Every July, the Keep Fit Association’s Laban Dance and Sit & Stay Fit community gathers for a weekend of creativity, connection, and choreography—and this year’s event on 19–20 July in Leicester was no exception. From expressive movement to specialist training, the weekend was a joyful celebration of everything we love about dance.
What a Weekend!
From the moment the doors opened, the energy was electric. Teachers and trainers from across the UK came together to refine technique, explore new choreography, and reconnect with their passion for movement.
We kicked off with Dancing with Gravity, led by Cathy Washbrooke—a powerful exploration of Laban’s principles of weight, space, and time. The session unlocked new layers of artistry and transformed everyday movement into expressive performance.
Sheila Bryan followed with Sway, Create, and Conquer, guiding us through body flow and energising choreography with flair and purpose. Frances Dickins took us on an adventure into the Dimensional Cross and Octahedron, showing how spatial forms can elevate classwork and performance.
Maureen Chitty’s seated training with resistance bands was a standout for teachers working with older adults and those with limited mobility—fun, interactive, and deeply impactful. Jan Shapley’s Brush Up Your Diagonals brought structure and sparkle to our choreography, while Ivy Purdham’s musical journey helped us dance to the beat of tango, lyrical, and everything in between.
And to close the first day, Cathy Washbrooke invited us to create a choir of movement—a symphony of motion that captured the joy of collective expression.
What Participants Said
Here’s what our teachers had to say:
“Totally enjoyable and motivating weekend. Trainer choices were excellent with clear objectives for the style of training.”
“The training was excellent, the hotel was good, and it was lovely to meet other teachers face to face.”
“Sessions were informative and inspiring—I really enjoyed them.”
“Great opportunity to gain training hours, update skills, and get ideas for classwork.”
“I haven’t attended Concordat in person for quite a few years. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, making sure we were involved.”
“I love being involved in national training and meeting up with KFA trainers and friends from other regions to share ideas and knowledge.”
“It’s the only national training event I attend for the high standard of training.”
Why Teachers Keep Coming Back
Teachers praised Concordat for its unique blend of professional development and personal connection:
· “An outstanding opportunity to receive training from leading national experts while connecting face-to-face with teachers from across the country.”
· “A chance to share my love of dancing with like-minded people—many of whom are my age!”
· “It’s the only national training event I attend for the high standard of training.”
· “The programme was excellent, and all the trainers I worked with were outstanding.”
Concordat continues to offer a space where teachers feel welcomed, inspired, and professionally enriched.
Importantly, many respondents expressed satisfaction with the current format and flexibility to choose topics that suit their needs.
Final Reflections
The closing comments were filled with warmth and gratitude:
· “I was really pleased with how the event went and the reconnection with like-minded people. I will be attending again.”
· “Well done to the organisers—a brilliant job.”
· “I prefer face-to-face training and hope Concordat continues in that format.”
· “Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to run this event.”
From sandwiches to sessions, every detail was appreciated—and every contribution made a difference.
As we look ahead to future Concordats, this feedback reinforces what we already know: our teachers thrive when given space to learn, connect, and celebrate their shared passion for movement. Concordat is more than an event—it’s a community in motion.
Save the Date: 18–19 July 2026
Next year’s Laban Dance Weekend is already shaping up to be another unforgettable experience. Whether you’re leaping, learning, or leading, this is your chance to level up your skills, connect with a passionate community, and be inspired.
Want to join the fun? Contact kfatraining@emduk.org to book your place. 100% of participants from 2025 would recommend Concordat to other