About

MoveZ was created by sisters-in-law Karen, a dancer, and Joelle, a physical education teacher, in 2021. Our goal was to create an exercise program that’s fun and inspires people of all fitness levels to move!

What does a class look like?

The class starts with a brief grounding exercise to focus in on ourselves. Then we work our way through a fun and uplifting playlist of songs using easy-to-follow choreography, fitness movements and stretching. The class ends with a brief relaxation exercise.

It is really important to us that people of all fitness levels feel welcome. We demonstrate modifications for more challenging fitness movements before each song. No two people are the same so no one is going to move in the same way! We encourage participants to modify the movements as they need and to just keep moving.

Why a dance-inspired workout?

Our participants often tell us that they are so engaged by the movement and music that they don’t notice the workout! Dance is great for increasing fitness levels, balance and flexibility. Learning choreography is excellent exercise for the brain. Performing similar movements in-sync to music with a group of people has also been proven to foster an atmosphere where we lose our sense of self and enter a state of cohesion or flow. This increases feelings of connection, peacefulness and joy. Beyond the physical and cognitive benefits of the program, this is our ultimate goal.

Meet our Creators

Sisters-in-law, friends and co-conspirators in a plot to get people off the couch and onto the dance floor!

  • A dancer since the age of three, Karen has over thirty years of dance training and performance experience. Her training includes ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, modern and hip hop styles. Her love of dance continued past competing as a child through university and beyond. She performed with Orchesis Dance Society in Edmonton for twelve years. As she grew her family, Karen left the dance world to become a group fitness instructor. She is a certified Canfitpro Group Fitness Specialist and holds Active Aging and Understanding a Fit Pregnancy certifications.

    Dancing brings Karen so much joy and she hopes to share that with all her participants. She lives in Edmonton with her husband and three beautiful girls.

  • Joelle has always found joy in movement. Dance, sports, gymnastics, hiking, rock climbing, biking, skiing, running, swimming - you name it, she probably enjoys it! So when she figured out that she could get professional credentials while doing all of these things, she was in! Joelle has two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education, both with a major in physical education. While studying movement, anatomy, physiology, athlete development, training principles, leadership and outdoor education she was also an athlete herself - playing volleyball and running cross-country for Augustana University College. For the past 10 years she has been sharing her love of movement with students of all ages.

    For Joelle being active is about holistic wellness. Finding activities that are good for your mind, body and soul! She can’t wait to share the fun with you!