Being a Non-African Afrodance Fitness Instructor: A Reflection

I often sit with doubt. Not because I don’t love what I do, but because I care so deeply about doing it right. Being a non-African Afrodance fitness instructor comes with a constant inner questioning:

“Am I enough?”

“Is this my place?”

“Am I doing justice to the cultures that birthed this rhythm and movement?”

But even with the doubt, I still put one foot in front of the other. Because I know why I do this.

It started as curiosity. It grew into passion. And now, it feels like a calling. Afrodance isn’t just movement to me. It’s connection. It’s liberation. It’s joy. It’s the way I’ve seen people come alive, reconnect with their bodies, and feel a sense of freedom no matter where they’re from.

I don’t claim to be an expert. I never have. In fact, I make it a point to always remain a student. I keep learning, asking questions, listening, watching.

I encourage my instructors to do the same. We study the roots, the stories, the people because we know this is more than choreography; it’s culture.

Living in Kenya doesn’t give me a free pass. I’m still an outsider. But it has gifted me something that YouTube or a 2-week course never could: Daily exposure to lived experiences, street sessions, local dancers, music blasting from matatus, conversations that stretch my mind, and friendships that remind me why I’m here.

This is one of the reasons I created the event, and the retreat. To go beyond the studio. To create spaces where people can feel the energy, meet the dancers, and experience the culture, not just copy it. It’s my way of bringing people closer to the source in a way that is respectful, intentional, and heart-led.

I might not be doing this forever. I don’t know what life holds. But for now, I’m showing up with everything I’ve got. I’m giving my all to be the bridge I believe is needed - between continents, between communities, between cultures.

This is not about becoming someone else. It’s about honouring those who have shaped me. It’s about showing up with respect, intention, and heart.

Afrodance is how I serve. And I will continue to do so, as long as I’m called.