Fast songs can be a fun way to raise the heartrate in a Zumba class but I am always looking for different ways to create intensity in our workout without just dialing up the tempo. Any student of pilates or yoga can tell you that you don’t have to be a human pogo stick to get a fantastic workout.
One thing I’ve been having fun with is balancing on one leg - not only does that leg have to support all your body weight, but numerous muscles are engaging just to keep you balanced as we “freeze” or do other movements. I love it!
I also like to incorporate big reaches - down, around, to the sides. Sending your center of gravity away from the usual base of your legs and feet forces muscles in and around your core to take over. Lower back, abs, and obliques all get their chance to work and strengthen.
I even find our brand new rumba cooldown challenging. To move that slowly as we shift our weight from foot to foot is not easy! You have to rely on muscle control instead of just momentum to get to the right place.
Balance, reach, bend, control! Yes you can sweat without jumping! Have a great workout!
Thursday April 5 at the Fox Theater in Oakland. Oh boy. I really think I need to go to this. If you can’t imagine how two people with acoustic guitars can ROCK OUT, then get thee to youTube and view some of their music. A - MA - ZING!
I’ve mostly heard performance with just the two of them but the new sound with the Cuban band is lush, complex, and unique. At first listen, more jazz less rock.
Dance. I’m on a mission to share this little life’s pleasure, my friends. Too many people are missing out on the natural union of music and movement. Too many people are embarrassed to get off the couch and move. Why so shy? How come our social gatherings so rarely include dancing? Why do so many American men especially fear/dislike dancing so much? I’m bewildered! Email Me and tell me what you think!
Zumba on the DVD player is good for you, but Zumba at a live class is better! Dancing in the living room with the ipod is fun, but dancing in the living room with friends is better! I still have a few hundred more pictures of Spain to share (haha!), but I really wanted to get these up from one of my favorite days. We rendezvoused with this fabulous group (mostly grad students from Sarah’s and my alma mater), and after they fed us a delicious homecooked lunch, we all literally pushed back the furniture and had a dance party.
And is there such a thing as too old to dance? What do you think?
I’m just going to throw some of my pictures up here so you can get a tiny taste of the fantastic trip I took with my sister to Andalucia a month ago. I have long been a nature girl but my cravings have been shifting over to culture and history and just learning more about people. Being out of the country (my first time overseas by the way) was so stimulating. I loved seeing the magnificent and everyday human accomplishments, feeling proud when we survived another day without accidentally ordering octopus, and having a great time exploring on the cheap with my sister Sarah. I loved being out and about with hundreds of people in the evenings, getting lost in the narrow streets, eating late at night, and enjoying this place that the Spaniards are so clearly very proud of. The camera does not do the country or my experiences justice and my words can’t describe how much I loved my time there. But it’s the best I can do!
Nice discount at the Zumba online store thru Monday. 25% off all apparel - that’s a great deal! I love the Zumba cargos. They are great for sweaty dancing!
I figured Tu Me Tienes was as good a time as any to incorporate what I call a body roll into one of our Zumba songs. There’s a a nice slow section where the move fits in perfectly. The bonus besides looking super slick is that you really engage your back and abdominal muscles to control the movement.
Here are 3 tutorials that pretty much tell you the same thing 3 different ways. I hope one of them clicks with you!
I think this is the video was the one that helped me first figure it out.
Another bellydance perspective:
And more of a salsa oriented one. I love the practice tip with the couch! Do try this at home when you’re arising from the Thanksgiving table to clear dishes, or perhaps when you get up for a bathroom break during football commercials this weekend. Let me know what the family thinks.
Yet another great event for dance and music lovers….It was brought to my attention this morning (thanks Tami!) that the Asante Children’s Choir is touring the Bay Area right now. I had the joyous pleasure of seeing these children, all orphans from East Africa, sing, dance and drum, sharing their hard work and beautiful spirits. I would recommend to anyone who could use a little lift, has school age kids, or just wants an entertaining show! I was floored by them when I went last year.
November 20 – Hessel Church, Sebastopol, CA 2:30pm
November 20 – Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, Petaluma, CA 7pm
November 26 – 7th Day Adventist, Napa, CA 7pm
November 26 – Spring Hills Church, Santa Rosa, CA 5:30pm
November 27 – Spring Hills Church, Santa Rosa, CA 9:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm
November 27 – Redwood Covenant Church, Santa Rosa, CA 7pm
November 28 – Redwood Covenant School, Santa Rosa, CA – Private Event
November 29 – Meadow School, Petaluma, CA – Private Event
November 29 – Corona Creek School, Petaluma, CA – Private Event
November 30 – Salmon Creek School, Occidental, CA – Private Event
December 2 - Salmon Creek School, Occidental, CA – 7pm
December 4 – Warehouse Christian Ministries, Sacramento, CA 10:30am
December 4 – Faith Legacy Church, Sacramento, CA 4:30pm
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Sonoma County Family Y on College Ave. in Santa Rosa will be holding its annual Gobblestoppers event where all the group exercise instructors present back to back 20 minute mini-classes of their very best stuff for a full morning of fun and exercise. For the Zumba fans, Ruth will be leading her Zumba at 8:45, I’ll be doing some of my favorite songs 10:15-10:40 am and Angela will follow directly with more Zumba at 10:45. There will be huge variety of other offerings: Yoga, Hip Hop, Cardiobox, Plyometrics, Pilates, Feldenkrais, Aikido and 2 hours of solid group cycling with 5 different instructors. Click here for the full Gobblestoppers 2011 Schedule
And as if that weren’t enough, it is also Friends and Family weekend so any member can bring 2 free guests in (Sunday too). Can’t wait to see you!
P.S. My noon class Friday right after T-giving at the Y is
ON
(like Donkey Kong as my friend Sean used say). See you there!
