With the ballet-themed movie “The Black Swan” taking top honors at this year’s award shows, ballet has become a much-buzzed about topic in recent months. Playing on its recent popularity, Equinox fitness clubs are partnering with the famed Joffrey Ballet to offer its members the opportunity to train under the guidance of professional ballet dancer/instructor Jocelyn Garner.

The class, Keep Fit Ballet, is a Pilates-focused ballet class that involves traditional ballet exercises artistically performed at a quicker pace for a fluid and complete workout. It will take place at the Equinox Gold Coast location on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. The first class starts on April 28th and will run for six weeks. Former Ballet experience is not required. Guest passes will be available for purchase ($35) to non-Equinox members who would like to try out the class.

Jocelyn Garner holds a Ph.D. in Dance Science from Laban/ City University, London. She completed her B.A. in Performing Arts, with a dance concentration, in Colorado; and, her M.A. in Dance Studies at Laban. She is a guild certified teacher of the Feldenkrais Method and holds a BASI Pilates teacher certification. She completed her Certificate in Dance Education in the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. Throughout her studies and training she has performed and taught dance around the world. Along with her work at the Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, she is an Adjunct Professor in the dance program at Northwestern University, is a distance learning tutor for the Royal Academy of Dance, and a Pilates instructor.

900 North Michigan. 312.254.2500. http://www.equinox.com/