| Dance has been a wonderful influence in my world, | | | | Crosse, Winona, Rushford, Caledonia, Onalaska and |
| so many benefits realized including
first an active | | | | more. But I was still hungry to grow my |
| activity where I could not only get exercise but let | | | | life’s work as expressed by my Move As |
| go of the concerns experienced as a budding | | | | One programs. And surprisingly, I found dance to |
| entrepreneur. Secondly, I was introduced to a whole | | | | be a fabulous marketing tool that introduced me to |
| new grouping of friends and social gatherings that | | | | some of the more influential members of the |
| were centered on dance rather than alcohol. Third, I | | | | community who would later invite me into their |
| was able to explore a whole different way to | | | | businesses to guide their teams to move as |
| connect with myself and communicate with another | | | | one toward productivity and profitability. Further, I |
| person that was extremely free and exhilarating for | | | | used the concepts of dance to help convey |
| me. A delightful journeyDance has been a wonderful | | | | messages in my teachings and presentations. And I |
| influence in my world. I began studying in June 1998 | | | | found my speaking improved considerably as I drew |
| at The Dancers Studio with Adam Gordon, now a | | | | on my experience of dance; I was a fuller |
| dear friend. I remember walking into the studio and | | | | embodiment of myself, expressing in whole body, as |
| thinking
what a fun atmosphere, no one could be | | | | I spoke in front of larger audiences.Life changes |
| unhappy here. It was at this time in my life when I | | | | brought me backIn the meantime, my daughter |
| began my own business, Move As One, as an | | | | married and located herself in south Minneapolis. |
| independent consultant and coach for individuals and | | | | Shortly after marriage, they began having babies. |
| organizations. After existing in large consulting | | | | I’m now the proud grandma of 2 beautiful |
| companies where my social life was completely | | | | boys and a new baby girl. I found I could no longer |
| absorbed by their functions, I was now left with | | | | stay away, so I moved back to the Twin Cities last |
| more choice as to how to fill my social calendar. Plus | | | | year, in 2007. Plus the middle child, Maximilian, had |
| my daughter was near the end of her high-school | | | | open heart surgery immediately after birth, and |
| days and wanted to spend less time with
mom. I | | | | although he’s perfectly healthy now, I decided |
| was on the cusp of being an empty nester and | | | | to be more readily available, as well as more active in |
| unsure about what was next. Thus began my | | | | their lives.I realize now that La Crosse was a |
| journey into the world of ballroom dance. And what | | | | wonderful experiment of success
and Minneapolis |
| a delightful journey, so many benefits realized | | | | is my home and obviously offers a much larger |
| including
first an active activity where I could not | | | | market. My consulting and coaching business is my |
| only get exercise but let go of the concerns | | | | foundational work here, but I continue to dabble in |
| experienced as a budding entrepreneur. Secondly I | | | | teaching ballroom dance. The dance of lifeAfter |
| was introduced to a whole new grouping of friends | | | | offering a few dance classes at St. Joan of Arc last |
| and social gatherings that were centered on dance | | | | summer, I decided I wanted a more permanent |
| rather than alcohol. Third I was able to explore a | | | | home. But where can I teach? In February of this |
| whole different way to connect with myself and | | | | year, one of my coaching clients told me about the |
| communicate with another person that was | | | | article in the Star Tribune about Jeff Nehrbass, a |
| extremely free and exhilarating for me. (I continue to | | | | Lutheran minister as well as ballroom dance teacher, |
| think about writing a book, Finding God on the | | | | and owner of On Your Toes/Retro Ballroom. In the |
| Dance-floor) My business grewThen later dance | | | | article, he spoke about the concepts of dance in |
| added to my livelihood. Unplanned by me, I began | | | | similar ways. So I stopped by his studio and he not |
| teaching dance. After moving to La Crosse, | | | | only had teaching openings, but immediately put me |
| Wisconsin area in 2002, I found dance to be nearly | | | | to work with some group and private lessons. We |
| non-existent there. To keep my sanity and keep | | | | are now offering a joint workshop to dance students |
| dancing, I offered a few group classes. I was then | | | | that we call Ballroom Dance as a Springboard into |
| invited to join a historic renovation project in Viroqua | | | | Positive Life Choices. Here is a sampling of |
| where I could open a dance studio, Slippers, or rather | | | | modules:1) Presence of Being2) Cooperative |
| a creative arts center, in which I hosted other | | | | Teamwork3) Clarity of Direction4) Emotion |
| events of music, theatre, art and dance. The | | | | in MotionI’m excited to combine some of my |
| community was delighted with this center and | | | | life’s work in my dance classes and grateful |
| Slippers was nominated main-street business of the | | | | that Jeff has a similar mission. So who knows what is |
| year in Wisconsin in 2004. My reputation grew and I | | | | next - life is a dance! But I know dance will continue |
| became known as the resident pro with requests for | | | | for me and I always look forward to sharing this |
| dance classes from the surrounding areas including La | | | | joyful expression with others. |