The 3,000 miles between California and Fort Myers no longer separate Lisa and Keith Banks from their dream of enhancing wellness, mobility and flexibility for non-dancers of all ages. The master dance educators recently left behind their successful Studio 10 Dance, in San Jose, to come to Southwest Florida, where they opened Movement 4 Life to teach and convey the importance of dance to life and learning beyond the studio.

The relocation was also motivated by a mutual decision to continue working on a documentary film about a friend diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “Our friend built a beautiful home in Fort Myers. We had been working with her at Studio 10 Dance, using a variation of stretching exercises, bodywork and energy work to help her remain mobile and maintain a positive mindset,” explain the couple, who are both certified level three practitioners of Reconnective Healing, a type of energy healing created by chiropractic physician Eric Pearl, author of The Reconnection: Heal Others, Heal Yourself.

Lisa and Keith combine their 25 years of professional dance experience with Reconnective Healing in the field of sensitivity to body movement to enhance overall wellness and wisdom. This form of energy work operates on the belief that changes in the “life force” of the body can affect human health and healing. By using an all-inclusive spectrum of healing frequencies to uncover and harmonize the root causes of imbalances at an energetic level, the healers work to inhibit the imbalances from solidifying as illness in the body.

“The positive feedback that we have received from the community since we opened affirms that our decision to move here wasn’t just about us. It was also about helping others,” says Keith, who is recognized for his coaching, choreography and personal fitness training for dancers that tour with pop singers such as Lady Gaga and Niki Minaj. He also mentored choreographer Nick Lazzarini, the season one winner of Fox Television’s So You Think You Can Dance and founding member of the Los Angeles-based dance company Shaping Sound.

Lisa, who co-owned Studio 10 Dance for 15 years, is executive producer of Caribe Road, an award-winning web-series drama, and has also produced commercials, television programs, fashion shows and charitable events. “It’s so exciting that I am getting new opportunities here for pouring my enthusiasm, background and experience with all skill levels and individuals of all ages into everything that Keith and I are doing and plan to do,” she remarks.

This year, the Banks are especially looking forward to teaching basic dance and “street funk” to children at Six Mile Charter Academy, in Fort Myers. “Street funk is a blend of creative dance, hip hop, break dance, tumbling and conditioning. Initially, the class will be scheduled as an after-school club to enhance a burgeoning performing arts program. Elements of music appreciation, showmanship and personal goal setting will be woven into the club for optimal benefit,” advises Keith, who served on the teaching staff at Evergreen Valley College and San Jose State University, both in San Jose, California. “Teaching allowed me to put to work my Bachelor of Science degree in dance and pre-physical therapy from Kansas State University. Now, we are here to teach individuals of all ages how to reconnect their inner and outer energy flow with movement and basic dance.”

The Movement 4 Life schedule comprises dance classes, such as Basic Movement 4 Life, Creative Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Street Jazz, as well as instruction in meditation, relaxation/stress reduction, body and mind awareness, body shaping and toning, movement efficiency and similar topics. Private coaching, workshops and couples classes are also offered. In-home and community offerings are a fusion of dance, fitness and energy training. “We also offer these teachings in the workplace, school or in any location that our clients choose,” advises Lisa.

Movement 4 Life is located at 12450 Metro Pkwy., in Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-841-4044, email [email protected] or visit Movement4Life.us.