Dance Life Studio and Fitness

Dance Life is a body-positive, fat-positive studio in Madison where dancers of all bodies, genders, sizes, races, ages and ability levels can move without judgment. The studio occupies a 5,000 sq ft space at 6725 Seybold Rd and runs a full schedule of classes throughout the week, both in person and via livestream on Zoom.

You can take belly dance at multiple levels — Belly Dance Fundamentals, Belly Dance Level Up, and Belly Dance Drills & Skills. Classes in ballet include Adult Beginner Ballet and Ballet Fitness. Burlesque offerings span Burlesque Fundamentals, Burlesque Fitness for Any Body, and Experimental Burlesque Troupe. Other classes include Hip Hop Dance Fitness, Hoop Fitness, Sensual Synergy, Livin' Large Dance Party, and WERQ. Most classes meet Monday through Sunday, with schedules ranging from beginner (B) to intermediate (I) intensity levels, and many are offered in three formats: in person, livestream via Zoom, or on-demand recorded.

Classes are led by instructors including Arielle, Kathy (Mama K), Jeanetta, Danielle, Jessica, Andrea, Alisha, Jeanna, Sia, and Melissa. Arielle teaches recorded classes through the studio's Teachable library, with livestreams held Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6pm CST. The library includes Belly Dance Fundamentals, Burlesque Fundamentals and Belly Dance Level Up, with three new classes added each week.

The studio runs several signature events throughout the year: Student Showcase performances featuring students in all styles (lowkey, friends and family format), Inappropriate Song Night (18+ events described as part dance, part comedy), Circle Dance freestyle sessions, and workshops. Recent events have included a Drum Workshop with Nurjahan, Mar and Tay, and a livestream workshop by Amani of Lebanon.

Drop-in pricing is $15 per class for belly dance and burlesque with Arielle and adult ballet; $10 per class for all others. An unlimited month for all live and in-person classes costs $99. Recorded classes via Teachable are $15/month and give you access to a library of years' worth of thrice-weekly classes. The studio uses Vagaro for class booking and accepts reschedules up until class time, with full refunds for cancellations made two hours before class.

You'll sign up through Vagaro ahead of time, then attend in the welcoming brick-and-mortar studio in Madison. Masks are required in the building. Most people wear yoga clothes, workout clothes, leggings or pajamas; ballet slippers are recommended for ballet classes. You can dance barefoot or in indoor shoes.

Classes are taught by Arielle, Kathy (Mama K), Jeanetta, Danielle, Jessica, Andrea, Alisha, Jeanna, Sia, and Melissa. Arielle leads recorded classes via Teachable and teaches livestream belly dance and burlesque on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6pm CST. Many instructors are also available for private lessons booked separately.

Beginner classes (B level) and easy-to-modify classes (B+ level) are offered regularly; the studio welcomes participants of all levels and recommends starting at B or B+ if you're new to dance or fitness.