Åsa Fornander – dancer, yoga teacher, group training profile and entrepreneur with 3 unique dance concepts. She is one of Sweden’s most established instructors & presenters and also teaches regularly in her favorite city NY. Where she for six years has arranged a dance trip and the seventh will be in April 2022. With her great charm, creativity and with a bubbling energy she owns whatever stage she takes. We are incredibly happy to team up with Åsa when we launches the movement class Curam Recovery at Workout Åre in August. We meet Åsa on a sunny day in June at her favorite spot Mälarpaviljongen to hear about her love of dance and movements as a form of expression.

How did you end up where you are today?

I went to the dance program in high school and have worked full time with dance and training in various forms throughout my adult life. I ended up right away quite simply. I love the fact that I can constantly find new ways to develop and learn more. Nowadays I have three concepts of my own; AfHo®, Barre Move (together with Maria Olofsson) and Dance Detox Flow who are all different – but still have in common that it should be conscious training that involves both brain and heart.

What do movements mean to you?

Movement is EVERYTHING. It is a freedom, a privilege, a release, a way to feel better and for me a vital necessity.

What does dance give you that you don´t get from other forms of training?

Whether I’m happy, sad or angry, I can dance it out.I can express what I feel in motion and it must be exactly as it is. It can be raw, hard and primitive as well as it can be soft and graceful. For me, it has been a way to get rid of excess energy as well as a way to replenish new energy. A way to find calm and focus – at the same time as it is a way to let go and loosen your grip on everything that weighs on you.

I think dance is unbeatable as training because you train both mobility and strength and body control that benefits you in ALL other types of training. It is organic and dynamic – which my body loves and since I am constantly present in what I do, I do not even think about it as “training”.

You are now also a yoga teacher, how did you get in touch with it and what does yoga mean to you?

In high school we had a subject called “dance training”. Afterwards, I understood that it was a combination of yoga and pilates. But I did not know then that it was. For me, it was just movements, right then. A little over 15 years ago, I got really hooked on yoga – and in the beginning it was mostly about movements, but gradually the whole philosophy got me.

And now yoga is something I practice daily. Both physically – but also the philosophy. EVERYONE should do yoga. EVERYONE should read, and practice, yoga philosophy. Then the world would be so much kinder.

If you did not work with what you are doing, what would you do?

Oh, I would probably be an actress. Or run a dog shelter. Or be a florist – imagine being surrounded by flowers all day long. Or something else that involves rescuing and caring for animals.

Is there any form of exercise/activity you have not yet tried that you are curious about?

Yes – I want to learn to surf. I have never tried it but I really believe I would like it. But I’m a little cowardly when it comes to water – the sea has such incredible power – at the same time I love it and I love swimming.

Do you have any concrete goals with your training/dance purely personal and goals regarding your profession?

Unfortunately, I had a slump last year. (since I was sick in corona April 2020) I have pushed my body extremely hard over the years and have not always been so kind to myself. And now it has said no – and I have struggled with a lot of migraines, tension pain and unidentifiable pain and most recently knee problems, which means that I am currently on sick leave. So right now I am trying to sleep more, rest more, doing rehab, prehab, and give love and care for my body to come back stronger than ever.

Professionally, I always strive to deliver quality – not to stagnate and never do anything just routine. To always find ways to grow and develop. And to be strong.

You have been using Curam’s cups for some time. How do you think they work for you?

I love them. I use the static daily, and mainly on the legs. The tractus band (connective tissue strip on the outside thigh) the tensor and the gluteus medius & minimus (the smaller gluteal muscles on the outside). And on the calves. When needed, I also use them up in the chest and neck.

I like the dynamic and also like to use it on my legs, 1-2 times a week. The cups are just so good and I think EVERYONE would feel good about a little more Curam in their everyday life.

You have happily agreed to lead the premiere class of Curam Recovery together with us at Workout Åre in August. Why do you think you should try this new concept class?

I genuinely think that the cups are really good – and really contribute to faster recovery. Getting them into a recovery class is great if you ask me – which you do;)

Then I think it’s fun with news that is really good, not “just” news. I really believe in the concept and I am very happy for our collaboration.

Thanks Åsa, so are we!