know that I have found something I love so much.
I first went by using a Groupon Now for Barb’s Saturday class and was hooked from that point on… Try it– you wont be disappointed.

This is the BEST place to dance, play, heal, celebrate, sweat, and live with everything that life dishes out. It’s magical down at the Underground. The soft lighting, the soulful music, the clean, sprung hardwood floor, the graceful bodies moving together. HEAVEN. Dance heaven.