We’ve caught the dance bug at Mvmnt.
And that’s all thanks to Claudia.
Her energy is infectious. Magnetic. Electric.
And her dance classes are no different (if you know, you know).
She sat down in the studio with us and told us why she’s completely dance-obsessed, how it helps mental health, and why you might fall in love with it, too.
I was totally hooked on dance at a very young age. From the moment I first moved, I knew it was my calling. I was confident, precocious, and loved it – it felt like the most natural thing in the world to make movement my life's work.
When I was younger, I loved the challenge of getting a hard routine right. I craved the endorphin high and the praise for a job well done. Now, I enjoy the incredible feeling of spreading happiness and positivity through teaching.
I could literally move to the sound of raindrops (much to the annoyance of those around me). But if I had to pick one, the intro to the Juveniles ‘Back That Ass Up’ will always get me dancing, hahaha.
It’s always the release of tension you see in people at the end of a session. This physical relief is often the first step in understanding how dance helps mental health. People seem physically lighter. They walk in tight and walk out loose. It never fails to touch me.
Most dance teachers don’t care about your ‘two left feet’ – it's why we're here! We care about an open and willing mind. I’m all about the feel-good factor – not the ‘look good’ or ‘get it right’ factor. Remember, there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to move. Just give it a go!
As a professional, I've seen dancers have major emotional breakthroughs. As an instructor, I’ve seen confidence build through repetition and magic happen when people move without fear. It’s how we genuinely release that stored-up energy, rage, and anxiety – and we all carry that stuff around.
I actually have two stories. Firstly, I had a lady who struggled with a particular move, ‘the ripple’. She didn't feel she looked or felt right doing it, but she loved it and requested it every week. One day, she was tired and having a bad day – and still showed up anyway. And guess what: she finally nailed it! We were all in shock. And still laugh about it to this day.
I also see a lot of people with depression. Dance can’t ‘cure’ depression, but it can help mental health by shifting it. And, sometimes, that little shift – a moment of physical release – is all you need to start the process of healing.
Ready to dance with Claudia? You can find all of her sessions – from salsa to hip-hop – over on Mvmnt.
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