During my childhood, I learned to love exercise from my mother. She was a runner. I remember riding my bike alongside her as she trained to run the St. Jude 5K. For years, she squeezed in short runs before a long workday, and when I was in high school, she even ran around the football field during my cheer/dance team practice! Everyone understood that Mom’s exercise time was something she looked forward to, and we saw how happy she was when she was finished, all red-faced and out of breath, but smiling. So when I became a mother, I wanted to follow my mom’s example. In her footsteps, I began running with my eight year old son when he was in kindergarten, and he loves it. But aside from spending time with him, I’m not crazy about running. I find it boring. Unlike my mom and my son, it’s not something that I really love. Dancing is what I love.
“Dancing is what I love.”
I danced throughout my childhood and teen years on a competitive team, so it was a huge part of my life. After graduating from high school, I missed it terribly. As far as I knew, there were no classes available anywhere that were nearly as challenging and fun as what I did growing up. But three years ago, I was invited to Fusion Fitness by a coworker. I have to admit, before my first class with Erica, I figured it wouldn’t be much of a challenge. As a teen, my dance team was taught by a choreographer who worked with the Lakers Girls and Paula Abdul, so in my mind, nothing could compare. I was so wrong! Erica’s choreography is of the same caliber as my early dance experiences. She earned my respect immediately. That first Monday night was the toughest workout I had done in years! On the drive home, I called my mom, mad at myself for my arrogance in thinking Fusion would be easy. I had nothing to brag about except Erica. At the same time, I was exhilarated to find a workout that was my first love! I couldn’t wait to go back.
“Erica’s choreography is of the same caliber as my early dance experiences.
She earned my respect immediatley.”
I have continued with Fusion because it is both physically and mentally challenging. Erica’s class is an hour’s worth of a high-intensity full body workout. Even after three years, dancing with Erica never feels easy to me, and that is why I love it. There are classes when I don’t feel like giving 100% but Erica knows how to push me while encouraging me. Mentally, I can’t disconnect during Fusion like I can when running. If I want to get the most out of her classes, I have to focus on what I want my body to do. Dancing with Erica and all my Fusion gals is one of my favorite things.
“When he is grown I want him to remember me after a Fusion class just like remember my mom after on of runs …sweaty,
exhausted, and HAPPY!!”
On Saturday mornings, I bring my son to Kid’s Fusion so he can have fun in Kids Fusion while I dance. He loves Erica and all the Fusion Fitness staff, and they love him. The other day I asked him what he loves about Kid’s Fusion and he said, “What do you mean, Mom? Of course, I love to see my friends!” And when he is grown I want him to remember me after a Fusion class just like I remember my mom after one of her runs-sweaty, exhausted and happy.
February 23rd 6:30pm-7:30pm
$15 cash at the door
Train with Us!
