Singer Mya Harrison, has been performing practically her whole life.
As a child, she imitated Michael Jackson in her mother's high-heeled boots, using a spoon as a make-believe microphone. Mýa took violin lessons throughout her childhood, but dancing was her primary after-school activity. Mýa started ballet lessons in 1982 when she was only two and jazz and tap when she was four.
Although she lost interest during her toddler years, at age 12, her interest peaked again. Her tap-dancing skills led to an opportunity to study with one of the best-known tap dancers in the country, Savion Glover of the Dance Theater of Harlem, when he came to Washington DC for a workshop. Glover later chose Mýa for a solo spot in a dance performance at the Kennedy Center.
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It's hard to believe nowadays, but the now 45-year-old Mýa had to endure bullying growing up, but her accomplishments as a dancer helped her make the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
"There was a time in my life when I wasn't popular and accepted by kids in school. I was made fun of with braces and kinky hair, and being from a multicultural family, etcetera," says Mya. "And it really hurts when you're that age, but later when you get something of your own or you get involved in activities like a sport, you begin to be accepted for what you do, and your personality and who you are, instead of your clothes and how you look and the name designer brands you have on."
Since then, Mya has won a Grammy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, started her own record label and continues to tour all over. Even thought it seems like she's been out of the spotlight when it comes to her music, Mya continues to make a big splash two years ago with her fit, curvy body.
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Mya's Unorthodox Fitness Routine
She'll be the first to tell you her body is all thanks to her trainer and unorthodox treadmill routine.
Here is a shortened version of Mya's treadmill workout to not only lose weight, but keep the curves:
Note: Be sure to slow your speed to 2 mph or lower before changing directions, and increase your speed as you become comfortable.
First 5 Minutes: Warm-up: Walk at a moderate pace (about 3.0-3.5 mph).
Then perform each of the following moves for 2 minutes*:
*Remember, you can burn even more fat if you increase your incline. You can always bring it up and bring it back down until you can do an increased incline for the entire workout*
-
- Shuffle: Turn to left and walk sideways, like you're shuffling, hands on hips (about 2.0-2.5 mph).
- Walk briskly (normal form, about 3.5-4.0 mph for 30 seconds)
- Shuffle, facing right side (2 minutes).
- Walk briskly (30 seconds).
- Shuffle, facing left side (2 minutes).
- Walk briskly (30 seconds).
- Shuffle, facing right side (2 minutes) then,...
- Walk briskly (30 seconds).
- Walk backward (reduce speed as much as necessary and slowly increase it as you acclimate - 2 minutes).
- Walk briskly (30 seconds).
For 5 Minutes: Cool down, walking at a moderate pace (about 3.0-3.5 mph).
Extra Tip: The Ultimate Thigh Workout
You don't need much time to shape your legs, especially the inner thighs, with this low-impact move.
To do it: Stand forearms distance away from a sturdy chair or countertop, holding on lightly with right hand. Step feet hip-distance apart, toes pointed straight ahead. Place a soft, small ball (or similar sized pillow) between inner thighs. With left hand on hip, lift heels, balancing on balls of feet. Bend knees and then...
... lower about an inch (imagine back is sliding down an imaginary wall). Press inner thighs into the ball, keeping shoulders stacked over hips, hips stacked over ankles, and core tight.
Raise hips back up and bring left arm overhead, squeezing the ball with inner thighs. Lower an inch to repeat. Do 30 reps, and then turn around to repeat on other side.
And...you're done!
Next thing you know you'll have a toned butt, thighs and legs in no time!
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Fitness center for more articles and tips.
