Pony Sweat is a “fiercely noncompetitive” dance aerobics celebration. This high-energy hour of dance exercise is set to music reminiscent of a favorite mixtape from a friend. Pony Sweat is a practice in radical self-acceptance, anti-perfectionism and “getting out of your own way.” With the help of such musical saviors as Siouxsie Sioux, Beyoncé, NIN, and Bikini Kill (to name a few) our goal is to take care of ourselves, take care of each other, allow music to move us, cultivate expression, and maybe also sweat our faces off.

Friday July 12th 11am-12pm // $12 cash or venmo // Class is $6 for folks attending the Permission Practice workshop on Thursday with Paris and Laurel. *No one is turned away for lack of funds! Just come.

www.ponysweataerobics.com // https://www.objectassubject.com/live-1/2019/7/11/oas-postman-west-coast-tour-portland

Emilia Richeson isn’t a fitness guru. She’s a queer punk ray of sunshine with an infectious smile who

grew up as a misfit in a small town in Vermont in the 90’s, finding her “people” through a shared love

of underground music: Goth, Punk, New Wave, Brit Pop, and Synth Pop. She also loves to dance.

In 2014, Emilia found herself in Los Angeles, out of the bar and club scene but desperately missing the

dance parties. She started making up dance routines to her favorite songs in her bedroom and sharing

them with her close friends. They encouraged her to start a class, and Pony Sweat was born.

What started with a few people in a studio in Highland Park has grown into a movement — Emilia’s

weekly classes around LA are packed with Pony enthusiasts, growing ever fuller as friends invite

friends and social media posts welcome new converts of all body types and abilities: Pony fever is

contagious. People are drawn to Emilia’s message of inclusivity and body-positivity, danced out to her

soundtrack that feels like a mixtape your best friend made just for you. The moves are combinations of

steps you might remember from 80’s VHS tapes of iconic aerobics gurus Richard Simmons and Jane

Fonda, cathartic punches, kicks and “ponies” that just feel good in your body, and even moves that

could fit into music videos of your favorite bands from classic MTV and today— Peaches, the Cure,

Santigold, Siouxsie Sioux, Nine Inch Nails, Kate Bush, Robyn, Prince, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cyndi Lauper,

Bikini Kill and Psychedelic Furs.