Things To Do in New Mexico

Internationally acclaimed dancer Amaya isn't regretful of her romantic impulse to run away and join the circus, a decision that sparked her notable and diverse career. The passionate performer was awarded Dancer of the Year by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance in 1998, and her documentary Gypsy Fire—which explores Spanish gypsy dancing—earned Amaya a Giza Award. Now, she channels more than 30 years of teaching experience and knowledge of several international dances, including Mexican folk, African, and a rare form of hot potato, into her dance classes. During these sessions, she overhauls boring cardio routines with basic belly-dancing techniques and Danza Mora moves—a marriage of Arabic and Spanish gypsy dance—which she infuses with cultural insights, inspiring philosophies, and nutrition advice. She also hosts women-only dance retreats to distant locales, during which she grants participants one-on-one dance training, spiritual guidance, and other opportunities such as the chance to observe a private Native American ceremonial harvest dance.

Amaya also believes in empowering young girls and women to reach their full potential. A portion of her DVD sales benefit The Girl Effect, a charity dedicated to empowering women and fighting for equal rights across the globe.

The peaks of the Organ Mountains rise above the Mesilla Valley, framing the immaculate greenery of Sonoma Ranch Golf Course's 18-hole, 7,028-yard layout. Designed by internationally renowned course architect Cal Olson, the course unfurls across the valley floor with undulating fairways, encroaching water hazards, and sprawling bunkers that force players to build sandcastle trebuchets to rescue errant golf balls. A lengthy course when played from the back tees, the grassy monolith also challenges players' short game with massive, bentgrass greens peppered with hard-to-read breaks. Clubbers can prepare for their pin-hunting voyage with a stint at the driving range or practice green, or stare down the treacherous fairways over a tasty nosh at the Sunset Grill, which overlooks the scenic expanse.

Course at a Glance:

• Designed by Cal Olson
• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Bentgrass greens
• Length of 7,028 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 72.1 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 120 from the farthest tees
• Three tee options

Jazzercise is 60 minutes of cardio, strength training, and stretching that incorporates moves from hip-hop, yoga, Pilates, jazz dance, kickboxing, and resistance training with handheld weights. Dancing With the Stars multiple-champion Cheryl Burke is a big fan of Jazzercise's improvisational workouts, though luckily you won't need her dance moves to get the most out of your class. If you're prone to first-class jitters, though, you can review the basic moves online before you go. Expect to burn off up to 500 calories with each go-round.

With a dramatic backdrop of the Sandia Mountains, Romero's Thunder Inc. treats its customers to sweeping views as they saunter along winding trails or gallop around the well-kept ring during lessons. Whether educating students on the history of horseback riding or teaching visitors how to connect with equine partners, the staff cultivates a laid-back, familial atmosphere, holding seasonal events such as Easter-egg hunts complete with art projects for participants and horses with opposable thumbs.:

For 35 years, Valerie Compton has dipped her toes into every aspect of fitness. She followed up her experience in track and field and tennis by building her career as a personal trainer, and she later branched out into Power Pilates, Spinning, and nutrition. When she designed BarreFusion in 2006, she struck upon the latest trend in fitness. Today, Valerie has opened a new location and surrounds herself with instructors who channel their experience as classical dancers, gymnastics, and triathletes to lead rigorous barre classes.

Valerie starts her instruction with a BarreLite class that introduces newcomers to the proper forms and techniques to master fundamentals. From there, she encourages students to test out a number of other classes. The popular BarreFusion class combines Pilates, yoga, ballet, and light weights to sculpt legs and cores. She also offers highly popular Spinning classes that challenge students with a high-energy, aerobic workout that mimics cycling in front of stampeding wildebeests. To compliment the team, new instructor Kelly Carpenter leads Pilates caliente classes that combine barre and light weights to work towards power, strength, and core strength. The studio also offers TRX classes which provide a total body workout through suspension training and the use of your own body weight.

Tall vegetation and boulders span the banks of the San Juan River and Navajo Lake, and the adept anglers at Rainbow Lodge & Resolution Guide Service are experts at reading the lay of the land to determine fishing spots with the greatest bounty. Visitors to the lodge obtain access to the river and six miles of uninterrupted fly fishing waterways. After practicing fishing techniques during guided fishing trips and posing for prom pictures with trophy-size brown and rainbow trout, guests can retreat to the lodge's two-bedroom suites equipped with private baths, living rooms, and satellite television. Professional chef Amber Michelle serves guests in the lodge's dining room, with her specialized ribeye steaks and other land-caught delicacies.