As Printed in the Quarter 2/2005 Issue of The Belly Dancer Magazine

IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Euphoria Studios in Portland, OR

Written By:  Zaina Hart

     As I walked through the doors at the front of the building, down the hall, and into the front lobby of "Euphoria Studios" the mixture of scents and colors that permeated my senses were indeed "euphoric".  The rich scent of coffee from the Coffee/Java shop out front to the exotic blends of incense from the Buddhist Temple as you enter the building, to the blends of burning candles - my senses hit "overdrive".  The rich, vibrant colors of the walls and fabrics and the luxurious wood "studio floors" gave the feel of entering an exotic world one can only dream of.  We would all love to have the opportunity to dance, teach, learn and share in an environment so beautiful and incredibly warm and inviting.

     I noticed from the moment I opened the doors to the building an almost overpowering "draw" to the back of the building where Jane's Euphoria rests.  I use the term "rest" because it is truly a "restful" as well as loving home of dance.  As you enter the Euphoria Lobby, to the left is a room full of costuming and dancer's goodies - all the sparkles, color and smells enticing you in.  The lobby holds several cushy couches loaded with pillows where dancers can rest or wait for their next dance experience/class.  Straight forward and through the double doors is the true "heart" of Euphoria studios - the largest of the two gorgeous studios.  This studio literally draws you from the front of the building - right into its core.  The smaller studio (still large in comparison to most studios) is also done in rich wood  flooring and colorful textured walls - so inviting are these spaces. 

     Well, I did what any "respectful" dancer would do.  I took off my coat and made myself "ta home".  Jane was finishing up class when I arrived that day so I stood back and watched, all the while "lovin" on that room.  As the dancers whirled about, I kept catching glimpses of - well, at first I wasn't sure - - but as the dancers continued to move and give me more "looks" into the corner, it was in fact what I originally thought it was.  "A plastic human spine" - - I WAS THRILLED.  This spoke volumes about the teachers at Euphoria.   To have in the corner - an ever present reminder of proper posture and stance - - touche'. 

     After her class Jane and I had an opportunity to spend some time talking about the year in the making of Euphoria - - which had previously been the inter-sanctum of a carpet warehouse.  It is amazing to me that this beautiful and richly decorated "housing" of dance studios was once full of stack upon stack of "carpet".  The ambiance of this studio now would never reveal its past.  Jane, her husband, students and friends have turned this space into a wonderful place to learn ME Dance, Yoga, Pilates, or simply "talk story" as we did. 

     So, I am happy to say, in my own backyard - Portland, Oregon, lies a truly euphoric place and an experience you won't want to miss - should you get the opportunity to stop in some day. 

Euphoria Studios, 1235 SE Division, Portland, OR  503-240-1997, http://www.euphoriastudios.net