My name is Naomi de La Luz. I am a certified health coach, Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) certified group fitness instructor, and most importantly, I am a single mom of an energetic three-year old boy. We are quite the duo and have been through our own health transformation together over the past three years starting with my son’s own extended health crisis as a newborn. Over the past three years, I have learned how vitally important it is to address the mind, body, and spirit for optimal health. As a Christian, the Lord has also taught me how very important it is to have the heart, the intellect, and the physical body all under the authority of the Holy Spirit. He truly cares about our bodies and our health, in all three arenas! When we submit to Him as the head, we are brought into proper alignment. God, our caring physician, is constantly bringing us into alignment with Himself so He can bless us because He loves us.

I love how Shazzy Fitness recognizes God’s role in our fitness journey through its program and the music that it provides for us to dance to. The Bible tells us that we are made in His Holy image, and that we are a temple for the Holy Spirit. Whether we are moving that temple around to the beat of some music…or using it in any other capacity – recognizing God in those movements is important. He is Holy and we are called to be holy too! We can be holy but still have a whole lot of fun at the same time! Shazzy is an example of this, how we can take care of the body God has given us by being a good steward of it through physical fitness, while having fun, but still striving to be holy in reverence towards Him, our Creator. I also love how Shazzy is starting to implement other rhythms, such as Latin and Bollywood style into their program because I love rhythms from all over the world. I am half Hispanic and grew up listening to my grandpa playing the accordion on the back porch. I love mariachi and other forms of Latin music! It is great to be able to recognize our various cultures through God-honoring dance and fitness. I have enjoyed group fitness classes since I was a teenager, as well as group sports, such as cross country, long distance track, and pole vault.

Physical fitness requires discipline and a foundation of health, but whether it is running together or dancing together we end up building community together. I think that is what I have always enjoyed most about sports or group fitness classes is the community. Working out together can be really enjoyable, but it also helps us learn how to encourage one another, to cheer one another on, celebrating one another and also being there for each other on days or during seasons when things aren’t so great. I am so glad I came across Shazzy Fitness. I am already enjoying the choreography I have learned and I look forward to sharing it with my community. God bless!