Launching Dance to Uplift: Mapleton Dance Studio Bringing Breathwork & West Coast Swing to Utah County for Confidence, Healing, and Connection

Tuesday marked a milestone I will never forget: the official launch of my new business, Dance to Uplift, right here in Utah County. After months of planning, dreaming, and building, I opened the doors to my very first classes in my Mapleton home studio.

And what a week it has been.

I want to share this story with you, not just because it marks the beginning of something exciting for me, but because I know many of you are looking for the very same thing: a place to feel alive again, reconnect with yourself, and find joy through movement.

The Day Before: Fear, Nerves, and a Smile Anyway

If I’m being honest, the day before my launch, I was a trainwreck.

My body ached. My mind was full of nonsense and fears. I kept hearing that little voice that loves to whisper, “How can this become a career? Can you really do this?”

And yet, throughout the day, I kept laughing. I kept smiling. Because deep down, I knew this was what I was meant to do. I knew that all of the fear was just proof of how much this mattered to me.

The First Class: Small but Mighty

Just one hour before my classes began, I got a message: my second class had completely sold out.

The first class was smaller, but it was absolutely perfect. Two women walked in, women who didn’t know a single step of West Coast Swing, but who knew they wanted something more. They wanted joy. They wanted laughter. They wanted connection.

And that’s exactly what we created together.

We started with gentle breathwork, allowing our bodies to let go of the stress of the day. From there, we moved into flowing, playful movement. It wasn’t about being perfect; it was about being present. About finding that little spark of joy inside, and letting it shine.

It was everything I dreamed of.

The Second Class: Laughter, Growth, and Flow

The second class was bigger, fuller, and filled with energy. We drilled, we moved, we laughed, we connected.

And here’s the beautiful thing: it didn’t go the way I had originally planned.

Instead, I listened. I followed where the class needed to go. I let myself be guided by the energy in the room. And what unfolded was better than anything I could have scripted.

By the end, we weren’t just learning dance, we were learning trust, play, and presence.

The Next Day: Overflowing with Energy

The next morning, I woke up buzzing.

My body felt alive. My heart was open. My mind was spinning with new ideas, new ways to bring more joy and depth into these classes.

This is what I love most about teaching: when the class is over, the energy doesn’t stop. It grows. It expands. It fuels the next step, the next idea, the next creation.

As Gabrielle Bernstein (my favorite author) says, “Ride the wave of good feeling emotions.” That’s exactly what I’m doing; You can find more of her work HERE.

God’s Timing Is Perfect

And then, because God always has perfect timing, I ran into a stranger the very next day.

She told me her family had been searching for dance classes they could take together. I smiled and said, “I’m launching my family dance program this January.”

Her eyes lit up. She said, “I have been praying for you.”

I had chills.

God listens. God hears. And sometimes He uses us to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

This is why I do what I do. Because Dance to Uplift isn’t just about steps or movement, it’s about connection. It’s about creating spaces where people can find joy again, where families can grow closer, where laughter and love become the rhythm we live by.

No Regrets, Only Growth

Sometimes I catch myself asking, “Why did I wait so long?”

But I’ve learned not to regret the timing. I wasn’t ready before. I had more growth, more healing, more learning to do.

The truth is, I couldn’t have launched Dance to Uplift a year ago. I didn’t yet have the courage, the clarity, or the tools.

But today, I do.

And looking back, I can see how every step along the way, every class I took, every dance I shared, every challenge I faced, was preparing me for this moment.

What Dance to Uplift Offers

So what exactly is Dance to Uplift?

It’s more than just a dance program. It’s a community. It’s a space for joy. It’s an invitation to connect with yourself, your partner, and the people around you.

Here’s a glimpse at what we offer:

• Move with Meaning: West Coast Swing Classes (Rooted & Connected series) From absolute beginners to advanced dancers, we focus on confidence, communication, styling, and musicality.

• Play Passionately: Ladies’ Styling A fun, uplifting space for women to find their voice in dance, grow in confidence, and own the floor.

• Live in Love: Couples & Family Dance Programs Launching January 2026. Step into a unique journey of connection where each class awakens a different sense, sight, sound, touch, and more. Helping you experience each other and the world around you in deeper, more meaningful ways.

  
  

You can learn more about upcoming classes, schedules, and registration here: www.dancetouplift.com.

Why Dance Heals

Dance has been my medicine.

After loss, after heartache, after moments when I didn’t know how to move forward, dance was there. West Coast Swing in particular gave me a way to release, to play, to connect.

There’s research that shows dance helps regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and increase joy. And when you combine movement with breathwork, the healing goes even deeper. For more details on how breathwork heals the body, please visit HERE.

That’s why every class I teach blends the two. Because our bodies hold stories. And when we move with intention, we allow those stories to shift, release, and transform.

The Dance to Uplift Mission

At its heart, Dance to Uplift exists to:

• Create connection – with yourself, your body, your partner, and the community around you.

• Foster healing – using movement as a tool for emotional release and nervous system regulation.

• Inspire joy – because life is meant to be fun, playful, and full of light.

• Build confidence – helping people step into their power both on and off the dance floor.

  
  

This isn’t just about teaching dance. It’s about teaching life through dance.

Leaning Into Purpose

Here’s what I know:

The more I lean into my purpose, the more light and energy flow into my life. Yes, doubts and fears still creep in, but I no longer let them take control.

I see them, I acknowledge them, and then I say: “Thank you, but you’re not serving me anymore. I choose something better.”

This first week of Dance to Uplift has been everything I dreamed it would be and more. And it’s only the beginning.

Life Is a Playground for Creativity

For years, I was playing tug-of-war with God. Trying to do things my way. Trying to control the outcome.

But this week reminded me: life is meant to be easy. Life is meant to be fun. Life is a playground for creativity.

When I let go and listen, when I lean into joy, everything flows.

And that’s the message I want to leave with you today.

Life is a gift. Your creativity is a gift. Your presence is a gift.

Thank you to every beautiful soul who has walked into my studio this week and shared your gifts with me. You are the reason I do this.

Ready to Dance With Us?

If you’ve been searching for something just for you, something that helps you reconnect with yourself, find joy again, and feel alive, this is your invitation.

Come dance with us.

You don’t need any experience. You don’t need a partner. All you need is the desire to move, to laugh, and to connect.

See upcoming classes and sign up here: www.dancetouplift.com.