Thursday, March 17, 2011
Get in Shape, Girl -- With Zumba!
This past Tuesday night, I got my workout on! I, along with Lady Clara and Sir Isaac, attended a Zumba class held in a dance studio at the Restoration building in Bedstuy Brooklyn. From the start of the hour-long class to its conclusion, personal fitness trainer and Zumba dance instructor Carolina Walicki (http://www.fitnessinnewyork.com/) has us in motion with Latin, hip hop and Indian tunes. I wwas stepping, winding and twisting away -- non stop! It felt good, too.
As I followed Carolina while watching myself in the mirror, I could feel my body toning up even more. And, how could this not be the case?! After all, Carolina had instructed me and my workout mates with fun but concentrated moves. I was working my abs, arms, thighs, hips and all.
In between songs, I took in some much needed H2O (and boy oh boy did it taste refreshing!). I sipped then stepped. In addition to getting in a workout routine, attending the Zumba class offered fellowship among women. We worked out real hard and laughed all the while. Our smiles and eyes communicated that we were having a great time working out together. We encouraged each other to keep moving and gave each other a signal on the correct turn to make. It was a blessed workout session.
I truly felt charged afterward. I shared with my workout sistahs after class was over. They shared back on the importance of being there. Zumba class with Carolina meets every Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. I'll be back. My children will be joining me (Oh yes, that's the other benefit. I can work out with my tweens.)
Lady Clara recorded the workout session so stay tuned to www.youtube.com/powerhouseforever for the video posting. I must say... I got my workout on!
Make the time to workout. It's good for your body as well as your spirit. So go ahead, get in shape girl!
Until I write you next... I'm just living the solo mommy life!
Love you!
Feona Sharhran Huff
Labels: dance, energy, fellowship, fitness, get in shape, parenting, single moms, single parents, solo moms, workout, Zumba
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Why I Admire Harriet Tubman by Clara Caasi Sharhran Huff
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| Lady Clara is rocking her latest creation |
Harriet Tubman was born to slave parents in March 1820 in Dorchester County, MD. Her real name was Araminta Ross. As a child, Harriet was hired out by her slave master to work for other white people. She once worked as a nursemaid and worked for a planter where she had to check muskrat traps in marshes close to his house even when she caught measles from doing this work.
As a young teen, Harriet suffered a head injury that stayed with her for the rest of her life. One day, she was sent to get supplies when saw a male slave from a different family in the dry goods store. The male slave didn’t have permission to be there. The male slave’s overseer told Harriet to hold him from escaping but she refused. As the male slave ran away, the overseer threw a two-pound weight at him. It missed his head and hit Harriet’s head instead. She was bleeding really hard. Harriet didn’t receive medical treatment for two days. She still had to go into the field and work. She developed a condition known as Epilepsy. After her accident, Harriet began having visions and dreams. She believed these were signs from God.
Around 1844, she married John Tubman, who was a free black man. She changed her name from Araminta to Harriet, which was her mother’s first name shortly after. According to my research, some say she did this because she was planning to escape from slavery. On September 17, 1849, Harriet and two of her brothers escaped from slavery. Harriet went on to help about 300 slaves reach their freedom by traveling at night through the Underground Railroad. She was known as the “Moses of her people.” She is said to have never lost a slave. Harriet lived a full life and died on March 10, 1913 in Auburn, NY, at 93 years old.
What I admire about Harriet Tubman is that she risked her life to help other slaves gain their freedom. Also, she was very intelligent. She had to figure out how to get the slaves from one point to the next without getting caught. Additionally, I admire Harriet because she was strong, brave, talented and a hard worker. Because of her life and sacrifice, African-American girls like me are free today.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Clara Caasi Sharhran Huff (affectionately known as "Lady Clara") is a tween powerhouse who was first introduced to water colors at the age of one and a half years old. Lady Clara is the Founder and Artistic Director of My Budding Picasso Art Gallery as well as the designer behind The Clara Huff Collection. She has a TV program called "Kids Witness News," in which she reports about the weather, her daily happenings and things that kids can appreciate. Lady Clara is the cover girl for the newly released, "Mirror Mirror: An Empowerment Book for Black Girls." She regularly does the illustrations for her mother's children's books. Recently, she tied second place for her school's 3rd Annual Oratory Contest. It was her first speech competition for which she was the "Sole Surviving 4th Grader." Check out Lady Clara's artwork at www.myspace.com/mybuddingpicasso.
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