Archive for "Zumba"
Another Year Older
Posted on November 9, 2018 by Ching under Life, Zumba.
Made it through another revolution around the sun. We didn’t do anything exciting this year because it wasn’t a big birthday like last year. We did, however, celebrate all month long and we’re still celebrating. Yeah. I milk the heck out of birthdays.
One of my Zumba besties, Cristy, made some delicious Zumba-themed cookies.
Then a couple of my VASA girls got me presents. Eylaf made a cat shirt for our Mala Mujer song with the cat moves. Luwam gave me some workout pants and bunny costume accessories. These Zumba girls are so thoughtful!
It’s weird being the giftee because I’m usually the one giving gifts to people. For example, I had buttons and wristbands and cellphone holder thingamabobs for my Sunday class on my birthday weekend. At VASA I gave Zumba shirts to everyone who attended either all four Saturdays for Aqua Zumba or all five Mondays for Zumba. It was their reward for hanging with me during my birthday month. I couldn’t do that for my Y classes which are typically bigger than my classes at VASA so I had to settle for just little trinkets for the Y.
I got Brian a box of delicious chocolates from Sweet Granada since Darcy and I were in Emporia for a meeting a couple of weeks ago. We hit the chocolate shop before heading back to Wichita.
Brian earned it for baking the most delicious brownie cake for me to take to my VASA Fitness staff meeting on my birthday weekend, among other things. He started making it on Saturday afternoon and we ended up missing the Halloween party in Mulvane because the cake took longer to make than we originally thought. But it turned out so delicious and was such a huge hit. It was totally worth it!
Speaking of, Brian is making this brownie cake again for our annual Harvest Feast at work next week (Friday before Thanksgiving). He’s also baking me some brownies to take to my VASA Fitness staff meeting on Sunday.
Anyway, that’s pretty much it for the birthday recap. We will probably do something special next year for my second 21st birthday. This year was pretty much just another day, though. Until next time. GNG.
No Comments
New Custom Shirts
Posted on October 10, 2018 by Ching under Projects, Zumba.
I got some shirts from my new gym recently. Check out how I customized them.
This first one was a size Small so I had to expand it a bit to make it less fitted.
This next one is an Extra Large so I had to shrink it.
The best way to take shirts in is to braid parts of it. I usually braid it on the sides but this time I opted for braiding the back of the shirt. I achieved the braid pattern on this shirt by cutting several slits on the back of the shirt then weaving the slits down and back up.
Here’s what the finished product looks like.
I love how I managed to customize a shirt that was originally all the way to my knees and extra wide and turn it into a super cute workout shirt. The only downside is that this shirt actually got even smaller (and shorter) after I washed it. Now it’s almost like a cropped shirt. I’ll have to remember that next time and not to get overzealous when I’m cutting the hem.
Anyway, I promised a couple of my VASA Fitness Zumba girls that I would show them how to customize their shirts next week after class. So, if you’re free next Monday, come join us for 6:30 PM Zumba and stay after for the shirt cutting.
If you’re not a member, not to worry. We are running a #ClassPassMadness promo right now at VASA. I have several FREE CLASS PASS cards or you can request a class pass online here: https://vasafitness.com/class-pass-madness.
You can catch me at VASA Fitness on Saturday mornings at 8:45 AM for Aqua Zumba and Monday nights at 6:30 PM for Zumba. Hope to see you soon!
#ClassPassMadness ends on October 21 so don’t delay! Check out our beautiful gym ASAP!
No Comments
Fall Kick Off Party at Andover YMCA
Posted on September 30, 2018 by Ching under Events, Zumba.
Here are a few pictures from the Fall Kick Off Party we hosted at Andover YMCA a couple of weeks ago.
This is a group photo of the active Zumba instructors home-based at Andover YMCA: (from left) Crystal, Darlene, Tiffany, me and Charis. The only one missing is Mandy who is still on maternity leave. She returns to the rotation next month. In the meantime Charis has been covering her Tuesday night class.
Don’t mind my wild outfit. The theme was neon so I wanted to be as colorful as possible. I just love theme days!
We had time for a few extra songs at the end so these next few photos are of Alex leading a song. She killed it!
We took a few group photos at the end. Some people had left already but, as you can see, it was a great turnout.
I can’t wait until we have another one of super fun Zumba parties.
No Comments
My Zumba-Filled Labor Day Weekend
Posted on September 26, 2018 by Ching under Zumba.
The month was off to a great start. I took Friday, August 31, off to make it a four-day weekend with the Labor Day holiday. This was the most fun four-day staycation weekend I’ve ever had. I didn’t go anywhere. All I did was hit a bunch of Zumba classes and I was totally fine with that.
Linda was off on that Friday too so we met up at VASA Fitness. We started the weekend off with bang – STRONG by Zumba with Liz. She is intense!
Next up was Todd’s Friday night class at West YMCA. No picture of me but I did get to see these two in their matching outfits. Sooo adorable!
I taught my normal Saturday and Sunday classes, which I don’t typically take pictures of so these next photos are from the classes that I hit on Labor Day. This one was in Sarah’s 9:30 AM class at West YMCA. She taught two classes that day. One at West YMCA and then another at Northwest YMCA. I only took the West one because I wanted to join the party at South YMCA with Missy and Todd.
I got to be triplets with these two cuties.
I stopped by Panera for a quick lunch before heading to South YMCA and ran into Jeri. Of course she looks fabulous and I look like a hot mess. LOL. #StoryOfMyLife
At South YMCA I got to dance with Lindsay and Chelsea.
I ended up twinning with Brynden at South. We talked about what shirts we were going to wear but wore the same leggings completely by accident.
And Tammy was there too. This woman is a beast. This was my second class that day but this was class number three for her because she did the Turbo class right before Sarah’s class at West also.
Inspired by Tammy, I decided to stay for Amy’s Zumba class also.
Here’s a picture I took with Todd as I was leaving. We forgot to take a group photo with the whole class. 🙁
My next class was STRONG by Zumba with Liz at VASA Fitness. Can you spot me?
Here’s our post SBZ group photo. We kept our normal schedule at VASA for that day except we were doing a Red, White and Blue promo all weekend. Free classes to anyone who shows up in red, white or blue. It was the perfect opportunity for all of my YMCA friends to check out the new gym.
I taught my normal Monday night Zumba class after Liz.
It was my final class of the day (and weekend).
I like to yell at the class sometimes. Just kidding. I don’t really yell at them. I just shout out encouragements. We also like to hoot and holler and make all sorts of noise. It’s party of the fun!
Here’s our post Zumba group pic. As you can see, some of my Zumba besties came to party with us. I just love these guys. They make my heart full.
Labor Day was the best day ever. I told Brian that night that it reminded me of when we were on the Zumba cruise back in April because I managed to squeeze in five classes in a single day (there was one day on the Zumba cruise that I took six classes). The only difference was that I had to drive all over town to hit all of these classes, where as on the Zumba cruise all I had to do was walk from class to class. There were some days I made it so my classes were in the same area of the ship so I didn’t even have to go very far.
If you’ve been thinking about going on the Zumba cruise, think no further. It is the best vacation ever. And, it’s the only cruise that you don’t come back from having gained 10 pounds! LOL. Here’s a link to the booking site.
When you book, be sure to use my instructor code: 461028.
This gets you $25 onboard credit to use on anything on the ship and I get credit for referring you! If I get enough people to go I’ll get to go for free, so it’s a win-win for everyone! Let’s do some Zumba together! <3 <3 <3
No Comments
New Zumba Job
Posted on August 31, 2018 by Ching under Things to Do, Zumba.
I got a new part-time job (jobby?) teaching Zumba for a new gym in town, VASA Fitness. They opened very recently. Their first week was the week that I got back from #ZINCON. I actually taught the Monday that we arrived home.
It was crazy but I got through it. And look, we are all still smiling.
Brian didn’t want me to get another Zumba job at first because he didn’t think my schedule could handle it. He was like, “Please don’t try to get a job there just so you can get a free membership. We will pay for a membership if you really want to join.” I was not to be restrained, however. I applied, interviewed, and was hired.
I think I may have been the very first instructor to teach in that beautiful studio.
The new gym is located in the old Albertson’s at Harry and Georgetown (between Oliver and Hillside on Harry). There’s a golf course and a Big Lots over there.
It’s pretty amazing. The gym is beautiful and has everything you could possibly need. The group exercise studio is huge and can comfortably accommodate 70-80 people. It also has a stage and a couple of huge, industrial fans. The lighting in the studio (and throughout the facility) is absolutely perfect.
Another amenity Brian and I both like is the fitness cinema. It reminds me of the one at Onelife but actually bigger. You can ride a bike, walk/run on the treadmill, or get on an elliptical while watching a movie. They also have a couple of racquetball courts and a lap pool. But the best part is the hydromassage.
I think, once Brian tried the hydromassage for the first time, he pretty much got offer the fact that he didn’t want me to take on another Zumba job. LOL.
In addition to everything else, they also have a gym where you can play basketball and pickleball. I haven’t tried to play pickleball there yet but I’m hoping to get a one on one pickleball match against Brian sometime.
The monthly membership fees are quite reasonable too. I think I would have seriously considered joining even if I didn’t work there.
Here’s a picture from my second week of teaching there. That day was a mess. I couldn’t get my phone to work so, after messing with it for some time, we ended up using Brian’s phone which didn’t have all of my songs in it. We started late and, even then, barely had enough songs to dance to.
Class is getting better, though. Last week some of my friends from Andover YMCA came to visit since the floors in our studios in Andover were being refinished. And then Amanda and Charis stayed after to show me a new dance.
I’m really enjoying teaching Zumba at VASA so far. Their philosophy of “Fun Happy Fitness” is consistent with my own. Our mantra is to help people find happiness through physical and emotional health. Our goal is to UPLIFT everyone through fun and happy fitness. UPLIFT is an acronym that stands for Unity, Passion, Love, Integrity, Fun, and Trust. How can you not like an organization that values these things? I think it’s a great fit and was a no-brainer for me. Plus, Kass Martin also teaches at a VASA in Utah so I knew I was in good company. LOL.
I’m super excited for this weekend because we’re basically doing an open house. Everyone who wears red, white, and/or blue can take classes for free. I’m only teaching on Monday night, though. I’ll be at the Andover YMCA per usual on Saturday and Sunday. Not sure when another opportunity like this will come up so, if you’re not currently a member and would like to check out VASA, this is your chance. I hope to see you on Monday night!
No Comments
