Last week it was International Dance Day. I celebrated with a fun and spontaneous Zumba birthday party on YouTube to celebrate twenty years of Zumba. It was a ton of fun and totally unexpected. I couldn’t help but think about how I first got started with Zumba.
My mom was the person that said I should try it out. My first class was on Valentines day in 2011. I invited a friend to meet me at the place and dance with me. I had no idea what to expect. From my first class I was hooked. It was a great workout and the energy of the class was awesome. Figuring out fancy footwork and choreography made me excited and happy. I learned how to samba, salsa, and more and felt free dancing. Free from judgement and worry.
Every class gave me the chance to get out of my head and get my body moving. No matter whatever stressful situation I was in whether it was relationship problems, work drama or school assignments and deadlines, I would put that outside of my mind for the hour and just let it loose and sweat it out. It was a huge stress reliever for me. The levels of stress and depression I felt was overwhelmingly scary at times. Panic and anxiety attacks were a daily thing. I’m so happy and grateful I had a positive way to process and release some of the stress I was going through.
Zumba became a part of my weekly routine and went to at least 2 (if not 3 or 4) classes a week. I made friends with the teachers and other people taking the class. Something about good music and good energy brings people together.
I kept going even when I was pregnant with my son and continued after he was born. Some of the ladies would carry or play with him when he was a baby baby so I could enjoy the few minutes of dancing before I’d have to go back to reality. .To this day, Damian loves being around music and loves to dance. One of my favorite memories of him is when he was about two years old He got up on the stage with the teacher Jenn, and danced with her in front of the entire class of over 30 people. It was so adorably sweet.
The thing that I love the most about dance is it's own language all on its own. People from all over the world can feel the music even if they don’t understand the words. You’d think I’d know Spanish by now! LOL When I let my guard down and move to the rhythm I can enjoy it more fully. When I relax and feel the music instead of worry about what I look like or compare myself to others I am more successful at nailing the steps and timing.
I am soooooo very thankful for my Zumba family. They have been a constant part of my life for over 10 years and I’m ready to keep dancing and spreading good energy and love for many more years to come.
