My name is Liliana Dominguez. I am the mother of three children – Juan (15), Melissa (10) and Nickolas (6) – and wife to William. I’ve lived in New Hamburg, ON since immigrating to Canada from my native Colombia eight years ago.
Like many working mothers it can be difficult to balance my active lifestyle with my family and career, as well as personal time. However, I’ve learned that if I don’t find time for myself, I will never be able to contribute to the happiness of my loved ones. It’s not easy, but that’s what makes it so rewarding.
That common dilemma is why I ask my existing and new training clients: “How important are your fitness goals compared with other priorities?”
My answer is the same one I hear from my clients: Most important to me are my children, my husband, and my work. I make sure I have time for them and for everyday life.
It is interesting that after six years working in a gym – training different kinds of people as well as myself – I have asked myself how someone can make others happy and be there for their families if they themselves are not healthy, energetic, strong and happy?
Latin Women Inspiring Others
After living in Canada for eight years, I learned that my physical and emotional health is the basis for my family’s health and happiness. I realized that the natural happy disposition and the “flavour and energy” of my ancestors was something I wanted to share with my more-subdued North American clients. I made it my goal to help them transform their lives.
Subsequently, I started teaching aerobic classes and I became a personal trainer. I searched for something that would make me different from other trainers and instructors with whom I work.
It was during a trip to Toronto to upgrade my personal training license and certificates that I saw a group of crazy people dancing Latin music in a different way, with much more happiness and passion. There was much more delight and cheerfulness than in the regular classes I was giving.
The dancers were moving with a combination of Latin steps, the ones I grew up dancing, but even more interesting. The dancers were dressed in different exercise clothing, with different styles and colours. Their joy was contagious.
I remember thinking, “Who are these women? They seem crazy, they’re not embarrassed, even when everybody is looking at them in these colourful costumes, smiling and expressing their happiness as if there was nothing to worry about in this world.”
After this first encounter only a few months passed before I started seeing more and more “crazy people” wearing “Zumba” clothing and logos. They talked with such energy about the classes that I couldn’t help myself and joined a session of Zumba training.
I had never felt so happy in a fitness class, nor burnt so many calories or perspired more in an aerobic class. I never saw so much energy and enthusiasm in a room where there were fifty to sixty people having the same fun while getting healthy.
Planning a Successful Life
Being a wife with three children, and having a husband who travels often because of his job, my life requires a lot planning and organizing.
It has always been very important for me to have dreams and goals. Some of those vary from work and family plans to goals such as my recent accomplishment when I posed and modeled in front of five expert judges while competing for the first time in a fitness show in front of more than 300 people.
To be able to achieve my goals, I have to be very organized and able to prioritize. Every day I plan meals and snacks for my family and me, so that I can organize grocery shopping, leisure time, and my workouts.
When William is not traveling, he takes Karate classes; my children all have activities after school. I plan the time to cook, clean and take care of the household chores, train my clients, participate in other gym activities and give Zumba classes. My time and my personal activities are as important as my family and their activities.
Motivating Others
In our grandparents’ time, women had a traditional role: that of the “housewife”, with little or no formal training to work outside the home, and 100% dependant on her husband.
A generation later, women started integrating their home routines with easy jobs outside the home, with the salaries being spent only on household expenses. They still depended on or had their husbands as the absolute head of the family.
Nowadays in South America, women’s roles have changed a lot. We can see women who have not stopped caring for their appearance, a factor that is very important to be accepted in our society. These women have time to spend with their children and their husbands without sacrificing their personal appearance or their intellect.
Through my experience as a young mother of three and because of my love for inspirational Latin music with joyful lyrics, I try to transmit to the female clients the femininity and the joy that we all have inside us. We need to find a release for this and to be able to lead more fulfilling lives.
I strive to pass the positive, happy and energetic mood and many times I know I succeed in giving clients the means to forget the headaches of everyday life, the tension and stress of a hard work day, and make them capable to live the moment during class, to laugh, joke and have fun. Zumba time is theirs alone and they can exercise and dance without feeling time pass.
Zumba is designed for anyone, regardless of how they look, their weight, or physical capabilities. The dances can be modified to meet individual goals and to make them achievable.
Zumba classes are popping up everywhere: in gyms, churches, community centres, as well as other venues. Anyone who likes to dance, exercise or both should take at least one Zumba lesson per week in order to feel and benefit from the great energy.
Set your own goals
I have always been a strong woman who likes to visualize. I pass on to my children what I consider my good qualities.
I continue to plan my days and have set my next fitness goal. The basis of my conditioning and cardio are my Zumba classes four times a week. What a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time.
Liliana
