They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what about the moms who raise them? For moms who are stressed out about their daily lives or just need a break, a community of friends outside the home is just the thing to help them let loose. Fred Astaire Dance Studios are proud to have become that community for many of our dancers. Linda Schneider-Jesser is a mother who thrives in the excitement and escape that a 45-minute class at Fred Astaire Dance Studio brings her. She was kind enough to share her story with us, so read on to learn how Linda got her groove back!

About 27 years ago, Linda moved to Glenview, Illinois to raise her children. She has three boys, ranging in age from 27 to 18. One of her sons has struggled with seizures and other health troubles for much of his life, and he needed multiple hospitalizations just a couple of years ago. At about the same time, the marriage she had thought was going to last forever began experiencing rough patches, and after more than a quarter-century together, she and her husband decided to divorce. It was in the middle of all this that a friend invited her to her first class at Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

“It flipped a switch,” said Linda about the experience. “Suddenly, I had found joy. I was more excited than I had been in a while, and I didn’t want it to end.”

Soon, the classes became indispensable for Linda. She was going once every week, and then she started going to the parties. For the past year, she has been going to lessons five times a week.

“I feel sharper,” Linda said. “I feel like I’m learning every day, so it keeps me on my toes mentally. I feel stronger and more coordinated. It might sound crazy, but I almost feel like I’m aging in reverse.”

Linda even met a special someone at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and they have been dancing together for a year.

“Fred Astaire Dance Studio really has changed every facet of my life,” Linda said. “I feel like a new person, and I’m so grateful.”

This transformation is what makes Fred Astaire classes such a rewarding gift for any holiday. From hearing stories like these, we know that dance classes are so much more than the dancing experience. They are the relaxation and joy that come with 45 minutes of letting go of your worries, and the community that’s built when a group comes together to learn and have fun. They are the mental and physical improvements over time, while you’re having too much fun to notice the changes. They are the new relationships forged between people who might otherwise never have met.

So, if you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift that won’t end up in the back of Mom’s closet, consider gifting her an introductory class pass at Fred Astaire Dance Studios!