Whispers Wellness Series #5: Show up for Yourself

The dream that scares you

The workout class you won’t try

The recipe that seems too complex

The work project you feel unworthy of

Just…. Do…. It

I remember very clearly my first Zumba class January 1st 2023. With a renewed commitment to my health, a friend invited me to go to class with her. 13 min in, I had to take a break against the wall. I realized I was very much out of shape and considered walking out of class. At that moment the Instructor said to everyone “don’t give up” and those words helped me finish. The atmosphere was so uplifting, I wanted to to keep going.

Now, at least 3 times a week you can find me in a YMCA Zumba studio. Finding Zumba changed the way I thought about exercise. I went from dreading movement, to joining a community of people that elevate movement in a way that’s fun…. And really a party 🎉 💃🏽! If you think my experience is unique take a peek at this post I wrote about Zumba research. It actually is scientific!

At Whispers we believe Physical wellness encompasses a variety of healthy behaviors including adequate exercise, and proper nutrition.

➡️ Enter Ms. Tatyana Brown! Educator, Friend, and Zumba Instructor extraordinaire! We’re lucky here, our Instructors are TOP Notch! I don’t know another word to describe Ms. Brown other than POWERFUL. When she walks in the room you notice her presence immediately.

She’s completely unapologetic about taking space in the Gym or Fitness World overall!

Throughout the interview we giggled about how she walks into the free weights section of the gym with an air of confidence that says “move outta my way”. This interview was so much fun!

Take what’s meant for you, leave what’s meant for someone else

Me: How did you get into Zumba?

Tat-Yana- I first tried Zumba out at a sorority fundraiser. It was really fun but didn’t give it a second thought. Then, Zumba was offered as a college credit at my school. So I took the class and had a blast. One class assignment was teaching the rest of class, I had to choreograph a song, we had to make up our own playlist. I got an A! (Bowling Green State University in Toledo).

After graduation, I came back to Cincinnati and tried to find my footing back home.

One day, my Mom “said to keep yourself busy, you were good at that Zumba thing, maybe you should teach that?” I signed up for training that day near Dayton.

Coming from a cheerleading background I picked up the training pretty easily. Zumba really is a community. I didn’t know it until I started meeting all the Zumba instructors, which were many more than I thought. When I joined it was a tight knit Dayton and Cincinnati.

Speaking fluent Spanish comes in handy too!

Me: At Whispers we use this tool to do a quarterly reflection on our wellness. We know being perfect in all 7 dimensions won’t happen, but rather being intentional in what dimension we want to focus on in what season is a healing-focused soft approach. Any reflections on the Whisper template rating each area?

Tat-Yana: After you explained the tool it makes sense. Taking care of your whole self. I remember my Doctor asking me do I weight lift as teaching dance several times a week can be tough on your joints.

She really explained the importance of weightlifting for muscle growth. After trying it for Myself now I’m hooked!

“If you plan it out you will do it. Write it on the calendar.“

Zumba is also a mental release. Most of us come from an 8-hour work, stressful, long day. It’s released all on the dance floor.

Me: You usher in the light and energy before we even get going.!

Tat-Yana: Coming from a teacher background you know how to settle down or change an environment, changing that into something else. Let’s switch it up and change gears let’s come back breathe it out. Take that skill in the classroom and set the tone anywhere you are.

Me: Last year I wrote a post on finding social wellness in Zumba. How the Zumba community kept me coming back to class over and over. How do you support this community?

Tat-Yana: Connections are made with friends and community in classes! As Instructors, we are building a community, leading and getting people to talk to each other. People come together in class!

Me: Yes! I’ve met so many connections in your class and the others. We start with Zumba and connect on other levels too.

Tat-Yana: It’s so cool! I saw these three other women in our downtown class get together and now they are besties! Now we see the bonds that are made and build community within class.

Me: In the book “Self-Care Solution” Dr. Jenn states 30 days is the “right” amount of time to make small changes and have them stick. Have you seen this as an Instructor? Are the ones that stick it out 30 days more likely to come back?

Tat-Yana: As an Instructor, I see people give up too fast. Zumba can be hard if you don’t have a dance background. Give it a month, at least 30 days to give it a chance. Over time you will see, I can pick up on this one and learn the different rhythms and styles. Also, try different Instructors. Maybe the cueing works for one instructor and not another. Sometimes, people quit real fast because they don’t know how to just let go of perfection.

“It’s ok to make mistakes. Just don’t stop“

Try a different location and be patient with it. It takes 30 days to become a habit, and is required that’s how you learn.

Me: Challenge-takers! The monthly challenge worked really well for me last year. In the Dr. Jenn book she too recommends we take a small challenge each month. What small challenges would you recommend to a person that wants to improve their physical health?

Tat-Yana:

Start with just challenging yourself to get out of the house and move
- Everyone is so different, if you are scared to go by yourself, find someone and be their personal guest. I offered that to folks all the time. Message me I will be in the front with you and will guide you in the gym. I will meet you there!
Call your friend and tell them you want to go to the gym with you and try this with you. That gym friend will say yes, they’ve wanted you to go to them gym too.

The hard part is coming through those doors. But I’m here. Showing up is the hard part. Call that friend!!