Big Changes Coming in April: Learning Circles Evolve, and OmniSwing Gets a Leveling Makeover
1 – Learning Circles Transition into the New “Immersions” Class Model
Since its launch, Learning Circles has provided small-group (6:1) training with apprentice instructors during the 8:30pm slot for both Zouk and Swing. While the concept has offered a unique way to dive deeper, its complexity has made it difficult to consistently staff and maintain the quality we strive for.
Starting in April, Learning Circles will be paused in their current form.
In their place, we’re excited to introduce a new format: Immersions.
Immersions are deep-dive classes focused on a specific partner dance concept—like connection, musicality, or comfort. These sessions help students explore how these themes apply to the patterns and variations they’ve already learned in the leveled curriculum.
Here’s what’s coming in April:
OmniZouk will feature a Musicality Immersion led by Imaan Taghavi
OmniSwing will kick off a Connection Immersion with Heather Powers
OmniKiz will pilot its first-ever supplemental class: a Connection Immersion with Monica Hegde
2 – OmniSwing Leveling System Redesigned
To comfortably dance socially in West Coast Swing, two skills are essential early on:
The Whip
The Starter Step
Currently, these skills aren’t introduced until later in the OmniSwing journey:
Whips are briefly touched on in Level 1 but only fully developed in Level 2’s “Whips” module.
The Starter Step doesn’t appear until Level 2’s “Anchors” module.
With Level 1 running for one month and Level 2 spanning four months, some students wait five months before learning these foundational tools. The OmniSwing team asked: How can we shorten that gap?
Starting in April, we’re piloting a new system:
Level 2 will be reduced to a 2-month cycle:
Month 1: Whips
Month 2: Compression (Sugar Push) + Starter Step
Additionally, Level 4 will begin starting April.
The Turns and Anchors modules, currently in Level 2, will move to Level 3.
Some existing Level 3 modules will shift into Level 4.
OmniSwing Level 2 students with knowledge of whips and starter step may move to Level 3.
OmniSwing Level 3 students may concurrently take Level 3 and 4 while assessment criteria for the new Level 3 are solidified.
New OmniSwing Schedule (Starting April):
6:30pm – Level 4: Backleading
7:30pm – Level 2: Whips / Level 3: Closed Position
8:30pm – Level 1 / Connection Immersion / Foundational Drills
This pilot will run for two months. At the end of the cycle, we’ll evaluate the results and decide whether to continue or revert to the original system.
– The Omni Movement team
