Having a baby can be overwhelming. With all the diaper changes, feedings and constant exhaustion, it’s easy for a new mom to feel like they’ve lost a part of themselves.

This is how dancehall queen Demeka [Tiny T] Tacklyn Lindo felt after having her third child, a son, Adidjah. Her other children are in their teens, so it was almost like starting over.

Tiny T is well known for her singing and dancing. She was named ‘dancehall queen’ in a competition in Bermuda held several years ago. Dancehall is a style of reggae music. She also danced with the Richardson Gombeys, at one time.

“In the last year or so I got married and had a baby,” said Tiny T. “I felt like that was what I always wanted in my life, to get married and to keep a family together. But to be honest, the reality of it was so overwhelming for me. It took a lot out of me. I went through different challenges.”

She said during her pregnancy she danced and “shook it up” a bit, but not like she did before, and after the baby came she was busy taking care of a newborn.

“My hands were full and my cup was running over,” she said. “I tried my best and gave it my all, but I felt like I almost lost the inner talents that I have.”

Now that her son is six months old, she is “bouncing back”.

“I am connecting back with my true self,” she said.

This month she is offering free dancehall fitness classes at a number of locations in Bermuda including Horizon Health Yoga and Pilates, Fitness Center and Cafe at 45 Victoria Street, at Grotto Bay to visitors and locals and at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to staff. Next month, she will be offering discounted classes at $99 for ten classes.

“This month, I am trying to build up momentum and interest,” she said. “It is to help people get back into shape. It is mostly women who come to my classes but I also have some guys. This is using soca and reggae to get back into shape. There are other types of fitness classes, but this is more authentic to us as islanders. We love reggae and soca music. I am basically teaching people to wind and increase their flexibility and confidence.”

Her message to other women is stay true to yourself.

“Even though you love your children and your husband and do the cooking and cleaning, don’t forget to save something for yourself,” she said. “It could be painting or it could be swimming, but for me it is dancing and singing. That keeps me youthful at age 36.”

She said she loves the environment at Horizon Health and described it as crisp and clean. It is her first time offering free classes right in the centre of Hamilton.

“Everyone is welcome to come,” she said. “Come and get fit by dancing to the latest soca. I am dancing everyday now and I love it. It is really exhilarating for me.”

For more information see her Facebook page under Tiny T Demeka Tacklyn or see www.horizonhealthbermuda.com or call 777-8073 or 293-1687.