Archive for "Zumba"
My First Zumba Fitness-Concert
Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ching under Zumba.
There are no words to describe the Zumba fitness-concert at the 2013 Zumba Instructor Convention in Orlando. It was overwhelming in so many ways. Not just because of all of the amazing performers… It was literally overwhelming because of the mob of instructors that attended. I was sad when the fitness-concert was over because I didn’t want it to end. When it was over, the swarm of people leaving the basement of the Orange County Convention Center reminded me of a scene from World War Z. Seriously. I can’t wait until next year!
Here are some additional photos from that evening…
Me and Christina, Waiting in the Line to Get In
Actually Not Too Far From the Stage
Somehow Got Closer to the Stage as the Night Progressed
Look at All the People Who Were There
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Salsa & Merengue Mash Up with Wally
Posted on August 26, 2013 by Ching under Travel, Zumba.
My first ever Zumba convention session was with Walter “Wally” Diaz, a Zumba instructor based out of Coral Gables, Florida. Wally presented the history and background of various rhythms such as merengue, bachata, cha cha, mambo, pachanga, boogaloo, and salsa. He demonstrated the basic steps and variations and then we did a master class. He is amazing! And his assistants (backup dancers?) were as well. I had a fantastic workout!
Besides getting a workout, the objective of the session is to give class participants the skill to identify the various rhythms and put the steps into practice. Once we identify the rhythm, we should listen to the song several times to identify the intro, musical phrase, chorus, musical bridge, and final cut (outro) to apply the Zumba formula. Here are some of the photos I took from that amazing session.
MERENGUE
This is a two-step dance (almost like marching), but the knees are slightly bent and hips move side to side like a pendulum.BACHATA
The basics to the dance are three-step with a Cuban hip motion, followed by a tap that is often accompanied by a “pop” of the hips on the 4th beat. Knees should be slightly bent so that you can sway your hips easily. The hip movement is an important part of the dance.CHA CHA
Danced with two slow movements and three fast ones. It’s easier to demonstrate than describe in words. Just remember to cha cha cha.MAMBO
Step touch three times then step back.PACHANGA
A “happy go lucky” dance of Cuban origin with a Charleston flavor due to the double bending and straightening of the knees. Step, step, double kick (Charleston step).BOOGALOO
You can use all rock and roll steps with the basic steps of salsa.SALSA
There are eight beats, but beats 4 and 8 are pauses. The pattern is right-left-right-pause then left-right-left-pause.
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Crossing Items Off the Bucket List
Posted on August 25, 2013 by Ching under Things to Do, Travel, Zumba.
Zumba Instructor Convention — CHECK!
As many of you know, I teach Zumba fitness classes in what little spare time I have. It’s actually really funny how that came about. I got licensed to teach Zumba (and joined the Zumba Instructor Network) for one reason only. I had heard about the Zumba Instructor Convention in Orlando, Florida from several Zumba instructors and wanted to experience it first hand. Only instructors are eligible to attend so, naturally, I got licensed. LOL.
When I went through Basic 1 training last year I honestly had no intention of teaching. I’m teaching now (because I have to cover my monthly ZIN fee somehow) and I actually enjoy it. I actually prefer teaching a class than taking a class these days. I realized that, when I take other people’s Zumba classes, there are inevitably a couple of songs that I really don’t like and can’t get into. When I’m the instructor, I’m in control of the music, so I only do the songs that I like to do (keeping the Zumba formula in mind, of course).
I officially became a ZIN member in April 2012. However, at that point, convention registration had already been open for a couple of months and all of the workshops and training sessions were full. It didn’t make sense for me to go. So I vowed that I would attend the convention in 2013. Let’s cross that off the bucket list, shall we?
There are no words to describe the amazing experience that is the Zumba Instructor Convention. There’s so much to do and so little time to do it. There are hundreds of training sessions, workshops, and master classes to choose from. I can see why instructors go year after year. Anyone who is someone in the Zumba world is at the convention so it’s a great opportunity to catch all of your Zumba idols in one place. Besides that, I also got to meet some really cool people from all around the world. There were even some instructors who traveled all the way from the Philippines to attend. That’s how huge this event is. Here are some of my favorite pictures.
Keoni Manuel (above left) is a ZIN member who owns his own dance fitness studio in Hawaii. He presented Hawaiian Dreams with Zumba Education Specialist (ZES) Madalene Aponte (below).
Jessica and Tony Witt (above right) are a both Zumba Education Specialists and Zumba International Presenters who are based in the Overland Park/Kansas City area. Tony and Jessica are two of the 13 original Zumba Education Specialists who were hand-picked by Beto Perez, the man who originated Zumba. Jessica is co-creator of the Zumba Kids + Kids Jr. (formerly Zumbatomic). They own Amore Dance in Overland Park.
Madalene Aponte (above left) is the ZES for Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. She owns Madalene’z Dancefit Studio in Pearl City, Hawaii. She taught my Zumba Toning training at the convention. She is amazing. Seriously. I only took Zumba Toning because the Aqua Zumba training sessions were already full, but I’m actually excited about Zumba Toning now.
The nerdy looking guy on the right is Zumba Fitness CEO Alberto Perlman. While Beto is the face of Zumba, Mr. Perlman is the brains. Being nerdy myself, I had to get a photo with the CEO. LOL.
This photo of me with Zumba celebrity Gina Grant and Jessica Witt, co-creators of Zumba Kids + Kids Jr. (formerly Zumbatomic), taken right before our training.
Lindsey Taylor (another Zumba superstar), Gina, and Jessica presented my Zumba Kids + Kids Jr. training. What a treat! We had three all stars all in one place. We also had several other Zumba Education Specialists assist because we easily had four hundred participants in the class.
Lindsey looks freakin’ amazing for someone who just had a baby. That’s really what makes her a perfect fit for the Zumbini and Zumba Kids programs. On the right is a picture of me with ZES all star Tony, Jessica’s other half. They are truly a Zumba power couple.
On the left is a photo of me with Zumba International Presenter Heidy Torres. Huge thanks to Brian for spotting her for me so I could get a photo.
On the right is Zumba legend Jani Roberts. She is the brains behind Zumba Toning and presented the Zumba Warrior learning capsule at the 2013 Zumba Instructor Convention. I didn’t take the Zumba Warrior session but heard lots of great things about the workshop. Many of us are hoping that Zumba Warrior becomes a full-fledged Zumba program like Aqua Zumba, Zumba Sentao, Zumba Toning, Zumba Gold, etc.
You all know these pretty ladies already. They’re the Kansas crew. Starting left from the top: Pat, Andra, Christina, Jeri, and me. We were well-represented at convention.
Speaking of well-represented, so was the Philippines.
Here are pictures of some of the cool instructors I met at convention…
Trish (left) is a Vietnamese Zumba instructor based in Auburn, Washington. She not only looks Filipino, but she’s had the opportunity to teach Zumba in the Philippines. Michael (right) fulfilled his dream of performing a Zumba routine alongside Beto. He will be featured in Zumba’s first anti-bullying video which was filmed right there during the kick off session at convention.
Natalia (left) and Iris (right) are both Florida locals who came to convention together.
Carolyn (left) is a Filipino teacher in Maryland. Hali (right) owns Come On Get Happy cardio dance and fitness studio in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
I met so many cool people. I can’t post all of their photos here.
Out of all of the photos, this is my favorite by far. Brian got a photo with Gina even before I did. Of course, he wasn’t cooped up in training all day the entire time. I think next year I may give him a list of Zumba celebrities and send him on a little photo scavenger hunt. LOL.
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New Saturday Routine
Posted on August 13, 2013 by Ching under Food and Drink, Home Ownership, Zumba.
I want every Saturday to be like last Saturday. I’m actually looking forward to this new Saturday routine. I basically get to do two hours of Zumba — my own class at Evergreen at 9:30 AM and then Pam’s class at Orchard at 11:30 AM. I wish that there was less time in between classes so I didn’t have to sit around and wait so long to do the next round. Maybe I could move my class back to 10:00 AM. The 9:30 AM schedule has been really nice, though. If I could start my day even earlier, I would. No one wants to Zumba with me at 8:00 AM, though.
Here’s a picture of Brian bonding with Juan. They watch Saturday morning cartoons together while I teach my Zumba class. LOL.
Here’s a photo of me and Pam before her class started. I look like a mess already, but I had a head start and no outfit change between Zumba sessions.
The best part about Orchard Recreation Center (besides Pam’s Zumba classes, of course) is that it’s located just around the corner from my favorite Thai takeout joint, Thai House. So guess what we had for lunch that day. I know. Sorry, John.
I just couldn’t help myself. My love for food is probably the main reason why I will never, ever get skinny. I want to seriously lose weight, but I don’t want to miss out on all my favorite foods either. Ay, caramba!
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I Can Officially Pack!
Posted on August 3, 2013 by Ching under Travel, Zumba.
My costume for the ZIN soiree has arrived. I can officially pack! I wasn’t counting on getting my package until next weekend so this was a pleasant surprise.
Hurrah for Amazon!
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