Teaching Zumba Toning

Hey all! Hope you’ve all had a happy new year. So far it’s going great. I’ve been teaching the Zumba Toning program for a little more than a year now and it really is an effective, fat burning gift for your body.   I have to give credit to the Amazing Amanda Grant ZES, out of Ontario/Canada who you probably know of from ZIN 30.   She’s a great dancer, energetic, and has a great Zumba booty!  From my personal experience, it was really when I began to lose more inches on my body. Since teaching it and without changing my eating habits I lost an extra 10 lbs and have kept it off.  I’ll tell ya…getting rid of those bye-bye arms can really be a challenge, but it’s really worth adding Zumba Toning to your workout regime if your body has gotten used to regular Zumba classes and you’ve run out of other instructors to try.   Zumba Toning is what your body needs to get it out of its plateau phase.

What’s great about teaching Zumba Toning is that each instructor has their own style and way of interpreting the rhythm and also to translate it into an effective way to use up to 5lb weights with it (not more).  For instructors who follow the Zumba DVD’s to the T, you’ll find that it’s at a slower pace and with some plyometric surprises in between.   For me I’ll take regular Zumba ZIN volumes and choose songs that I can apply to a Zumba Toning format. This is more fun because I’ll always have a variety of songs to use so my participants don’t get bored…hopefully.

So while teaching this program this question still remains…. How can I make this workout even more effective so that we’re engaging all muscle groups in an effective way. Here are some ideas so far:

Arms: Movements can be done at tempo of the song, but try to include movements that can be half tempo as well for added resistance.  Some movements include:

• Merengue arms to work, biceps, triceps so that your body is shaped like a lower cased T
• Arm Movement Idea: Open and close arms in a NW/SE, and a NE/SW formation to target accessory muscles in the arms and shoulder and upper back
• Arm Movement Idea: Arms at chest level and move them in stirring motion to target accessory muscles in the arms and chest and upper back
• General movements: tricep curls, bicep curls, side bicep curls, chest presses, shoulder presses. But those are movements that target mostly your major muscle groups instead of your accessory muscle groups.

Legs

• Quads: Back lunge but with your leg crossed behind the opposite leg instead of lunging it directly behind you. Targets major and secondary muscle groups.  Alternate them to the beat of a salsa song at tempo or half tempo.
• Inner Thigh and outer:  To a slow salsa, have most of your weight on one leg, and the other leg will cross as far over in front of that leg, then tap out to the side, and then cross it behind that leg and repeat several reps and switch to the other side.  To target the outer thigh, instead of tapping out to the side, lift your leg and then back down to cross behind you for several reps.
• Cross Squats: Squat down as far as you can with weights in your hand, and to the beat of a song, take the weight in your right hand and place it in front of your left leg. Then come back up, and then back down again to place the weight in your left hand down in front of your right leg. Repeat this sequence and pick them back up.

Abs

• Now this is where I will need your help. I still haven’t found an effective standing ab exercise that will have your feeling it the next day.
•   I am open to ideas from all you fitness professionals out there to share it with my class.

Plyometric Movements:

• I’m so intrigued to find out how we can incorporate challenging moves to better target the abdominal muscles and core strength to burn fat like a mean ..but cute zumba fighting machine!!

Don’t forget to checkout the Zumba clothing , especially those cargo pants which are currently on sale at http://www.howtozumbawearclothing.com

To reach me…email me at http://86036.zumba.com

I feel like Chantel in The Bachelor right now

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I have a confession to make – I’m feeling a bit bummed because it’s hard to measure up to such a great instructor who was working at Premier for like 3 years.   I feel like Chantel waiting to get that final rose of acceptance from my class but maybe my deep insecurity about the whole thing has me doubting myself.   Before I took over the class in Milton I was told that there were 50 or 60 people that take that class but the most I’ve ever seen was almost 30.  Always had me feeling did the other 30 jump ship because she doesn’t teach anymore?  Then when I asked someone last week who took her classes if there were ever 50 or 60 people there, she said no and that if there were they’d be like “sardines in a can” in there.  I also heard that members cried when she left.

I have to say that it’s a quieter crowd than I’m used to. I feel so spoiled working at Wynn fitness as a Zumba instructor on Monday nights because they’re truly the best crowd.   There whooing and clappin and having a fab old time. I don’t even have to say anything after a song and they’re cheering and giving me thumbs up. It’s such a great feeling to see that members appreciate what you’re trying to give them…

But when you’re constantly being compared to previous instructor with years experience based on locker room gossip, I should be saying..u know it’s their right..and if it were me..I’d be making comparisons too.  I really wanted to take her last class but she didn’t show up and I ended up having to teach the class.   I know they really wanted to see “her”..so I was a little worried that they’d be bummed that they were left with “me”.   They even told me, they wanted me to teach them the zumba class that day so I did and gave it my best.  One member told me , that the members were afraid that they’d be stuck with someone they didn’t like.   I’m still trying to figure out if they ‘like me’.   The numbers are getting increasingly good which tells me ‘maybe the members are warming up to my technique’.

What is my class like? Hmmm Definately a mixed playlist of most international sounds – There has to be some sexy moves in there, some hip hop, some belly dance, salsa, merengue…oh definately cumbia…recently some soca, bollywood, and a house warmup and batchata cooldown

Here’s a typical music type playlist for a class:

1. house warmup
2. merengue
3. salsa
4. latin pop
5. reggaeton
6. merengue
7. salsa
8. cumbia
9. reggaeton
10. latinpop
11. bellydance
12. soca
13. salsa
14. bollywood
15. cumbia
16. batchata cooldown

I like to have alot of songs and variety in a class so most songs are 3 minutes n’ something.

How can I expect to really measure up to someone who has 3 years Zumba teaching experience, with Can fit pro group fitness training to lil ol young me, with 6 months teaching experience and no can fit pro but are familiar with fitness since it’s something I’ve been doing since a late teenager?? – excuse the run on sentence please.

I really have to give this more time u know – 6 months in and I’m so happy I have fans already. I can’t wait to see what having experience will evolve me into …maybe a Zumba Superhero! I really want to evolve into someone who is fit, and who has limitless energy and gleams with a Zumba glow from a far.  I’ll go as far as my knees will take me – Come on zumba knees! take me to where I need to go!

 

 

What is Aqua Zumba?

Aqua zumba is a fusion of aerobic exercise which focuses on your entire body and your core! Strengthen your core to lose extra inches on your waistline and other hard to reach areas by taking this type of class.

 

Facts: Burn up to 400 calories, aqua shoes aren’t necessary but you’ll get more out of your workout if you wear them which are now available at your local walmart

Feel free to drop in because your first class is free at Premier Fitness!

For maps and directions: visit my schedule page http://86036.zumba.com

http://www.howtozumbawearclothing.com

AZ Classes in Mississsauga, Ontario: Sundays from 10am to 11am, Thursdays from 715 to 815 pm

AZ Classes in Milton, Ontario: Wednesdays from 630 to 715 pm, Thursdays from 10am to 11am

What’s the difference between Aqua Zumba and Aqua fit?

• The music is more up beat
• choreographed moves for each song
• Faster movement
• Latin Music
• It’s wayyy more fun and less robotic
• Moves are easy to learn
• Moves are done to the tempo and beat of the music

Taught my first back to back Zumba Class then Aqua Zumba

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I’m teaching back to back classes at milton u know…from 7-8 is Zumba BAsic and then from 8-9 is Aqua zumba.   I was really excited to use my new playlist using combined songs from Zin 28/29/30 and Mega Mix 20. I really loved Zin 30 and I used 5 songs from there for my Zumba Class.   U know for my classes there has to be some hip hoppy moves and some sexiness and belly dance too! Ended the class off with a sexy ass cooldown using that song “Break your windows” that was on the Step Up 3D soundtrack.  As far as choreography I used pretty much exact choreo for Halle Decale created by my girl, my sexy chica..Amanda Grant…and as well as for Daddy Yankee’s Lo que paso paso. But the rest of the songs I changed up the choreo so that it had more latin flava.   There was a girl in my Zumba class yesterday and you can tell she LOVES to dance latin music and chica was workin it and whoo whooing . Love those who whooers;)  As far as my playlist there are some that like to do a lot of merengue but me I like to have a balance so hopefully everyone gets their fix. for example: for a one hour class

1. Top 40 warm up
2. salsa warm up
3. merengue
4. salsa
5. cumbia
6. bollywood Halle Decale Zin 30
7. salsa Lo que paso paso Zin 30
8. merengue
9. bellydance/hiphop
10. merengue
11. salsa , zin 28 fuego la jicotea (my fav salsa song – tribute to Tanya Beardsleys choreo)
12. hip hop/reggae
13. batchata – gotta have a piece of Aventura in there
14. hip hop “ie zin 28’s luz del flow” with tribute to my girls Tanya B’s choreo
15. R&B Break your windows

Although this is my kind of mix..the class ran a few min longer than expected so gotta try to shorten it by 5 min or so, in order to get to aqua class in time because i was late.

So went downstairs to get ready for aqua and changed my clothes and my black and purple wig to my black and hot pink wig and changed my hat – coz i always gotta wear a hip hoppy hat – because after the first class was dripping with sweat. took a shower and got wet and got in there to teach aQua. i know i know…they say you’re not supposed to get in the pool for safety reasons…but ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME? mAN did that water feel really good after getting so heated in Zumba Basic class. I can say I’m in the water about 60% of the time. I preview the moves out the water for the first 1st round of a new move..look to see that their getting it…tell em to continue while i hop in that oasis of cool water paradise feeling.   U know…during class I felt fine..great…refreshed as we moved to She’s Hot from Zin 28. Also most important thing DRINK LOTS OF WATER or you will get CRAMPED THE HELL UP from dehydration. Bring a 1.5 litre with you to class and you’ll be fine. drink some every couple of songs.

Now….I wasn’t prepared for the residual effects after finishing the class. NAUSEA and hunger all in one. I felt to puke even I was hungry. Not to mention my body temperature won’t feel regulated and warm until i go home to take a hot shower for at least 15 minutes.  The nausea didn’t go away until around 2am. Took gravol pills, and didn’t really eat much because i felt i was gonna hurl it up.  So why did I feel that way. Was it because I didn’t eat well during the day? Was something depleted in my body that caused me to feel that way?

And the search begins….come on google show me the light!

Later that day…Google shed some light on the subject: Apparently It was a combination of being low n potassium and magnesium and dehydration. With dehydration you not only need to replenish your water but the salts as well – so either a no carb poweraide or a gatorade which ever one you like in combination with more water consumption throughout the day.  For potassium..good to have a banana 30 min before class, and magnesium as well as more potassium , eat nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, seeds) contain a great amt of magnesium. You can have a protien shake and mix in a banana and the nuts 1 hr before you work out.  For any of you experiencing the same thing…hope this helps!

Don’t forget to checkout http://www.howtozumbawearclothing.com for the new cut up T Live it/Love it – Email me

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

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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

Becoming a Zumba Instructor has improved my quality of life

http://www.howtozumbawearclothing.com Heyyyy. Yeah I said it. Since I begun my venture to become a Zumba Fitness Instructor since June 2010 my life has

 

 

improved substantially in the following ways:

 

• It has gradually broke me out of my shell 
• I’ve become more outgoing and fun to be with
• Teaching Classes increased my personal confidence as a human being
• Being a ZIN member has revived and renews my passion for Zumba Fitness being kept up to date on coreography and hot sexy music
• I’ve gotten a new jobs working for fitness clubs as a Zumba Fitness Instructor and Love it!
• I’ve met new friends as a result of bringing Zumba Fitness into my life
• I wear pretty much the best type of Nike’s ever made because of my girl Tanya Beardsley who has awesome taste in runners
• Becomming a Zumba Fitness instructor inspires me to take care of my health to be able to teach Zumba Fitness classes for the long term.
• My dancing skills have dramatically improved within the past 5 months as a result of becomming a Zumba Fitness instructor
• I can now say that I’m a Zumba Fitness Instructor with more confidence
• I can now say that being a Zumba fitness instructor is the best job I’ve ever had in my life because it envokes nearly no stress and you smile while you’re working. Perfect

Peace Out chicas!  So if you’re thinking of becomming a Zumba Fitness instructor and love to dance and love international and latin music then let your passion guide you!

 

Aqua Zumba Meets Premiere Fitness – Milton Location Today 10am!

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Heyyy ! Taught my first Aqua Zumba Class at Premiere fitness in Milton and it was a success. All the participants liked it and want more!

Every Thursday 10am – 1117 Maple ave Premiere Fitness

General recommended items when taking an Aqua Zumba Class as a participant:

• Aqua socks or aqua shoes for better traction and protection for your feet
• A good sports bra like Enell brand to keep the girls from hopping out
• Best done in a luke warm pool!

Great news! Milton location is a salt water pool so get a total body therapy and get a good workout at the same time!

C U There!

What I learned about my role as a Zumba Fitness Instructor

Don’t forget to check out http://www.howtozumbawearclothing.com 

Remember that job interview I had a more than a month ago with that lady on lakeshore who said that “no one wants a dancing body with it’s head cut off”…basically implying that I had no personality. yeah ..that one who is also an unlicenced zumba instructor who actually never took zumba fitness training and who’s getting fumba routines from YOUTUBE.  But I don’t wanna be a rat because karma’s a bitch!  I still stand that she was harsh in the way she approached the situation.   She wanted me to talk more and not just instruct on direction of a move or how to do something..it was about motivation.   Since then I’ve definately learned more about how to be a better motivator in being a fitness instructor since I began teaching Aqua Zumba.

Here’s how..I actually googled “how to motivate as a fitness instructor” or something else along those lines and I learned quite a few things.

• Complimenting them when they are doing well
• Encouraging your class to give you more
• Pointing out those who are doing extremely well
• Taking on a role as a performer and getting them to let go of their inhibitions
• Smile and encourage them when they seem they’re giving up
• If they’re not getting the moves with all that..them simplify it

I used these techniques above in teaching my first Aqua Zumba class but it wasn’t enough to make it a success because the moves were not easy to do. So before the second class, I got in the water and found that they were right. You gotta get in the water to get a better feel for how to teach them the moves on land..and if they still can’t get it..then simplify or change the move all together.  The second class although it was only one member was a success and the member told me “This is better than just swimming”.   I’m about to go onto teaching class three for Aqua Zumba at Premiere on Sundays and hopefully with a bigger crowd that will say the same thing. CROSSIN MA FINGAZ.!!!

I also subbed my first Zumba fitness class one thursday in oakville and used all the motivation techniques above and got feedback from the manager today who said “they loved it, and they want to get me on the list!” Woo hoo! It’s great encouragement for the class I’ll be subbing tomorrow at Premiere fridays at Burnhamthorpe/Erindale station. I’m gonna have them ladies sweatin’ like never before and the music is gonna be SEXY HOT!!!

Oh yeah about that lady on lakeshore….they say when a door closes another door opens. She didn’t even want to give me a chance to demo a class and just went by what I did for her. Even she was smiling and giggling too and still turned around and said I had no personality. She was gonna offer me 20 and I’d have to wait for the rate I’m getting now which is 30. So i’m gonna say a few things.

Sionara! Astalawego! Astalavista! Areevadechi! Aurevoir! Masalama! Fil Me lengae! Baby!

Remember I was saying it’s foomba to talk in a Zumba fitness class, well I was wrong and I was very upset that day for really being insulted not that I didn’t get the job.   Since then I learned that it’s important as a Zumba Fitness instructor to be a motivator too because your participants want to feel good about taking your class too and so they get to the level of success that they seek in taking your class.

Chao baby!

p.s. I wanna say that Zin 29 is da bomb! and I already started using 3 of the songs in both my Zumba basic and Aqua Zumba classes. I believe in the Zumba Formula and do my best to stay true to it every single class…even if it’s my own choreography.

Subbed my first Zumba Fitness Class in Oakville Ontario – Premier Fitness

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Just subbed my first Zumba class tonight at Premiere Fitness in Oakville near trafalgar/dundas location. They have a madam moiselle section so it’s only women. They even have a kurtain so other passerbyers can’t see in.

I was told before hand that the students are beginners and that the original instructor keeps it simple for them.   So I was a bit worried that maybe they won’t get the steps and it’s gonna be a bombed class.   Further from the truth…the ladies in the class were AWESOME!  They followed really well and I had a really great playlist. Some was from Zin 28 and 29 and Mega Mix 20 and other stuff.

I actually had a light butterfly feeling before class which is a first but I remember Tanya Beardsley’s wise words  as I wore her purple and yellow nike’s that you can see from a mile away “Doubt Kills, so don’t doubt yourself”  And I didn’t. I gave the class all the flava I could strum up.

I’m also getting better at being a motivator too because after googling a few weeks ago, it’s your job as an instructor to motivate your class. How? Let them know when they’re doing well, compliment them, put them in the spot light, encourage them to give a little more. Hey I’m a newbie at the motivating part but I really wanna be great at being a Zumba fitness instructor…maybe even famous…naaaaaaaaaaaaa maybe that’s pushin it a lil too far.  Dancing side by side with Beto? ..naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa that’s wayyyy to far.

So that’s that…it was great and the club manager says if they liked me, there may be a job in it for me. Woo hoo! I’ll try to call to get some feedback tomorrow.

Peace out!

 

Feedback 10.28.2010 ! I just got off the phone with the manager at the oakville Premiere location to find out what the participants thought of the subbed class and her words exactly “They loved it!”…”they said you have a lot of energy”  !!!!!!!!! AND THATS A GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! FOR FARIDA B!!!

Keepin’ my cool with Aqua Zumba

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Want Zumbawear for $15?  Send an email to qualify for a discount on a white off the shoulder cut up Zumba T. If you’re a fan of zumba but too shy to start with a burst of color, this is a good start. Quote code:Keepitsexy1015 in your email. Email faridadancer[a t t ]zumbaworkoutscanada.com

So! I have my first official Aqua Zumba class starting this Sunday at Premier Fitness. Woo hoo! Good business move because it’s the first official Aqua Zumba class in Mississauga, Ontario – So good on ya guys!  I did ask if there is a drop in rate and it’s $25, basically the cost of the membership of $30.   It may be worth inquiring if you find Aqua Zumba is a better cardio fit for ya.  

I saw a video done by another Aqua Zumba instructor for Shakira’s Waka Waka Waka – and it was really fun to watch him do it and definately looks fun to do. I’m still thinking of doing that routine for this sunday.   There won’t be any aqua mats so i’m a lil nervous about that.

My wish to ‘Tanya’s shoes’ :

   Please ‘Tanya’s Shoes’ don’t make me fall on my ass 

Instill the wow factor I’ll need, during my first class

 keep me cushioned, and keep me safe

 keep me balanced and not show up late.

I feel great in you, and you feel great in me

Guys don’t get the wrong idea, just take it easy

This class will be great, and not a big mistake

Oh Tanya shoes, you are the one

and because of that, this class will be lots of fun!

Peace out!