Dance Trance Fitness of Jacksonville

From Humble Beginnings…

My introduction to Dance Trance came in the form of a quiet little class at a gym in Richmond, Virginia—a few nervous students, a brand-new instructor, and an air of experiment to the whole thing.

Then the music began—blasted, really—and soon all of those steps from dance classes past came flooding back: box steps, pivots, kick-ball-changes, and, by the end of the hour, some shameless bootie shakin’.

And this was fun…really really fun.

Instead of torturous repetitive drills, we were kicking it to songs everyone knows (despite the denials). These were backup-dancer moves set to Britney, Justin, Nelly, and Pink. (Eek!)

I was ready for the next class before the first one was over, never guessing I’d end up in Jacksonville one day.

Like so many others, I gave up dance classes when my career kicked in, resorting to step and spinning to stay fit. Not life-changing workouts, but fine for burning calories and fighting flab. Still, they were easy to skip, especially when the chill of winter settled in.

Right from the start, though, DT was more than a workout. We soon had a loyal following of familiar, smiling faces to kick off every class. And the challenge of learning routines together creates a bond, embarrassing moments and all. (Split pants come to mind. Not mine, thank goodness).

Because DT incorporates so many styles—jazz, hip-hop, Latin, rock—it delivers a tough mental workout as well. Every song has unique choreography, which can take days, sometimes weeks, to perfect. When it finally comes together flawlessly, it’s incredibly rewarding.

And stress? It gets checked at the door because it’s impossible to worry when you’re so completely focused. For me, it feels a lot like that elusive “creative trance” that comes with a great writing or drawing session. (I’m not sure if that’s where the name came from, but it definitely fits).

Over the years, we committed hundreds of routines to memory, which I like to believe is keeping Alzheimer’s as well as ab fat at bay.

I trekked 10 miles to those Richmond classes, sometimes five days a week, through 100-degree summers and more snowstorms than I can count. It’s true—DT has outlasted jobs, cars, and quite a few relationships, and I wasn’t the only one.

Classes stayed packed with people of all sizes, shapes, and fitness levels. Over time, students got married (and divorced), started families, moved away (and came back), and everything in between. Some even became instructors.

I get the feeling that DT, despite life’s ups and downs, remains an important constant for many.

…to Bootie-Shakin’ Headquarters

After moving to Florida in 2011, I eventually found my way to lovely San Marco, within walking distance of one of DT’s premier studios. (The other one’s on the beach.)

With its graffiti-covered walls and killer light and sound system, it’s definitely DT 2.0. Owners Beth and Jay Handline have created an oasis of creativity in which to groove. More than once in Virginia, we were asked to turn down the music. Here in Jax, it only gets turned up. (We must have some pretty understanding neighbors on that block).

Here at the homestead, they offer everything including “Prep,” for beginners, “Flexx It” for toning, “DT Kidz” for budding dance addicts, “Urban Ballet,” for a great leg workout set to loungey club beats, and, of course, many hours of original Dance Trance. That’s 15 or more songs packed into an hour of high-kicking, heart-pumping choreo.

All of this has grown from a quest Jay Handline embarked upon 16 years ago in Birmingham, Alabama. Tired of typical fitness classes, he collaborated with choreographers from across the nation to develop a dance-fitness movement that would resonate with people, not just for an hour, but for life. Soon his program was the most popular in the state, attracting top instructors and choreographers.

Several years in, Jay and Beth centralized operations, appointing Jacksonville home base. Annual workshops here draw DT instructors from all over the world, creating a pool of fresh choreography shared from studio to studio.

At last count, there were 35 locations, some international, with many more on the way. I’m not surprised. Ten years in, it never gets old, because there’s always a new routine to learn, room for improving upon technique, or another friend to make.

There aren’t too many things I go around promoting, but for DT I’ll be a card-carrying member for life. In fact, the cards I carry are “Good For One Free Class!” So grab one whenever you see me around town.

Jacksonville, my funky new city, you’ve got an amazing program here that’s making lots of people happier, healthier, sexier, and probably a little more sane. Go lo, Jax, and keep on shakin’ it.

Kristine Kieswer is a freelance writer new to Jacksonville. She will base all future moves on whether or not the city in question offers Dance Trance. She finally has her priorities straight.