The joy of moving and shaking it

Today something struck me as surprisingly odd and new. I went to a morning class at the gym instead of an afternoon one since I am now working at my new job every night. I went to a trampoline class, which was supposedly the same trampoline class as during the afternoon. However, I've attended a hundred afternoon classes and never have I ever had as much fun.

The class was much more intense than usual, which was a lot of fun. Kicking up the speed = more calories burned for my time! However, in addition to just burning calories, we were having fun! In the afternoon classes, all of the songs are American songs with trampoline routines put to them. This morning, however, was mostly traditional Brazilian music (mostly forro) put to an exercise beat. With this traditional music, I saw the true colors of my gym companions finally show.

When the chorus came around for each of the songs, people began making traditional Brazilian dance moves, throwing in some samba shakes, forro twists and sertanejo beats. After a couple of songs, people started throwing in some claps at appropriate times until the entire class joined in in the beat. It was like a class I had never seen before. And, after I return to the U.S., may never see again.

At the gym classes in the U.S., people seem to be very self conscious of each and every move they make. Often when my kickboxing instructors would add claps to the beat, people would be too timid to clap. When my step aerobics instructors added fun twists to the steps, people would be too embarassed to twist.

But not here. In my dance class, we move it and shake it without a care. It may look silly, but we do it. In my abs class, the trainers might let out some hoots and hollers when the music gets good. It's not about what people think about you; it's about enjoying the music and the movement.

What I found most interesting, though, is that when my classes are to American music, the excitement fades. The Brazilians go along with the routine but don't add any jumps or bumps of their own to the beat. When traditional, recognized music comes on, though, the people take on a life of their own.

And I have seen this boldness to Brazilian beats come out in so many other ways throughout Brazil too. At a concert I went to with Lowell and Catherine, there was samba music playing. Some people jumped right out on the floor and danced samba around the room. The rest of the crowd watched with smiles or clapped along. During Carnival, the people didn't simply watch the bloco Lowell and I participated in. Instead the entire crowd poured into the street to sing and dance along.

It seems there is something wonderfully freeing about not being self-conscious about moving and shaking it. The Brazilian people have so much fun just letting go and participating in the music. I urge you to be bold and try the same next time you have the opportunity. At your next parade, live concert, or church event, just sing, dance or clap along. Feel the music and enjoy it instead of worrying what people think of you!