From Fear to Freedom: How Dance and Breathwork Help Heal the Nervous System

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, leaving you paralyzed. I know this feeling intimately. For years, fear wasn’t just an occasional visitor in my life, it lived in my nervous system, shaping my relationships, my confidence, and even how I showed up on the dance floor.

But here’s what I’ve discovered: fear doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Dance, combined with intentional healing practices like breathwork, has given me a way to transform fear into joy, connection, and love. And it’s the same possibility I now offer through my Dance to Uplift programs here in Utah County.

Fear and the Dance Floor

When people see me competing in West Coast Swing today, they often assume I’m fearless. But performing has never been easy for me. Stepping out onto the floor used to trigger a flood of old trauma, resurfacing memories of times when I felt like an object, used for others’ needs rather than valued for who I was.

Competing was terrifying. And yet, strangely, it was also healing. Because while fear showed up, so did joy. Dance had always been my safe place, a way to feel alive and connected. So, instead of running from the fear, I let dance hold me through it. Every routine, every class, every moment of partnership gave me a chance to rewrite my story, one filled not with fear, but with freedom.

That’s why I kept competing: not for the trophies, but because every time I leaned into dance, I proved to myself that I was stronger than my fear.

Naming the Fear: My Journey with DID

Years ago, I was told that because of my childhood experiences, I had developed dissociative identity disorder (DID). That diagnosis could have crushed me. But my first thought was, How do I change this?

Deep down, I believed in my ability to heal. With faith in God and a commitment to myself, I decided that my life would no longer be controlled by fear.

The first step was learning to change my internal dialogue. Thoughts create beliefs, and beliefs shape our reality. So I began retraining my mind. Now, before I compete, I still feel fear, but instead of pushing it away, I pause to honor it. Then I gently replace it with love.

I look at my partner, take a deep breath, and remember that dance is about joy and connection. In those moments, I choose love.

Why Breathwork Became Part of Dance to Uplift

Along my healing journey, I discovered the power of breathwork. Science now confirms what ancient traditions have taught for centuries: intentional breathing calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, and helps us move out of fear and into presence (read more here).

When we experience trauma, our bodies often stay stuck in “fight, flight, or freeze.” Breathwork is one of the simplest, most effective tools to bring us back to safety. It helps regulate the heart rate, balance emotions, and create the space to feel connection again.

That’s why I’ve woven breathwork into my classes. Whether you join my Move with Meaning somatic dance series or my Play Passionately ladies’ styling course, we always begin with a few minutes of intentional breathing. It gives your body permission to let go of fear and opens the door to joy and creativity.

Choosing Love Over Fear

Love has become my guiding light. Even in my darkest moments, choosing to see, even just a glimpse of love, has transformed me. Fear still visits, but it no longer controls my story.

When I step onto the dance floor now, I see love:

• Love for my partner and the connection we share.

• Love for the music and how it flows through us.

• Love for myself, honoring how far I’ve come.

  
  

And the more I choose love, the more healing happens, not just for me, but for those who dance with me.

Dance as a Path of Healing in Utah County

That’s the vision behind Dance to Uplift. My Mapleton studio is a safe, welcoming space where women, couples, and even families can experience what I’ve found: the power of dance to heal, connect, and bring joy.

Here are a few of the ways you can step into this journey with me:

• Move with Meaning – Somatic Dance Class Learn foundational West Coast Swing patterns while also practicing breathwork, grounding exercises, and mindful movement. Perfect for adult ballroom dance beginners in Springville, Utah County looking for more than just steps, this is about connection.

• Play Passionately – Ladies’ Styling Series Designed for women 40+ who are craving confidence, play, and freedom of expression. This intimate group class is all about rediscovering your voice and power on the dance floor.

• Couples & Empty Nester Series A chance to reconnect with your partner through movement. No phones, no distractions, just the two of you, learning to laugh, flow, and create memories together.

  
  

You don’t need years of experience. You just need a willingness to show up, breathe, and let movement carry you.

Why This Matters

Maybe you’re reading this and thinking: That sounds beautiful, but I could never dance. I’d be too nervous.

Friend, I’ve been there. Fear will always whisper, You can’t. But you don’t need to be fearless to start, you just need to take the first step.

Dance isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. It’s about feeling seen. It’s about reclaiming joy, especially in the second half of life when so many women ask: Is there something more?

I believe dance is the something more. It’s what can help you reconnect with yourself, your partner, your community, and with God.

Ready to Step Into Joy?

If you’re looking for West Coast Swing in Utah County, not just to learn patterns, but to experience healing, fun, and connection, come dance with me.

📍 Dance to Uplift Studio, Mapleton, Utah 

✨ Small, personalized classes 

🌱 Breathwork + dance = nervous system healing 

💃 For women 40+, couples, and beginners

➡️ Learn more and register here

Choose love over fear. Watch how it changes everything.