Meet Gabriela Espinoza | Sensazao Co-Founder & Master Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriela Espinoza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriela, how does your business help the community?
There are the short and the long term impacts. The short term: it provides a space where you can release stress and bond with people by moving and sweating together. It is a class where you can feel challenged, exhausted, and happy all at the same time. The long term: your mind and body will be aware of a feel-good state. This ripples into your everyday habits (little by little). For example, you will be more likely to show empathy for a co-worker/friend if they’re having a bad day because you are aware of the negative effects of stress and you might even invite them to class. Or perhaps you might choose water instead of soda because you are more aware of the effects of dehydration and you don’t want to feel tired when you get to class.

In small, yet significant acts, Sensazao brings people together and promotes the importance of moving together, empathy for others, and making healthy choices for your well-being.

What should our readers know about your business?
Sensazao (sen-suh-zow) is a fast-paced, intense (in a good way) cardio dance class. Our goal is to teach the beautiful dance cultures from Latin America and the Caribbean with special interest to Brazil through a fun easy workout class.
Because it is an all dance and fitness levels welcome class, it is mostly follow along with new simple choreography taught at the end. Having the opportunity to dance with people and lovingly push them to work on their stamina is exciting and rewarding.

In the dance fitness world there is a lot of competition and new programs come up all the time. However, staying true to what we love, our unique style of choreographies combined with the authenticity of Latin American dance genres has worked for us consistently.

We have learned that our program empowers people, specially women, to connect with their bodies and find out all the fun things they can do through dance. This form of self-care reinforces their confidence and leads to happier people. We’ve see it happen throughout the years.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would start the day taking a Sensazao class! It sets the right mood to explore the city.
After dancing we would grab a delicious Sashimi bowl from the Yama Sushi Marketplace in Sawtelle, then head over the Venice Beach.
Later grab dinner at the Bun & Mi in Santa Monica and lastly catch a great movie at the Aero Theater.
There are so many great places to explore, I would also suggest at least one full day dedicated to Koreatown, another at Chinatown/Downtown, and last but not least don’t leave before grabbing a delicious croissant from Lou the French on the Block at Burbank.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a big shoutout to a special group of people who has supported Sensazao for years (DMV fam you know who you are!). And a bigger shoutout to our Certified Instructors who work so hard to share this passion for dance and well-being.

Website: http://www.sensazao.com/gboss

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gbossz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensazaoDanceFitness/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sensazao

Other: https://sensazaoonline.vhx.tv/

Image Credits
Christina Russo