Working out has been a big priority for me recently for both vanity and health reasons (shrugs). I want a toned and fit body and I know I can achieve it with discipline. Also, with recently turning 30, it is imperative that I form healthy habits as I age. I figured the longer I wait, the harder it will be. I’ve tried working out in the past and it didn’t do it for me. I would get bored or discouraged and just stop doing it. I realized the best way to be consistent with something is to not only be disciplined but to also fall in love with the process. It’s easier to do something you actually love than to do something you have no joy or connection with.
In an attempt to fall in love with fitness, I found activities to do outside of the gym. I started indoor rock climbing, yoga, and recently dance workout classes. I love all of them but the dance workout class is what I love the most! It’s both fun and challenging, it’s upbeat and has a ton of benefits. I joined the AKT dance studio here in Atlanta and here’s why it may be the best way to get active.
You burn calories.
Dancing is an effective way to lose weight because you burn a good number of calories and build lean muscle. Different dance classes can yield different results. For example, the workout class I take at AKT is a hip-hop and pop dance class. Hip-hop classes are typically faster and high intensity which causes more calorie burn as opposed to something like ballroom dancing. If done frequently it can also increase your endurance and stamina.
Courtesy of Krissy Lewis
You can tone your body.
If weight is not your primary goal, that’s okay, you can also tone your body. At AKT, they incorporate bands and weights in their classes. The weights target the back, arms, and leg muscles and if you engage your core it can help tone your stomach. The bands help with strength training and muscle build-up. Resistance bands do the same thing bulky exercise equipment does and provides similar gains.
In addition to the gains you get, the use of bands can also increase endurance, muscle activation, body composition, and flexibility.
It can improve your mental health.
Research shows that dancing can reduce stress and anxiety while improving your mood overall. Dancing releases endorphins and other positive hormones into your system to boost happiness and positive thoughts. According to WebMD, it’s a way to escape negative thoughts and worries.
Dance classes are usually in a group setting, and with this, you also gain a sense of community and feel connected to other people.
Courtesy of Krissy Lewis
It improves your brain function.
Dance workouts are a great way to sharpen your brain functions and coordination. When I took my first class, I couldn’t believe how uncoordinated I was. I haven’t done any workout that required me to learn an entire routine on the spot at such a fast pace since cheerleading in high school. That triggered a new opportunity for growth for me. I want to challenge myself to learn things quicker and soak in information better.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the cerebellum (a small part of your brain located in the back of your head) is responsible for coordinating muscle movement, sense of timing, balance, and learning new skills. So if you’re looking for ways to sharpen your mind, this is a great start.
It improves your quality of sleep.
Exercising earlier in the day and more frequently has been shown to reduce insomnia and decrease the amount of time it actually takes to fall asleep. According to John Hopkins Medicine, exercise raises your core body temperature which alerts the body clock. After about 30 minutes, our body temperature starts to fall which causes us to feel sleepy. The bottom line is exercise can provide energy but once that adrenaline wears off, it signals the body to sleep better and faster.
If done consistently, dance workouts can lead to positive effects that your mind and body will thank you for. It’s also pretty affordable. I signed up for three classes for $39 and most studios work with ClassPass. Also, some gym memberships offer dance workouts, so your opportunity is endless. If you’re interested in giving AKT a try, click here to find a studio near you.
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Now, I’ll be honest: as an avid TV-lover, I was well-prepared to hop on Zoom and jump into all the chatter around Bel-Air and her characters’ decisions. But after listening to her new EP Identity Crisis, I knew there was a lot more to talk about as well. During this exclusive conversation with xoNecole, Jazlyn Martin delved into the challenging journey she’s faced surrounding her identity, newfound fame, and family influence, and how it all plays a part in her art. Check it out!
xoNecole: So I know that your father is in the entertainment world, but when did you realize you shared the same passion?
Jazlyn Martin: I think it was very early on. I was a child who was full of attitude and fearlessness that would go after anything I wanted. I believe seeing my dad pursue music made me realize it was possible. I just had this hunger and fire, and my parents consciously fed and nurtured that - they are always all super supportive of whatever I do. So very, very early on, I was like, I'm meant to do this. And I just was like, I'm a star, and I know I'm a star.
xoN: Actually, let's talk about your family. What are some of your most important values, and how have your family and heritage played a part in shaping those values?
Jazlyn: I mean, my mom is like an angel; she's so graceful and kind, and I've had to work hard to get there. When I was young, I was very abrasive, headstrong, and stubborn. Whereas my mom gives an immense amount of grace in the way she carries herself. I had to learn that.
I think being strong is something I’ve always had. My parents always joke that they don't know where my personality came from. Because my dad is shy and timid and my mom is kind, and I'm a fireball. But my Dad always asked the important industry questions like, “Why do you want to do this?” And that instilled some purpose into me. It really carried me to keep going because it's so easy to be discouraged in this field, but that drive has helped me push through all of the challenges.
xoN: I bet. I have such a respect for actors and the way you all navigate the industry. Speaking of, let’s dig into “Bel-Air.” Were you a fan of the show? Did you have to go back and watch the episodes?
Jazlyn: So I actually did watch the show which is crazy because sometimes I don’t. I saw it was a reboot and was like, ‘Oh no, not another one.’ But I watched the first three episodes, realized how good it was, and ended up watching the whole season. I became a fan, and then a few months later, I booked the role!
I think the imagination is such a beautiful and powerful tool, and I feel like if you create something in your mind, it happens. It's a crazy thing, but I really just created Jackie's world - the house she grew up in, her parents leaving her, and everything. I created why she fell in love with dance. I really came at it from a human approach. If I see it, then the audience can see it.
xoN: Yeah, background plays into so much of how we deal with things, how we interact with people, and everything. And I feel like Jackie gets a lot of backlash. Like, we’ve all had a “Jackie Moment” to be real.
Jazlyn: She gets so much backlash! I just encourage people to give her grace and see the God in her because I do think she tells a lot of Black and brown girls' stories. People project on her, saying she’s too ratchet or hood, and I’m like does that mean she’s not loveable?
We have to be careful of what’s said and put out because Jackie has gone through things that I've never had to go through. The fact that she's alive and still highly functioning is a blessing. So what if she gets a little messy? I love her. Because she’s helped me extend empathy to people I don't necessarily want to or don't think deserve to have it. But she's 17, she's figuring it out, and she doesn't have parents. Like, that's such a huge factor.
"We have to be careful of what’s said and put out because Jackie has gone through things that I've never had to go through. The fact that she's alive and still highly functioning is a blessing. So what if she gets a little messy? I love her."
xoN: You mentioned how your character is viewed, which digs a bit into identity. So I want to talk a little bit about some of the emotional songs on your EP “Identity Crisis.” What inspired the track “Perfect?”
Jazlyn: When I was creating “Perfect,” I already had the EP title. So I kind of mapped out, like, the different conflicts I had in my head and categorized them into seven songs, and so one of my identity crises was being perfect. Because I feel like a lot of men tend to put women on pedestals. They're expected to be perfect - especially when you’re in the limelight. You know, you can't slip up. You can't say the wrong thing. Cancel culture is such a huge thing. And I just wanted to encourage people to give people grace to be themselves because that's not an easy thing to do.
I just wanted to take down this facade that I’m perfect because I never pretended to be. I never wanted to be. I think that's something people have placed on me, that I have it all figured out, I think I just carry it well, but that doesn't mean it's not heavy. I just wanted to be very vulnerable and honest. I think people think “perfect” is a compliment, but I think it's a cage because it doesn't allow room for error. It doesn't allow for you to be human and mess up and fail and take risks. So I just wanted to encourage grace.
xoN: Do you ever feel like you went through an identity crisis?
Jazlyn: I go through one constantly. Growing up, I didn't really have one. But I think as you get older and more aware and cognitive, you know how the world goes, and the world starts telling you who you are, instead of you deciding who you are. And I feel like being mixed played a big role in that, not feeling Black or Mexican enough. I wanted to belong to both worlds but didn’t so I was just “other.” That was an identity crisis in itself.
Also, being introduced to a level of fame has been interesting, too. I think we all go through identity crises all the time because we’re evolving and changing. It’s beautiful, but it’s also scary; you see yourself this one way, and then something happens, and there’s a shift. So yeah, I think it’s something we all go through but no one talks about.
"I think as you get older and more aware and cognitive, you know how the world goes, and the world starts telling you who you are, instead of you deciding who you are. And I feel like being mixed played a big role in that, not feeling Black or Mexican enough. I wanted to belong to both worlds but didn’t so I was just 'other.'"
xoN: I love that. And I know Hispanic Heritage Month is coming up, and you'll be speaking at the New York Latino Film Festival. Talk to me about what that moment means to you and what you hope to bring to the event. *Editor’s note: The interview was conducted before Hispanic Heritage Month began.
Jazlyn: I’m bringing some Afro-Latino-ness! I always grew up seeing Latinos being represented in a very specific way—very Spanish, not very Indigenous looking. So I'm really excited to bring the Black experience, with the Latino experience, to the stage because that's something a lot of people don't know exists.
People are always like, “Are you Black or Latina?” Well, I'm both! We were just dropped off in different parts. I’m excited to speak on that and highlight how prevalent anti-Blackness is within Latino communities. A lot of Afro-Latinos have faced an identity crisis because of it, including myself. It sometimes feels like you’re supposed to hate the other half of who you are.
For me, I held onto that little Black girl inside. I refused to let her go. And that’s what I want to represent when I speak—resilience and acceptance of our full selves. I’m also looking forward to meeting fellow Latino people, especially Afro-Latinos, and sharing our stories. It’s not a narrative that gets much attention, and I’m excited to represent.
xoN: I’m excited for you! Finally, with all the praise and recognition you’re receiving now, what has it been like to transition from working in music, dance, and acting to now being in the spotlight? How have you embraced this new level of fame?
Jazlyn: Um, it's overwhelming. I think that's the best word. Sometimes, I'm joyful, because I'm giving back to the community. People resonate with Jackie's stories and see themselves in her, which I think is the biggest compliment to me. But then sometimes, you know, I feel sad because I'm like, ‘Damn, I'm not doing enough,’ like I should be doing more. It's crazy, the industry is so fast-paced that you don't really try to celebrate wins. It's just a transition, an identity crisis of the like.
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