Boxers & Ballerinas: A unique fitness concept in Studio City -- My Daily Find

BY KAREN PACKER

Rebekah Iliff is a former professional dancer who performed with the Ballet Chicago Studio Company, the Boulder Ballet, and has taught master dance classes and workshops throughout the country. Ricky Quiles is an 18-year boxing veteran who began his professional career when he was just nineteen years old. His fights have been broadcast on ESPN, and he once held the title of WBF Junior Welterweight.

Boxers and Ballerinas owners: Rebekah Illif is a former professional ballet dancer and Ricky Quiles once held the title of WBF Junior Welterweight.

Together this professional duo has formed Boxers and Ballerinas, a dance and fitness studio in Studio City that focuses on giving kids and teens a healthy, fun workout in a comfortable setting.

“We provide an environment where they can get a good workout in a non-competitive environment, but they’re still learning skills,” says 30- year-old Iliff who also owns and operates SGC (Smart Girl Consulting), a boutique marketing and communications agency in Los Angeles. “Everything is slower and there’s lots of repetition that gets the heartbeat up. It’s all about fitness.”

Located on the second floor of the Times Square Shopping Center, just west of Laurel Canyon on Ventura Boulevard, B&B has been open for business since September, and so far has about sixty students that come to classes offered seven days a week in the intimate, 900 square feet studio.

Along with four other professional dancers, Iliff teaches a B&B Ballet class and a B&B Dance Mix class to six through 12 year-olds. The idea to create the studio came when Iliff realized that there was a need for health intervention among the pre-adolescent, ‘tween market. For children who are not into competitive sports, or who don’t want the fast paced, potentially stressful environment of many popular dance studios, B&B is the place to be.

The idea to create the studio came when Iliff realized that there was a need for health intervention among the pre-adolescent, ‘tween market.

On the boxing side, Quiles offers training to both students and adults that includes stretching, technique, and cardio.

“We get [clients] that are shy, but after a couple of weeks with me they break out of their shyness. It’s a great place to get in great shape,” says Quiles. “You don’t have to be a professional boxer or athlete. It’s for everybody.”

Today, students Sami, Lauren, Rebecca, and Haley – third grade friends from Carpenter Elementary School in Studio City – are helping Iliff film a promotional video, and they’re having a good time.

“It’s so much fun and we have a great time every time,” they say almost in unison. “We just love Rebekah and she makes it fun for us.”

Their parents are happy as well.

“This is the first class they’re comfortable in,” says Sami’s mother, Kathy Paul. “They’re learning what they want to learn – what they see on TV. There’s no pressure.”

For children who are not into competitive sports, or who don’t want the fast paced, potentially stressful environment of many popular dance studios, B&B is the place to be.

So far business is good and steady and they’re moving forward with baby steps. They have a new style of exercise coming out soon that incorporates dancing and boxing, but Quiles won’t reveal any details just yet.

“We’re moving forward in the right direction,” he offers.

Boxers and Ballerinas is located at 12215 Ventura Blvd #207 in Studio City (818) 763-7002 www.boxersandballerinas.tv.

Karen Packer is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but now calls the San Fernando Valley home. She has spent the last 15 years working as a freelance writer, teacher, and publicist.