{"id":46007,"date":"2025-09-27T12:02:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T10:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/?p=46007"},"modified":"2025-09-22T12:17:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T10:17:47","slug":"dance-of-a-lifetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/blog\/2025\/09\/27\/dance-of-a-lifetime\/","title":{"rendered":"Dance of a lifetime"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We discover how ballroom dancing became one incredible couple\u2019s path to joy, wellness and the world stage.<\/p>\n<p>What better way to highlight the power of movement during Mental Health Awareness Month than through dance? Meet Edlena and Mark Leslie-Smith, a professional ballroom duo for whom ballroom dancing isn\u2019t just a hobby. It\u2019s their shared passion, wellness tool, creative outlet and connection point &#8211; one they\u2019ve nurtured since the day they got married 26 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>Now the Durban North couple is preparing to represent South Africa at the World Professional Ballroom Championships in Tokyo &#8211; a highlight in a career filled with sparkle, stamina and steadfast love. But their story isn\u2019t just about trophies and titles. It\u2019s about resilience, romance and how dancing together has shaped their lives from the inside out. And it all started with a wedding waltz. Literally.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_46028\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-46028\" style=\"width: 306px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-46028\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0014-1-306x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"306\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0014-1-306x400.jpg 306w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0014-1-784x1024.jpg 784w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0014-1-768x1003.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0014-1-322x420.jpg 322w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0014-1-696x909.jpg 696w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0014-1.jpg 827w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-46028\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: SETH COYNE Styled by: KEVIN ELLIS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe had set our wedding date,\u201d says Edlena, \u201cand Mark said he didn\u2019t want to just shuffle about the dance floor.\u201d So, they signed up for social dance classes and worked on a routine with local dance instructor Claudia Moir. That first dance sparked something way bigger than they expected.<\/p>\n<p>Soon after, Claudia entered them into their first competition. \u201cMark wasn\u2019t keen at all,\u201d laughs Edlena, \u201cbut after some persuading, he agreed. We danced in a beginner section &#8211; and won!\u201d From there, it was game on. They trained harder, entered more competitions, and slowly immersed themselves in the world of ballroom.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Edlena (57) and Mark (who is 64) have built an extraordinary life through dance &#8211; one that includes parenting three talented sons (all musically and culturally gifted), running successful businesses, and dancing competitively across the globe.<\/p>\n<p>Edlena is a beauty therapist and holistic health practitioner. \u201cMy work is all about wellness and helping people feel their best. Just like I feel when I\u2019m in a ballgown with my hair and makeup done &#8211; it\u2019s about that feel-good factor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mark is an architect in KZN, having designed some of the province\u2019s most luxurious homes. The couple\u2019s flexible work schedules have allowed them to train at a high-performance level while still managing their professional careers.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, Edlena and Mark received the invitation of a lifetime: to represent South Africa at the World Professional Ballroom Championships in Tokyo this month.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s our dream come true,\u201d says Edlena. After competing as amateurs for years, their coach Daryl Bennewith encouraged them to turn professional last year. \u201cWe never imagined it would lead here so quickly,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_46030\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-46030\" style=\"width: 305px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-46030\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0114-1-305x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"305\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0114-1-305x400.jpg 305w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0114-1-780x1024.jpg 780w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0114-1-768x1008.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0114-1-320x420.jpg 320w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0114-1-696x913.jpg 696w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0114-1.jpg 823w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 305px) 100vw, 305px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-46030\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: SETH COYNE Styled by: KEVIN ELLIS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Training includes two to three weekly coaching sessions, gym work for fitness and flexibility, and plenty of practice. \u201cIt\u2019s tough, but we love it. Ballroom is both a sport and an art form. You have to be physically fit, mentally focused, and emotionally connected &#8211; all at once.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Edlena and Mark, ballroom dancing is much more than competition &#8211; it\u2019s their form of therapy. \u201cIt\u2019s my happy place,\u201d Edlena says. \u201cIt uplifts me emotionally, connects me spiritually, and keeps me grounded. Even during pregnancy, I danced through my nausea &#8211; it was the only time I felt truly well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mark shares the same emotional connection. \u201cEach dance has a mood and a story. The Waltz is dreamy, the Tango is fiery, and the Slow Foxtrot &#8211; my favourite &#8211; is all about control and flow.\u201d The couple also believe in the visual joy of the sport. \u201cIt\u2019s uplifting to dress well, feel confident and present your best self on the dancefloor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Their message to others keen on learning to move like they do? Anyone can dance. \u201cEven if you think you have two left feet, the connection you feel from moving in unison with someone else is healing. Start with a few steps &#8211; you\u2019ll gain confidence and joy from there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Edlena and Mark\u2019s journey has taken them to Belgium, Canada, Spai, and the iconic Wintergardens in Blackpool, UK &#8211; where they\u2019ve competed in the British Open Championships five times. They\u2019ve held the title of South African Senior Champions for six years, undefeated.<\/p>\n<p>And their most memorable moments? \u201cToo many to count,\u201d they say. Most embarrassing? \u201cIn Canada, Mark tripped during the Viennese Waltz and fell,\u201d recalls Edlena. \u201cBut he got up like nothing happened &#8211; and we kept going.\u201d That moment led to a lifelong friendship with a Canadian couple who had previously lived in South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead, the couple also plans to attend the 100th British Open Championships in Blackpool in 2026. \u201cIt\u2019s a major goal for us,\u201d says Edlena.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re also passionate about building the local dance scene in Durban. Through DanceWorld at Northlands Bowling Club, they coach competitive dancers and social enthusiasts alike. \u201cThe ballroom community here is alive and growing,\u201d says Edlena. They also enjoy Argentine Tango, and Edlena recently ventured into Country Western dance, winning a European title in Belfast this year with Kevin Ellis, a world champion line dancer.<\/p>\n<p>Their dream? To get more people dancing &#8211; and especially, more men. \u201cMost women want to dance,\u201d says Edlena, \u201cand it\u2019s such a fun, glamorous way to de-stress and stay active.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Edlena and Mark have always funded their international trips themselves &#8211; even down to their SA tracksuits. But, as they prepare for Tokyo, they are hoping for a little sponsorship support that will go a long way towards their travel and accommodation expenses.<\/p>\n<p>Details:<em> If you\u2019d like to support, collaborate, or learn to dance, get in touch with Edlena on email: edlena@gns.co.za or you can follow the couple\u2019s adventures on IG: @edlenalesliesmith<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_46033\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-46033\" style=\"width: 301px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-46033\" src=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0207-1-301x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"301\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0207-1-301x400.jpg 301w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0207-1-772x1024.jpg 772w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0207-1-768x1019.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0207-1-317x420.jpg 317w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0207-1-696x923.jpg 696w, https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/DSC_0207-1.jpg 814w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 301px) 100vw, 301px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-46033\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: SETH COYNE Styled by: KEVIN ELLIS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>The benefits of ballroom dancing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Moving to music is more than just fun &#8211; it\u2019s healing, too.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Boosts mood naturally<\/strong>\u00a0 Dancing releases endorphins and dopamine &#8211; your brain\u2019s natural happy chemicals &#8211; reducing anxiety and elevating mood.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reduces stress and tension<\/strong>\u00a0 Focusing on steps and movement pulls your mind away from stress and lowers cortisol levels, promoting calm.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Improves cognitive function<\/strong> Learning choreography keeps your brain sharp,<\/p>\n<p>enhancing memory, coordination and concentration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strengthens social connection<\/strong> Ballroom dancing is about partnership,<\/p>\n<p>communication and community &#8211; key ingredients for emotional resilience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Promotes mindfulness and presence<\/strong> Dancing requires being present &#8211; tuning into your body, your partner and the music. It\u2019s moving meditation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We discover how ballroom dancing became one incredible couple\u2019s path to joy, wellness and the world stage. What better way to highlight the power of movement during Mental Health Awareness Month than through dance? Meet Edlena and Mark Leslie-Smith, a professional ballroom duo for whom ballroom dancing isn\u2019t just a hobby. It\u2019s their shared passion, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":46034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[11918,11917,11919,7614],"class_list":{"0":"post-46007","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-personalities","8":"tag-ballroom-dancing","9":"tag-edlena-leslie-smith","10":"tag-mark-leslie-smith","11":"tag-mental-health-awareness"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dance of a lifetime - Get it Highway &amp; Berea<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/blog\/2025\/09\/27\/dance-of-a-lifetime\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Dance of a lifetime - Get it Highway &amp; Berea\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We discover how ballroom dancing became one incredible couple\u2019s path to joy, wellness and the world stage. What better way to highlight the power of movement during Mental Health Awareness Month than through dance? Meet Edlena and Mark Leslie-Smith, a professional ballroom duo for whom ballroom dancing isn\u2019t just a hobby. 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