I empower big-hearted members of the community and carers with the knowledge and skills so that they can lead safe, engaging, seated movement sessions for those with age-related limitations.
How did I get here?
I have lived my life enjoying dance and fitness in many capacities. In 2012 something happened that made me look at my skills in a different way…
My life-loving Mother-in-Law Mavis moved into care at the age of 91. It was a very challenging time for her and our family. The fun-loving lady that we all knew was withdrawing, not wanting to have visits from lifelong friends, and was unwilling to make new friends by joining activities at her new home.
I had to do something…
Thankfully the care home was open to new ideas as they allowed me to run some seated movement sessions with the residents. The residents enjoyed the sessions greatly but I knew I could do better. I felt I needed to dive deeper to meet a greater range their needs.
I couldn’t find anyone that was teaching a method of how to teach this type of class. It required such a unique skill and knowledge set so I had to put all the pieces together myself. I became obsessed with studying to learn all I could to get my class just right.
Very quickly news of my classes spread and I became so busy that I couldn’t keep up with requests for my classes. I was working with a varied range of residents and leading 5 to 6 classes a week in many care homes across Melbourne. I knew I needed help so that more people could experience the empowerment that the Love to Live Program brings.
So, I put all of my experience of leading over 2000 classes into an instructor training program suited to beginners.
I now guide a team of instructors to lead their own sessions and, of course, I still run live and virtual sessions myself. I couldn’t go without that, I love it so much. Helping others makes me feel so happy.
Michelle x
Michelle Harrison’s education includes:
Cert 4 in Disability
Cert 4 in Leisure and Health
Cert 3 in Fitness Gym Instructor and Group Fitness Instructor
Zumba Fitness Instructor/Zumba Gold
Seated Movement Exercise Leader – Musculoskeletal Australia
Understanding Dementia and Preventing Dementia MOOC – Wicking Institute, Tasmania
Trainings for corporate groups and individuals.
Live seated Movement to Music experience.
Virtual seated Movement to Music experience.
I’m here to ensure you achieve your goals…
Since 2019 I’ve helped over 90 kind-hearted people from all over Australia and NZ to get started to lead seated movement sessions in the aged care community.
If you’ve ever thought you would like to lead this type of session and give back to the community, but felt that you didn’t have the right knowledge or skills, or that it’s just too far outside your comfort zone, you’re in the right place.
Through my simple, step-by-step trainings, you’ll learn how to make your seated movement class as amazing as it can be - no matter your starting point.
“I did my first Love to Live class this morning at my Mum's aged care centre. It was the first group activity she had done for a long time. It was great to see her involved and smiling.
The residents asked me to come back next week. They were amazing! I didn't know what to expect, but they all seemed to enjoy and have fun. Thank you Michelle for all that you do for us.”
Deb Ruggiero
Daughter, Love to Live Angel - Perth
Dance and music is a huge part of my life
Dance and music is a huge part of both mine and my families every day life. We are greatly enriched by the connections, fitness and fun that dance and music brings into it.
We adore our rescue pup Lexi
Whenever Lexi isn’t snoozing we love to get her out and about. Lexi came into our life when she was three. Her first few years were not so great, so we like to make sure her next ones are loaded with fun adventures.
