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!