Today we’d like to introduce you to Zakiya Davidson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Zakiya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Cultivating Dreams into Reality. I coined that term in 2006 at the age of 26, imagining all of the dreams I’d envisioned for myself in my youth that I had no idea how to make come true. After almost losing my life just two years later, I began to figure out the necessary steps to fulfill my dreams.
My love for dance began at an early age. I always chose to be a ballerina for the neighborhood evening Star Search show. It was then that I began to see myself dancing on stage. There was no money for dance class so I did what felt natural. I would tendu, plie, and tournee before I knew what those words meant to my movement.
After having my first child at 21, and two more within a five year time period; my dreams of dancing seemed impossible. I was dreaming about dancing when most professional dancers are planning to or already have retired. I tried taking adult dance classes here and there but none seemed to keep my attention or ignite the fire in my heart I was so desperately missing. I searched for other creative ways to satisfy what I was looking for, opting to sing in my church choir.
My commitment to finding that fire had me singing in two choirs for two to three services, two to three Sunday’s out of the month. I was still not satisfied, seeking something more than just a song and using the creativity given to my through my voice. My Minister of Music suggested that I take vocal lessons to improve my voice where if I showed the initiative that I would have the opportunity to sing on the Praise Team. That one suggestion led me to a studio in midtown Atlanta – AREA (Atlanta’s Resource for Entertainment and the Arts).
I reached out to AREA with the desire to obtain vocal lessons and they not only offered me lessons but dance classes as well. So at the age of 28, I was taking a dance class with 12 – 14-year-old young ladies. It was then I realized that dance was therapy for me. The barre became my sanctuary for healing and exploring the strength of my soul through the transformation my body began to go through from staying focused and consistent in my training. I also saw how my presence was an example for the youth that was around me and that I was no longer an example for my kids alone.
From AREA’s walls, I was offered lessons with Waverly Lucas and Nena Gilreath of Ballethic Dance Studio, performed with and mentored by Paunika Jones of Dance Theater of Harlem, invited into Ballethnic’s Dance Ensemble, and traveled and performed around the southeastern United States.
My dreams were coming true. By 2016, I was asked to teach and mentor a number of girls. This one asks moved me to create Zallerina Evolve. Zallerina Evolve is a mentoring program for youth ages 8 – 18. At the time of inception, the program only focused on cultivating better life coping skills through the use of classical dance such as ballet, jazz, and tap for underserved youth. The girls I’ve mentored through my program are now high school graduates with scholarships to colleges and universities that still seek me out for moments of clarity.
By 2018, requests from women seeing my own growth and transition asked me to train and mentor them as well. I then began to offer adult classes in barre, yoga, and fitness. My one decision to seek fulfillment moved me to submit to the calls of request I was given and now at 40, I still dance, I still teach, I still mentor and it’s all because I thought of how could I cultivate my dreams into reality – even now.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Frederick Douglas stated, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” I’ve learned to embrace my struggles. During my journey of coming back to dance, I was and still am a single mother of three. There were times when I had to take buses and trains to get to work, class, pick up my kids, and get home.
I received lots of negative and discouraging words from other women telling me I was doing too much, questioned me on my mission and purpose, and at times would attempt to manipulate what I was doing for their own gain. Of course, I also had my internal struggles. There were many days and nights I asked why these doors were being opened for me, why I was being asked to do these things. Eventually, I began to ask myself – if not you, then who?
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Zallet Fitness – what should we know?
Zallet Fitness is a holistic wellness company seeking to assist others in improving themselves – mind, body, and soul. We use dance to bring focus, poise, and control through movement and grace. We use fitness to bring strength to our muscles. We use yoga to bring unity to mind, body, and soul through focused breathing, movement, and being present in the moment. We use meditation to bring oneness to our mind and soul.
I am best known for mentoring youth and teaching dance technique in contemporary and classical ballet. Although I’ve done yoga most of my life, I did not receive my yoga teacher certification until August of 2020. I am covered by the lineage of the Kashi Ashram currently led by Swami Jayi Devi.
What I am most proud of about Zallet Fitness is that it isn’t just about me teaching and mentoring. I collaborate with several fitness, yoga, and dance experts to provide the best results for my students and mentees. At Zallet, we care about all of you. No, we are not a therapist but we are here to help you succeed in growing into your best self – mind, body, and soul.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance and tenacity with the willingness to change. Being a teacher puts you in the forefront of everyone you lead and could possibly lead. You have to be willing to fail and try again, push through the hard times and when you question yourself with the understanding that your journey is not about you but about serving others. With submitting to servitude, change is necessary to improve yourself and to assist others in growing and improving as well.
Pricing:
- Weekly membership for virtual classes: $25
- Monthly membership for virtual classes: $90
- Privates: $40 per hour
- In studio classes: $20 per class
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zalletfit.club
- Phone: 678.236.8772
- Email: hello@zalletfit.club
- Instagram: @zalletfitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZalletFitness
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3DSHpFb0R7beJpKaXqjeYQ
Image Credit:
GNJ Media, LLC
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
