Sunday, June 14, 2009

Zumba on Fire in the Puget Sound

Ok so the battle is on! Kirkland Zumba divas brought it today. Class was a blast. Back to kirkland tomorrow and West Seattle can't stand the wait for Wednesday. Keep a look out for pix! The Puget Sound is buzzing! Redmond wants the secret sauce at their dance studio on Tuesdays in July...more to come on!

One of my students asked another student "so how many calories do you burn in this class". She replied, "Girl, I don't know but it's crazy lots! I have so much fun that alone is worth it!"

I LOVE IT!!!!!! Well it's true Zumba is truly an infectious calorie burning solution. On the average a person can burn 400-500 calories easy during class. The key is to give it your all. I have clocked myself at 650 calories. But again its about having fun and moving to the music!

Let's Zumba!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Dance for Ever

Zumba lovers of the land, here are my tips for staying fit and healthy so you can Zumba for many years to come:

  1. Drink plenty of water (duh) but especially 1 hour before class
  2. Stetch using a foam roll or balance ball if you have one
  3. Do static stretching; meaning stretching while standing still
  4. Stretch in the morning, throughout the day, before and after class
  5. Stretch...are you getting the picture?...stretch often

Stretching gets a bum rap. Being flexible and improving mobility is an integral part of living healthy. If you want to lose weight, stretch. If you want to garden stretch. If you want to play with the kids...you get it!

Why is stretching important? Your muscles support your body all day. Unfortunately most of us spend a tremendous amount of time in one or two positions; sitting or standing. These positions force muscles to go unused for much too long. When you stretch you warm up and increased joint mobility. If nothing else stretch so that you are not in pain as often.

Have you noticed when you have been sitting for a long time what happens when you get up? Yea, lower back feels tight. You might even feel pain in the knees, ankles, calf, even shoulders. Why? Because you have been practically frozen in one position.

So move. Guess what stretching; static, active, and dynamically all help to burn calories too! Static stretching is when you stretch while standing still; such as arms over head while standing with both feet shoulder width apart. Active stretching for example is when you alternate one arm at a time over head. Dynamic stretching is mostly done prior to a specific movement, such as the swimmers arm circles.

The point is if you want to dance for ever increase flexibility and mobility through stretching. Not to mention you will reduce injuries to hips, knees, ankles, and lower back!

Let's Zumba!

Man oh man what a great kick off to the summer!!!!!!! Thank you for joining me in Zumba fun all over the greater Bellevue and Seattle areas. Here is the updated schedule. Feel free to contact me for more information:

Monday @7:30pm Kirkland 24 Hour
Tuesday @ 5:30pm Highline YMCA
Wednesday @ 5:30pm West Seattle 24 hour
Thursday @ 6:30pm Highline YMCA
Saturday @ 11:30am Downtown Bellevue 24 hour
Sunday @ 930am Kirkland 24 hour

For those of you who do not have a membership at these clubs, don't fret...there's another way. I am taking requests for private sessions with you and a group of friends who want to Zumba at home or at a local spot. All you have to do is drop me a line at brooklynzumba@yahoo.com

I welcome your feedback, comments, questions anytime!

Let's Zumba!