By JODI RALL
In the Bubble columnist
“Dance like nobody’s looking.”

That’s my motto for life except that with four children, two bewildered dogs and a sweet Ken doll watching, my love of Zumba has provided my family with laugh-out-loud entertainment.

There was the time when Maggie Pelton, a close friend and Zumba instructor at the Brentwood Family YMCA, taught “Drop it Low,” a fun dance with a catchy tune. So being the cool, hip mom I am, I went home, downloaded it on my iPod and told my daughters, “Have I got a dance for you.”

In our kitchen after school one day, I turned on the music and started sharing my moves with my girls. Then I heard the words and the gasps.

“MOM!”

Pop my bubble because nobody told me that there was a clean version and a naughty version of the dance tune. Oh my! Of course the YMCA uses the clean version.

More laughter therapy later, however here is what I want to share with you about why everyone should dance like nobody’s looking….

Here in the Brentwood Bubble we have many options for Zumba classes, and they’re not just for women. There are several awesome men in the classes I love to participate in.

While I have taken Zumba classes at all of our local Ys, today it is the Brentwood Family one on Concord Road that gets my shout out.

It is difficult to walk in any exercise class when you are new, and maybe have self doubts about body image or if you doubt your ability to “get your groove on.” That is why it is important that you hear this message of hope, compassion and love about the ladies who are a part of the Zumba classes I have been blessed to be a part of at the Brentwood Y.

As an example of the exceptional women I have met, let me introduce you to Myrna Teague. Myrna would be described by the Y as an “Active Older Adult” at the young age of 68. To me she is the sweet lady who wears pink and whose smile is contagious. After several months of seeing Myrna dance, always with a huge grin on her face, my friend Beth Brown and I were walking with her after class. We had to tell her how infectious her smile was to us.

“Girls, I am a survivor who has beat the odds. I was supposed to be dead by now. I want to offer hope to other people. Hopefulness is what it is all about,” she told us. Seems five years ago this feisty lady was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and yet, here five years later, this beautiful soul is dancing her heart out and blessing the lives of all who know her.

Are you seeing the picture I paint before you? Dance like nobody’s looking and have fun. As I have become more comfortable in my own skin, it has slowly dawned on me that Zumba gives me great joy. I love knowing that there are women (and men!) of all ages coming together to laugh, dance and, through some great miracle of divine planning, create what we call our “Zumba Family.”

There are so many stories that I could share with you; however you should go to find your own story, if not in Zumba, then another class that makes you soar to new heights.

With great honor I will be the emcee at Saturday night’s Zumbathon at the Brentwood Family YMCA. The fun starts at 5 and ends at 7. You don’t have to be a Y member. The cost is only $10 and all proceeds support the Brentwood Y’s Annual Giving Campaign. Child care is offered, however you do have to make a reservation by calling 615-373-YMCA.

On my birthday a few years back, I asked a group of dear friends to attend a Zumbathon with me. For many of these friends it was way out of their comfort zone; I have great friends.

At the Zumbathon, friend Rebecca Trauscht gave me a birthday present -- my very own coin skirt (like they wear in belly dancing classes). Rebecca loves her coin skirts and hands them out in class each week.

My mouth politely said ‘thank you’ as my mind was screaming, “No way I am ever wearing THAT!”

A month or so went by. Then one day while I was home alone cleaning in my boring baggy T-shirt and shorts, I remembered the skirt.

So I turned up the tunes and vacuumed with my coin skirt on. In my mind, I thought, “Boy, do I look good.” Soon all my Zumba moves were being put to great use.

Because the music was turned up so loud, I did not hear my family returning home. Oh, the look of horror on my children’s faces.

Sorry children, chalk this one up to something to talk about in therapy when you grow up. But, hey, I am a good dancer?

In all seriousness, hope to see you Saturday. Please take time to introduce yourself to me and let’s have some fun while raising money for a great cause.

Jodi Rall is a special events coordinator and publicist who lives with her husband, four children, two dogs and various other pets in Brentwood. She has been known to play tennis. Contact her at jodi@brentwoodhomepage.com. Follow her "Jodi in the Bubble" blog by Clicking here.