Why do we need to strengthen the Pelvic Floor?

Ever wondered why people bang on about strengthening your pelvic floor – here are a few reasons why we should strengthen our PV…

🤸The Pelvic floor is a sling of muscle & connective tissue running from pubic bone at the front to the coccyx (tailbone) at the back.

🤸The Pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel & uterus)

🤸it helps the body absorb outside pressure from lifting heavy objects, coughing, sneezing or jumping.

🤸it helps you controls the release of urine, poo and wind!

🤸a stronger PV could help to improve your sex life…meaning you might have more desire for fun between the sheets – yeah I called it!

🤸A little bit of daily/regular attention to your PV either sitting at your desk/in traffic lights – or through Pilates – could help future proof your body….

🤸10 squeezes per day for a few seconds each (increase to 10 secs when you get the hang of it as time goes on). Then 10 shorter quick squeezes – relax in between each.

🤸We focus on PV strength in every exercise in Mama Strength Pilates with sessions 3x per week, if you keep forgetting to practise on your own! 

Help to get yourself back into the fitness or movement you love without the little accidents, and prevent future issues associated with weaker pelvic floor with a bit of attention to your PV.  It’s also a psychological thing.  A stronger PV will help you feel stronger and more confident in physical activity of many forms (inc. in the bedroom). 

Always seek advice from a medical pro if you have ongoing pain or severe discomfort in your pelvic floor area or when trying the exercises or are frequently unable to control the function of your Pelvic Floor.  There’s so much support out there, particularly following a traumatic birthing process, but women aren’t always offered it automatically in recovery from childbirth.  This is starting to change, as of April this year.  

An excerpt from this press release here (https://www.gov.uk/…/national-pelvic-health-service-to…):  “action is being taken on a national level. Backed by over £11 million of government funding from April 2024, plans published by NHS England for the implementation of a new national service will:

– ensure all women are offered a self-assessment of their pelvic health as early as possible in pregnancy – and by 18 weeks at the latest

– educate all women on the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction and birth injuries and preventative action they can take to reduce this risk

– provide additional support to those at higher risk of pelvic health problems

reduce NHS waiting times – one of the Prime Minister’s 5 pledges – and minimise administrative barriers to treatment

– allow affected women to access appropriate physiotherapy assessment and personalised treatment.”

I always advise new mums to seek out support as standard, and will continue to do so whilst this service is being rolled out.

#pelvicfloor #PelvicFloorHealth #pelvicfloorhealth #pelvicfloormuscles #pelvicfloorexercises #pelvicfloordysfunction #dancingmama #dancingmamas #dancingmamafitness


Body shape goals – a holistic approach through fitness & diet

Major news! I’m now a Certified Nutrition Coach in addition to being a dance and Pilates instructor! I can now help my clients to achieve their body weight and shape goals through both fitness and nutrition.

Many of us want to get a more toned stomach – and sit ups can form a part of the toning of the abs…but to burn adipose subcutaneous fat tissue, we need to build in a regular full body fitness plan to burn total fat and look at improvements in the diet to support that weight loss – a quick few sit ups aren’t going to cut it in this fat burning piece. That’s def where the 20 mins minimum of fitness a day enters in – it’s proven that the rate of calorie burning can slow down during longer endurance stints…may make fitness less of a chore for some 😉 ! Having a fitness and nutrition coach is an excellent way to help keep accountability and on track to achieve body shape goals.

Ways the diet can change the body:

Weight Loss: The age old formula of what you put in to your body needs to equal less Cals than what you burn each day also needs to be considered if you want to lose weight. A nutrition coach will help calculate these two factors and guide a client through the mechanism to make a plan like this stick to get results

Building Muscle: You might actually want to build body mass… bigger muscles – legs, arms maybe…bum (!) 🤷🏻‍♀️and a protein controlled diet would support the goals here.

Detoxing and finding glow and energy: I’m on a 30 day cleanse to support my own detoxing and weight loss goals to find more energy, and I’m not going to just achieve this through cutting calories – that isn’t necessarily the right approach for everyone.  I’m using protein shakes and supplements to help my journey on to make sure I’m getting all the right nutrients and to aid my health goals. 
Just to add the dress in this pic is the one I’m wearing to the Guides For Brides Wedding Awards – this was one event I wanted to find my glow and feel a little more confident in my skin for…and I definitely feel better for the cleanse, two weeks in!

A good nutrition coach and fitness coach can help you work out the best diet and fitness combination to support your ideal body shape. Working out your macronutrients with a good nutritionist: healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates is really important, to re-assess the right diet plan at every stage of life, as our bodies, metabolic rates and circumstances change. 

If you would like to chat through your health goals with me, or would like more info on the 30 day cleanse, feel free to book time in through the calendar below to help work out your body weight and shape goals and how we can achieve them!


Introducing the Wedding Glow Fitness & Health Plan

Increased strength, stamina, energy, confidence. Inside & out!

What if I told you that I can help set you up with a fitness and health plan to support your wedding day confidence – not just on the dancefloor, but for every aspect of your wedding day…and help you develop a manageable plan that you can commit to beyond your wedding day. You wanna be fit for life babyyyy*! Find that glow inside and out.

Wedding Glow Health & Fitness Plan
Wedding Glow health and fitness plan

Wedding Glow Fitness plans are either a standalone option or can be bolted on to your programme of dance lessons at an intro price of £55 per month with:

🧡 Online Pilates for muscular strength, tone and stamina – Pilates is loved by us dancers not least because it supports our postural alignment – key to helping you stand tall and feel confident too;

🧡Coaching to keep you on track with a complete fitness & nutrition plan;

🧡Nutrition plans to help with your weight and body shape goals (expect change if you’re starting no less than 6 months in advance of your wedding!);

🧡An optional 30 day dietary support and skincare glow plan with nutritional products to supplement your healthy diet plans in the lead up to your wedding.

With a goody box to get you started including skincare samples, fitness resistance band, and some calming me time products too, I’ll help you feel pampered, energised, strong, nourished and loved!

*Oh and speaking of babies, if you’re hoping to plan for a family in the future, or have recently had children in the last five years, I can help you prepare your beautiful body for that too – don’t wait until after babies have arrived…Just saying!


Perfect First Dance Process

Fall in love with first dance…here’s how I helped one couple create their perfect routine

I wanted to share an example of how The Love Of Dance has helped a wedding couple to meet their first dance dreams. There’s no one size fits all, which is why I tailor the process of teaching the basics of the ballroom styles to every couple, and develop the first dance with them along the way. I’ve been teaching first dance for almost 15 years (and dance for 20 years!), so I now rarely plan anything until I’ve had the first lesson with my couples – and it’s usually a beautiful process!  

Real life first wedding dance couple E&J

This superb photo below was sent to me by the absolute superstars E&J along with their 5*  feedback.  They had a one day intensive dance EXPERIENCE with me.  I can’t even call this process a lesson because the 5 hours were completely collaborative.  They wanted some moves for their first dance to the dramatic Killer Queen by Queen.  They freestyled together and showed me the powerful vibe they wanted to bring to their dance, I took that vibe, rolled with it and – for those of you who have performing arts knowledge of any kind: we ‘workshopped’ their whole routine.  I’d prepped some moves for them, then pretty much just helped them order their own moves into a routine they could remember, teaching them some basics of foxtrot too, so they will still have the skill forevermore knowing how to properly lead and follow.  Their final rehearsal gave me goosebumps. 

E&J's First wedding dance at Broughton Hall
E&J at Broughton Hall

Here’s the glorious feedback from E&J

“Absolutely incredible experience. Alison was fun, casual and incredibly talented. She understood our vision, pitched her teaching at the right level for us and we had a fabulous time. Everyone at the wedding said it was the best first dance they’d ever seen!!”

E&J

Photo taken the day after E&J’s wedding at magnificent Broughton Hall by the epic @fireandice team.
Google search ‘The Love of Dance’ for more reviews!

I can’t wait to share some snippets of the actual first dance with you. Keep an eye out on my socials for more from E&J!I’d love if you could follow me on Instagram or Facebook.  As a small business, I really appreciate every time someone comments and it can have a bigger impact on my reach to support more wedding planning couples, thank you!

Ooh, and there’s more!I also offer hen dance parties and did you know I can help with a wedding fitness, wellness and nutrition plan to help get you feeling like your best self for your wedding?! ;)We can chat more when you’re ready…and a reminder it’s really important to book you first dance lessons as soon as possible to give yourselves loads of time to prepare and feel calm and confident on the day!  I would usually suggest 6 months in advance of the big day where possible!


Tips to Calm First Dance and Wedding Day Nerves

“When you dance the purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.” Wayne Dyer

I’m refreshing a previous post about enjoying every step of the first dance! How to prepare the mind both in advance and in the day to help you calm and focus yourself, and calm the First Dance and Wedding Day Nerves.

Here’s some tips (used by performers – true story!) to help calm your first wedding dance or wedding day nerves:

  1. Practice the power pose behind the scenes – proven to boost confidence.
  2. Roll the shoulders back and lift the chest to stand tall and proud.
  3. Find ways to relax the face – tension in the face could bring tension into the rest of the body.
  4. Find a way to help calm the mind – whether mindfulness, visualisation, meditation – whatever works for you. Perhaps find a routine to practice on the morning of your wedding to help chill the mind.
  5. Practise a breathing technique you could try in the moment – pull yourselves to the side and have a little powwow breathing pattern that you’ve tried in advance and links you to a chance to centre you into the moment.
  6. Find an essential oil blend toolkit that you can carry in your wedding day essentials kit or handbag and keep the oils near for the day – have a little sniff of to energise you, calm you, relieve a tension headache…whatever you think you’ll need!

Take a look at the Insta Reel below for some inspiration 🙂

I have one thing to say:
THE BREATH IS POWERFUL!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMsxSMCBVFK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

First Wedding Dance or Wedding Day Nerves? I’ve got you covered.

🦋We’re emerging out of Lockdown 🤞🏻 from our hermit like existence. Like butterflies from our cocoons!🦋 So if Wedding Day or First Dance Nerves feel out of control after months of minimal human contact, I’ve got your covered.

We have a ‘road map’, so let’s create a plan to physically and mentally prepare for the first dance and for unleashing your gorgeous selves to the wider world beyond your household and soon enough, to your guests at your wedding. There’s no better way to make the final days to freedom count (whenever that may be). 

I’ve got a series of blogs to read, starting with the importance of preparing in advance for the first dance. STARTING FIRST DANCE LESSONS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER will mean the dance will become like second nature, just like walking, and the nerves will stay at the door. 

Wedding Day of First Dance Nerves? The Love of Dance has got you covered!

I can support you with:
💪🏼 Physical fitness and strength through a bespoke Pilates programme;
💃🏾First Wedding Dance lessons;
🗓 A plan for scheduling in key timeline priorities in your wedding planning,

Which in turn will:
💃🏾🕺🏾improve your self-confidence and
🧘🏻‍♀️prepare the mind to calm wedding day and first dance nerves.

Amongst so many other physical and emotional health and wellbeing benefits that come with fitness and first dance… and help you leave any anxieties behind with the Lockdown!!


Teaching A First Dance Lesson In the Wedding venue

Relaxed Luxury Summer Wedding – Featured on Rock My Wedding

FEATURED on @rockmywedding blog 💃

I’m so pleased to have been involved teaching some First Wedding Dance and Hen Dance Party style movement to the gorgeous models (who were really fab!) – you may spot my little star as Flower Girl got featured – she loved it as much as I did. 🤩 I showcased all the feels of having a final first dance rehearsal or hen party in a glorious wedding venue (read here about why this is important for me), to really enhance the gorgeous experience of learning to dance together.

Take me back to this glorious hot summer day please. If anything is going to get us excited about Summer weddings, it’s this STUNNER of a relaxed luxury wedding styled shoot in the countryside organised to a ‘T’ by Mrs T Weddings alongside an incredible team. The photos by Hester Barnes Wedding Photography are outstanding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

FRESH. COLOURFUL. UNIQUE. GLAMOUR.
“Almost as though it would have come out of Chanel advert”. Rock My Wedding – read the full edit here.

See who was involved in the incredible team below the images and video.

Creative Direction & Planner – @Mrs_T_Weddings
Photography/videography- @hesterbarnesphotographyandfilm
Bridal Wear – @victoria_sanders_studio
Bridal accessories- @rachelsokhalbridal
Grooms wear – @mendosuitsparis
Venue – @thecherrybarn
Florals – @chirpee.flowers
Cake – @cobi_and_coco_cakes
Rentals &decor – @locatetocreate
Makeup Consultation – @__cesca__
Hair – @maxxanderson.hair
Favours – @bombonierebymaria
Stationary – @polkadotcreationswedding
Table wear – @atouchofvintageuk
Catering – @annie_at_blackbirdcatering
Dance – @ftloveofdance
Assistant Planner @m.fioreevents
Champagne – @hoffmannandrathbone
Bridal models –
@steph_dasilva
@jordan_xchelsey
@hayleymaymuirhead
@_tashangilardi
Mrs T’s team/model – @alice__clapp
Male model – roddyclarkedesign


Valentine’s Date Night with a Dance Lesson Difference

VALENTINES DATE NIGHT IS SORTED

How about a little romantic Valentine’s gift, a break from the new norm and groundhog day, or a Lockdown project with your beau.

💍 💜 You might even be planning a valentines proposal and looking for some inspiration! 💜💍

Here’s a Valentines treat from me!

3 hours of private online Valentine’s Date Night Dance lessons for £99 (Usually £132) or one hour for £35 (Usually £45).

First hour could be taken on Valentine’s Day, 14th February throughout the day, or to suit your date night plans, subject to availability, and then schedule in the remaining hours in following weeks.

Choose from some gorgeous romantic dance styles or tell me your favourite song and I’ll tell you which style will suit your song:
💃🏻Foxtrot
🕺🏽Waltz
💃🏾Salsa
🕺🏾Rumba
💃🏾Jive

It’s not going to be the date night we’d usually dream of, but we might as well make it a unique Valentine’s to remember to tell the kids about one day!
#ForTheLoveOfDance

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
*Tcs & Cs Apply


The Love Of Dance DIY Your First Wedding Dance Manual & Online Masterclass

Maybe you’re sitting on the fence about whether or not to have first wedding dance lessons, or you’re sure you can crack the code to creating a fabulous first dance yourselves, but just don’t know where to start.

You might have even downloaded the free Find Your First Dance Music and Style Guide by now and are feeling inspired.

So I’m giving away my trade first dance choreography secrets in a step by step DIY Your First Wedding Dance Manual and LIVE Online Masterclass.

See the link here to purchase your DIY Your First Dance and Masterclass and to download the First Dance Music and Style Guide!

The guide is download-able and designed to accompany a one hour Masterclass with me! This masterclass will set you up with some clear steps to help you push forward with alllllll the choreographic tools to help you plan your very own first dance! I’ll include: how to find inspiration; how to learn some basic first dance steps; how to listen to your song and put the moves to it; some key practice tips and ways to help with first wedding dance nerves. There is so much we’ll cover – crazy huh?!

You see I think everyone can become a choreographer when we’re considering your own first dance dreams, desires and personalities!

Purchase your DIY Your First Dance and Masterclass and to download the First Dance Music and Style Guide!

And see my Instagram Reel here to show you more about me!


From First Dance Confusion to Clarity

You might have got a first dance song in mind, but don’t know how to move TOGETHER to your song!

Find Your First Wedding Dance Music and Style Guide

And believe it or not many wedding planning couples struggle to find their first dance song.

Or some might love a style of dance they’ve seen and want to find a song that suits the style of dance, whilst 

You know you’d like to do something a little coordinated for the first dance, but haven’t got a clue how to start or what style of dance will work with the song. But this FREE ebook – Find Your First Dance Music and Style Guide, written by me, First Wedding Dance Choreographer of 10 years, is the solution for guiding wedding planning couples through the various first dance style possibilities in preparation for their first dance.

Get some clarity on what styles of dance might suit your first dance song, personalities and level of dance skills. Discover how you could take your first dance journey to a whole new level.

This is the perfect starting point even if you’re not yet sure that first dance lessons are going to be for you. Click the link here to grab my Find Your First Dance Music and Style Guide and get inspired today.