GiGi’s Asks: What’s Your Why?

Why I Serve as a Program Leader
by Virginia Abubakr

How exciting it is to be able to share how I became connected to GiGi’s Playhouse and, as a result, currently serve as Program Leader of the Friends, Fun, and Fitness Program, which runs the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon. (Visit our Playhouse calendar to RSVP.)

Getting everyone warmed up for Drums Alive.

As a retired Play Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Science Degree from Columbia University, I have worked with children and families for more than 30 years. The majority of my career has been spent in public and private school districts working with children with special needs. In the years leading up to my retirement, I had the good fortune of working at the Midland School in Branchburg, NJ – a non-profit special education school serving the needs of students with developmental disabilities.

I so enjoyed my time there and truly feel that those students gave me much more than I could ever give to them. A definite highlight during my time there was customizing and bringing to the students our very own Zumba and Drums Alive programs. The students at Midland loved listening to fun, upbeat music and moving their bodies to the sounds. My goal was to show students that fitness is not only fun, but so good for the mind, body, and spirit! Both programs were a huge success.

Teaching the merengue at the 2019 “i have a Voice” Gala.

Around that time, I was asked by one of the parents of a Midland student if I would be available to assist with a bilingual program at a place called GiGi’s Playhouse (where several of my students were participants). Fluent in Spanish, I jumped at the chance to help out at GiGi’s, and the rest, as they say, is history! 

You do realize, I am never leaving GiGi’s Playhouse….
My program—Friends, Fun, & Fitness—alternates each month between Zumba and Drums Alive. What I like most about leading the program is the joy on the participants’ faces as they hear great music, dance, and interact with their friends—all while getting a great workout. Both programs incorporate key developmental elements for personality building, like healthy living, fitness fun, leadership, respect for boundaries, teamwork, confidence building, coordination, socialization, and cultural sensitivity. In addition to following my lead, each student has the opportunity to step up and teach a portion of the class.

In Drums Alive, participants engage in dynamic movements while combining traditional dance moves with banging an exercise ball with drumsticks. Did you know that when your drumsticks hit an exercise ball, your entire nervous system is massaged?   This is a unique sensory/motor program designed to give the mind and body instant feedback through the pulsating flow of drumming. During our program, we drum in a circle, giving us the feeling of being part of a tribe—a caring community that respects all of its members. We use colorful individual exercise balls, the height and size of which customized to each participant. Students who have trouble standing or are in wheelchairs are given balls designed for their comfort.  No one is ever left out.

At Zumba with the program participants.

For Zumba, we shimmy and sway our hips while incorporating fun props, including belly dancing skirts, shakers, cheerleader pom poms, floating ribbons, feathers, batons, and seasonal items. It is amazing to see the participants get lost in the Latin-inspired cardio dance moves, and I am continually impressed with their physical ability, creativity, enthusiasm, and willingness to try something new.  Each student brings his or her individual style to the program, and their hidden talents emerge in an environment infused with tremendous love and joy.

What is not to love about that?

All I can say is….I am blessed to be a part of the GiGi’s Playhouse family.

Don’t miss the chance to experience Virginia’s Program on January 24, February 8 and March 28!