Who cares if you think you can’t dance, do it anyway!
“Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.
Great dancers are great because of their passion.” — Martha Graham
Express Yourself!
I truly believe with all of my heart that the world would be a happier place if we all learned to be ourselves – comfortable in our own skin.
How do you choose to express yourself?
I choose movement! Do you feel joy and freedom when you move? When was the last time you put on your favorite song and allowed yourself a “happy dance” while driving in the car, cooking in the kitchen, or taking a shower? Some of my best ideas for new dances come from listening to music and just letting myself go! Arms flailing, hips swiveling, feet stomping! Ooooh yeah! I call these moves my “car-ography” or “groove-ography”. These are inspired dances that come from me just being myself in the moment.
Movement is unique to each person. There is no right or wrong way to move your body when you are free to be yourself!
My Happy Place!
Dance for me is my happy place. My journey into the dance world started at a fairly young age. I remember dancing in my footy pajamas as
my father played the congas in our living room. My father is originally from Cali, Colombia. I was introduced to Salsa, Cumbia, and Merengue at an early age, and gave me a profound love of my heritage and Latin music. I started ballet and jazz at the age of 9 and later picked up tap.
Celebrate Diversity!
My love and appreciation of other cultures is very important to me. If I can’t speak your language then let me dance your dance. It is my way of honoring you.
I grew up in a military town and had friends who lived all around the world. By the time I was in high school, I was dancing competitively in African step and Bollywood Fusion dance teams.
I gravitated quickly to the Zumba® Fitness program in 2007. It allowed me to fuse all of the international elements that I love into one dance fitness class. In addition, I am constantly learning and exploring new styles of music whenever I can. I am looking forward to offering BollyX, a new Indian Bollywood and Bhangra dance inspired fitness format that allows you to be bold and release your inner rockstar!
I Didn’t Always Dance😞
After high school, I went to a university to study fashion and textiles. I chose not to dance while focusing on both my undergraduate and Masters degree. This pattern continued for another three years. During that time, I worked as a fashion merchandiser, front desk manager at a spa, and a professor. However, something was missing. Without dance in my life those roles were ultimately unfulfilling. Once I began to teach Zumba® Fitness I began to reconnect with myself. It brought me back to my happy place! I felt a renewed sense of purpose! Today, I’m inspired to bring the joy of movement to others through international music, spirituality, and community!
You Don’t Have to be a “Dancer” to Move!
My message is simple: You don’t need to be a “dancer” to move!
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’d love to dance, but I have two left feet? Or maybe you love to move, but sitting still to meditate or practice visualization is difficult because you just can’t stop moving (that’s me)? Either way, let me help you find your groove in the world. I believe every soul has a desire to move in some way, it’s just a matter of finding the way that best works for you.
Move with me!
If you are looking for a dancer that has a holistic and open approach to movement, than look no further! I can help you trust in the gift of reconnecting your soul with your body.
With that, I can guide you through variations of meditative movement, join me in a trip around the world in a Zumba® Fitness cardio dance class, explore the culture of India through a Bollywood and Bhangra dance inspired fitness class, or participate in STRONG by Zumba®, a High Intensity Internal Training (HIIT) with different musical influences.
I offer a variety of classes as well as private one-on-one sessions, or private groups settings. I create a space for self-reflection and conversation with participants, walking them through easy-to-follow movements aided by meditation and music.
I love sharing my joy of movement, dance, and fitness and very much look forward to sharing it with you!
Experience fitness through a mind, body & spirit connection… and have fun doing it!
