OUR STORY

Defining a Cozy Dancer

A Cozy Dancer is someone who values balance, joy, and well-being—both in and out of the studio. It’s about showing up with heart, pursuing growth without burnout, and creating a dance life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and true to who you are.

At The Cozy Dancer, we believe that dancers don’t need to sacrifice their mental or physical health to succeed. We believe that reflection, rest, and intentional routines are powerful tools for longevity—not signs of weakness. We know the dance world can be demanding, and we’re not afraid to talk about the challenges: perfectionism, unrealistic body expectations, underfunding, long hours, and the constant pressure to perform. But we also believe in another way—a cozy way.

A Cozy Dancer listens to their body, honors their boundaries, and makes space for both discipline and gentleness. They journal between rehearsals, prioritize rest and recovery, and take time to check in with how they really feel—not just how they’re told to feel. They strive for progress, but they define success on their own terms. They take their training seriously, but they take their well-being even more seriously.

Being a Cozy Dancer doesn’t mean stepping back from your goals. It means approaching them with clarity, intention, and care. It means replacing hustle culture with a culture of wholeness—where dancers can thrive not just as artists, but as full, complex people.

We’re here to support that shift. Through thoughtful tools, heartfelt prompts, and a growing community of dancers who value rest and reflection, we’re building something meaningful—one cozy step at a time.

Cozy Dancers take care of their instruments...

Mind

We value mental wellness as much as physical training. Through mindfulness, journaling, and setting healthy boundaries, we help dancers cultivate a focused, resilient mindset that supports both their artistry and overall well-being

Body

Sustainable movement is key to a long, healthy dance life. We advocate for rest, recovery, and proper nourishment, encouraging dancers to honor their bodies instead of pushing them to the limit. Dance should be empowering, not exhausting

Soul

Dance should fill your cup, not empty it. We believe in finding joy, purpose, and community in dance, whether you're a professional, a student, or someone rediscovering movement. A cozy dancer moves through life with intention, passion, and fulfillment.

About Eliza

If I made a Venn diagram of everything I love—dance, coziness, reflection, and intentional living—Cozy Dancer would be right in the middle.

I’ve been a dancer for most of my life, and after earning my BFA in Dance and a minor in Exercise Science, I began teaching full-time. Like many dance educators, I threw myself into the work—teaching, choreographing, and balancing a packed schedule. After a year of 60-hour weeks, I started to feel the effects of burnout. That experience made me realize how urgently our field needs a shift—toward balance, sustainability, and taking care of our dancers as whole people.

But beyond the big picture, I also noticed a smaller, everyday need: space for reflection. I saw how powerful it was when my students were encouraged to pause and think about their goals, their progress, and their personal growth. I knew I wanted to create something that could support that kind of mindfulness—something dancers could use outside of class to feel more grounded, inspired, and connected to their journey.

That’s how Cozy Dancer began.

When I was younger, I made my own dance journals—printed pages spiral bound and filled with goals and thoughts. Now, I’m creating a more intentional version of that same tool: a guided journal for dancers who want to reflect, set goals, and grow with care. It’s designed from both a dancer’s heart and a teacher’s perspective—rooted in love for the art form and a deep desire to support dancers in sustainable, fulfilling ways.

Coziness, to me, isn’t just soft blankets and warm mugs (though I love those too). It’s about creating a life that feels calm, secure, and meaningful. Cozy Dancer is my way of sharing that feeling—with tools that support dancers in every step of their journey.