It’s Been A Long Time Coming ✨

It’s Me, Hi - I’m Heather, It’s Me.

I thought to share a bit of insight as to why I wanted to create the ERAS dance community - and why now.

First and foremost, YES, I am a Swiftie - although, like my sister, for the longest time I was embarrassed to admit that or if I did admit it then I felt like it put me in a category of liking cliché music or not having an intellectual musical palette. But just because something is cliché doesn’t mean that it’s not something that’s awesome :) Plus, Taylor Swift is a very respected and talented songwriter whether you like her type of music or not. We all have opinions and our own tastes which is the beauty of music. There is something for everyone. It touches our souls in ways no other medium can - whether it be for joyful reasons, nostalgic memories, worship, dancing or dealing with very hard things.

I wholeheartedly believe in the power of movement to music - which is probably why I love weddings and concerts so much. The concept of being in a beautiful physical space with people and celebrating life while dancing or moving to the great music - it’s truly magical. There is something unexplainable about how healing it is on so many levels.

I am not a ‘professional‘ dancer - I grew up taking dance classes and wearing all the cute matching outfits for recitals (loved that part). I never stood out as a dancer but I have always loved moving and enjoying myself no matter how I looked. I started running and going to yoga / Pilates classes in college as a way to move my body in different ways then I had before. I also discovered an amazing hip hop dance class that I looked forward to every week with friends. It was such a fun outlet with no dance skills required - I could just be myself, no one was looking at me and it didn’t matter if I was good or not. I felt good and that’s all that mattered.

After graduating, I moved to different countries and taught English as a second language as a way to experience other cultures. During that time, I got certified to teach Zumba - a global dance fitness craze. It was such an adventure to teach in places where I didn’t speak the language very well, but the class became about the movement, the music, the self-expression, the laughter - it brought all of us together no matter our age, background, nationality. The truest unspoken global language. I read this quote in an article that stuck with me:

Dancing will not cure diseases, will not end famines nor will it fight to bring peace. But as a universal language, dance speaks of joy and a hope that can never be taken away.

Fast forward to 2017 when I moved to London to live with my husband to start a new life here. Six years later, we are still getting settled, finding our rhythm, building roots & community - it all takes such time. I decided to get certified to teach group exercise classes during the COVID days (years) as a way to start building - what I hope will be - a beautiful community centered around movement, music, joy and something fun that people look forward to each week or month.

I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to create or do once I could start teaching - but then Taylor Swift’s ERAS tour happened and the ideas just started sparkling✨

Her tour embodies so much of what I hope to create - that excitement, fun, sparkles, friendship bracelets - those real wedding vibes where you feel the deep love and joy in the air with everyone around you. How you wish time would stand still because you just don’t know how it gets better than this ✨

Shake It Off: the ERAS dance community is truly for anyone and everyone - you don’t have to be a Swiftie to join, but perhaps with all the magic we’ll make you will become one soon enough ✨

I look forward to the hope of it all, about what might be - a dance community centered around kindness, inclusivity & the making of all the friendship bracelets. So join me - it’s been a long time coming ✨