PRESS RELEASE: Royal Academy of Dance launches ballet classes for the cancer community

[Jan McNulty]

PRESS RELEASE 13/02/2024

 

Royal Academy of Dance launches ballet classes for the cancer community in partnership with Fireflies

 

Classes taught by Natalie Hall

 

 

Natalie Hall and RAD teacher Poppy Barnes with the ballet class participants. Image credit: Royal Academy of Dance

 

• Royal Academy of Dance launches ballet classes for the cancer community in partnership with Fireflies Fitness
• Suitable for both beginners and experienced dancers, classes provide a safe space to connect with others in a similar situation
• Participating in weekly ballet classes after a cancer diagnosis has numerous benefits that can support reduction of stress and improved confidence.

 

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has launched ballet classes for the cancer community. Classes are taught by cancer advocate and RAD teacher Natalie Hall and are delivered in partnership with her fitness company, Fireflies Fitness, for people who have or have had cancer.

Classes, which are free of charge and for all abilities, are taught at RAD’s HQ in Wandsworth, London and provide a safe space to escape for cancer patients to meet and connect with others in a similar situation.

 

Class teacher Natalie Hall is a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance who received her cancer diagnosis in 2019. Since completing active treatment she studied to become a Personal Trainer and a Level 4 Cancer Exercise Specialist so that she could share the vital benefits she experienced when moving and staying active through cancer.

 

Commenting on the importance of providing classes like these for the cancer community, Natalie Hall said: “Learning to dance and joining the Fireflies and Royal Academy of Dance family has brought love, light and joy to the lives of the beautiful participants of our Ballet for the Cancer Community classes.

 

The physical and mental benefits of dancing and moving through cancer are endless. What is just as beneficial is the emotional support the group offers to each other. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is dark but it is that darkness that enables us to shine even brighter than ever.”

 

Class participant Mel said: “We hold each other. Even though it's not a talking therapy or art therapy, it is therapy. We support each other. We're in tune to each other's movements, emotions - it's really lovely. The classes are helping with mental health, and my balance and memory have improved.”

 

Participating in weekly ballet classes after a cancer diagnosis has numerous benefits that can support:

• A reduction in side effects
• A better quality of life
• Faster recovery times
• A reduced risk of recurrence
• Cancer-related cognitive impairment
• The improvement of mood and reduction of stress, and improved confidence.

 

The RAD’s ballet for cancer classes are in partnership with Fireflies, Natalie Hall’s not-for-profit fitness company which she founded for the cancer community. She provides fitness support for the body and mind and hopes to offer an improved quality of life from the day of diagnosis and beyond through her work.

 

For information on classes at the RAD visit: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/dance-with-us/our-dance-school-in-london/ballet-for-the-cancer-community-with-the-royal-academy-of-dance-in-partnership-with-fireflies/

 

For more information about Fireflies, visit: www.firefliesfitness.org

                                                           

 

Notes to Editors

Royal Academy of Dance

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the most influential dance education and training organisations in the world with a strong global membership in 85 countries.

 

Established in 1920 to improve standards and re-invigorate dance training, the Academy helps and encourages its teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students. There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes with the Academy and each year the examination syllabus is taught to thousands of young people worldwide, with around a quarter of a million pupils per year going on to take RAD exams.

www.royalacademyofdance.org