In a vibrant pink dance studio filled with women, Beyoncé and Shakira’s “Beautiful Liar” sets the stage for a lively dance class, where participants are eager to keep in sync with the rhythm.
Among the class, some attendees are newcomers while others have been part of SOS Dance since its inception, an initiative that hosts sessions across the UK aimed at empowering women.
Leading the Birmingham class is 34-year-old Amanda Radek. After leaving her PR position during the pandemic, she developed a passion for dancing in her kitchen, which quickly became part of her routine.
Fast forward to the present, Amanda is now an SOS Dance instructor on weekends, cherishing her time with her “sisterhood” and no longer feeling the anxiety usually associated with Sundays before work.
Dancing is known for its numerous benefits, from enhancing balance and coordination to fostering connections with others and alleviating stress.
According to Ms. Radek, dancing has significantly improved her mental well-being and helped her cultivate a “wonderful community” of women.
“I aimed to create a supportive, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment in Birmingham,” she expressed.
“Dance is truly one of the most effective activities for mental wellness; it boosts your confidence, and more people should have the opportunity to experience it.”
Bonnie Lister Parsons, a former professional backing dancer, founded SOS Dance in 2019 to provide women with the chance to learn choreography and feel valued.
Her background included performing with major artists, and she noted that “Britney Spears felt like my religion,” adding that Beyoncé was “woven into my very being.”
Residing in London, Ms. Parsons shared that she received numerous messages from women who said her classes transformed their lives, helping them navigate break-ups, mental health challenges, and career advancements.
“I thought, if I can empower one woman, why not a million, why not an entire generation?”
She named her organization SOS Dance because participants come to classes during their “SOS moments,” using dance to cope with the “stresses of life.”
When the pandemic struck, Ms. Parsons pivoted to online training sessions, during which demand soared, leading many to want to introduce SOS into their communities.
Birmingham is now among 45 cities across the UK hosting SOS groups.
Twenty-six-year-old Nishi Panicker wholeheartedly agrees that SOS Dance is “life-changing.” After graduating from university four years ago, she faced what she described as a “daunting experience” and a “challenging transition,” especially as her friends relocated from Birmingham.
Working in an IT role predominantly surrounded by male colleagues, Nishi found that dancing became an essential activity for meeting new female friends.
“It has truly become a safe haven for me, allowing me to form friendships and reclaim what I felt I lost after university,” she remarked.
