There’s a moment – probably one you’ve felt too – when the world just feels too loud.

Too heavy.

Too broken.

And in the middle of it, you’re left carrying the weight of your own mind, wondering how the hell you're supposed to function when even just breathing feels like you have to think about it.

For me, that’s where dance steps in.

A necessary lifeline wrapped in music, sweat, and repetition.

A place where I can fall apart safely, then rebuild – limb by trembling limb.

DANCING THROUGH THE DARKNESS:

My story isn’t linear, and neither is healing. I’ve weathered far too many storms over the decades – ongoing chronic health challenges, grief that still grips, and a body that doesn’t always cooperate with my plans. Add a heavy dose of trauma, and sprinkle in multiple miscarriages and the physical damage beyond these, and well, the cocktail isn’t exactly delicious.

But, dance and movement? That was always mine.

Even when nothing else made sense, even when I couldn’t find the words – my body remembered the rhythm.

It knew what to do.

In those moments, dance wasn’t about being seen. It was about feeling something other than mental, physical, or emotional pain.

It was breath and grit.

Rage and joy.

It is how I always claw my way back.

MOVEMENT AS MEDICINE:

There’s science behind it – the endorphin rush, the nervous system reset, the sheer power of embodied emotion.

But beyond the science, there’s soul.

Movement gives shape to what we can’t say out loud.

It lets grief howl without apology.

It lets euphoria take up space in your chest and echo right through to your fingertips.

And let’s be honest: some days, it’s not about ‘loving your body’ or ‘finding your groove’. It’s about surviving the day without shattering. That counts too.

TRUST THE PROCESS (YES, EVEN WHEN IT’S MESSY):

I always say it – “Trust the process.”

Because healing isn’t linear.

Strength doesn’t look like perfection.

And your version of resilience might just be turning up to a dance class when you want to hide away from the world.

Classes aren't about becoming a star. They're about reclaiming your body, your time, your identity.

Whether you twirl, stomp, or sob through half the warm-up – you showed up.

That’s enough.

A SAFE SPACE FOR THE UNFILTERED YOU:

You’re not too broken.

You’re not too much.

And you’re not alone.

The Velvet Burlesque was born from the chaos as well as the calm. From the belief that we all need somewhere to move through the mess – no filters, no fancy footwork required. It’s more than sequins and show-face (although we love those too).

It’s connection.

It’s permission.

It’s release.

So if you’re burnt out, broken-hearted, or simply lost in the fog – Come and move with us.

Come scream with your hips and cry with your shoulders.

Come home to yourself – one beat at a time.

If this resonates – even a little – take the next step TODAY.

Join us in a VELVET BURLESQUE CLASS – not to perform, but to feel. To breathe. To be.
Whether you’re crawling or strutting through the fog - we’ve got you.
Sheffield-based. All bodies. All backgrounds. All emotions welcome.

Check out our weekly DANCE CLASSES to find your place on the dancefloor.

Dance didn’t cure me, but it always damn well helps to save me.

And it might just help to save you, too.

Boss Lady - Lara Gothique

Founder, Curator, Choreographer, Swamp-Witch, and Slightly Feral Producer of The Velvet Burlesque™

© Lara Gothique - Velvet Burlesque™
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