Dance To Be Free

- 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303

Dance To Be Free is a unique and inspiring organization that brings the healing and transformative power of dance to incarcerated women across the nation. Founded in 2015 by Lucy Wallace, a Boulder-based dance instructor with a master's degree in psychology, the nonprofit's mission is to address lifelong trauma through movement. While their primary focus is on a national scale, a key part of their local presence in Colorado is the public classes they offer at the Avalon Ballroom in Boulder. These open classes serve a dual purpose: they allow the organization to bring their "healing power of dance to anyone," as one reviewer noted, and they also help support the non-profit's vital work in prisons. The classes are designed to be inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of dance experience, fostering a positive environment where participants can experience freedom and personal growth through movement.

The core of Dance To Be Free’s methodology is "Cathartic Choreography," a technique that uses expressive and passionate music to facilitate a healing experience without the need for traditional talk therapy. This approach helps participants deal with the physical and mental effects of trauma, including PTSD, by focusing on movement, self-awareness, and introspection. The public classes at the Avalon Ballroom are an extension of this powerful work, making it accessible to the wider Colorado community. As another review highlighted, the organization's ability to build "confidence and self-worth" through movement is truly remarkable. These classes provide a safe space for people to connect with their bodies and emotions, offering a path to healing and personal liberation.

Beyond their local classes, Dance To Be Free has certified hundreds of incarcerated women as "DTBF Leaders" through their Trauma-Informed Dance Teacher Training. These graduates then lead classes for their peers, creating a powerful peer-to-peer healing and leadership program. The public classes in Boulder allow local residents to directly support this incredible mission, with every class contributing to the non-profit's ability to continue and expand its work. By participating in a class, you're not only investing in your own well-being but also becoming a part of a larger movement that is changing lives and helping to reduce recidivism rates in the prison system.

Dance To Be Free holds its public classes at the Avalon Ballroom, located at 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303, USA. The Avalon Ballroom is a well-known community hub in Boulder, making the studio easily accessible for local residents. The location is convenient for those traveling from surrounding areas such as Louisville, Lafayette, and Superior. The address is straightforward to find, and the Avalon Ballroom itself is a premier venue for various dance forms in Colorado, known for its high-quality, cushioned oak dance floor. This professional yet welcoming venue provides an ideal backdrop for the classes offered by Dance To Be Free, enhancing the overall experience for all participants.

Services Offered

• Public Dance Classes: Dance To Be Free offers open classes at the Avalon Ballroom in Boulder, designed for anyone who wants to experience the healing power of movement. The classes are drop-in and do not require any previous dance experience.

• "Cathartic Choreography": The classes utilize a unique technique that combines choreography with emotional expression, helping participants to release trauma and build self-awareness through a mindful and energetic experience.

• Trauma-Informed Training: While primarily offered within prisons, this core program trains incarcerated individuals to become leaders in their communities, teaching them to facilitate their own dance classes and support their peers.

• Nonprofit Support: By attending a class at the Avalon Ballroom or purchasing merchandise, local residents directly support Dance To Be Free's mission to bring dance and healing to incarcerated women and men across the United States.

• Community Building: The classes provide a powerful and positive community space where individuals can connect with others and engage in a collective healing experience.

Features / Highlights

• Unique Therapeutic Approach: A major highlight is the use of "Cathartic Choreography" to address trauma. This non-verbal, body-based healing method is highly effective and sets the classes apart from other dance or fitness options.

• Inclusivity and Accessibility: The classes are open to everyone, regardless of age, skill level, or background. A customer review highlights that "the classes are open to all," making this a welcoming place for anyone seeking personal growth through movement.

• Support for a Worthy Cause: Participating in a class is a way to support a meaningful and impactful nonprofit organization. Customers can feel good knowing that their attendance helps bring dance and leadership opportunities to incarcerated people.

• Positive and Empowering Environment: Reviews emphasize that the organization builds "confidence and self-worth" in its participants, highlighting the positive and empowering nature of the classes.

Contact Information

Address: 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303, USA

Phone: (720) 771-1993

What is worth choosing

For Colorado residents, choosing to attend a Dance To Be Free class is a compelling decision for a number of important reasons. First and foremost, it offers a unique and powerful approach to personal well-being. Unlike a standard fitness class, the "Cathartic Choreography" is specifically designed to facilitate healing and emotional release. It's a way to move your body that also nurtures your mind and spirit, and it's suitable for people who may have felt uncomfortable in traditional dance or workout settings. The fact that the classes are open and inclusive makes them accessible to everyone in the Boulder community.

Beyond the personal benefits, choosing Dance To Be Free means becoming a part of a larger, truly impactful mission. Every time you attend a class, you are directly contributing to a nonprofit that is changing lives by empowering incarcerated women and men. The reviews speak to this, highlighting how the organization helps build confidence and self-worth in a population that is often marginalized. This is a rare opportunity to engage in a local activity that has a significant and positive ripple effect on a national scale. By dancing to be free yourself, you are helping others to find their own sense of freedom and personal growth. For those in Colorado looking for a fitness or dance experience that is both personally fulfilling and socially meaningful, Dance To Be Free is an exceptional choice.

Dance To Be Free

6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303, USA