Joy in Motion

Joy in Motion teaches West Coast Swing and Brazilian Zouk in Spokane, run by Deanna Joy, a seasoned professional music and dance instructor with nearly two decades of teaching experience across academic subjects and settings. Deanna brings formal teaching education, ongoing training, and a background in yoga, breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness alongside her dance expertise. She fuses the holistic benefits of partner dancing with a scholarly approach to learning, weaving her life experiences into instruction that prioritises the mind-body connection.

Classes are structured around two main offerings. Brazilian Zouk Foundations classes are drop-in sessions designed to build flow, expressiveness, and embodied movement; they cycle through a structured, repeating series and can be taken in any order. West Coast Swing Foundations classes focus on developing comfort, fluency, and musical connection, also offered as drop-in classes in a rotating series. Both cost $15 per class, with discounts available through class bundles.

Beyond group classes, Joy in Motion runs regular social dances: Dance with Joy (WCS) and Zouk with Joy (BZ) are relaxed, inviting community dances held at Wellspring Studio. These sessions cost $15 and can be paired with classes for savings. Private lessons are available one-on-one or one-on-two in West Coast Swing, Brazilian Zouk, and related movement and music skills. No partner is required for any offering; students may come solo or bring a friend.

Deanna's teaching philosophy centres on meeting students exactly where they are. Student feedback emphasises her sense of humour, patience, and ability to pitch instruction appropriately for both nervous beginners and experienced dancers seeking growth. She breaks down the mechanics of movement in easy-to-understand ways and is described as creating classes that are thorough, fun, and expansive. The studio emphasises that all are welcome regardless of experience, with classes designed to provide a strong foundation while making plenty of room for fun. The space operates from 220 E. Wellesley Avenue, Suite 102, Spokane, at Wellspring Studio.

Drop-in classes cycle through repeating series and run for one hour; you can join any session. The studio emphasises a welcoming, mistake-friendly environment where you learn alongside other students and rotate partners. No partner or prior experience is needed. Social dances offer a relaxed setting with good sound, music selection, and lighting to experience movement and music in community.

Deanna Joy teaches all classes and private lessons. A professional music and dance instructor with nearly two decades of experience, she has formal teaching education and ongoing training. Her background includes yoga, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and interests in psychology and bodywork. Students consistently praise her ability to meet learners at their level, her sense of humour, patience, and skill at making technique accessible.

Absolutely welcoming to beginners; classes are specifically designed as Foundations courses, and Deanna is noted for her skill at meeting nervous beginners exactly where they are while keeping the pace slow enough to learn well without feeling overwhelming.