ABOUT BIJA BEAT


By sharing music, dance and art in a unique and unexpected way, Bija Beat promotes joy, positivity, connection and philanthropy.

Founded by Tracy Straus, the Artistic Director of the Colorado-based nonprofit organization Celebrate the Beat (CTB) and the Artistic Associate of National Dance Institute (NDI), Bija Beat is the marriage of fitness and artistic exploration, engaging students on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.

Bija Beat classes promote health and wellbeing by approaching exercise in a fresh, non-competitive, art filled atmosphere. Our teaching method encourages students to leave problems at the door. Participants leave feeling centered, uplifted and energized.

“Bija” is the Sanskrit word for seed. Our classes plant a seed of hope and generosity. A portion of each class fee funds transformative arts education programming for children in schools through the award winning methodology of National Dance Institute.


ABOUT TRACY STRAUS

Tracy Straus is the founder of Bija Beat, the innovative dance program that marries fitness and artistic exploration to promote overall health and wellbeing.

A trained dancer and Master Teacher who possesses a deep appreciation for movement and live music, and its connection to the soul, she developed Bija Beat during her recent fellowship at The Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University.

An actress as well as a dancer, Tracy trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and performed in various off-Broadway venues. Other work includes associate producing the Tony Award-winning Broadway productions “Spring Awakening” and “American Idiot".

Tracy is also the founder and artistic director of Celebrate the Beat (CTB), a nonprofit organization that teaches music and dance to over 4,000 children in 29 schools throughout Colorado and in Nayarit, Mexico. Tracy is currently a member of National Arts Strategies’ Chief Executive Program: Community and Culture, and the Artistic Associate for National Dance Institute (NDI).

She holds an MA from Bank Street College of Education and a BA from the University of Michigan.


ABOUT NDI


 

Ready to dance? Learn about our class structure below.