Subbed HI LO Class with Zumba Gold/Basic at Premier Fitness

Subbed another class today and it went great. Because it is a different crowd I cut down on the jumping for this class and changed up my playlist again.   Also I put more danceable music between songs so that people can either get water or do squats or something else.   Everyone was getting the steps and having a great time. It was supposed to be a Hi-Lo class with weights but was substituted for a Zumba Class instead.  At the end of class 2 ladies came up to me and asked ” Are you a dancer?”. I was flattered that they asked because deep inside I really want to be thought of as a dancer and someone who is rhythemically talented.  I responded that I love to dance and that I practice a lot at home.

Just like my girl Tanya Beardsley I encorporate Hip/Hop way of moving with Latin. I’m Jamaican and it’s a natural fit and transition for me to mix up the 2 as well. 

Subbing for Wynn fitness again tonight so see u there @ 730! dundas/dixie / mississauga, canada

Sorry I don’t teach F-umba – Unlicenced Zumba Instructors

Man I got a beef to pick eh’. I just went for an appointment for a job to teach Zumba in a dance studio and didn’t get the job because they wanted F-umba basically.  Although the Zumba Formula and the Zumba King himself promotes Non-Verbal cueing in a Zumba Basic Class, it was expected that I would.   I’m not just talking verbal cueing of the next step, but each and every step!  i.e. You make a booty shake and face in four directions like in La Patilla, she wanted me to not only point but say “This way”…”now that way”, “now this way”…maybe a giggle in between and say “that way” . I swear if I went to a F-umba class that had that much unnecessary verbal cuing I’d seriously consider shooting myself LOL! 

But hey I don’t blame her for expecting it because the previous instructor did that..and so did the instructors she experienced at other gyms such as Salsasize, and jazzercize, and all those Les Mills programs that probably promote tons of talking during class. Which is fine…but

This is Zumba – not F-umba – So it’s a party! – Do you talk at a party?  Why would you when you’re too busy feeling the music!

Anyway it was good to get the feedback because it only enforces the kind of instructor I wanna be..and that is one who sticks to the roots of the Zumba Formula, who follows the vision of what Beto Perez, the Zumba King wants for his Zumba Craze.   Only in Zumba Gold you use verbal cueing.  I saw a Zumba Queen perform, and that was Tanya, she did not speak a word during her performance, but she dance her fricken heart out and gave it her 130%.   She is a performer and a teacher, and talking has nothing to do with it.

If Tanya went to this interview…and yes she spoke to me through her shoes, beause I was wearing her Nike Air Max 90′s the yellow and purple ones…she said to me…Forget it Farida…you don’t teach F-umba. Peace out n’ Zumba Love to all xox!

P.S. I’ve seen Zumba taught at Goodlife Fitness and they don’t teach F-umba either and I fell in love with taking them.

P.S.2 And do you believe the owner said that she’d be teaching F-umba until she found another instructor to take her place. Gave her a friendly reminder that it’s not really legal and she corrected herself to say that she teaches salsa and balloom and renamed it to “Latin Funk” er som sht  – unlicenced zumba instructors can’t teach Zumba Classes

Was in the ZIN forums and got some awesome advice I’d like to share and it actually made me feel a bit better:

I have worked for Gyms who “dictated” how they wanted me to teach. You know what, I took the job at that time and SLOWLY changed the way the management saw Zumba.

I enjoy a challege. I see this as an OPPORTUNITY to get in there and MAKE A FEW IMPRESSIONS… by working with the facilty and management.

I see this as an even better way to share the Zumba way, by changing minds!

Just me. I believe that people are allowed to have their own ideas about things but if I know of a different or even better way, I might take the chance to MAKE THE ZUMBA MAGIC HAPPEN!

It is called evolution and professionalism

My reply:

thanx for your feedback I was waiting for it actually. I like the way you emphasized it as being a challenge and slowly changed the way management saw Zumba(i like that). I definately want to evolve and be more professional. Maybe next opportunity i’ll try to keep this in mind. Thanx

Got my Green B on my Zumba Profile! Yippi!!!

Yippi guys I finally got my Green B  guys! give me a hip hip horrayyy!!! http://86036.zumba.com

Zumba Gold & Basic Classes in Mississauga Tuesdays’ 10-1030 + 1030-11

It’s set! I’ll be offering pay as you go classes till December at Cawthra Community Centre! I’m so happy about this because I really wanted to be able to offer my own classes once a week.

So starting September 7th 2010, in Mississauga, Ontario I’ll be offering Women Only Classes for 30 min each.

Zumba Gold: 10am to 1030 am – For beginners, and/or older active adults or for those with knee problems. What’s different about this class is that it’s at a slower pace and there is no jumping or squats in this class.  It makes a great warmup class for the Zumba Basic class that starts right after at 10:30am.

**Make sure to arrive earlier to sign waiver forms – Your first time is always free! and thereafter only $5.00 per 30 minute class.

Zumba Basic: 1030 to 11am – is everything but basic however some have a natural ability to find the basic step within a complicated step and still participate. There is jumping, squats and twisting involved in this class. What’s most important is that you keep moving because like Tanya Beardsley says, some movement is better than no movement at all.  In a 30 minute class depending on how hard you work you can burn 250 to 400 calories.

Free Bottled water is offered for all participants – Limited Supply so bring your water bottle just in case.

Each time you pay for class you’re entered into a draw to win $50 in Zumba clothing and more!

See you there!

See my profile for updates

http://86036.zumba.com

**don’t forget this class is for Women only so let go of your inhibitions and have a party with Farida B.

Rent a Facility or Fitness Studio in Mississauga, Ontario Canada – Say Wha???

Finding studio space is really challenging and it’s bumming me out – I’m being told they’re all booked up.   Thank goodness I managed to book 4 classes in Cawthra Community Centre in Mississauga.   It makes me happier to see that I am actually carrying out what I planned to do which was teaching Zumba Fitness classes in Gold and Basic.   I really hope that my Zumba icons on my profile update real soon.  If you notice the update before me send me a buzz http://86036.zumba.com

So my Classes will be September 7, 14, 21, and 28th in the early morning between 10 and 11/ (2) 30min classes, one Gold and one basic. RSVP here: http://www.zumbaworkoutscanada.com/zumba%C2%AE_gold_rsvp Update my icons and I’ll be able show that..little annoying gotta wait so long

I may also be teaching at a Church so I have to write up a preposal for that one to get the ball rolling and hear back by next week.  Receiving the ZIN 28 DVD with the new coreography really gets me excited because I love 8 out of 10 songs on the dvd and I really want to teach them in my future classes.  Time to create some new favorites to take over classics if that is even possible like Fuego(cumbia) and Zumba Mami.

I also have to watch my spending and come up with some funds to reserve this other spot I’m looking at. I really hope I can get to teach privately at least 2 times a week – one evening and one morning.   Someone emailed me if I’d be offering Gold classes in the evening so I have to offer that as an option as well. 

Anyway I will keep you up to date on progress…

In the mean while, visit my website and take a look at the videos http://www.zumbaworkoutscanada.com

*The rates that I’ve found are high from 40 to 60/hr where some require 200$ deposit up front. Maybe it’s a Mississauga thing…

Zumba Gold & Zumba Basic Classes in Mississauga, Ontario with Farida B.

Check out new youtube video with Tribute to Zumba Mami – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdrfUbUuxTc

Dancing with Tanya Beardsley in the Flesh B1 Zumba Training at Can-Fit-Pro

OM -effin- G! I did NOT come to know the meaning of Zumba Love until I met that girl on the right. Tanya Beardsley!!!!

When I booked the spot for the B1 Training at the Can-Fit-Pro conference (Zumba Fitness sponsored the event for the 3rd year in a row …woo hooooo!), I saw her name but I didn’t really know who she was but I knew she was more famous than the other ZES’s in in the area.  Main reason I just got into doing Zumba fitness classes in March of this Year which is only recently. 

When I took Zumba Gold training on July 18th I was chatting it up with another Zumba Fitness instructor and mentioned that I’ll be going to the B1 training with Tanya Beardsley. All of a sudden her eyes opened up wide with a big smile on her face and shaking her head in amazment and said ” Oh my God Tanya Beardsley is so amazing you’re really gonna love her”. It was like she was at a loss for words but continued to repeat how amazing she was.   So I was thinking okay great..it should be good then but wasn’t convinced that it was worth the $430 bucks I paid to be there. I actually called Can-Fit-Pro twice and asked what I’m getting for that money and they told me that if I was can fit pro certified I get four credits and stuff like that which isn’t worth much to me at this point.  So after hearing the feedback of the girl telling me about Tanya Beardsley I was like…..what can be so amazing about this girl…I thought….confused I was at that time.

After spending a few hours with Tanya Beardsley at the training I began to understand what she meant.  This girl beams with inspiration to all Zumba Fitness Instructors.

• What she says when she gives advice and how she speaks with conviction
• How she dances with a hip hop b-girl Latin style is aaammmmaaaazzinggg
• How she looks and dresses, she is beautiful, fit, sexy and coool!!!!
• How she teaches in a way so that you remember what she teaches you by asking you questions one after another in a funny way. And what’s your name? uuuuhhhhhhh hahah! love her!

She calls some of us on stage to dance with her like OMG. Here am I dealing with nervousness and feeling like I’m getting cold feet and I was in front row and she calls me on stage FIRST! .   Like OMG…I was freaking in my head.  It was the samba step which I totally know how to do because I was practicing at home a lot.  And you know what was the most surprising part to me? I didn’t get one butterfly in my stomach..and I wasn’t nervous as I expected to be. My anxiety was more coming from being excited rather than being afraid.   As I was following her with another instructor who also got called up to dance with her I was saying in my head “man everythings gonna be okay..I already know how to do these moves..and other variations of the samba step” WOW!!! That was a great confidence booster for when I do my own classes… IT WAS GREAT TO DANCE BESIDE HER ARM IN ARM!!!!

I asked her in the washroom if I could be her BFF and she smiled and said “suureee”, which would really be great I’d call or text her like every day;)  I took a photo with her at the end and I was like the third in line after the other fans and she was sweaty and said as I was about to put my arm around her and hers around me “oh I don’t wanna get my funk all over you”..and I said “Oh I’ll take your funk any day girl”…we smiled and took the photo.  

aBSOLUTELy the best day EVER in a long time!!!!

Just a few other things about Tanya:

• She lives in Manhattan, New York
• She cuts up her zumba t’s either mens or womens shirts and wears them
• Saw her in the dreamer zumbawear shirt and it looks ammmmazing! and chica sexy!!
• She has a muscular build now and some big guns! I forgot to ask her to flex for me or even arm wrestle..but she still looks sexy and very feminine
• She has a favorite golfer hat which she looks great in
• Some of her words to live by “Doubt Kills, Some movement is better than no movement at all, Give 130% when teaching your classes and maybe your classmates will give you back 50%, if 5 people don’t like your style there are 15 others that will, when you’re teaching if they don’t get the steps by the fourth round then simplify the steps for the next time, teach at the learning level of your class but give your energy 130%, the more energized your participants are the and the more they get the steps the more calories they burn, don’t repeat songs just make your steps easy enough so that they can do the steps to burn calories, 35% of the class routines should involve fitness moves by using a dance step and sprinkle a fitness variation into that step to keep it fun, music should be 70% international and 30% regular, that 30% should be included in your warmup and cooldown songs, use your warmup as a hook with easy steps to get everyone moving but make them work for the fund stuff, warmup should be 8-15 min and cooldown at least 5 min and the body of the workout 40 min and Zumba is a Fitness class based on international dance rythems not just latin music. 

Goodlife Exclusivity Contract for Zumba Instructors

Did you know that if you teach for Goodlife who is in direct conjunction with Les Mills that you can’t teach anywhere else but Goodlife.  

I can understand not teaching for a competitor like Premiere Fitness or the YMCA for the same type of Zumba Fitness workout… but they mean no one!

No one as in you can’t even offer private classes too!

Being a fitness instructor is fun and all but on a pay grade rate I’ve heard that it’s not that great. You can get anywhere from $15 to $30 per class you teach.   Let’s say you teach 5 classes a week, that 180 every week and after taxes maybe thats down to $140…so that’s $280 every 2 weeks.

That means you’ll still have to work at your full time job and get paid for something you’ll do anyway which is working out.   I guess that would be okay if you didn’t HATE your full time job. 

I’m really bored of my full time job so I had to decline the offer to work for Goodlife.   It’s like a bitter sweet… I’ll see if the YMCA has the same exclusivity contract because I’d love to Teach Aqua Zumba as well.   Gonna be Zumba Licenced to teach that by September. 

So by September I’ll have 4 Zumba licencing titles under my belt: Gold, Basic 1, Basic 2, Aqua…next is Zumba Toning

Got Zumba Banner in the Mail

Hey…got a semi sweet pleasant surprise today and my Zumba banner arrived in the mail. Woo hoo…just in time for Septembers classes at the cawthra Community centre. I can’t believe I didn’t make a post on that.  Well I placed a huge order on www.zumba.com for almost 300 bucks and only the banner arrived….hmmmmmm I hope they’re not going to forget about the rest of my stuff. Maybe it’s procedure to ship banners separately.  I also received it in a long rectangular cardboard box with the awesome Zumba logo tape on it. Wish they sold that logo tape eh’.   When I was carrying it out of shoppers drugmart I held it subconciously in a way where people would notice the Zumba tape…haha. Isn’t that lame?  Like it’s just tape eh’.   But whatever I want some.

So…. about the classes Here’s the location and schedule information:

[Type] ZUMBA® Gold Class in Mississauga., Ontario:
[Date] September 7, 14, 21, 28
[Time] 10:15 AM
[Where] Cawthra CC 1399 Cawthra Rd.
[Free Demo Class]: Sept 7 2010

For a map click on my zumba profile link here and then scroll down for class locations: http://86036.zumba.com/

*I become licenced to teach Zumba Basic on Aug 12th next week at the Can-fit-pro conference…so I might end up splitting that hour from 10 to 11 into half Gold then half Basic. We’ll see because I really wanna teach Basic at the faster pace that I love.

Excited, Nervous and Broke – Zumba Instructor Journey

These are the three things I’m feeling right now, excited, nervous and broke. I finally found a facility to rent and hold Zumba Gold classes in. It makes me feel good I have that done at least because it shows I’m actually doing something. I’ve rented 4 spots in mississauga from a community centre and hope to secure more spots at a dance studio also in Mississauga. I’ll definately post when and if that goes through or not.  So i’m excited because I can say when I’ll actually start teaching Zumba Classes. I’m also nervous too but I keep listening to my music and I just about have my Zumba Gold Coreographed steps down pat. Once I have all the music memorized I’ll be able to improvise and do Zumba Gold moves to other songs like Hala.

With all the purchases I made relevant to my new Zumba jorney i’m broke until next pay now

made huge purchase online for zumbawear of almost 300 bucks

purchased business cards with vistaprint

and oh yeah..also excited because registered for …see my next post .

Check out my class schedule here: http://www.zumbaworkoutscanada.com/find_zumba%C2%AE_classes

and here: http://86036.zumba.com/

**you know I didn’t expect this to cost so much but no regrets..I feel it will all be worth it in the end as long as I put both feet forward in this