Move With Joy

Hello, Michigan art and movement lovers! Are you seeking a place where you can nurture your physical well-being, explore artistic expression, and connect with a truly supportive community, all while supporting local talent? Then prepare to be delighted by Move With Joy, a hidden gem nestled right here in Kalamazoo's vibrant Edison neighborhood. This isn't your average fitness studio; it's a unique space where dance, yoga, and Pilates converge with a passion for community and a celebration of local art. Founded and led by the incredibly enthusiastic and supportive Joy Morris-Burton, Move With Joy offers a refreshing approach to movement, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their fitness journey or dance background. From high-energy classes that help you unwind and lose inches to serene yoga sessions, and even a dedicated space for local artists to display their work, Move With Joy is truly a multi-faceted hub for well-being and creativity in our beloved Great Lakes State. Let's delve into what makes this studio a must-visit for locals.

Move With Joy is perfectly situated at 1103 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, USA. Its location in the heart of Kalamazoo's Edison neighborhood is a significant advantage, offering incredible walkability for residents in the area, a feature highly appreciated by its clientele. This means if you live nearby, you can easily stroll over for a lunch-break class, an evening session, or a weekend workout, seamlessly integrating fitness into your daily life without the hassle of a drive. For those coming from other parts of Kalamazoo or surrounding communities, the Portage Street address is straightforward to find, with convenient access points. Being in downtown Kalamazoo also means you're close to a host of other local businesses and attractions. As one happy customer pointed out, you can "grab a coffee at Sweetwater or have lunch with a friend after a workout... all within walking distance!" This vibrant urban setting enhances the overall experience of visiting Move With Joy, making it a desirable destination for anyone in the Michigan region seeking accessible and engaging movement classes within a lively community.

Move With Joy offers a diverse and inclusive range of services designed to make movement accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Their commitment to flexibility and community is evident in their varied class offerings and pricing structures. Here are some of the key services you can expect:

• Dance Classes: The studio provides various dance classes, including dedicated youth dance programs. They aim to cater to different levels, ensuring that both beginners and those with some experience feel comfortable and challenged. Joy's passion for dance and teaching shines through in these classes.
• Yoga Classes: A core offering, Move With Joy provides yoga sessions that focus on connecting breath with movement, improving flexibility, reducing stress, and building overall well-being. These classes are designed to be suitable for all levels.
• Pilates Classes: The studio incorporates Pilates instruction, which focuses on building core strength, stability, and flexibility through controlled movements. This is a great complement to their other movement offerings.
• Dance Fitness Classes: For those looking for a high-intensity workout that's also incredibly fun, Move With Joy offers dance fitness classes. These provide an energetic way to unwind, get a full-body workout, and even "lose inches."
• Variety of Class Formats: The studio features a dynamic schedule with classes offered at convenient times, including lunch breaks during the week, as well as evening and weekend options, catering to diverse schedules.
• Affordable Pricing: Move With Joy is committed to making fitness accessible. Most classes are offered at a very reasonable drop-in rate of $10. They also provide punch cards, such as $40 for 5 classes, offering even greater value for regular attendees.
• Youth Programs and Scholarships: Recognizing the importance of youth engagement, the studio frequently offers scholarships for young individuals who wish to take their dance classes, demonstrating a deep commitment to the community.
• Free Community Classes: A testament to their community dedication, Joy and her partner frequently offer free classes to the wider community, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to experience the benefits of movement.
• Equipment Provided: To make participation easy and stress-free, the studio stocks everything you might need during a class, including yoga mats, blocks, bands, and other props.

Move With Joy distinguishes itself through a variety of unique features and highlights that consistently receive glowing praise from its members and underscore its value to the Michigan community:

• Enthusiastic and Supportive Leadership: Joy Morris-Burton, the owner and lead teacher, is consistently described as "enthusiastic and supportive," and someone who was "clearly born to teach!" Her ability to meet individuals "no matter where you are on your fitness journey" creates an incredibly welcoming and non-intimidating atmosphere.
• Community-Centric Philosophy: A standout highlight is Joy and her partner's profound "commitment to their community." This is exemplified by their frequent offering of free classes to the community and providing scholarships for youth to take dance classes, directly addressing accessibility barriers.
• Affordable and Flexible Class Options: The studio's pricing structure, with affordable $10 drop-in classes and punch card deals (e.g., $40 for 5 classes), makes high-quality fitness genuinely accessible. The option to simply drop in without a long-term commitment is also highly valued for busy individuals.
• Vibrant and Light-Filled Studio Space: The physical studio itself is a highlight, described as "light filled, and full of colorful artwork!" This aesthetic contributes to an uplifting and inspiring environment for movement and artistic appreciation.
• Diverse Class Offerings with Broad Appeal: While focusing on movement, the blend of dance, yoga, and Pilates, along with high-intensity dance fitness, caters to a wide range of preferences and fitness goals. The classes are challenging yet designed to be fun, helping people "unwind" while achieving results.
• Personalized Instruction in Smaller Settings: The studio's commitment to keeping class sizes "not crazy full" allows for "more hands-on instruction for the kids" (and presumably adults too), ensuring that each participant receives more individualized attention and proper guidance.
• Convenient Schedule and Walkability: The availability of classes at "convenient times like lunch break during the week, and also evening and weekend options," combined with its "walkable" location in downtown Milford, makes it incredibly easy for locals to incorporate fitness into their busy lives.
• Well-Equipped for Participant Needs: The fact that "Joy stocks everything you might need during a class, including yoga mats, blocks, bands, etc." removes any barriers to participation, making it easy for anyone to just "Go check it out!"
• Positive Impact on Youth: Parents note the incredible impact on children, with daughters being "so happy to be taking these classes," indicating the joy and positive experience fostered for younger participants.

For those eager to experience the supportive and energetic atmosphere at Move With Joy or to learn more about their diverse class schedule, here is their contact information:

• Address: 1103 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, USA
• Phone: (269) 352-9281

We highly encourage you to reach out directly to Move With Joy to inquire about their latest class offerings, current schedule, pricing details, and any community events or scholarship opportunities. Joy and her team will be delighted to welcome you and help you find the perfect class to begin or continue your movement journey.

For locals across Michigan, particularly those in Kalamazoo and the surrounding areas, Move With Joy is an exceptional and highly suitable destination for fitness, artistic expression, and community engagement. Its prime location in the walkable Edison neighborhood makes it incredibly convenient for daily integration into local life. What truly sets Move With Joy apart and makes it ideal for Michiganders is its profound commitment to accessibility and community spirit. The studio's affordable class prices, the availability of scholarships for youth, and frequent free community classes directly address barriers to participation, ensuring that the joy of movement is truly for everyone. Joy Morris-Burton's enthusiastic and supportive teaching style ensures that every individual, regardless of their starting point, feels welcome and capable of achieving their fitness goals. Furthermore, the light-filled studio, complemented by colorful local artwork, creates an uplifting and inspiring environment that feeds both body and soul. For Michigan residents seeking a fitness studio that offers diverse and challenging classes (from dance and yoga to Pilates), fosters a strong, welcoming community, and actively gives back to the neighborhood, Move With Joy in Kalamazoo is not just a great option—it's a vibrant hub where movement and community truly come alive.

For more about Move With Joy and their community initiatives, check out this video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVcy4_erbZk)

Move With Joy

1103 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, USA