Natalie brings her dance class to EK
FRASER WILSON
A former leading ballerina is rolling out her fitness model in East Kilbride.
Natalie Garry was a trained English and Scottish National Ballet dancer, going onto start her own exercise and therapy company.
Her ‘danceSing’ class ties in singing and dance coaching with pilates, helping people mentally, physically and socially.
danceSing is already in place in six locations, but she is to now roll it out to a further five areas – including here in South Lanarkshire.
The mother-of-four said: ““I set up danceSing to try to help make a difference to people’s lives by making people stronger and fitter both physically and mentally.
“I’m delighted I am in a position to expand the business further afield in Scotland and south of the border. It is such a perfect combination of singing, dancing, pilates and socialising and great fun but with a serious aim.”
Natalie’s move follows an increase in members from 50 to 180 in the last six months, with Natalie increasing her staff from four to 11.
It also comes on the back announcement by the health secretary Matt Hancock, who agreed with doctors prescribing therapeutic art or hobbybased treatments across the UK by 2023, including dancing and singing lessons.
As well as physical fitness, it is thought such therapy can help patients suffering from dementia to psychosis, lung conditions and mental health issues. Natalie added: “We all need to keep fit, but the majority of people don’t stick to their fitness plans.
“My goal is to keep people motivated so they want to keep coming back.
“It’s also great that down the line, GPs will be able to prescribe this type of therapeutic art to patients.
“I see first-hand the huge benefits on a day-to-day basis and it really does work when it comes to improving your overall health and wellbeing.”
Benefits include improved mental health, increases muscular, strength and endurance and motor fitness, improved brain function, circulation and lung capacity.
You can find out more about the classes at www. dance-sing.uk.