Christal Teams Up for Mental Health to Move Loud and Shine Proud Zumba Style

January can be a tough month. The holidays are behind us, the days are short, and winter can start to feel long and isolating. It’s no coincidence that Blue Monday, which falls on the third Monday of January (January 19 this year), has become known as the day many people feel the weight of the winter blues a little more than usual. While Blue Monday isn’t based on scientific research, the feelings behind it are very real — shorter daylight hours, cold weather, post-holiday stress, and financial pressure can all take a toll on mental health.

Just two days later comes Bell Let’s Talk Day on Wednesday, January 21, Canada’s largest national conversation about mental health. Launched in 2011, Bell Let’s Talk began with a simple but powerful idea: encourage open conversations about mental health while funding real supports across the country. Since then, the initiative has grown into a nationwide movement, with hundreds of millions of texts, calls, and social media posts shared using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. Each interaction helps generate funding for mental health programs, research, and community-based care — and, just as importantly, helps reduce stigma by reminding people they are not alone.

This year’s theme, “Taking a Moment for Mental Health,” encourages Canadians to pause — even briefly — to check in with themselves or others. Whether it’s a deep breath, a walk, a conversation with a friend, or joining a community event, these small moments can build resilience and connection.

Locally, Christal of Zumba in Cornwall has turned this important week into a powerful celebration of movement, connection, and community care. Through 2 free Zumba classes, and partnerships with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Champlain East, and for the first time Cornwall Community Hospital, Christal invited the community to Move Loud, Shine Proud – Zumba Style.

Despite snowstorms on both nights, the community showed up in a big way. On Blue Monday, more than 80 people, many proudly wearing blue, filled the dance floor at Bridgewood Public School. Two days later, on Bell Let’s Talk Day, the momentum continued with 56 people, proving that even in the heart of winter, people are willing to move, connect, and show up for one another.

I was there on Wednesday night, on Bell Let’s Talk Day, despite snow falling outside and knowing that my drive back to Martintown would probably cause me to have white knuckles, I felt that this is where I needed to be.

The moment I walked in, I was greeted by Christal Bowen of Zumba and Angele D’Alessio from Canadian Mental Health Champlain East, two very familiar faces to me as The Seeker has always been a strong supporter at all the Mental Health Events that happen in the area. I was handed a pen, a journal, a fold up shopping bag (the kind that I love) and a blue toque as we were all to asked wear the blue toques for the first song.

I am not a hat person and this would probably be the one and only time that anyone would see me with a toque on my head, but I was there to not only cover the Zumba event for The Seeker but also to join in with the exercise class (because I really needed this – the exercise part I mean) so I was ok to wear the hat!

Angele, from Canadian Mental Health Champlain East welcomed everyone, explained Blue Monday and told us that the swag that we received when we entered all had meaning. The Journal was to write down our feelings and thoughts, the bag tells us that we don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone and the blue hats said “self care looks good on you”.

She also reminded us that the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce has opened up voting for the “She Inspires Award” that is in its second year. It was “created to shine a spotlight on the exceptional women in Cornwall, Akwesasne, and SDG who lead with heart, act with courage, and inspire those around them to reach further. Whether through professional excellence, dedicated community service, or a commitment to empowering others, the award celebrates the “quiet giants” and the bold trailblazers who make our region a better place to live and work”. The 2026 recipient will be honored during the International Women’s Day High Tea Luncheon on March 5th at the Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre. Voting takes place till February 13th and Community members are encouraged to visit https://form.jotform.com/250274132663048 to fill out the nomination form and tell the story of a woman who inspires them.

Angele stated that “Christal is a dedicated ambassador and champion for Mental Health I am sure that all the ladies in the room feel that she is a perfect candidate for the “She Inspires Award”. I know that she will be receiving my vote!

Christal started off by saying a few words about Mental Health and said “Every time you choose to come to Zumba you are choosing your Mental Health, you are choosing movement as medicine, connection as support and community as strength. This dance floor is more than just a place to work out, it’s a place where you are allowed to feel real without judgement and where there are no mistakes, just unexpected solos” and believe me, there were many solos that came from me during that hour!!!

The music started, the smiles were wide, and it didn’t take long to feel like this was more than just a Zumba class. It was a room full of people choosing connection, movement, and joy, together. I had to chuckle when the lady beside me referred to us as a group of blue Smurfs!

Christal led the class with her signature warmth and high energy, and you could feel the support in the room. People laughed, danced, and encouraged one another, no matter their skill level. It didn’t matter if you were front row or hanging back — everyone belonged. There was something powerful about seeing so many people show up, despite the snowstorm, simply to move their bodies and support mental health.

What stood out most was the sense of community. This wasn’t about perfection or performance — it was about showing up, taking a moment for mental health, and reminding each other that no one has to do it alone.

After the high energy dancing Christal had an activity planned. Everyone stood in a circle and threw a ball of blue yarn to each other saying what Zumba means to them. From throwing the yarn back and forth, a huge web was formed that connected everyone together. Then Christal had everyone pull on their part of the yarn to feel the support of each other. It was an activity that she thought might fail as it had never been done before but in fact it turned out to be a huge success as I knew it would.

This had been such a fun hour, actually had turned into an hour and a half as “Time flies when you’re having fun”. The last song was a cool down to a song that had been written by one of the Zumba members and after everyone had collected their “Hug in a Mug” – a Cornwall Community Hospital Mug with a package of Hot Chocolate in it, I got everyone together with their toques on, for a group photo and suddenly the evening was over but by the end of the night, it was clear: when we move together, we feel stronger, more connected, and a little lighter heading back into winter which will be here for a while longer.

I actually enjoyed this class so much that when Christal called me this morning to see how I felt I told her that I will be coming to her class every Wednesday as her energy is contagious and the dance moves didn’t even feel like exercise (except I did feel a bit still after using muscles I probably didn’t know I had) … and to help with committing to every Wednesday, I have already written the word Zumba in my day timer (yes I’m old fashioned) on each Wednesday for the next year – figuring if it is written on paper I have to stick to it!

For more information about Zumba with Christal visit her on Facebook group: Zumba Cornwall-Zumba with Christal

For information about Canadian Mental Heath Association – Champlain East visit: cmha-east.on.ca or their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cmhaeast

For information about Cornwall Community Hospital visit: cornwallhospital.ca

For more information about Bell Let’s Talk Day visit: letstalk.bell.ca