a Monday wish for you...

Good morning my dear Zumbistas!
Ready for a new week? Just want to tell you how happy you make me. I want to thank you all for your support and positive energy. You are the reason I love what I do!
I want to begin this week by putting my best out there for all of you to take a little something positive with you. I hope I can always make you smile and have fun. Let's remember how lucky we are to be able to dance and enjoy life to the fullest. Let's try to be healthy and happy and kind! The best on this Monday... don't forget to vote! Love ya'll!

NEW SCHEDULE WITH A FEW CHANGES

Here is my ZUMBA CLASS NEW SCHEDULE, by location:
Mira Mesa
Mondays: Being Fit, Mira Mesa 5:30 and 7:30 PM

Carmel Valley
...

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 10:15 AM
...@ Prodigy Dance. www.prodigydance.com
13350 Camino del Sur

Kearny Mesa
Tuesdays: 4:10 PM ZUMBATOMIC @ PARTY FITNESS 8589 Aero Dr. Suite 103
5 PM w/ Chuy Zumba class for adults @ PARTY FITNESS 8589 Aero Dr. Suite 103

Mission Valley
Wednesdays: 6:30 PM @ YMCA Mission Valley

 

Pacific Beach

Fridays at 8:30 A.M. @ Yoga Tropics

Private Company Classes:
Tuesday @ SAIC 12:30 PM
THursday @ Pfizer Pfitness 12 PM

MELY'S MOST RECENT ZUMBA SCHEDULE

Here is my ZUMBA CLASS NEW SCHEDULE, by location:
Mira Mesa
Mondays: Being Fit, Mira Mesa 5:30 and 7:30 PM

Carmel Valley
...

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 10 AM
...@ Prodigy Dance. www.prodigydance.com
13350 Camino del Sur

Kearny Mesa
Tuesdays: 4:10 PM ZUMBATOMIC @ PARTY FITNESS 8589 Aero Dr. Suite 103
5 PM w/ Chuy Zumba class for adults @ PARTY FITNESS 8589 Aero Dr. Suite 103

Solana Beach
Tuesday evenings 7 PM @ All Star Dance 981F Lomas Santa Fe Dr.

Mission Valley
Wednesdays: 6:30 PM @ YMCA Mission Valley

Private Company Classes:
Tuesday @ SAIC 12:30 PM
THursday @ Pfizer Pfitness 12 PM

CHANGES IN SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS!

Hi everybody! Thank you for being so awesome!
Here is my new schedule, with new locations, etc.

Mira Mesa

Mondays: Being Fit, Mira Mesa 5:30 and 7:30 PM

Carmel Valley

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 10 AM
@ Prodigy Dance. www.prodigydance.com
13350 Camino del Sur

Kearny Mesa
Tuesdays: 4:10 PM ZUMBATOMIC @ PARTY FITNESS 8589 Aero Dr. Suite 103
5 PM w/ Chuy Zumba class for adults @ PARTY FITNESS 8589 Aero Dr. Suite 103

Solana Beach
Tuesday evenings 7 PM @ All Star Dance 981F Lomas Santa Fe Dr.

Mission Valley
Wednesdays: 6:30 PM @ YMCA Mission Valley

Private Company Classes:

Tuesday @ SAIC 12:30 PM
Thursday @ Pfizer Pfitness 12 PM

Reminder: Today August 1st, is the last day that Zumba Technique class is $15. Tomorrow and that day it will cost $20
So hurry up and register. Call me, email me, and you can pay cash, credit/debit, or checks.


Also, I wanted to let you know that the classes I teach in Solana Beach @ All Star Dance
are now Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM... and I am also accepting monthly payments for the month of August,
Per class it's $15 and for the month it's $100. 
That comes out to about $10 a class.


I think that is what I will be doing for September as well, and will probably be opening a Tuesday night class at 7:30 PM
at the same place in Solana Beach! YAY! 
So the monthly $100 will take you a bit further as of September.


You are amazing and thank you all for your support!
Have a wonderful week and I'll see you Saturday!!!

ZUMBA/DANCE TECHNIQUE CLASS

SCHEDULE AS OF AUGUST 2012

ZUMBA WITH MELISSA


Monday
 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM @ Being Fit Mira Mesa


Tuesday 
10 AM @ All Star Dance in Solana Beach
12:30 PM @ SAIC Fitness Center
4: 00 PM Zumbatomic @ Party Fitness Studio


Wednesday
6:30 PM YMCA Mission Valley


Thursday
10 AM @ All Star Dance in Solana Beach
12 PM @ Pfizer Pfitness Center


Saturday 
11 AM The Greenasium in Encinitas 

$10 a class in April in Solana Beach location

Hi everybody! 

First of all, I would like to thank you all for your support and loyalty. I appreciate it more than you know.

This month there's a special for you! $10 per class in April!!!

That's right! I need everybody to finish their current punch cards so we can start the new payment system. It's only fair for those of you who already have a card. You may use your current card till you either finish the punches on it, or it expires. After either, all you have to pay is $10 bucks a class till the end of April. By the end of April, everyone should be up to date and ready to start paying less per month :)

Also, another little gift from me to you in April, if you bring a new friend that has never been to my class, I will give you the class for free. :) That is just through April 30th, so get your friends going!

The schedule of Zumba classes @ All Star Dance in Solana Beach from now on is as follows:

Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10-11 A.M.

The address is 981F Lomas Santa Fe Dr. (Behind the Ross and Vons, in the shopping center)

For the rest of April, I will be accepting already purchased punch cards as long as they have not expired. If they have expired, you can just pay $10 a class till April 30th. 

Starting May 2012, the price for unlimited classes in one month is $90. 

(That comes out to approximately $7.50 per class if you make it to all of the classes!!! :) )

The price for a single class is $15.

(Keep in mind if you pay per class half the time, you will end up paying $90.)

Dues are the same regardless of the number of classes in a month.  Some months may have 3, 4, or 5 weeks; therefore, weeks are made up in other months. 

Dues should be paid monthly before or by the 1st day of every month. 

Accounts must be paid by with cash or a check. (working on my credit card machine)

Any accounts not paid in full by the 1st day of the month are charged a $10 late fee.  

Also, most holidays we will be having class. There will only be a few and far in between that we will not have class. The price per month remains the same.

If, for some reason, I am sick or unable to teach, I will provide a substitute or have a make-up class at a better time.

THERE ARE NO REFUNDS AVAILABLE OF ANY KIND. 

Also, the DUES ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE. Meaning, 

NOBODY ELSE CAN COME TO CLASS IN YOUR PLACE OR INSTEAD OF YOU. 

Finally, make sure that if you pay with a check, it will be cleared. 

There is a $25.00 fee for all returned checks or automatic drafts marked Insufficient, cancelled, closed account, or stop payment and late fees will also apply.

I hope this all works better for you. I appreciate your time to read through this. I'm excited to see how this is going to work and ask you to be patient while this gets going.

See you in class!

Love ya!

I HAVE LAST TICKETS FOR FIESTA CALIENTE

The tickets are almost sold out! So hurry and get them from me.  $25  now.
It's going to be a blast, a party like no other!

Join the party, join the fun, and let's shake our a**es till there's none! LOL

new schedule

Hey everybody!

I have a new schedule for the classes is Solana Beach.
Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday @ 10 AM
@ All Star Dance
That's 981 F Lomas Santa Fe Drive.
Hope you can make it! First class in this location only $10.

to all of you...

I am so appreciative of all you who come to my class, stand in line, just to get a good spot. Please don't ever think different. You guys are far beyond my state of mind. You have become my day to day. If you're not happy, I'm not happy, and I wish you all the best.\ I just want you to know that you are my motor. What keeps me going and doing what I do.Sometimes I may not be at my best. I certainly try to. Sometimes I've just had a bad day, and I apologize. I really always want to give you my best and be the best instructor that I can. Thank you all for being so supportive!

Change a world...

Today I saw a student of mine, very sad. She was worried and thinking she was probably gonna get fired next week.She said "I'm living pay check to pay check." You know what, I thought.. so am I! I wasn't having the best week. I have so many many things to take care of. The whole class, all I could do was look at her, and all I could think of was, how can I make her smile? You know what? She brought me out of my depression and all I could think of was... how can I make her smile? Sometimes we all have moments...things that make us reflect on our lives, tough moments we may go through. Today, I asked God to make me understand why I am going through, whatever I am going through... And I realized... I am healthy and OK... How are you doing? We worry so much about the little things... We forget the big picture and forget the some people would like to have our problems, and think about what they have to do tomorrow. When all we have to do is accept what God gave us today and move on to tomorrow. Where we can be better and not worse. Where we can make a difference and not let it all be the same.. You can make a difference... with a simple smile. I did today. I changed a persons day, just by trying to be the best person I know how to, can you?

Schedule!!!

St. Patrick's Day Zumba
This Saturday March 17th 3 P.M.- 5 P.M. 
@ Dance North County in Encinitas!
Bring a Friend!!!
$20 per person or 2 for $30
Happy Zumbatrick's Day!

Mornings @ All Star Dance in Solana Beach
Mon- Wed 10 A.M. 
Tues- Friday 11 A.M.

Tuesday 7 P.M. @ The Greenasium (1465 Encinitas Blvd.)

Mira Mesa 
@ Being Fit Fitness Center (8292 Mira Mesa Blvd.)
Mondays- 5:30 and 7:30 P.M.

Mission Valley
@ YMCA Mission Valley (5505 Friars Rd.)
Wednesdays 5:30 P.M.

Del Mar 
@ North County Dance Arts (12750 Carmel Country Rd.)
Thursdays at 9:30 A.M.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!! :)

Try to go to Zumba rehab and I said NO, NO, NO!

There is no doubt Zumba is not only fun and a fantastic workout but it is also like a drug. I see it happen every day! People get hooked very easily and can't stop going. Which I think is wonderful! I love my job and to be able to be the "dealer", so to speak, is an honor! LOL...But... How much Zumba is too much? I don't think there's a limit! It's such a positive and beneficial addiction, that the sky is the limit. I know when I take a vacation, or a couple of days off I definitely start getting withdrawals by the second day. How long does it take you? In fact every Sunday night (when I don't teach on the weekends) I feel them coming on. So, the other day it occured to me I may need Zumba Rehab. Can you imagine? What would that be like? What kind of horrific place would that be where there would be people keeping you away from doing Zumba.
Would the place be quiet...but not completely silent. They would constantly be playing fun music with the volume so low that you can't enjoy it, but loud enough to where you can identify the songs... to the point where you start yelling "Turn it up! Turn it up!". You would only be allowed to march to the music the whole time...no shaking... no wobbling...no body rolls... no clapping...No having fun. I imagine everyone would be frowning. No one is allowed to wear bright colors. So boring... so monotonous.
That's why if anybody were to try and make me go to Zumba rehab.... I would have to say No, No, No!
I want to go crazy and have fun so let's zumba on!!! Zumba is the best addiction I have ever known!

Schedule and NEW LOCATION!

Hello my dear dancers and Zumbistas! So sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. I've had a very hectic week. I moved to a new apartment and WAW... I didn't realize how much stuff I had. Luckily had great friends help me move. Also, I am looking for a roommate. I had one ined up but she backed out on my the day before the 1st :( Do you know of anyone who would like to rent a room in the UTC area? It's a great location and amazing apartment. Let me know!
Although my stuff is still all over the place, I felt the urge to write on here and let you know that I'm back and ready to bring you some fun blogging. 
I also wanted to let you know I am no longer teaching in Encinitas. I have moved those classes to All Star Dance in Solana Beach. My new schedule is as follows:

Solana Beach
Mornings @ All Star Dance (981 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Suite F)
Mon- Wed 10 A.M. 
Friday 11 A.M.
(more classes coming soon)
Evenings @ The Greenasium (1465 Encinitas Blvd.)
Tuesday 7 P.M.

Mira Mesa 
@ Being Fit Fitness Center (8292 Mira Mesa Blvd.)
Mondays- 5:30 and 7:30 P.M.

Mission Valley
@ YMCA Mission Valley (5505 Friars Rd.)
Wednesdays 5:30 P.M.

Del Mar 
@ North County Dance Arts (12750 Carmel Country Rd.)
Thursdays at 9:30 A.M.


Pfizer Pfitness Center (Private gym)
Tuesdays 5 P.M.
Thursdays 12 P.M.


SAIC 
@ Private Fitness Center 
Tuesdays 11 A.M.


Private Dance Lessons upon request.


Hope you can join us to have a great time, get a good work out and shake it baby!

How to get the most out of a Zumba class

- First of all, the best way to get the most out of Zumba is to come to class! LOL. If you miss it, you will really miss it and have withdrawals. Just NOT kidding. Seriously, if you want to benefit from it, like any sport, you have to keep at it.
   “What fits your busy schedule better, exercising one hour a day or being dead 24 hours a day?”
Randy Glasbergen, Cartoonist


- No matter what, keep moving. As long as you can move your body in some shape or form, you are able to Zumba. I once had a lady who needed a walker to stand, and even then she hardly ever missed a class. She would sit down on a chair and wave her arms as much as possible. So if she can, you can.
“We do not stop exercising because we grow old - we grow old because we stop exercising.”
Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Cooper Institute.


- Remember to breathe. Keep your pace to a level you are comfortable with and check your pulse if necessary so you don’t over do it.


- If you want to work harder at it, push yourself to put a little more effort into it. Example: Like when we do a song with a lot of abdominal work, make sure and tighten your abs; When we do lunges, go a little lower; when we jump,  jump a little higher, when we twist, twist a little more… get it? I burn about 900 calories a class. If I can, you can.


- Feel the music! The music is your guide in Zumba. Did you know that Zumba should really be taught without a microphone? The music and changes in every song are all your guides to change steps. So listen and feel the music! If you’re not very musical, look out for my cues… I usually lift my foot a little more, turn my head, clap, or simply point towards the next step to keep you on it. 


- If you have a hard time doing both feet and arms, go for the footwork first and work your way up to doing both. Just wait till you’re comfortable. Remember, it gets easier every time! There will come a day when I will make a mistake and you will be the one to catch me! ;)


- Don’t take it seriously! Zumba is made to get you in shape but more importantly to make you have fun and be happy! Don’t be shy or afraid others might judge you, or look at you funny. They are on the same boat as you are. Feel free to laugh at me, or at yourself and take it all lightly. 


- Smile! It will make you feel so, so, so much better if you do. When you see yourself in the mirror you will reflect happiness to yourself and to all of those around you. Sometimes the person next to you needs a smile, you just might make their day. No matter what kind of day you’re having, smile… 
                             “Smile. It’s the second best thing you can do with your lips.”


- Make sure and stay for the cool down. It is VERY important that you stretch after a Zumba class. You’re muscles need it so you don’t hurt yourself. If for some reason you have to leave the class earlier, make sure and give yourself time to stretch before you go. 


- Bring in your best energy! I know sometimes it’s hard to do because this thing called life happens, but a class with positive energy is always more fun. 


           “Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative and more happiness.”


With that said, I leave you my dearest dancers, Zumbistas, readers, or Curious George’s or Georgettes. Much love and positive energy from me to you this week and keep this in mind for the next class.

Schedule this week! (2 hours at the Rock Church!)

Here is my schedule this week... Special 2 hour Zumba Event on Saturday!


Encinitas
Mornings @ Dance North County (535 Encinitas Blvd.) 
Mon- Wed 10 A.M. 
Friday 11 A.M.


Evenings @ The Greenasium (1465 Encinitas Blvd.)
Tuesday 7 P.M.


Mira Mesa 
@ Being Fit Fitness Center (8292 Mira Mesa Blvd.)
Mondays- 5:30 and 7:30 P.M.


Normal Heights 
@ Zumba Studio 3458 Adams Ave. 
Tuesdays 9 A.M.


Mission Valley
@ YMCA Mission Valley (5505 Friars Rd.)
Wednesdays 5:30 P.M.


Del Mar 
@ North County Dance Arts (12750 Carmel Country Rd.)
Thursdays at 9:30 A.M.


SPECIAL EVENT This Saturday January 14th 2 P.M.- 4 P.M. @ The Rock Church!
A few instructors keep the energy going.
It's only $7 per person and all proceeds go to "Never knew a fathers love" ministry.
Hope you can make it! The energy is magical!

Why does my butt hurt? Oh yeah.. I kicked it!

Hello my fellow zumbistas! I'm exhausted after a day in which I only had 2 classes but tried to kick every body's butt...I ended up kicking my own in the process! My legs are in serious pain, my waist feels like I lost a size and a half, and my glutes OMG!
It's all because one of my good students told me recently she felt I haven't been hard enough on her and her class, and that she wanted me to push her further and make her sweat more. So...anywayyy... I tried really hard to do that in my morning class and everyone seemed to like it there so I just did the same at the Y in the afternoon (but gave the added wobble/lunge song, which, correct me if I'm wrong but WOW).  I believe even the students who weren't in my class today felt pain in their glutes. LOL  
(Show of hands on who felt that one!)
Funny story: After all my planning and playlist organizing, and butt kicking, the student that told me I need to turn it up a notch didn't even make it to class today. Lol! But that's O.K. We still did it and we all survived.
A little tip for everyone who wants to get the most out of their Zumba class: 
No matter how fast, slow, high or low impact the instructor is doing his/her class, you can always give it your 150% and I can assure you, you will sweat, and you will burn almost double the calories.
Remember it's different for an instructor because we HAVE to give it are 150% for some students to give it a possible 70%. (NOT EVERYBODY, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN). That's why, when I've been injured, I tell you to jump even if I don't. ;o)
Remember, no matter what mood we're in, no matter if we're having a bad day, PMS-ing, mad at somebody, stressed, unmotivated, desperate, frustrated, etc. as instructors we still have to walk into our class, put on our best smile and give out the best-est most positive energy we can. 
This usually is easy and comes naturally but, there have been only about 2 times in my life when I have actually wanted to cry while teaching in front of everybody (which I will tell you about in future posts). 
The key for me is to focus on you and kick my emotions' butts, sooo, to all of you who smile back and give it your best thank you for being so awesome even when I try and kick your butts and you can't take it anymore. Thanks for keeping at it. You are troopers. And last but not least, thank you for kicking my butt and teaching me a lesson. You rocked it today! Mely hugs to all and c u soon!

Changing the world one smile at a time!

That's my number one goal. When I tell people what I do for a living, and I say "Dance or Zumba Instructor" many people say "Oh! That's so cool! You can actually get a workout while you work!" or "That's why you're so skinny!" or "That's so cool that you can do what you love!", but the truth is, these may have been my reasons to pursue this as a career initially, but through my years of experience, the list has grown much longer and deeper. 

That's, thanks to many of my students! :) It's amazing how zumba/dancing can change your life! Of course, a lot of people feel great health wise, once they get addicted to Zumba. I am so proud to see dedicated students lose weight and walk in thinner to every class. 

More importantly though, I feel so proud to be part of a change that has occured within them. Not only have they lost weight, or have become addicted to zumba or dancing, but they have changed emotionally as a person. I have seen Zumba (and dancing) transform people in ways that only something sacred could. I have watched so many of my students grow on personal and emotional levels, and just look at life from a different perspective. So it's an honor and a gift to be able to do what I do. I love every minute of it and more so, the impact it may have on others. 

Although it's not always easy to keep a happy face for everyone, I try my best to do it. To smile as much as I possibly can, and send out good vibes and positive energy to all of you who take my class. Even though I may not know your name, my mission has always been and will always be to make the world a better place one smile at a time. So I hope today I make you smile, and you make someone else smile too. ;o) That way we will have all done our part in making the world a better place!