What’s with the silent disco at Taylor Dock? Blame it on this licensed ‘Groove Facilitator’
A Whatcom County resident has come up with a creative, fun way to stay active and help others relieve stress, meet new people and work out.
Dana Carr started Dancing Dana Carr LLC after earning a bachelor of arts from Western Washington University, being a Peace Corps volunteer, becoming a certified Nia white belt teacher and a licensed “Groove Facilitator” to teach Groove method classes in 2019.
“I started a dance-sharing business to dedicate myself as fully as possible to providing fun, easygoing dance classes and events for all ages and abilities. Musical movement has been the source of so much comfort, joy, healing and transformation in my own life; so I’m very passionate about facilitating experiences in which other people can create more physical, mental, social and emotional health in their lives with dance,” Carr wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
The dance classes and silent discos serve as a way to help participants relax, work out and have fun, according to Carr.
“Some physical benefits include improved cardiovascular conditioning, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and range of motion, speed, agility, reaction time, balance, coordination, power. Groove also buffs up your creativity and personal responsibility “muscles!” Participants are guided in a variety of simple moves to a diversity of delicious music and it’s up to them to explore what’s possible, find what feels best and express themselves fully,” Carr wrote.
Carr currently offers Groove classes for adults and children, as well as silent disco parties in Bellingham. Carr’s sunset silent discos take place at the Taylor Dock near Boulevard Park, and each $10 ticket includes the necessary headphones and belt clips to participate.
Groove classes are available over Zoom, at Whatcom Community College, Unique Technique Dance Studio and even as a private class with your friends, and cost $10 per participant.
“I hope participants feel delighted, inspired, invigorated and empowered by my classes. I hope they feel joyful togetherness — enjoying a shared experience of musical movement. I hope they sense brave authenticity — truly moving to the music in whatever way is best for them and not trying to copy anyone else. And I hope they engage in some radical non-judgment — noticing and letting go of self-judgment, their judgment of others, and any perceived/imagined judgments about them. To me, these are some of the deepest and most powerful benefits of a Groove practice,” Carr wrote.
Those wanting to participate in silent discos can sign up on Carr’s website to reserve their spot and materials. Groove classes can be paid for at the event, or online. Carr’s upcoming events can also be found on her Facebook page.
