This blog is my place to share everything that I love, everything that I am passionate about. That includes kicking fibromyalgia's butt every day, fitness, natural cures, dancing (especially Salsa), Girl Scouts (yeah, I said it!), hiking, biking, moving, healing, health, special events, inspiration, dance, fun topics, serious topics, requested topics, wellness, Zumba, and the list goes on. And I share all this with Love.
Take Care and God Bless
Love,
Tonya
www.TonyaOutlaw.com
How do we manage with fibromyalgia? How do we balance the things we NEED to do and the things we WANT to do? How do we deal with the extreme FATIGUE that comes with this condition?
Well, this article has some amazing ideas! Try them even if your body is screaming "Noooooo! Don't move! Let's just sit here on the couch."
I love this question asked by Ana Masacote of Masacote Entertainment out of Boston. She is a beautiful, talented dancer who has inspired me more than she knows.
People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as:
Trouble sleeping
Morning stiffness
Headaches
Painful menstrual periods
Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”).
***Side note: To all my friends and family that I have let down due to me forgetting something I'm supposed to do, please forgive me. Right now this especially goes to Osaremi, founder of TCE Events, who I totally forgot about on Saturday because I didn't write down her event like I should have. I'm still coming up with different ways to cope with my memory loss, but some things fall through the cracks. I truly appreciate those of you who work with me to help me remember stuff. <3***
I have ALL those symptoms of fibromyalgia, plus quite a few more. But, thank you Jesus, I am able to teach Salsa, Zumba, PiYo, Bokwa, perform on stage and more! Yes, there are times when I need to stop and let my body rest. And yes, sometimes I fall back on my pre fibromyalgia mindset and go hard, and then wind up knocked on my butt for a few days. But that's OK. I'm still learning how to cope with this disease, but it hasn't beat me and it WON'T beat me.
So I've been asked how I am able to physically do the things that I am able to do and I have this debilitating condition. I've heard, 'I can't even make it to my mailbox.", "I can't even pick up this case of water", "I can't even clean my house.", "I can't even get out of bed.", "I can't do Zumba", "I can't dance", the list goes on.
My answer to how I'm able to be as active as I am is... God has blessed me. He has blessed me with a passion for dance. He has blessed me with a passion to help people. He blessed me with my own businesses Love 2 Dance Fitness and Baile con Sazon before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia even though I was still active Duty Air Force.
I stress the fact that we opened the studio before the diagnosis because I don't think I would have had the mental strength to chase my dreams after I was told I had fibro. God especially blessed me with bills to pay (yes, I said it!) for our studio so that I would HAVE to teach classes! I've had no choice but to keep my body moving because I sure can't afford a full staff! :)
God has also surrounded me with people who are positive and who help me to keep going and who gave me the courage to step out and do things that most people are afraid to try.
First and foremost being my wonderful husband. He's my Boaz and he's always there for me. I don't know what I would do without him.
I'd also like to thank Reggie Santiago for standing in for me a trillion times when I couldn't show up to the studio to help teach. I'd like to thank J and Monica for helping me out so much on the fitness side of the house. I know there have been times that I've been super flaky but you lovely ladies stood by me! I'd like to thank our whole Baile con Sazon Black Belt Salsa family. Marci, Loretta, Seymore, Willie Mac, Tonino, Tashia, DJ, Max, Erik, Sara, JuanYe, April, Pepe, Edie the Salsa Freak... You've covered for me, taught me, performed with me, held events with me, held events for me, helped to promote, taken gorgeous pictures, practiced with me, pushed me, the list goes on.
So, to sum it all up, I'm blessed and God is good!
I'd love to hear your stories, testimonies, questions, comments. Tell me about your journey. I eat that stuff up. :)
So, I have decided to put together a collection of my FAVORITE videos of the wonderful women who have helped me grow into the dancer I am today and who will hopefully be able to continue to help me grow.
I love you ladies!
So here they are in the order that I met and or received training from them:
1. Ana Masacote - Ana is such a graceful, smooth dancer. Her body movement is to die for. I can't wait to go to the Masacote Salsa Retreat in August to train with her again. This is such a special, unique, beautiful routine. I love to watch it.
2. Edie the Salsa Freak - Edie's story is so inspirational. She is living proof that the sky is the limit no matter how old you are. It is never too late to start. Edie is fiery and strong. I love you, Edie! BTW, it was very hard for me to pick which video I wanted, but the musicality in this one spoke to me. I wanted to be Edie while I watched this. :) And of course, how could I not use a Black Belt Salsa video?
3. Griselle Ponce Mosquea - Griselle, Griselle, Griselle. Her style moves me. When I think of Ladies Styling, I think of Griselle. I have traveled to so many cities just to take a workshop or class with her! This routine is what I consider her signature routine. She made me love Cha cha cha. When I think of Griselle, I think of this:
4. Giana Montoya - I love Giana's technique. I love her body expression. I love how she took my basic right turn and FIXED it! I just love Giana! And I am proud and happy to say she will be coming to my dance studio, Baile con Sazon, 19-20 July 2014 to teach a 10 hour Salsa bootcamp with her honey, Nery. :) I hope to see you all there!
This is the routine that made me fall in love with Giana, especially at 1:05:
5. Isabel Frieberger - This lady is powerful, technical hotness! Originally part of the Cobo Brothers, she has always stood out. She doesn't just take a step. It is like every step she takes is placed with precision. And just gorgeous! This first routine is what I consider Isabel's signature. I'm having trouble embedding the video, so click on the link:
This second one is one that I found where she is just social dancing but... Well, just watch it:
So there you have it. The ladies who have taught me so much and to whom (who? grammar alert) I am so grateful for how far I've come and I am counting on you all to continue to help me in my growth as a dancer.
Thank you Ana, Edie, Griselle, Giana and Isabel and know that you are making a difference and touching lives through your joy and wonderful spirits and love of this art. Keep chasing your dreams whatever they may be.
God Bless and Take Care Love, Tonya
P.S. Comment below, please. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? I'd love to know what you think! www.tonyaoutlaw.com
