Steps to heaven: How dancing can change your life

• Scott Maslen and Natalie Lowe are one of the favourites to win Strictly this time

This month, Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop launched a new initiative, Get Scotland Dancing, which aims to get the nation on their feet to enjoy the myriad benefits dance has to offer. The programme is part of the Scotland Active Nation campaign, which is using the 2014 Commonwealth Games to inspire Scots to get active.

Dancing has enjoyed a boost in popularity since shows like Strictly Come Dancing arrived on the air. In fact, in the final episode of the first series of the show in 2004, host Bruce Forsyth boasted the show had inspired half a million people to take up ballroom dancing. Dance is an activity that's open to everyone, and there's a style to suit all tastes.

It was on these principles that Liz Smith founded DanceFun in Edinburgh. Set up in January 2009, the classes are open to women of all ages and abilities, and celebrate the benefits of dance beyond health and fitness.

"Dancing is one activity that can unite everyone across the spectrum of age, ability, motivation, and background," she says. "People come along with various reasons for wanting to get more active through dance – and after a few weeks their stories come through.

"Beyond the standard 'get fit, get in shape' message, some of our ladies want to gain confidence, get out and meet people, leave the stresses of their lives behind and do something completely different for an hour or so."

It's no exaggeration to say that for some people, dancing has been life-changing. Here we speak to three women whose lives changed for the better when they put on their dancing shoes.

CAROL WEIR, 52, FROM EDINBURGH

'It's a superb way of switching off from my busy lifestyle'

"I'M a principal teacher, a mother of two teenagers and I'm acting headteacher at the moment, so my life can be quite hectic. My job can also be stressful, so it's good for me to have something in my life which allows me to relax. When you've got so much on it's not easy to find the motivation to take a class, but with dancing, I find that it's something I look forward to.

"A year ago a group of us at work decided to go to a class together. We learn a new routine in a different style every week, which is great because none of us worry about missing a week if we have to. Next up is Zoomba, which should be fun. I definitely think that dancing has given me a new appreciation for just how much hard work dance can be. I watch something like Strictly Come Dancing, and I can imagine how much time and effort goes into one short routine.

"Before I took up dancing I wasn't all that active. It's improved my fitness immensely, but what I've found mostly is that it's a superb way of switching off from my busy lifestyle.

"For one hour, once a week, all I have to focus on is a routine and making sure I get it right. My mind empties and I feel like I can let go a bit. It's the same with the people I dance with. We're all focusing on helping each other get it right.

"I like the feeling that I'm doing something positive that's just for me. Sometimes it can be difficult to fit it into my life.

"I'll think, 'Well I could spend that hour doing the ironing,' but then once I'm doing it and after the class it really feels like it's worth it. I leave the class with a real buzz, and I certainly feel more healthy and like it gives me a bit more energy.

"I also love the social side of dancing. It's been a nice way of meeting other people, and we all laugh a lot. It's great that there's no sense of competition or of point-scoring.

"There are no winners or losers, and it doesn't matter if some people happen to be better than others. It's a very supportive, positive environment and I don't feel any pressure. I just have fun."VICKY MCMILLAN, 55 FROM PAISLEY

'The first time I got to my feet on the dancefloor was very emotional'

"I WAS diagnosed with systemic lupus on my brain 12 years ago and it was a very difficult time for me. I found it hard to come to terms with my illness and I put on a lot of weight. I was 18 stone and confined to a wheelchair.

"A couple of years ago I decided to go along to the contemporary dance class on offer at a Disabled Resource Centre in Paisley. For a while I wheeled around in the class, but I knew I wanted to do more and I was determined to get out of the chair. I joined a gym to improve the strength in my legs, and it wasn't long before I could get up and dance out of the chair.

"The first time I got to my feet on the dancefloor was a very emotional moment. My family were all there, and everyone was crying. They hadn't seen me out of my wheelchair for ten years. Now I dance for at least two hours each week and I'm down to nine stone. My doctors at Southern General are amazed at my mobility now and are keen to introduce dance as a remedial therapy. I have had lots of opportunities through dance. I performed in Glasgow at the CCA and at the Fringe. I had only been to Edinburgh once before, and I would never in my life have thought that I would be able to get up and dance in front of someone. I also participate in workshops in special schools encouraging people to dance regardless of their disability.

"Dance has completely changed my life. It's given me a lot of confidence and the friends I've made are amazing. I was so ill at one point in my life that I felt close to giving up. Now my sons say I'm a lot happier and like a different person.

"Before I was just sitting in my chair watching everyone else enjoy themselves. Now it gives me something to look forward to and I'll keep going for as long as I can. If I stop I'll be nothing. You are only as old as you feel. Your body will tell you when to stop – mine hasn't said anything yet!"SANDRA WESTON, 64 FROM EDINBURGH

'Dance gives me a really uplifting feeling. I leave each class on a high'

"UNTIL I took up dancing recently, I hadn't danced since I was a child when I went to Scottish country dancing classes. About 18 months ago I was looking for an indoor activity to try out, which didn't involve sports or the gym, because neither really appeal to me, and I thought of dancing.

"I don't think I would have normally gone to a dance class, but I saw a belly dancing class at Dance Base which was specifically for 'mature movers'. If it hadn't been targeted at my age group, I don't think I'd have gone along. I didn't feel like any kind of dance class would be open to someone of my age.

"I was pleased to find that the class wasn't totally focused on exercise, but that fitness was simply one of the many benefits of dancing. It's creative and friendly and as someone who didn't have a lot of hobbies before, it's given me a new interest to focus on.

"After the belly dancing class, I joined one called 'Golden' which is for people over 60. We do different styles of dance each week, and so far we've done everything from ballet and burlesque to Bollywood dancing and Pilates. It's great to be able to try out lots of different types of dance, and everyone has a bit of a laugh doing it.

"I've met people from different walks of life, and dance gives me a really uplifting feeling. I leave each class on a high. Now I have an incentive to become fitter so that I can dance better, and I've started going to exercise and toning classes.

"It's also improved my confidence. 'Golden' is funded by the Scottish Arts Council, so they often come in to film our classes.

"At first I was really unsure about that, but as time's gone on, I've just ignored them and enjoyed myself. I feel more confident, less self-aware, and really carefree now. Before, I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to give this interview.

"I was pleasantly surprised that there are so many benefits to dance. Another thing that's been great is that I've become a lot more interested in going to the theatre to watch other people dancing. I feel like dance has opened so many doors for me."