As I mentioned before in my blog post, "5 Ways To Living A Healthy Lifestyle With Mental Illness", exercise and eating healthy are key ingredients to living a successful life with Bipolar Disorder or any mental illness. Studies show that regular exercise can help improve mood whether or not you have mental illness. For me working out has been a great way to alleviate stress. I go to the gym almost everyday along with going to one of my newest favorite work out program, Zumba. For those who may not be familiar with Zumba let me give you a little background on what it is. Zumba is a dance fitness program that involves aerobic elements. The choreography incorporates a lot of Latino flavored music with some minor hip hop and R&B flavor as well.
The Zumba class I attend is located at Foose Elementary School in Harrisburg, where I currently reside, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30. The cost of the class is FREE of charge to anybody that would like to participate. Unlike the Zumba classes that I have attended in the past the music selection is 75% R&B/Hip-Hop and 25% Latino flavored music. This really caught my attention from the get go when I started to attend. Mainly because the songs that were played throughout the class, were songs that I normally would, "TURN UP" to at a party or in a club. And it seems that everyone else is enjoying the music selections too. The number of participants that come out to this particular Zumba class is INCREDIBLE, ranging from as little as 25 students to over 100 students at a time. And they all come from different backgrounds and neighborhoods. But it's not just the music that keeps these people coming. The instructors we have at this program are fantastic and what keep this program alive.
Sandy L. Johnson and Charisse Grayer are the two leaders that lead this large flock. Both highly energetic and both very dedicated to keeping this program alive and running. When I tell you these ladies have energy, you could find their picture next to the definition in the dictionary. Both are in your face making sure that you push yourself to the hardest that you can. Sometimes I wonder if these ladies have Red Bull or 5 hour energy drinks for blood pumping in their veins. But other than instructing, these ladies are dedicated to helping the community as well.
One of the impressive things that keeps me coming back is the family oriented atmosphere and how these ladies are not just here to workout. They're also here to help you grow in other areas and help the community grow too. They are big on doing showcases for Zumba for events such as Black History Month, Breast Cancer awareness, Autism, and other health events that promote the well being of others. Also both these ladies treat the class like family, allowing people to share their stories, accomplishments, goals, and promoting any business ventures/platforms that any student may have. Something that I admire and have never seen before at a Zumba class. These ladies want you to prosper in all areas.
Zumba has been a great outlet for me throughout the weeks of being discharged from Philhaven's outpatient program. There are days where I've felt very depressed for no reason and the minute I walk through the doors of the gym I know I'm gonna have a great time. The atmosphere is positive and uplifting. I get to dance to some of my favorite songs from artists such as Beyonce, T-Pain, Diddy, ect. all the while getting a great workout. As I mentioned in my previous blog posts working out at least 30 minutes a day will give your body and your brain positive vibes and keep you from slipping into that depression that we all dread. I am grateful that Charisse and Sandy give their time to such a wonderful program and I hope the continuation of the program will bring people as much joy as it has for me.
Until next time
Peace. Love. Gratitude.
A Short Interview with Sandy L. Johnson
Sandy: Sandra L. Johnson
Me: What is your Occupation?
Sandy: I am a full time accountant and a Zumba Instructor.
Me: Tell me a little about yourself?
Sandy: Well, I'm 42 and Fabulous!!! (laughs a little). But no I'm all about the community outside of Zumba exercise. I always was an athlete. I was a cheerleader, did track, did soft ball, cheered in College. I was tom boy but exercise is in my blood and if I can pass it down to anybody, so be it.
Me: When did you start Zumba and Why?
Sandy: 2012 is when I was certified as an instructor but, I started in 2005. My instructor was Dianne at the YMCA in Downtown Harrisburg. It was basically Latino and I decided to turn it out and put my little flavor on it and the instructor was like go get your license. So I went and got my license and started teaching.
Me: You're very energetic, what keeps you going throughout the class?
Sandy: Y'ALL! The clients, especially YOU! You keep me on my toes! I do it for Y'all. Y'all motivate me and y'all are the reason why I come. I had a death in the family this past week but, my outlet is this program.
Me: Besides Zumba, you and Charisse support other platforms of health, wellness, and social events. You even support my blog. Why is that so important to you?
Sandy: Because you can reach out to the community. There's always somebody to reach out to. If you touch one person, you did SOMETHING! I mean we have a whole bunch of people in here of different ethnic backgrounds. It's melting pot of diversity, I mean you're our first black openly gay male at Zumba and we welcomed you with open arms. We support you and your blog and I'm down to support anybody. We are all equal in my eyes.
Me: And for those who aren't believers in Zumba, what would you tell them?
Sandy: Come! I'll make you a believer. Just come if you're in the area. If you don't believe me just come, actions speak louder than words. Come see me in action.