Eso Es Lo Mio – That is Mine: A Zumba Fitness Instructor’s Epiphany of Falling in Love with the Bodies We Are
Before each Zumba Fitness® class in Orange Park FL, after introducing myself, the class format, and safety considerations, I always invite our members to let go, love and honor their bodies by allowing freedom of expression as they dance their way to health. I had an epiphany, recently, during one of my classes. You see, I had until this time, talked the talk, but have never really walked the walk inside all those invitations I offer members, “Free yourself,” “Move on to the tank and out of that big t-shirt!” I’ve just blown my big secret.
At this particular class, to demonstrate those little places in our body we always hate to see in the mirror, I showed everyone from the stage, my dreaded “stuff”. Now, we all have that “dreaded stuff” somewhere on our bodies—even the most healthy, toned looking body has an ego attachment that is judging a particular part of its body.
I proceeded to share with my LFF family my “dreaded stuff” –this little block of flesh under each of my arms. It met with some laughter, giggling as we all do when we’re uncomfortable or when we relate with what’s ours.
“We all have these places that make us feel self-conscious. But when we dance together like in Zumba, I forget about it, and when I do, I find that I experience an almost excruciatingly blissful place—where I fall in love with myself and my movement—not because I have this perfect body, but because I find the other body that I can’t see—the spirit. So I invite you to explore and discover that place for yourself today!”
We all clapped together with this unspoken but much felt commitment to the present moment in our Latin flavor. But I didn’t believe in my “dreaded stuff” as much as I did the idea of accepting my body, until we came to a salsa song expressing, “We Are the Champions of the Salsa”. In that song, the chorus later announced, “Eso es lo mio [That is mine].” Usually it’s been a practice that I point to my members, “Eso es lo mio,” she’s my girl. “Ese es lo mio,” he’s my guy and pull that point right back to my heart—a way to acknowledge that we’re family.
In this moment, however, rather than point to those around me whom I truly loved, I went to those spots under my arms that I fear, and with that chorus, “Eso es lo mio,” I lifted my arm and pointed to that thing that was mine. “Eso es lo mio.” This piece of my body is mine, and I pulled that pointed finger to my heart. I had my cathartic epiphany—my moment of enlightenment. This feeling of love for those little parts of my body is what I was talking about to our members. And it was now, that I believed my own words.
I discovered that I’m with everyone else in that room, as we have discovered or are exploring a place where we truly find body fulfillment: When we fall in love with who we are in the present moment; what is ours.
Topics: Fit Lifestyle | 8 Comments »
June 25th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
What if we looked at our bodies with that same love affair as we experience with a boy/girlfriend or adored spouse?
June 25th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more. I am told I have a great body but I don’t see myself that way but this is the way I was made. I answered a question on facebook the other day like this: If there was anything in your life that you could go back and change, what would it be?” You know what? for the first time ever I said “I would change nothing” and it felt good to say it. I love the age I am, I love my body, I love my family–I am very blessed. I like what you said tonight in class–Life is a Carnival or something. Well I am along for the ride and as of right now I am enjoying it!!
June 25th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Gabie, Thank you for helping me to feel okay in the tank instead of my “fat girl” t-shirts. I totally understand that parts that we don’t want others to see because they aren’t perfect. What I have come to realize is that all of our parts are perfect, they are perfect for us. That is how we should live our lives, like everything we are is just fine the way it is(even our jiggly parts). Love you girl.
June 25th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I love this post. It wasn’t until I had children that I stopped hating my body and started seeing it as a glorious miracle. I’m grateful everyday for my imperfect self.
June 26th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
I just wanna say Thank You so much Gabie! June 25th was my first time in Zumba and because of your energy and spirit it brought so much fun to the class. You made me commit to the gym and your class. I already can’t wait for Friday to come again. I think LFF should consider more Zumba classes in the schedule. Again Thank You so much you keep me smiling, you definitely keep a smile on my face and made working out so pleasurable.
June 26th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Love, Love, Love the blog and love who you are and what you do with our ZUMBA…you are the reason I joined the gym. You inspire me to be a better person and to want to take care of myself. What would we do without my Gabie and my Zumba…keep doing what you do..you make me smile
:).
June 28th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I was the girl you told to take off the large shirts and be proud of what you have. I’ve been coming to Lifestyles for sometime, and enjoyed the classes I was taking but something unexplainable happen to me the first time I took your (ZUMBA)class. There was an immediate connection of the energy and peace all at the same time. All of my fellow ZUMBITES just keep coming back for more. We are all different shapes, sizes, colors but in our ZUMBA Class we are one. Your spirit comes forth an allow us all
to be Beautiful!!!!
August 1st, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Hi Gabie, what a great blog! I do Zumba at Anytime Fitness but was a member of LFF many years ago. AF is close to where I live now and I joined there just for Zumba and love it. At some point I would like to visit LFF and do one of your classes.