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The #DanceLifeBetterLife movement naturally evolved from a Houston area Dance Studio Owner's personal journey of pursuing her dance dreams and those that she has encountered along the way. In every pursuit, there are obstacles and challenges that make us wonder if it's all worth it. In dance, this can be every decision that you make, whether you go out with friends instead of getting a good night's sleep before a rehearsal or performance, what you eat or don't eat, how you move throughout your day, what you wear, and especially your attitude (pun intended)! #DanceLifeBetterLife is a mantra to keep pushing through those obstacles and focus on the result (in her case, being dedicated to building her body and focus back into the shape of a dancer). As such, what better way to communicate our mantra than in the form of t-shirts and sweatshirts that you can wear anywhere, especially to/in dance class?! This is how the brand #DanceLifeBetterLife was created, one proud message of encouragement and inspiration on a sweatshirt to her community. Let's expand that community worldwide! All humans dance, all humans take on pursuits to better themselves and their life. Let's build a community of support in dance, for dancers and non-dancers to provide advice, thoughts, encouragement, and connection with the power that drives us to dance through life with the purpose of improving ourselves!
Switching Gears
Ok y'all the brief story behind the realization that heck yeah, dance life is better!:
This over worked, future partner in a consulting firm, mom of 3 always held on to the dream of opening her own dance studio. After becoming pregnant in college and having her professional dreams derailed, she put dance second to her daughter and all that comes with being the best mom she could. She danced on the side, in the living room, teaching here and there, teaching her daughter and friends, and building a family of 3 kids and 4 dogs, and trying to live a normal life. Nearing her daughter's high school graduation, after carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery, and with the youngest still in diapers, she went back to her dance studio business plan, did the research and started planning a location in Houston. At the same time, she was preparing for a trip with her daughter to go take classes in NY City and really started taking class and training herself again so that she had the leg to stand on for people to see her as a valid dancer (yes some self-esteem issues had to be overcome).
It was during this trip that she realized that she was supposed to be dancing for life, it was no coincidence that her daughter's dance trip led her to be in the same room as a teacher she had 20 years ago. Dance is like no other passion/recreation/purpose/art, there is nothing like being able to at the same time control and release your body such that you feel a soaring sensation. The reward of years of developing this skill is something that most people feel that they cannot accomplish nor understand until they have felt it either by watching others or experiencing it for themselves. "Of course you should pursue it" she thought, "why throw away all of that training and dedication?".
Soon after this realization, a friend whom she had been dancing with contacted her about partnering up to take over a studio space that recently became vacant. Thus MoveNation Dance Academy was born in 2018. She maintained her full time job another year and then went to flex time for a few years after that as the studio grew. She was healthier and happier with dance back in the center of her life again.
It's Just the Beginning
Every day is an opportunity to start again, to redefine and realign, to choose to be happy and make choices that lead you to be the person that you want to be.
You've heard the beginning of our founder's journey to a better life through changing her focus to become her dance self again. Now let's hear your stories! Become a member of the movement and share your #DanceLifeBetterLife stories and tips.
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