Health and Fitness / swing
‘I want to create a community of people who can experience the joy of dance in a safe space’
A “perfect marriage” of swing dance and fitness, Hazel Crimmins has been combining the two disciplines for almost half a decade.
The Totterdown-based personal trainer is also a SwingTrain tutor. Using the joy and community feel of swing dancing and the cardio workout of the dance style’s swing moves, Hazel uses the sounds of Charleston, swing, gospel, electro swing and hot jazz to lead classes that “pulse with joy and positivity”.
“I got involved in the national swing dance scene a number of years ago and was a regular fixture DJing and attending social dance events up and down the country.
is needed now More than ever
“This is how I became friends with the Swing Patrol crew who later pioneered the SwingTrain Project.”
Six years ago, SwingTrain launched its first teacher training session, and Hazel was one of the first to become a tutor for the organisation.
Hazel Crimmins is in her fourth year of running SwingTrain sessions
Having previously been a circus performer, already working as a personal trainer and with a love for swing dancing, Hazel says: “I jumped at the chance to combine two of my passions, and a few weeks later we were running the first classes.
“We foster friendships as well as fitness at the Bristol SwingTrain sessions. The music and atmosphere is designed to be supportive and uplifting.”
Having launched virtual classes during the pandemic, Hazel is has also led sessions in Arnos Vale Cemetery.
Now in her fourth year of running classes, Hazel has trained new SwingTrainers and choreographed her own routines which will soon be rolled out to all SwingTrain classes – from Bristol to Australia.
SwingTrain is a combination of swing dance and fitness
Having travelled across the world as a circus performer, she always returns to Bristol.
“The reason it’s so much fun running classes in Bristol is the same reason its so wonderful to live here. I’ve travelled and lived all round the world and, honestly, it’s all about the people,” adds the 40-year-old.
“The people of Bristol are warm, creative, non-judgemental and really interesting! I couldn’t imagine doing this anywhere else.
“I want to create a community of people who can experience the joy of dance in a safe space. I want to inspire them to be confident and be supportive of one another.
“But most importantly I want them to know that being healthy is about enjoying and developing the capacity of your own body and has nothing to do with what you look like.”
All photos: Hazel Crimmins
Read more: ‘I want to empower people to feel great in their bodies’
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