Dance like a Mother, an award-winning babywearing dance class, has been in Monton for nearly 10 years, with the group recently starting a second weekly session.
The Monton group, located at the Monton Unitarian Church, is instructed by Faith Mary Popplestone from Cadishead.
Faith described how she first began the classes with her daughter Esther during her maternity, and instantly knew that’s what she wanted to do: “It’s the only class I did through my maternity religiously. It was the one that I felt like I was seen as a mum, as a person, I wasn’t just a mum, I was Faith.
“Even if you’re not a dancer and even if you’ve never danced in your life and you’re so out of your comfort zone, it’s not about dancing. It’s about more than that, it’s about being you.”
Faith quit her job to become an instructor, leaving her previous role at The Chill Factor. She said: “I just couldn’t juggle both, and I wanted to do more classes, so it made sense.”
During classes, parents wear their babies in soft, structured carriers. The dancing lulls many babies asleep, allowing for a relaxing experience for both the parent and child.
Faith spoke of how many mums describe it as the closest thing to having a night out since having a baby, with music playing while you’re dancing.
A social session also takes place after the class, allowing time to get to know other mums. Faith said how everyone’s walls are down, as “you’ve got the good juices flowing around your body” post-dance, with the Thursday session being followed by a trip to the café and lunch.
The class aims to get your body moving, dopamine hits, good endorphins, meeting like-minded mums and having a laugh.
In the future, Faith aims to open another Salford class and launch a fully-funded class.
The group was formed by Nikki Baillie in 2016, who was a professional dancer and Zumba instructor when she became pregnant, started the group after not being able to find mothers she connected with.
She said: “I was living in Salford and desperate to get out and meet other Mums, as it was quite isolating in those early months.
“At the time, I found most groups were aimed solely at baby or sometimes would feel quite cliquey. There was nowhere to fully be yourself and just feel joy, while having your baby happy and close.”
All instructors are babywearing peer support trained, Nikki said: “Baby-wearing is just pure magic. There are so many positive benefits to wearing your baby, and we are here to support parents if they have a carrier or need to use one of ours for a class.
“Everyone is fitted, safe and comfy and yes, even the nap avoiders fall asleep.
“The babies are so calm that it provides respite for parents to just have fun and relax.”
The group is spread all over Manchester, with classes in Stockport, Warrington and Prestwich, and the National Lottery provides free funded spaces for those from low-income families and those under 25 attending the sessions.
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