Not all of our movements improve our well being. Consider the sore neck you got from wrapping gifts and the backache from standing over a hot oven to make holiday cookies.

Wending your way through the maze of shoppers at the mall didn't do much for your leg muscles, either.

Janet Furtney, owner of Improvement Thru Movement, hopes her diverse class offerings can peel away the stress from our everyday lives, not just during the holidays but all year. The Bethel Park studio, at 5727 Library Road, takes a different approach to dance and fitness.

"We offer classes that don't stress competition, but wellness for both children and adults. It's an innovative, preventative approach to health and wellness. We apply principles of dance, stretch, nutrition and mental relaxation to help people of all ages," Ms. Furtney said.

The South Park woman has been a dance instructor for more than 35 years, specializing in ballet. Her studio is just short of a year old and has been Ms. Furtney's life dream.

"Being an older adult myself, who continues to want to dance, and knowing the stress we are under today, I realize it's important to do what you love to do in a healthy way," she said.

Bakers, wrappers and shoppers can unwind in "Techniques for Giving a Basic Massage," a six-hour course for couples to learn the basics of massage therapy from a trained therapist. Bring a friend or significant other for the remaining three classes. Tomorrow, participants will learn about massaging neck and shoulders; Dec. 29, hands and arms; and Jan. 8, feet. Individual sessions are $25 per couple and the class is from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

Looking for something different? There's Masala Bhangra, a high energy folk dance that blends traditional and exotic Indian dance moves; Zumba, a Latin-based cardio dance class; Contra, an English folk dance class similar to square dancing and fun for families; as well as Pilates, yoga, ballet, tap and hip hop.

Good habits begin early, Mrs. Furtney said. So she has developed a yoga for moms and babies class and Zumba for preschool and elementary age children.

"Pilates or yoga are a great way for kids and teens involved in sports to build strength in their core muscles along with their legs and back to help prevent possible injuries. Yoga increases flexibility, reduces stress and teaches deep breathing skills, all of which are important for athletes," Ms. Furtney stressed.

For couples, a new ballroom dance class is forming for January.

"It's a great way to have a date night, spend time together laughing and enjoying each other's company. Not only are you learning, but you can take it out of the studio,'' she said.

The studio offers a continuing series, "All About You," under the guidance of life coach and author Diana Fletcher that focuses on stress reduction. A workshop, "How to Enjoy the Holidays," will have a follow-up session in January.

As the studio grows, Ms. Furtney hopes to offer musical theater for youngsters and nutrition classes for diabetics.

She started the studio with 10 students. "They've been part of my 'ballet family' for 15 to 20 years. They are the ones who inspired me. We'd say, 'Wouldn't it be nice to have a key and just have a place to go where we can dance as long as we want?' "

Cindy Biery, of Mt. Lebanon, is a longtime student.

"I'm a closet ballet dancer. Janet makes it fun and she helps you appreciate movement and music," she said.

Ms. Furtney said her goal is to create a family atmosphere while offering many forms of exercise. She especially wanted to offer something different for women.

"I'm a better dancer now than when I was 12," said Jan Costello, of Venetia, who takes both Zumba and ballet. "She is a real ballet teacher. She inspires you to improve."

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