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Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite weeks of the year, not just for the food, the fall colors, or the warmth of family gatherings… but because this week naturally invites reflection. It invites a pause. A breath. A moment to sit with what matters most. And as I sit here today, thinking about the last year… the last decade… truly, the last lifetime  of experiences that have shaped me… I feel one thing rising to the surface more than anything else: Gratitude. Deep,

There are days when life feels easy and open, days when joy moves through the body like a warm breeze, days when clarity lands gently in the heart. And then there are days like yesterday… the kind that remind us just how human we really are. I found myself sitting on my couch, feeling a heaviness I couldn’t quite name at first. It started as a subtle pressure in my chest, a tightness in my throat, and then the thoughts began to swirl. You know the ones, the quiet whispers tha

Over the last year and a half, life handed my husband a journey I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Four major surgeries, each one demanding courage, patience, and a level of resilience that still humbles me. A bicep surgery. A shoulder surgery. And two knee surgeries. One after the other. Every time he healed from one, another challenge waited right behind it. For us, dance has always been more than movement. It has been the heartbeat of our connection, the language beneath our words

Passion  and pleasure , two words that once scared me, now light up my entire life. I wasn’t always this way. For a long time, I believed that passion was something I had to earn  and that pleasure was something to be cautious about. I thought joy came after  the hard work, a reward I could claim once I’d proven myself worthy enough to feel it. But the truth is, we are all born to experience pleasure. It’s our natural state. It’s written in our breath, our movement, our heart

Each year, we get the chance to begin again, to breathe deeper, move with intention, and reconnect with what truly matters. For me, that always begins on the West Coast Swing dance floor. Dance to Uplift  was created from the belief that movement is medicine. When we dance with awareness, when we breathe, connect, and allow joy to move through us, we don’t just learn steps. We awaken something sacred inside us. My classes are about so much more than dancing. They are about co

Discover the beauty of being a beginner again through grounding, breathwork, and movement. Learn how to build strong foundations in life and dance with purpose in Shalay Andrus’ “Connect & Transform” Masterclass Series in Utah County.

Learn how to move from self-conscious to self-confident through grounding, breathwork, and movement. Discover somatic healing practices and West Coast Swing dance techniques that build self-trust and inner peace in Utah County.

Breathwork changed everything for me. It calmed my nervous system, gave me the courage to leave an abusive marriage, and helped me rebuild my life with peace, purpose, and love. Today, it’s the foundation of everything I teach through Dance to Uplift , because when you breathe with intention, you invite healing into your body, mind, and soul. The Moment Everything Changed There was a time in my life when I couldn’t breathe, at least, not deeply. Every inhale felt tight. Every

In the Blues Room at Boogie by the Bay, I was reminded of why I dance, for connection, not perfection. When we let go of performing and sink into presence, dance becomes sacred. It’s a place where hearts open, nervous systems settle, and joy flows freely. The Magic of the Blues/Soul Room There’s something sacred about the Blues (or Soul) Room at West Coast Swing conventions. It’s not about competition or choreography. It’s about connection. The lights are dim, the music slows

When my son asked me to teach him to dance for his first prom, I was overjoyed, and reminded of my own prom night years ago. What began as a bittersweet memory became a full-circle lesson in joy, connection, and the healing power of movement. A Prom Night Full of Surprises Recently, my youngest son, who’s never been the social butterfly, surprised us all. He stepped up to plan his first prom, learning everything from coordination to confidence along the way. But the moment th

Dance isn’t just movement, it’s a reminder that you’re alive. For women in their 40s, dance restores energy, confidence, and joy. Whether you’re in Mapleton, Provo, or Spanish Fork, Dance to Uplift  offers classes that help you reconnect to your body, your senses, and your spark. Feeling “Young” Isn’t About Age, It’s About Aliveness If you’ve ever watched someone lost in dance, you know what aliveness  looks like. There’s light in their eyes. They move freely, almost weightle

Your 40s are not the end of fun, they’re the beginning of rediscovery. When you pair movement, breath, and soulful community, you reignite confidence, connection, and joy. Whether you’re in Spanish Fork, Provo, or Mapleton, Dance to Uplift helps women in their 40s reconnect with themselves through dance and healing. When Life Shifts, So Does Joy Something happens when we reach our 40s. Life slows in some ways, and in others, it speeds up. The kids might be older or out of the

This week, I met a woman who shared something that touched me deeply. She said, “Now that our kids are grown, I feel like my husband and I are trying to remember who we are together again.” I smiled, knowing in my heart that God’s timing is always perfect. “You’re going to love this,”  I told her. “Dance to Uplift is launching a new couples program in January.” Her eyes lit up, and in that moment, I felt confirmation of what I already knew: couples are longing for connection.

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions we can face. It can paralyze us, leave us stuck, and make us question if we belong anywhere at all. For many women, especially those of us over 40, those entering the empty-nest years, and those who have walked through deep trauma, fear is not just an occasional visitor. It can feel like a constant shadow. I know this shadow well. After 15 years of being a stay-at-home mom, I suddenly found myself going through a divorce. I had no deg

There are moments in life when we are invited to pause, breathe, and step into something deeper than ourselves. For me, one of those moments came in 2008, when a group of women I was teaching dance to asked if I would create a space just for them. A class where we could not only learn dance steps but also laugh, cry, share, and grow together. That simple request planted the seed for what has now become one of the most meaningful parts of my life: my ladies-only dance classes

Every time I prepare to teach in India, my heart is filled with anticipation. The memories of teaching dance to children and dancing in...

Tuesday marked a milestone I will never forget: the official launch of my new business, Dance to Uplift , right here in Utah County....

Have you ever noticed a number repeating in your life, on clocks, receipts, or even dance competition numbers? These repeating numbers...

Fear has a way of sneaking in when we least expect it. One minute, you’re confident and grounded, and the next, it rushes in like a wave,...

Are you craving something that’s just for you, a place to feel confident, connected, and alive again?  You’re not alone. So many women I...