BODY & SOUL

Meet the instructor - Chole Wilmot

our fitness instructor Chloe Wilmot, leading a body & soul class, in front of our ‘body and soul’ banners. Chloe is smiling and wearing black sports clothes. She is in her garden.
“My name is Chloe and I run Chloe’s Dance Company. We are a Peterborough based dance company promoting health and well-being through dance, movement and creative expression. I am a qualified dance and fitness instructor working with ages ranging from 4 to 104 every week! My main aim is to get people moving whilst having fun!”
— Chloe Wilmot, Chloe's Dance Company

Let’s dance: An hour of fitness inspired by Northern Soul music, Thursdays 10.15am

OPTION 1:

LIVE at Key Theatre, Peterborough

OPTION 2:

VIA ZOOM - for those isolating, shielding or far afield.

Click ‘REGISTER HERE’ to sign up to our Northern Soul online sessions. An email will be sent to the address you provide with a link to join the Zoom classes.

Jumped Up Theatre is a Registered Charity so any donation you make will help us deliver more arts and culture activity in Peterborough. We are registered with the Communities Aid Foundation who will claim our tax relief on your donation, if you pay income tax.

Many thanks for your support - every time we receive a donation it lets us know that our work is valued.

Our Body & Soul fitness instructor, Chloe Wilmot, discusses her experiences leading the Body & Soul sessions and getting to know our ‘Northern Soulie’ participants.

So Chloe, what’s been your favourite moment so far leading the Body & Soul sessions?

I think my favourite moment was when we were right in the midst of lockdown, and we were asking the participants for some feedback. Amongst some other lovely comments, someone said ‘it’s better than therapy’. And for me, that is the best feedback I could ever get. What more evidence do you need that music and dancing releases endorphins and makes you feel good, inside and out?! That was really special.

Is there anything our partcipants have taught you since you started the classes that you didn’t know before?

Yes, absolutely! I’ve learned what to do with my arms sometimes, and that I have my ‘own style’ when we do the freestyle parts of the routines. (Which I’m taking as a compliment!) I was pretty nervous about those parts, as I am by no means as good at the free styling as our participants, but I’ve learnt it’s more about how you feel. The dancing is your way of showing real enjoyment for the music, so who cares what anyone thinks!

What’s been the biggest challenge in running the sessions?

The biggest challenge was when we had to move the classes online. The technology side of things seemed to be against us, however we tried it. It didn’t take us long to suss it out though, and now I think we have a good system for our online classes. I’m just hoping the nice weather continues so I can carry on being in my garden!

Would you say you’re officially a ‘Northern Soulie’ now?

I wouldn’t go as far as saying that, but I have definitely come to have a genuine love for the music. I’ve also realised the people the music attracts are so laidback, friendly and accepting. Who knows, you may see me at an all nighter in the not-so-distant future!

What have you learnt about Northern Soul so far, how have you found choreographing routines to Northern Soul music?

I’ve learnt that it was a lifestyle. People used to look forward to the weekend all week, and dance all night long! They made the dancing look effortless too, which is very impressive. As far as the routines go... Northern Soul isn’t choreographed so it was quite tricky! I’ve managed to create routines with progressive movements, focusing on specific areas of the body or specific components of fitness. 

 What Northern Soul tracks do you particularly like? 

I really like The Snake by Al Wilson, as well as Tainted Love by Gloria Jones and Run for Cover by The Dells. 

If someone is interested in our Body & Soul sessions, but is hesitate to join what would you say to them? 

Come along and have a go! You never know until you try... everything is adaptable to the class is suitable for all levels of fitness or Northern Soul knowledge. I know that one of the hardest things can be getting through the door but we are all starting it together, so there’s no time like the present! 

What is your favourite part of leading sessions?

I like building a rapport with my participants and seeing them progress over a number of weeks. It’s a nice feeling when you can help someone achieve something, whether it be a difficult movement or an exercise they couldn’t do two weeks ago! 

What do participants need to do to prepare?

Have a listen to some of the music if you can. We are going to have a few set dance fitness routines mixed in with some exercises, so it will be a full body workout. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and have a bottle of water. Come with an open mind!