When's the last time you tried something outside of your routine? What did you get out of it?

When I work out, I gravitate towards Oula Dance and riding my bicycle. I like my workouts to feel fast, loud with music or scenery, full of quick dopamine hits. In the past year, though, I've been integrating Soul Flow (with Seattle Oula instructor Anna, featured below) into my regular cycle of classes. I've become more flexible and steady on my feet and even a bit more aware of how to effectively navigate my emotions.

When I plan out my weekends, they're full of time spent with my wife, friends, and family, with a few chores sprinkled in here and there. That doesn't usually include spending two days in a gymnasium learning all about the Oula Dance or Soul Flow experience. Yet, the two Oula Empowerment Weekends I participated in were some of the most meaningful and fun weekends of my past five years.

And when I vacation, I'm not going to lie, I tend to stay in places with a king-sized bed and a soaking tub. However, I can't wait to sit around a campfire after a fun day of dancing during Camp Oula 2026.

How about you? What do you do that's a bit outside your norm? Does that activity bring balance into your life? I hope to talk about these questions with you—maybe during a Camp Oula hike! 

Happy fall!

Jesse 

 

Meet Anna Dodd, an Oula Dance and Soul Flow instructor living in West Seattle!

What’s your story? 

I live here in West Seattle, having arrived via Miss*oula* (UM 2009!) through Utah (grad school), and have held several rewarding and meaningful roles in Deaf Education. My husband and I have our little girl, and our family life mottoe

s are to live like Sturdy Lads (Ralph Waldo Emerson essay, soooo good!), to Keep It Simple, Stupid (affectionately), and enjooooooooy the ride as much as possible! 

What Oula song is on your playlist most often, and what do you like about it?

For a while there, it was Jennifer Lopez's Dance Again, and I consider it a top-10, all-time fave. Hear me out on this:

 

1. It's JLo—a freaking STAR. 

2. The Pitbull feature makes it an Oula classic. 

3. I love the play of the footwork during the chorus, like the lil sassy spin. 

4. Light and bright, baby! 

An Oulakin is visiting your town for the first time ever! What should they do, see, or eat?

They should head straight to the water (the sound or lake). If it's my end, it’s Alki or Lincoln Park, then head to Super Deli for hole-in-the-wall pint-o-beer awesomeness. If it's Northside, the water should be Ballard Locks, and they should eat at any seafood-based restaurant. If you’re South, hit Lake Union and kayak over to the dock at The Westward for oysters and martinis! 

As a Soul Flow instructor, you pick the closing relaxation song at the end of each class. Tell us about the most recent pick!

My last closing relaxation song was “Stay High” by Brittany Howard.

We had a double header of Oula Dance and Soul Flow this past Sunday. Right at the end of Oula Dance, instructor Willow noted how the time we spend together in class or otherwise is so rewarding, feels so good, and she never wants it to end. 

She had no idea (vibes, baby, vibes) that my closing relaxation song was “Stay High,” the song I usually play on my way home from Oula on Saturday and Sunday after teaching or participating. It’s the song I play after events and experiences that offer that "does it really have to end?" energy.

What book, podcast, TV show, or movie do you recommend for fellow Oulakins?

Book: The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy—FOR millennials!! 

Podcast: I have several podcast recs—some serious and one not serious at all....

• Serious: MSW Network: A fantastic library of news-related podcasts outside of mainstream news media. Try Mueller, She Wrote for an excellent historical record to review how we have arrived where we are today. I especially recommend episode 2, “The Magnitski Act.”

• Absolutely Not Serious (and perfectly silly and wonderful): Las Culturistas with Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. I laugh so hard it hurts sometimes! 

Documentary: aka Charlie Sheen. What a story, what a family made up of incredibly vibrant immigrants. I just bawled my eyes out. He tells the story, and it is gripping.

Is there someone that you want to be interviewed for a future Oula Insights? Send their info to info@oulafitness.com.

Camp Oula Is Back!

You asked, and we answered! Camp Oula is back! Grab your gear and all your pals and plan for a wonderful long weekend in the woods. This year, we’re moving locations and settling down in the Midwest at Camp Icaghowan, an idyllic island retreat about an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities. The fun is happening April 30-May 3, 2026.

We’re planning on an even bigger and better experience this year with modernized cabins, a lakeside sauna, and a full kitchen staff! Plus, you’ll get days to connect with your community, nature, and yourself, not to mention all the Oula you could want with daily Dance, Flow, and Strength classes. We’ll enjoy some workshops, arts and crafts, campfires, karaoke, and so much more!

You know you wanna join! Save your spot now. For a limited time, we’ve discounted registration to just $700 (but prices will go up as we get closer to Camp). A perfect holiday gift or wishlist item, and yes, we’ve got payment plans. Check out all the details at oulafitness.com.

Learning, Leading, Growing….with Dale!

Last month, our friend Dale wrote a blog post about learning, leading, growing, and podcasting.

I once got a bit of feedback from a supervisor about my leadership qualities. I had to ask what she meant, as I didn’t remember doing anything special. She pointed out that I brought ideas to the table. I didn’t just do my job, but I was actively seeking to make improvements to the process and workflow for my coworkers and me. Ahh, yes, I guess I was doing that.

The Oula theme of Learn-Grow-Lead had me thinking about this experience and what it means to lead. Leading can be small suggestions, improvements, setting a direction, or asking a question. Leadership can also include taking on a more formal role in guidance or management.

In late 2016, my husband started a podcast. At first, I provided the normal amount of partner support, lots of listening and responding to his ideas. Slowly, I became more involved: being a guest, hosting, editing, maintaining the website, and branding. I even had a short-lived podcast of my own. I was interested in supporting my spouse, but I was doing all this because I was so interested in learning everything…

Keep reading the rest of Dale's post!

 

Last Chance to Sign Up

Join your friends in St. Paul, MN, for a life-changing weekend! Explore Oula Dance by Oula Fitness in detail, and learn about movement, expression, playlists, picking up choreography quickly, and more!

Coming your way November 15-16, there are only a few spots left, so sign up now! This is your chance to connect with your community and the fitness format you love.

All are invited, whether you want to become an instructor or learn more about what makes Oula Oula. It’s not too late to set up travel if you’re coming from out of town. You can even write Jazmine@oulafitness.com to be connected with a local Oulakin who can help you with a (free!) place to stay.

Can’t join us this November? Remember that you can always train to become a certified Oula Dance instructor online!

Join us in Missoula, Montana, for two transformative, one-day enrichment workshops designed for anyone who wants to deepen their connection with the Oula experience. Sign up before November 7!

• November 22-23 from 8:30-5:30 each day at the Missoula YMCA
• Connection classes each day
• Limited to 15 participants per workshop
• .8 ACE CECs available per day
  

Saturday, Nov 22: The Oula Playlist
Dig into creating a dynamic journey and telling a story through the Oula playlist while delivering a great cardio workout. Express real emotions, create deeper relationships with the songs, and learn to encourage your participants to do the same. Tell a story that feels both believable and intuitive for a holistic, emotional, and physical journey for the full being—mind, body, and heart!

Sunday, Nov 23: Connection - Guiding the Oula Experience
Explore the importance of modeling vulnerability in Oula and giving participants permission to authentically connect with themselves and with others. Discuss the power of holding space, take a hands-on approach to practicing vulnerability through playlist making, sharing personal stories, embodying emotions through movement, taking up space, and so much more!

Each workshop is $150, or join both for $250 with code ENRICHTWICE!

Ready to get deeper with Oula? This is your invitation to connect, grow, and transform alongside fellow Oulakins. If you’re unable to join now, keep an eye out for more opportunities in other Oula communities in 2026. 

New Online Trainings Are in the Works

Online, self-paced Body Strength by Oula Fitness training is coming! Keep an eye out for the official launch!

We just spent an amazing weekend filming the upcoming Soul Flow online training in October. Breathe deep and engage with this affirming, inclusive training that covers core poses, modifications, chakras, cueing, and connecting with your participants. We’re planning on releasing this new online training in early 2026!

 

 

 

When’s the last time you checked out the Oula Online Studio? There is something for everyone: classes of all lengths for Dance, Flow, and Strength, plus Mindful Moments, and all things Oula in between. Best of all, with our snazzy new app (iOS and Android), you can download your favorite classes to take with you on-the-go. With the Oula Online Studio, you can truly enjoy Oula from anywhere, anytime. If you’re not subscribing yet, check it out today with a 14-day trial. Plus, did you know you can get a free month of online classes? Share your personal referral code with friends who subscribe, and you’ll both win!

 

And when you’re short on time, there’s a growing library of our Oula Snacks and Body Bites, available for all on YouTube. Fun themes and targeted exercises will give you the Oula feels in 15 minutes or fewer. Go ahead, take a few minutes for you.

Check out the online studio for unlimited content and ever-changing playlist today!

Share your love for Oula Fitness with the world with ourcute and comfy tees and tops—perfect to wear in your favorite classes or anywhereyou go! Shimmering rhinos, bold confidence, inner strength, and reminders to breathe and come as you are… what’s not to love?

Keep an eye on ourOula Community Facebook Page for a new merch drop coming soon (psst…11.21.25!)—tees and tanks are a perfect gift for yourself or your favorite dance partner.