From Grief to Growth: The Power of Dance and Community

I’ve always believed in the power of community, but I never truly understood its impact until I became a cancer survivor and, later, a caregiver. In those moments, I realized that community isn’t just about being surrounded by people—it’s about unwavering support, shared strength, and deep connections that carry us through life’s challenges.

After my grandmother passed away in 2023, I was fortunate to find Forward_Space, a NYC-based cardio dance workout rooted in the idea that movement is medicine. At the time, they were hosting their summer residency at The Barn in the Hamptons. After just one class, I was hooked.

The workout was exactly what I needed to step outside the grief that had settled deep in my body. But it was the palpable sense of community—the energy of dancing in a room full of strangers—that truly stayed with me. Each week, I made the hour-long drive to the Hamptons (braving summer traffic) just to feel those happy endorphins and reconnect with myself. Dance didn’t just release the tension I had been holding in my jaw, neck, back, and hips. It also unlocked the tears I had been too afraid to shed.

Dancing with Forward_Space in the summer of 2023 became more than just a workout. It was a ritual, a safe space, and a form of healing I didn’t know I needed. When the summer ended, I felt a pang of sadness, unsure when I’d experience that same sense of physical and emotional release again. With their studio based in lower Manhattan, I figured it would be a while before I reconnected with the space that had become so special to me.

Fortunately, I did make it to one class at their SoHo studio—and then, this past summer, I picked up right where I left off when they returned to the Hamptons.

But I never imagined becoming a regular at their City studio…until now.

Last weekend, the lovely Fiona, who works at Forward_Space, invited me to take a class. I have to admit, the idea of hopping on the Long Island Rail Road for an hour just to work out isn’t exactly thrilling. But for Forward_Space, I’d do anything. Fiona got me into the 10:30 AM class, giving me plenty of time to make my way to Penn Station and walk the two-and-a-half miles downtown to Spring Street. And let me tell you, it was well worth the trip.

I didn’t realize how much I needed Forward_Space until I stepped into the darkened room, felt the pulse of the music, and started chatting with fellow dancers (all thanks to Fiona). The sense of community they’ve fostered is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced (which explains why their classes are always sold out and have waitlists). Between returning from my trip to Europe, onboarding new clients, and continuing my policy and advocacy work in uncertain times, seeing a room full of people coming together to dance was exactly the reset I needed.

I was so engrossed in the choreography that I barely noticed the heat in the room or the fact that I kept bumping into my neighbor (in the club, we’re all fam, right?). Instead, I focused on the ways my body could move, how the music made me feel, and what it was like to walk away with new friends, all bonded by a shared experience.

That class did more than just help me move my body (which, let’s be real, had been pretty stagnant for what felt like forever). It reminded me of the power of community—how beautiful things happen when people come together. In the span of one hour, we didn’t just get a workout in. We fostered connection, belonging, and understanding. And those emotions? I carried them with me throughout the week, hopefully radiating them to everyone I encountered.

Have you ever had a moment where community made all the difference in your life? I’d love to hear how you’ve felt supported. Drop your story in the comments!

P.S. Want to try a Forward_Space class out yourself? First-timers can take advantage of a special BOGO deal and get two classes for the price of one. I wouldn’t snooze on this offer if I were you!