Ellen's Information and Inspiration

July 2011 Calendar

2011-06-22T08:54:00.002-04:00

Click here for July 2011 calendar

June 2011

2011-06-01T04:58:00.000-04:00

Always Stretch After Your Workout.....

2011-04-24T13:59:00.000-04:00

May 2011

2011-04-24T13:41:00.007-04:00

2011 APRIL SPECIAL - First Month Free

2011-03-27T19:42:00.000-04:00

Spring Daffodils

2011-03-27T17:36:00.001-04:00

Please, spring, come to Vermont. We're so sick of the snow!

April 2011

2011-03-22T17:29:00.002-04:00

March 2011

2011-02-28T17:22:00.001-05:00

February 2011

2011-01-29T17:09:00.004-05:00

January 2011 - One Day Sale !

2011-01-15T08:36:00.000-05:00

Results of the "Best of 2010" Barre Jazzercise Survey

2011-01-09T15:23:00.045-05:00

Thanks to everyone who voted in our annual "Best Of...." survey.

The songs below are the ones that received the most votes, and will be included in our MARATHON "BEST OF 2010" CLASS on Sunday, January 15th. We start at 7:10 AM and continue for THREE HOURS!!

Come when you want, leave when you want. Stay a little while, or stay the whole time. The structure will be like a circuit class, with strength routines embedded throughout. The only restriction is that the Class Managers and Instructors will ask you not to begin your workout at the top of the curve, during a high-intensity Heavy routine.

Routines that you voted on were those introduced between January and November 2010. You could vote for as many as you wanted, and some respondents skipped some questions, which is why the percentages shown are different with each response.

BEST OF 2010 RESULTS:

(45 people started the survey, 39 people completed it. Respondents were allowed to vote for as many routines as they wanted in each category. Some respondents left one or more categories blank.)

My observations:

Other than the stretch , "Stronger", there were no overwhelming winners in any other category. This is unlike last year, where we had clear favorites.

Opening Routine (a tie!)

Meet Me Halfway 15 votes 36%

Rock That Body 15 votes 36%

LIGHT MEDIUM

I Like It 18 votes 45%

Drummer Boy 12 votes 30 %

Stuck Like Glue 10 votes 25 %

So Fine/Safety Dance 10 votes each 25 %

MEDIUM

According to You 19 votes 45%

Party Round the World 12 votes 29%

Club Can't Handle Me 12 votes 29%

Waka Waka 11 votes 26%

Release Me 9 votes 21%

MEDIUM HEAVY

Fancy Footwork 9 votes 27% Jump That Rock 8 votes 24%

Can't Touch It 7 votes 21%

HEAVY

Shut Up and Kiss Me 17 votes 44%

We Belong to the Music 11 votes 28%

Swingin 9 votes 23%

She's No Good 8 votes 21%

Stretch

Stronger 22 votes 65% -
(overwhelming favorite - nothing else came close!)

ABS

Telephone 18 votes 50%

A Beautiful Day/Don't You Evah
10 votes each 28% each

Hey Soul Sister 19 votes 46%

Shake It 16 votes 39%

Alejandro/How You Like Me Now
9 votes each 22%

Just the Way You Are 8 votes 20%

LEGS

Somebody to Love 12 votes 32 %

Watch Us Work It 11 votes 29%

Closing Routine

Why Don't We Just Dance 18 votes 44%

Everybody 16 votes 39%

Fame 14 votes 34%

I hope to see you in class on Sunday, January 15th...anytime from 7:10 AM to 10 AM !

Jazzercise Team Dance

2011-01-04T19:55:00.001-05:00

January 2011

2010-12-31T20:08:00.000-05:00

Warm Holiday Wishes

2010-12-23T12:26:00.000-05:00

WARM HOLIDAY WISHES TO ALL!

December 2010 Calendar

2010-11-25T18:06:00.003-05:00

November 2010 Calendar

2010-11-01T07:44:00.001-04:00

Rocks, Pebbles and Sand

2010-10-16T21:43:00.001-04:00

Here's an item sent to me by Diane Hood, our Class Owner....

A Story of Priorities and a Jar

Tips for Squeezing More into Your Life

-- By Julie Isphording, former Olympian

The following story is one that’s been circulating for awhile. I believe it holds a very important message regarding appropriately setting priorities in our lives.

A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was full.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life. The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.

If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important.

Pay attention to the things in life that are critical to your happiness and well-being. Take time to get medical check-ups, play with your children, go for a run, write your grandmother a letter. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, or fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand.

Finding time in the day for fitness or participating in other athletic endeavors should be considered a “rock” for us all. Physiologically, working out releases endorphins in the body. These endorphins are natural pain-relievers produced by the body. This is what gives us the natural high experienced after a workout. This natural high has the potential to positively influence our daily interactions by making us feel better about ourselves. Make fitness a rock solid priority in your life and reap the benefits.

OCTOBER SPECIAL

2010-10-16T09:01:00.004-04:00

If you've been thinking about trying out Jazzercise, this is the deal for you! Attend as many classes as you want during 7 consecutive days. At Jazzercise Barre Fitness Center in Vermont, they have 28 classes a week for you to try, and 11 different instructors, Check the calendar on this blog, then call 802-249-7021 if you need directions to the Center. Here's the website: www.jazzdebarre.com

See you in class!

(Contents of this page are the sole responsibility of this site's Jazzercise franchised instructor. This site is not sponsored by Jazzercise, Inc. "Jazzercise" is a registered trademark of Jazzercise, Inc. Visit jazzercise.com for more information about Jazzercise. )

October 2010

2010-10-02T21:34:00.002-04:00

Waaaah! It's not fair!

2010-05-23T16:42:00.000-04:00

I just discovered a cool new gadget on iGoogle. It's the LabPixies Calorie Counter, and it really appeals to my inner "geek", because I can enter in the foods that I eat at each meal, and it keeps track of my total for me. According to the calculator, I can eat about 1700 calories a day, based on my age, height, weight and activity level.

Yeah, but here's the thing....I don't want to stay at this weight. The pounds have been s-l-o-w-l-y creeping up on me, and I'm not happy about it! So, I went to another website, Healthy Weight Forum and entered that I'd like to lose about 10 lbs. in the next couple of months.

Well! That's the part that just isn't fair! As it turns out, for a woman of my age, weight, and activity level (I chose "Moderate", which means "some occupational walking rather than just sedentary work, plus a little vigorous exercise, i.e. dancing, swimming), I can only consume about 1250 calories daily if I want to lose weight. Yikes! That's really not very much!

If I were in my 20's (ah, if only!) I could eat 200 more calories per day and lose the same amount of pounds.

Rats!

Well, at least I have my calorie-counter gadget online, and thanks to Jazzercise, I get plenty of exercise. But I'm going to have to step it up, not slow it down.

With summer coming soon, I'll have more time off (I teach in a public school) and I intend to go to as many classes a week as I possibly can. I wear a Polar heart-rate monitor watch most of the time, and it tells me that I burn off anywhere from 250 to 500 calories per class, depending on the level at which I work out. If I'm taking a low-impact class, I'll burn 250, but if I'm teaching
a regular Jazzercise class, I'll burn twice that much.

So, that's the way life is, my friends. Not fair. Just when you get old enough to have a little ache here and a bit of pain there, you need to work harder to burn the same number of calories a younger person can burn in the same workout.

Think of it as an investment in your future health.

Build your core, so your spine will stay straight and tall.

Stretch, so you'll maintain balance and avoid falls.

Tone your muscles so you'll be able to open jars without asking for help from your grandchildren...

And, with Jazzercise, you'll exercise your mind as well as your muscles. When the instructor teaches you a new routine or a new dance move, you'll have to think it through and pay attention. Don't just go through the motions - put your muscle behind the move and be glad that you can continue to exercise your mind and body.

See you in class!

Check Your Shoes ! (a guest commentary by Diane Hood of Jazzercise Barre Fitness Center)

2010-04-03T20:43:00.000-04:00

April 3, 2010

A message to our Jazzercise Customers:

Take this advice or leave it....it's all up to you....

Here we go.....!

Many times this year, I have heard: "My back hurts", "My knees hurt." " I need to stop coming to class because I am in so much pain."

Please listen and read this article about footwear by Chris Christian.

Yes, you might have a condition. You might have some joint or knee problems but before you start thinking about quitting , think about what you will do to the goal you have achieved over the last year. Is it really Jazzercise that is causing your pain, or is it the way you are performing the routines?

Is it your shoes????

Talk to the instructors...ask for help. If your knees hurt, you are doing something wrong. With the floor at the center and the proper shoes (see article linked above)the problem should not be Jazzercise.

What kind of shoes do you wear during the day? Do you put insoles in your sneakers? Are you wearing heels? Learn how to do those plies so that your knees do not bounce around. Come take a PT class. Talk to us. The better shape that your body is in, the less weight you are carrying, the less pressure you will put on your knees and joints!

As instructors, we teach many, many classes a week . We change our shoes every 100 hours...maybe even more often than that, and we do not experience knee or joint problems.

How is it so easy for you to invest in cable TV, a cell phone, an ipod, a hair cut, nails, nice fancy looking shoes to go with that outfit...but you cannot invest in a $70.00 pair of aerobic shoes every 6 months? Think of your body and yourself and how great you will feel and look when your workout does not hurt anymore.

When is the last time you bought a pair of AEROBIC shoes??? Not cross trainers, not running sneakers, but aerobic shoes - and a pair that fits!

Do it! Don't wait until your feet or knees are aching. Pay attention and invest in proper footwear every six months or 100 class hours, whatever comes first. You deserve it!

Study: Women need hourlong workouts to keep flab at bay

2010-03-28T11:08:00.000-04:00

There you have it, my friends. Those of us who have passed the menopausal milestone may be facing this question on a daily basis: "Why am I gaining weight even though I don't overeat, and I exercise regularly?"

Photo credit: orchid from morguefile.com

The answer is that we really, really need to exercise for an hour DAILY, and we ALSO need to watch what we eat. That doesn't mean we can't enjoy a yummy dessert once in awhile....just not every single night!

Read the article, and see you in Jazz class - often!

Study: Women need hourlong workouts to keep flab at bay: Times Argus Online

Posted using ShareThis

Let Your Body Rest and Recover

2010-02-05T21:36:00.000-05:00

We all know how much we love to go to Jazzercise class. It's so much fun, and we feel great afterwards. We get a great workout, and we also have a chance to see people and connect with them. We start to feel that a day without Jazzercise is like a day without sunshine!

In reality, though, our bodies need time to recuperate. In this fitness article, Judy Shepard Missett, founder of Jazzercise, shares some tips about exercise and rest:

Step #1: Cool Down – At the end of a cardiovascular workout, bring your heart rate down slowly before coming to a complete stop. For example, if you’ve been running for 30 minutes, then take five minutes to walk before you stop entirely. This helps remove lactic acid from your muscles, so you won’t get as sore and stiff.

Step #2: Stretch – Take time at the end of your workout for gentle stretches. Hold your stretches for at least one minute, without bouncing.

Step #3: Drink Up – Your body loses fluid during exercise. You need to replace this fluid throughout your exercise regimen and fill-up after your session ends.

Step #4: Eat – Water is not enough to sustain you after a tough workout. Within 60 minutes of completing your exercise session, eat a meal with a combination of carbohydrates and protein. The amino acids in the protein are essential to repair muscles and the carbohydrates will replenish your energy stores.

Step #5: Rest – There is no substitute for time as the healer of all wounds, and that includes repairing your body after exercise. While it’s important to get moving on most days of the week, it’s equally important to take a day off. Choose one day of the week to rest your body.

The Grammy Awards Show 2010

2010-01-31T21:33:00.000-05:00

Wow, these performances are really over the top. Lady Gaga and Elton John started the whole thing off with sparkling pianos and oversized eyeglasses and tons of crazy makeup.

Bobby Darin just got a lifetime achievement award. I wish he could get up there and sing Mac the Knife.

Beyonce won Song of the Year for Single Ladies. She also gave an amazing performance, with all kinds of guys marching around in black leather and masks. That seems to be a recurring theme - The Black Eyed Peas had a bunch of jackbooted people with them as well, and it was supposed to represent the future.

Now they're going to give out Record of the Year ..to Kings of Leon for "Use Somebody". OK, I don't think we have any Jazzercise routines to that one.

For fashion, the Grammys really are the most outrageous, and interesting, awards shows. On the red carpet, Lady Gaga wore some kind of outer space outfit,complete with Saturn's rings circle around her.

For her performance, Pink wore some kind of body suit that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

I do like watching the performances, but I don't think I'll be able to stay awake until the end.

I'm going to switch to Worst Cooks in America at 10.

Don't Quit Exercising During the Holidays!

2009-12-20T14:17:00.000-05:00

There's so much to do, and so little time to do it. It's tempting to just skip Jazzercise class and just stay home so that you can get everything done during this busiest week of the year.

Really, though, you should give yourself the gift of time - an hour and a half or so - for a couple or three times this week, to maintain your mental and physical health. Our Center has 5 classes on Monday, 5 on Tuesday, 4 on Wednesday, and 2 this week on Thursday (7:10 AM and 8:15 AM). Try to make it to one of those 16 if you can.

Here's an article about improving your body image. It appeared in today's Parade magazine, and it's very timely for the season.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

C'mon Get Happy - Exercise!

2009-08-23T09:23:00.007-04:00

In this week's Parade magazine, there's a great article by Michael O'Shea, titled "Get a Better Mood Fast".

The University of Vermont study in the article, participants worked at 60% of their aerobic capacity (during a Jazzercise class, you'd be working at 65-85% of your aerobic capacity, depending on how intensely you work out). 60% capacity is in the green zone on our Perceived Exertion Chart - working "somewhat hard", or the equivalent of light cycling or brisk walking.

The results were that "everyone in the exercise group showed significant positive effects on mood - regardless of age, gender, or fitness level - for up to 12 hours after only 20 minutes of moderate-intensity cycle exercise." What a payoff!

As a new Jazzercise customer 6 years ago, I so much appreciated the mood boost that I would get from going to class. That year was a big transition to the empty nest for me, and I had moments of really feeling down as I adjusted to my new situation. Thank goodness for Jazzercise. For that one hour of time, I thought of nothing else but the music and the moves. I found myself smiling and laughing along with the instructor and the rest of the class as we all felt those endorphins kick in. The benefits lasted long after class was over, too.

For me, it was Jazzercise that elevated my mood. For others, the key may be yoga, pilates, a good run, or a round of golf. Whatever works for you, remember to give yourself that healthy boost that will help you keep your sunny side up. You deserve it!

Exercise Makes You FAT? What?!!

2009-08-14T16:19:00.045-04:00

My husband brought home the August 17th, 2009 edition of TIME magazine. The cover story, entitled "The Myth About Exercise", by John Cloud, claims that exercise can actually make you gain weight. (This sounds crazy, doesn't it? I hope people don't read this and decide to quit exercising!)

Cloud says that this weight gain occurs because people who exercise vigorously don't do much moving around during the rest of the day, and get hungry and eat more calories than they would if they just went through a normal day without exercise.
To get a different point of view, I surfed around and found another article online, this one by Malia Frey of the Minneapolis Fitness Examiner, entitled "The Myth Behind Time Magazine's Expose on Exercise" . Frey says that Cloud's reasoning is flawed. She says,that's it's very simple: if you eat more calories than you use, you're going to gain weight.

She claims that Cloud's error is to assume that most people who exercise think that they can eat more than ever before. " Does the American public really believe that eating more calories will lead to weight loss?" she asks. The answer, for anyone who can think logically, is no.

Cloud quoted another researcher, Dr. Timothy Church of Louisiana State University, who anectodally described how his wife and her friends go out to Starbucks for a latte after their exercise class. That certainly seems counter-productive. If those ladies are trying to lose weight, they need to re-think their post-class activity. However, not everyone who exercises regularly is trying to lose weight. People come to Jazzercise class for many reasons: because they feel great when they exercise, because they sleep better, it helps their posture, their mental health, and because they get to socialize with other people who have a common interest.

So, what are we supposed to do if we're trying to drop a few pounds? Should we quit going to Jazzercise class? No way!

Cloud does, in the final paragraph, admit that "it's what you eat, not how hard you try to work it off, that matters more in losing weight." Well, I say, stop the presses, what a novel concept!!

When I first started as a Jazzercise student, I went all-out, coming to class 5 or 6 times a week. I loved it and had never felt better. I lost about 12 pounds without really trying - I couldn't eat enough to keep up with my calorie expenditure. This is my typical M.O. , to start out full-blast with something, and then cut back to a more reasonable pace.

Six years later, my body has changed, and while I still expend about 400 to 600 calories in a Jazzercise class (especially an all-standing one), the weight loss has stopped. For one, I teach only 2 classes a week instead of my former 3 or 4 (by choice...I'm not complaining). Also, learning the routines comes easier to me now. I used to have to practice and practice for hours at home, but now I'm more experienced and the routines come to me more quickly and easily. So, I'm definitely not expending the calories that I used to in the beginning. I've put on about 7 or 8 pounds of the 12 that I initially lost, but my clothes still fit me, so I'm fine with it.

I do have to remind myself, though, that I can't have a dessert every night, and I have to watch my portions now. It's a small price to pay for staying fit after 50. After reading the Time article, and the subsequent piece by Malia Frey, I'm encouraged to just be aware of calorie intake vs. calorie output.

Here's a little reality check for ya: The Exercise Cost of a Dairy Queen Treat (also by Malia Frey in the Minneapolis Fitness Examiner).

Just one example : to work off a medium vanilla chocolate dipped cone: 470 calories, 22 grams fat

Run (10 minute mile) = 140 lb. exerciser: 1.7 hours / 170 lb. exerciser: 1.2 hours
Bike (13 mph) = 140 lb. exerciser:2 hours/170 lb. exerciser: 1.5 hours
Elliptical = 140 lb. exerciser:2.5 hours /170 lb. exerciser: 1.75 hours

The less you weigh, the fewer calories you burn as you exercise. That's good news for folks who need to lose more weight - you can work it off more quickly!

But, resist the urge to sit around and snack when class is over. Drink some water and keep moving as much as you can for the rest of the day.

My exercise tip: If you have a young child or grandchild, try to keep up with him or her for a couple of hours.

Move when the child moves, and only stop when the child stops.... that'll burn a few calories, guaranteed!

Please don't stop exercising because of this Time magazine article. If Jazzercise makes you feel better about yourself, if you have more energy, if you're sleeping better and if you are seeing a change in how your clothes fit, don't worry about the reading on the bathroom scale. You are being successful because you are doing something for YOU.

How Much Tribute is Too Much?

2009-06-27T12:13:00.006-04:00

All the buzz in the last 48 hours has been about Michael Jackson's untimely death. He is such a controversial figure, and we've been bombarded with more than enough information about his life and death on the 24-hour news channels.

Many Jazzercise instructors are putting together special sets that include his songs. A search of routines used in Jazzercise classes over the years reveals many, many that were Michael Jackson material. Except, lately...not so many.

Here's a list that others have compiled. Notice the years when these routines were used - back before all of the accusations and trials, for the most part:

Black White 92
Remember the Time 92
Scream 95
She Drives Me Wild 93
Off The Wall 97
You Rock My World 01
Who Is It 93
Blood On The Dancefloor 97
Jam 92
Bad 87
Smooth Criminal 89 (remade by Alien Ant Farm 01)
Thriller 84
Butterflies 02
One More Chance 03
You Are Not Alone 95
The Way You Make Me Feel 88
Will You Be There 93
the remake Beat It by the Fall Out Boys from 08

I think I'll do maybe two Jackson-inspired routines in my set for Monday. First of all, I've only been an instructor since 2005, so I haven't got most of the music on my iTunes, nor do I have the requisite DVDs from Jazzercise, Inc. to learn the routines by. It's tough to learn 1 or routines a day, let alone a whole bunch of new ones I've never taught!

"One More Chance" is a peppy little closer that recalls the early, innocent days of the Jackson 5. It's also more recently released (the Jazzercise version is by Tiffany Evans, a cover released in 2003), so I've got the learning materials available.

I didn't know that the Jacksons had recorded "Blame It on the Boogie" in 1978. I have the J Kid version from 2004 that I could also use. So I'll probably put that one in the set at some point.

How do you feel about dancing to Michael Jackson routines in class next week? Would you rather get away from all the hype, are you o.k. with a routine or two, or would you be excited to have an all-Michael set during this unique time in the history of pop music?

A little more...

I wish we had a Jazzercise routine to "We Are The World" (a stretch, maybe?). I found this clip on YouTube, and since it was written by Michael Jackson (with Lionel Ritchie), I'm going to include it in this post. This song went on to win the Grammy for Best Song in 1985.

"We Are the World" - Lyrics
Written by: Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie

There comes a time when we heed a certain call (Lionel Richie)
When the world must come together as one (Lionel Richie & Stevie Wonder)
There are people dying (Stevie Wonder)
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life (Paul Simon)
The greatest gift of all (Paul Simon/Kenny Rogers)

We can't go on pretending day by day (Kenny Rogers)
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change (James Ingram)
We're all a part of God's great big family (Tina Turner)
And the truth (Billy Joel)
You know love is all we need (Tina Turner/Billy Joel)

(CHORUS)
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Michael Jackson)
There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Diana Ross)
It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Michael Jackson/Diana Ross)

Well, send 'em you your heart so they know that someone cares (Dionne Warwick)
And their lives will be stronger and free (Dionne Warwick/Willie Nelson)
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread (Willie Nelson)
And so we all must lend a helping hand (Al Jarreau)

(REPEAT CHORUS)
We are the world, we are the children (Bruce Springsteen)
We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving (Kenny Loggins)
Oh There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives (Steve Perry)
It's true we'll make a better day just you and me (Daryl Hall)

When you're down and out there seems no hope at all (Michael Jackson)
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall (Huey Lewis)
Well, well, well, let's realize that a change can only come (Cyndi Lauper)
When we (Kim Carnes)
stand together as one (Kim Carnes/Cyndi Lauper/Huey Lewis)

(REPEAT CHORUS AND FADE) (Everyone)

Backup singers
Dan Aykroyd
Harry Belafonte
Lindsey Buckingham
The News
Sheila E.
Bob Geldof
Jackie Jackson
LaToya Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Randy Jackson
Tito Jackson
Waylon Jennings
Bette Midler
John Oates
Jeffrey Osborne
The Pointer Sisters
Smokey Robinson

No-ShowsLinda Ronstadt (had the flu)
Madonna (turned them down flat)
Pat Benatar (too pregnant)
Prince (later contributed to the album and a television performance of the song)

Is it summer yet?

2009-06-24T07:42:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was the last day of school in our district. All posters were taken down in my classroom. The desks were cleared of a year's-worth of debris, and I schlepped home a bunch of stuff that I'll work on over the summer to prepare for the first day of school at the end of August.

I also brought home the box fan that I'd used last fall when the un-airconditioned classrooms were sweltering in the September heat. I'd kept that old fan tucked into a corner by my desk, anticipating I'd need it in the spring, especially during exam week, which is usually just as unbearably hot... but, no. I have not had to use that fan. At all. Since last fall.

Even at Jazzercise, we've just turned on the air conditioners as of last week, and it's almost July! Will this be the year without a summer? I hope not!

Whatever the temperature outdoors, though, I was curious to know what is recommended as the ideal indoor temperature for working out in Jazzercise class. (At our facility, the air conditioners are set for 65 degrees F. )

On MSNBC.com, I found this information from Jacqueline Stenson's health and fitness page:

Actually, according to fitness experts, there is an optimal temperature for working out indoors: 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the range that keeps most exercisers comfortable, whether they're jogging on the treadmill, taking a step class or pumping iron.

"I find for us that 70 degrees is a good temperature for all," says Gerald Endress, an exercise physiologist and fitness director at the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C. "Those who sweat more or generate more heat can use fans that are aimed directly on their bodies."

This brings up a good point: Everyone doesn't sweat the same amount or under the same circumstances.

Some people sweat just sitting at their desks and others don't bead up until they're midway through a high-impact aerobics class. So don't assume that sweating is necessarily an accurate measure of a good workout or an indicator that calorie burning is in high gear. If it's hot and humid outside, you could break a sweat just walking out the door.

"You don't have to sweat to get a good workout, and exercising in higher temperatures and humidity can be dangerous," says Endress.

But if you're exercising indoors at around 70 degrees, there's nothing wrong with aiming for a good sweat by getting your heart rate up.

It's All About Dancing at the Tonys.....

2009-06-09T20:24:00.006-04:00

The musical "Billy Elliot" was the big winner at Sunday night's Tony awards. Music was by Elton John, and the story is about a boy who loves to dance, but who may not be able to realize his dreams because of circumstances beyond his control.

Here's the opening scene of the Tony Awards, starting with Billy Elliott ("Electricity" is a closing Jazzercise routine), then continuing with West Side Story, Guys & Dolls, Rock of Ages (with Poison), Aaron Tveit (he went to college with my daughter) singing from Next to Normal , Stockard Channing singing from Pal Joey, Shrek, 9 to 5 (with Dolly Parton), Liza, and Hair.

Watching the Tonys always makes me smile. I love the big production numbers from the musicals, which is probably one reason why I enjoy Jazzercise so much. It's a way of bringing a little bit of Broadway into our lives. The energy of these performers is just amazing, isn't it?

As promised....

2009-05-23T15:24:00.008-04:00

I said I'd put together a list of songs that have been performed and danced to on Dancing with the Stars and American Idol, which we have also used for routines in Jazzercise classes.

It was fairly easy to find a list of those on Dancing with the Stars. I'm still working on the Idol list, because there is no blog or website I've found that actually lists the songs used each week. I'll continue my search, but meanwhile, here's the list from DWTS:

SONGS ON DANCING WITH THE STARS that we've used in Jazzercise classes:

If I were a Boy - Beyoncé

Womanizer - Britney Spears

Single Ladies - Beyoncé

Dance, Dance - Fallout Boy

Say Hey - Michael Franti & Spearhead

What Hurts the Most - Rascall Flatts

Go Daddy O - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (we use the Tod Miner version)

Sidestep - Robin Thicke

Home - Michael Bublé

Free Falling - Tom Petty ( we use the South Side Crew version)

Jaleo - Ricky Martin

Save the Last Dance - Michael Bublé

So What? - P!nk

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

I found them! Thanks to a blogger named Keith,and his blog In Which Our Hero, I checked back on all the songs used after the Final 13 were chosen this season:

SONGS ON AMERICAN IDOL Season 9 that we've used in Jazzercise classes:

"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" - KT Tunstall

"My Prerogative" - Britney Spears

"Born to Be Wild" - Steppenwolf (we did the Mooney Suzuki version in Jazzercise)

"Falling Slowly" Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (from the movie soundtrack for "Once")

Most, if not all, of the above music is available on iTunes.

Have a Nice Holiday Weekend

2009-05-22T15:22:00.004-04:00

Walking My Baby Back Home...one of my favorite ending routines...

I've posted a mellow song to start the weekend off in a happy mood for all. I've had fun watching "my" shows: Dancing with the Stars and American Idol, which both had their finales this week. So many familiar Jazzercise routines were used on both of the shows; it was fun to see them danced to and/or performed by the people on both shows. Both shows also invited guest artists that we've heard (Natalie Cole being one of them...on Idol). I'm going to put together a list of Jazzercise music that was used on Idol and Dancing with the Stars, and of musical artists who performed as well.

But right now, I'm "Walking (Driving) Myself Back Home" for a well-earned holiday weekend!

How Come She Looks So Buff?

2009-05-09T13:27:00.004-04:00

As you look around the Jazzercise class, you will see all types of bodies, and people (mostly women, usually) of all ages. If they have been coming to class for awhile, you will probably see changes in their outward appearance as their fitness level increases.

Still, why is it that some folks develop definition in their biceps within weeks of starting class, while others will get stronger without so much of an outward change?

And how much strength training is optimal, anyway?

Well, I've been poking around on the Internet and found this website:

The New England Wellness Web, which had some interesting information about strength training in women.

They remind us all that "for the safest, most effective program, you should seek the advice of a certified fitness professional. Remember, too, that you should always get approval from your physician before starting any exercise regimen. "

The article says "Body structure and body composition, or the amount of body fat vs. lean tissue, plays an important role in how you respond to weight training. " So, that means that some of us will get that toned appearance (like Michelle Obama) much more easily than others. (Life is just not fair, is it?!!)

No matter what your body shape,size, or age is, ALL of us benefit from strength training. That's why I'm so glad that Jazzercise incorporates hand weights and/or tubes into every class format.

Strength training recommendations according to The New England Wellness Web:

work all major muscle groups
choose a weight or load that produces muscle fatigue somewhere between 8-12 repetitions of an exercise for the upper body, and 12-15 repetitions for the lower body
include 1 to 3 sets of the same repetition in order to properly work out the targeted muscle area.

Every Jazzercise class has at least 3 strength routines, targeting the upper torso, the abdominal muscles, and the leg muscles. Most instructors will fit in an extra strength routine, sometimes focusing on a different leg or upper torso muscle, other times adding a little extra abdominal work. Our closing routines often have some more upper torso work before the final stretch.

Good luck with your strength training. If your Jazzercise center offers Personal Touch, give it a try as well. For a few extra dollars, you'll get focused attention in a small-group setting, and you'll learn proper form and technique from your Jazzercise instructor. That will maximize your workout when you come to your regular Jazzercise class. It's a great investment!

Don't Even Think About Quitting Jazzercise This Summer!

2009-04-23T07:43:00.011-04:00

I know, the weather is getting warmer and you feel like you'll be able to save a few dollars by exercising regularly outdoors. You might rationalize that it'll be better for you to get a workout outside instead of being indoors .

That may be true, but let's be realistic here. Think about how hard you breathe and how much you sweat during a Jazzercise class.

Now, honestly, do you really move hard enough and fast enough for a sustained amount of time to get the same kind of results when you're taking that "power walk" or jog outdoors? And, how often will you actually jog/run/walk/or play tennis each week? What if it rains?

Don't kid yourself...check out this government website by the Centers for Disease Control, and you'll see that it's not enough to stroll around the block a couple of times a week. How Much Physical Activity do Adults Need?

Yep, according to the website, adults who want to get a healthy amount of exercise every week " need at least:

	2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) every week and
	muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

And, what counts as "moderate-intensity aerobic activity?" (And remember, you need 2 and 1/2 hours of this EVERY WEEK, according to the CDC.)

Walking fast
Doing water aerobics
Riding a bike on level ground or with few hills
Playing doubles tennis
Pushing a lawn mower

Fine, perhaps if the sun shines and you stick to your routine religiously, you'll meet the minimum for aerobic activity.

But, what if you actually want to improve your stamina and fitness level, and maybe lose a few pounds? Then, you need to raise the bar and work even harder aerobically. Here's what the CDC defines as "vigorous intensity aerobic activity":

Jogging or running
Swimming laps
Riding a bike fast or on hills
Playing singles tennis
Playing basketball

Another way to figure out how hard you are working aerobically is to check your heart rate. I recently went to another instructor's class. I had determined ahead of time that I wanted to get a vigorous intensity workout, so I set my Polar watch (heart rate monitor) to tell me how many minutes I was in the 70-85% level of my maximum heart rate. After a one-hour class, I'd been in my target "zone" for 57 minutes ! Anyone who follows the instructor and puts some effort into maximizing her workout can get the same results.

So, sure, go ahead and swim some laps, jog a bit, play some tennis this summer. But DO NOT quit Jazzercise! You've worked too hard and too long to get yourself into the best condition ever. It takes 3 times as long to re-condition as it does to de-condition (so if you quit for 8 weeks, it'll take about 6 months to get back to the same level of fitness you had before).

Next topic: strength training. What's recommended?

A Real Success Story

2009-04-07T17:19:00.012-04:00

We have a student at our center who has a compelling Jazzercise story to tell. She gave me permission to use her testimonial, which I'm sharing with you on this blog.

What you should know is that Christina has not only lost weight and gotten fit because of her commitment to Jazzercise, but she recently became an instructor at our center - and a very talented one, for sure!

Pay attention to what she says. It takes more than just showing up to accomplish your goal. There's a reason Jazzercise class is called a "WORKout"!

"It Took More Than Just Pulling my Card!"
A Testimonial from Christina S.

"One year ago I decided to make a change and fortunately, that was when I saw the Open House ad for Barre Jazzercise. Diane and the Barre Team were more than willing to take the time and explain everything I needed to know to have a fun and successful first class. What was I told to expect in that first class, a little confusion, but a lot of fun! Boy, were they right. I became addicted from the beginning.

The hard part for me has always been motivating myself to keep going, whether it be running or lifting weights, I need someone to push me to work harder and to make me keep going. That is the best thing about Jazzercise, you know you are working out for a whole hour before you get there…and let’s be real, you aren’t going to walk out and leave early, group motivation!!

Now 1 year later 96lbs lighter, how did I do it?

First, I came to class, not once or twice a week, but 6-7 times a week!

Second, I did group PT (Personal training/ Personal Touch classes) EVERY time they were offered, so that was another 2-3 classes a week.

Third, I hired D. once a week for One-on-One Personal Training. (For one hour a week she was mine, to work on what I wanted or didn’t, sometimes as the case may have been! (The Ping Pong Song) And she was there to listen and motivate ME, not the group! Not in the hall, most definitely NOT in a hurry; sometimes what we thought was the problem or the setback, wasn’t, after that hour. I can tell you when you are paying that money out, you want to see something for it, and Diane will not let you down!

Was it a lot of time to commit to working out? SURE! Honestly, I felt after a short time, I actually had more time; I had so much more energy, and when I used to sit on the couch and watch TV, I am now constantly puttering around the house. The last thing I want to do is resort back to my old habits, and you know I won’t, because of how hard I worked this last year.

Christina, before she became a member, and after a year of faithfully attending Jazzercise classes. Congratulations on your commitment to fitness!!

Four More Years! Four More Years!

2009-03-27T20:10:00.007-04:00

It was my four-year Jazzercise anniversary this week. I have been reading about the spring district meetings of Jazzercise, and hearing about how it was important to have our sets really flow, almost like a show- with only 10-20 seconds after the last cardio routine to get weights.

So, I slapped on my Polar watch, put together an all-standing, no-choreographed-stretch, pumping mix of new and old(er) routines. Wanna see what it was? Here:

Jai Ho
Crazy Love
Heaven is a Place on Earth
Instinct
It's Raining Men
Untouched
The time
Faded
Every Word
The Party's Just Begun

Let's Dance
Things Have Changed
Miles Away
Just Dance
Un Nuovo Giorno (customer request, this last one)

I brought some little Starburst candies and told my customers that if any of them "burst" onto the stage with me, they'd get one because they'd be a "star". What was wonderful for me is that two of my closest friends, who helped me practice, practice, practice while I was preparing for me audition- were there! And one of them got up on the stage for HIAPOE, which made my heart soar.

Also, there were three other instructors there. One of them is a retired one, Tina, who was the first instructor to let me teach my first routines to a class just after I got certified. Justine is a dear friend/instructor, and we represent the over-50 demographic on our teaching team - she was there last night, too! I was also very happy to see one of our newer instructors, Darlene, who came just by chance, but was smiling throughout class.

I guess it was karma, because I never announced anything ahead of time. It just felt so good to celebrate four years of being an instructor. As I told my class last night, "I was over 50 when I got certified, and I'm still over 50 now!"

So, I hope that I have at least four more years in me. Judi Shepard Missett, founder of Jazzercise, is well into her 60s at this point, so I'm thinking I've got a shot at lasting until I start collecting Social Security!

By the way, I had my Polar Watch on for 65 minutes. I was in my "zone" for 62 minutes, with an average heart rate of 148, and a maximum of 170. My watch says I burned 530 calories....so I guess I can have some chocolate to celebrate, yes?

Stretching redux....

2009-03-23T18:25:00.004-04:00

A while back I wrote a post about stretching, and how important it is. Turns out that our Jazzercise headquarters in California is now saying that we don't have to include a choregraphed stretch in the middle of our class, if we don't want to. The stretch at the end is deemed to be enough.

I do love stretching, but maybe the PTB figure that people can stretch all they want once class is over. Some of my customers have said that they feel that the stretch interrupts the flow of the class. They'd rather challenge their muscles with hand weights or tubes straight throught the strength segment, and stretch only once at the end.

I'm willing to change; Judi S. Missett, the president of Jazzercise, Inc. , knows when to adapt and re-invent Jazzercise. That's why she's been in business for 40 years. So, I'm going to try removing the choreographed stretch, and encouraging my customers to stretch on their own before hopping in their cars for the drive home.

What routines I've learned so far...

2009-03-07T17:25:00.004-05:00

I got the latest DVD one week ago, and so far I've learned the following:

Jai-Ho - opener, and one of my favorites, as noted previously

UnTouched - high-intensity, high-impact; a little tricky to get those pendulums and chasses going, but I've got'em now, and love the double knee lifts, too

I'm Yours - Jazon Mraz abdominal routine; I've learned the standing and floor versions, and the floor is very challenging and fun; the standing one is great, too, and easy to learn

No Particular Place To Go - the Mos Def remake from the movie Cadillac Records; it is a quick leg routine; again, the floor version is more challenging, but both are easy to learn

Right to Dream - stretch by Mariah Carey - this is a beautiful song, and a graceful, effective stretch for the upper torso and legs; I prefer the standing version of this one

Daddy-O - a low-impact song that has lots of of heel hops and stomps; the plies offer a great cardio workout

So far, I really am enjoying this new set.

The Right to Bare Arms

2009-03-02T10:13:00.005-05:00

Here's an interesting article about the state of our First Lady's arms. Apparently, a lot of attention has been paid to the fact that Michelle Obama has well-toned arms, and that she shows them off by wearing sleeveless dresses...(shocking!!)

I've read elsewhere that she works out regularly, while her husband plays basketball whenever he gets the chance. That can only be a good thing as a model for the rest of us.

I wonder if Mrs. Obama has ever tried Jazzercise? She's from Chicago, where it all began with Judi Shepherd Missett 40 years ago.

With warmer weather fast approaching, we can all focus on getting those biceps and triceps in shape for the sleeveless season.

Present....ARMS!!

Lite Tonight

2009-02-24T10:55:00.004-05:00

I'm teaching a Lite class tonight for someone who is away on vacation.

I must say that I'm looking forward to it. I find that when I "take out the hop", I can really focus on form even more than in a regular class.

"Lite" can be modified in many different ways, from being a Low Impact, High Intensity class, to having everyone in chairs. It all depends on the needs and abilities of the customers in the class.

Our "Lite" customers are mostly 50-something women who are active and enthusiastic. They love to work out with intensity, but they appreciate the fact that Lite is kinder to their joints, especially the knees. I won't have to modify too much for them, and I love it that they tend to whoop it up during class. I usually include one or two remakes of classic oldies in my set, but these women like the new music as well. They have fun doing the funky moves to some of the hip-hop style music.

It's almost unfortunate that Jazzercise, Inc. calls this "Lite", because it sounds as though it's not very challenging - a watered-down version of "real" Jazzercise. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Try a Lite class if you ever get the chance. It's a fun change of pace.

Jazzercise picked the winning song!

2009-02-23T13:50:00.004-05:00

If you watched the Oscar ceremony last night, you know that "Jai Ho" won the Oscar for best song. It's in our new set of routines, and instructors will be getting the DVD and choreograhy notes in about a week, so pretty soon we'll all be moving to the music.

Can't wait!

Under the Weather

2009-02-19T07:34:00.005-05:00

It's tough to teach Jazzercise when you're not feeling well. Monday morning I woke up with a very hoarse voice, a hacking cough, a fever and chills. I had a 5:45 AM class to teach, though, and no time to call someone to replace me.

So, I guzzled some cough syrup, drank tea, took some Advil, and taught the class. It actually felt good to sweat, and I managed not to have a coughing fit during the hour, so I think people got a good workout despite my illness. I didn't want to disappoint anyone.

I went into work that day. I'm a high school teacher, and of course I have to use my voice. It was totally shot by the end of the day, and I wound up staying home sick on Tuesday. I dragged myself in to work again yesterday, but it wasn't pretty! I could barely speak, and my colleagues kept saying to me, "What are you doing here? Go home and get well!"

Today, I'm doing just that, and with my voice gone and the coughing still pretty bad, I'm not going to teach my Jazzercise class tonight, either, even though I'd like to. I have to listen to my body and give it some rest and fluids. Besides, it's annoying for my customers if they have to strain listen to the instructor croak the cues from the stage.

There are so many people getting sick at this time of year, and many have told me that their colds developed into bronchitis, pneumonia, or sinus infections. I definitely don't want any of that!

I checked out some online articles about working out when you're ill, and after reading them, I think I'm doing the right thing by staying home. Here are a few excerpts from "Should You Work Out When You're Sick?" by Judy Fortin of CNN:

<<Cold and flu season is just getting under way in the United States. Before it's over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts, up to 20 percent of Americans will suffer from the flu.

Experts don't know how many professional and amateur athletes will be sidelined by the symptoms, but they do know germs are easily spread in gyms and common workout areas.

At least one expert says that if you think you're coming down with a cold or the flu you should probably skip your daily workout.

"I tell people to listen to their bodies. If they are sick, their body is telling them something is wrong." said Dr. Rick Kellerman of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Even though it may be tempting to not break an exercise routine, working out may actually prolong the illness," Kellerman said. And, in rare cases "viruses can damage heart muscles," he added.

Kellerman said it is a myth that you can sweat out germs and toxins. He acknowledges that "low levels of exercise increase endorphins and benefit the body, but an intense workout that creates high levels of endorphins can wear down the immune system."

In other words, "Don't count on endorphins to heal you," he said.

Kellerman advises his patients to skip their workout if they have a fever. It puts too much stress on the heart, which already is beating faster because of the higher body temperature. If you're suffering from chest congestion, coughing and shortness of breath, he said, you also shouldn't work out. And exercising with a stomach ache will probably make you feel worse, he added.

But if you have the sniffles and milder symptoms of a cold, moderate exercise is probably OK, Kellerman said.

Another reason to skip the gym if you're sick is to keep from spreading the germs to everyone else.

"Be considerate," Kellerman said. "Wipe down machines, wash your hands and stay home and rest if you really don't feel well." >>

Slumdog Millionaire - "Jai Ho" for Jazzercise? Yes!!

2009-02-08T14:28:00.007-05:00

I hope that some of the music from this terrific film's soundtrack will make it onto a Jazzercise routine list.

EDIT: I wrote to Jazzercise, Inc. and found out that Judi is indeed including "Jai Ho" in a future routine set! Yay!

The film is very engaging, sometimes brutal, always fascinating, and has a bit of everything - action, adventure, romance, and great editing, including wonderful music. The composer has been nominated for an Oscar for his soundtrack.

If you do go see the film, you must absolutely stay through the credits. That's when the entire cast dances joyously to the song "Jai Ho". Their exuberance and youthful energy is so infectious...

My Grammy Set

2009-02-07T20:22:00.004-05:00

This morning I taught the 7:10 class. I always admire the group of dedicated people who show up for an early morning class on Saturday. They seem like a very upbeat group - morning people - who are ready to get their day going and have that it's-the-weekend-I-feel-great kind of attitude. I love it!

Anyway, with the Grammy awards scheduled to be on Sunday night, February 8th, I put together a set with as many of the current nominees as I could pull together. I had a box of Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares on the corner of the stage. I told the class that whoever could identify the nominated artist who performed a particular routine would get a chocolate prize. I called the box my "stimulus package!"

So here's what we did:
Give It 2 Me (Madonna - Best Dance Recording nomination)
Amazing - (Seal - Best Male Pop Vocal nomination last year)
So What (P!nk - Best FEmale Pop Performance nomination)
Instinct - Max (I explained that most of the highest intensity routines are club music and there aren't a lot of Grammy nominations for them)
The Strength - Big Time (ditto - see above)
Candyman - (Christina Aguilera - won Best Female Pop Vocal nomination last year)
Radio Nowhere - (Bruce Springsteen -Best Solo Rock Performance nomination last year)
Mercy - (Duffy - Best New Artist nomination)
Miss Independent - (Ne-Yo - Best Male R& B Performance, Best R & B song)
Is You Is or Is You Ain't (My Baby) - (B.B. King - album nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album)

Bleeding Love - (Leona Lewis - Record of the Year nomination)
Just Dance - (Lady Gaga - Best Dance Recording nomination)
Say - (John Mayer - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance nomination)
No Air - (Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown - Best Pop Collaboration nomination)
Walkin' My Baby Back Home (Natalie Cole - from Album nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal)

I can't wait to see some of these nominated artists perform their songs. I never cared too much about the Grammys until I started attending Jazzercise classes. Back then, I'd hear a routine and tell my husband, "We dance to this one!" Once I became an instructor, I became much more familiar with the artists and their styles, and every year there are quite a few nominees that I'm aware of because of Jazzercise, especially in the New Artist category.

Enjoy the show!

A Super Jazz Sunday

2009-02-03T19:48:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it takes a brand-new instructor to get us all re-energized. I went to a class this past Sunday morning that was taught by one of our associates who just got certified a few weeks ago.

She started off by giving us each a little red or yellow paper football. She explained that we were invited to come up on stage during the class, and when we came up, we could put our little football in one of two glass bowls she had up on the stage. She said that the team with the most points at the end of class would get prizes.

She did a wonderful job with the class. She was clear in her cueing, smiled a lot, and had crisp moves that were easy to follow. Nobody got up during the first two routines. By the third one, she did Further On Up the Road, and I got right up there with her, popping my yellow football into a bowl. Sure enough, someone from the red team ran up to get onstage, and from then on, there were always at least two people with her during each routine.

The energy was great, and everybody had a good time with the friendly competition. At the end, she had water bottles for everyone - winners and losers - which I thought was a nice touch, and a healthy (but heavy for her to carry!) prize idea.

Now we've got a couple more "game classes" scheduled. A Friday the 13th one with "creepy prizes", and of course a Valentine's class, too.

I'm supposed to teach on President's Day. What kind of a theme can I go with for that one?

To close or not to close?

2009-01-28T16:34:00.003-05:00

The snow is pummeling our region this afternoon. I don't teach a class on Wednesday, but two are scheduled today - one at 4:30 and another at 6:15 PM.

I admire people who are so incredibly motivated that they'll come to class in the midst of a blizzard. I suppose that, if they're on they're way home from work anyway, they might as well take an extra hour of time and work out while they can.

Our center owner makes sure that she is there to cover for any of us associates in case of a storm like this one. I really appreciate that, because I then have the option of not taking a chance on having an accident just to get down the steep hill that leads to our center.

Jazzercise is a business like any other in the service industry. We're here for our customers' convenience. I hope that no one risks driving in bad weather only to get to class, but if they do, someone needs to be there for them. It's one of the responsibilities of ownership, especially when there are a couple of dozen classes a week, and over 100 members, at a Jazzercise center.

I'm grateful that I can relax here after a slippery drive home and sip a cup of tea. Our center owner is one of the finest people I know. She deserves to have the most successful center in our state, and I think that she will!

Now...where's my husband? Not stuck in a snowdrift, I hope!

Instructor Styles

2009-01-24T11:25:00.003-05:00

Today we all got together (7 instructors) and taught our "Best of 2008" set, to a capacity crowd of happy customers. We taught two morning classes - the first one, at 7:10 AM, was very popular, and the 8:15 AM one, just a little bit smaller.

Customers love it when we all get together, and we do, too. Each of us taught 2 or 3 routines. The mics worked beautifully, and we were able to transition easily between each of the instructors. Hooray for technology, when it works!!

It was fun to see the different types of interactions between the instructors and the class. Some of us are "nurturers", giving lots of encouragement and helpful tips. I put myself in that category. I'll say things like, "Great, you're looking really good out there. I see a lot of level changes..."

Others are more joking, kidding around with certain customers, hamming it up during routines. Two of our instructors were bumping their butts together during Lovestones/I Think She Knows. The crowd loved it!

Some are more serious in their cueing, "Get BOTH feet OFF the GROUND!" they'll say, and they pump up the sound just as they pump up the intensity.

I love it that Jazzercise offers such a wide variety of music. Some of the favorites that were picked by our customers were ones that I haven't ever taught! It was fun for me to do them in class today, and maybe I'll wind up learning them and putting them into one of my sets. With 30 new routines every 10 weeks or so, there isn't always time to learn every single one by the time the next set comes out.

I hope we'll be able to team-teach another class sometime soon. We instructors all encourage each other, and it makes us all better to share our knowledge and experience.

The Best of 08 Set -favorite new routines in 2008

2009-01-15T06:38:00.008-05:00

The results are in for our Center's recent voting. I used SurveyMonkey.com to create a ballot so that our members could vote online. I took all of the routines from R5-07 through R4-08 (R5-08 was too recent for everyone to be familiar with most of the routines..we'll include that next year)and put them on the ballot by their type - opener, light medium, medium, etc.

Here are the winners, and I've put a set together that we will team teach on an upcoming Saturday morning:

Opener: Give It 2 Me
Light Medium: Pump It Up! ( a huge winner, getting the most votes by far of any routine)
Medium: Hands Up#2 Medium
Medium Heavy: Go Your Own Way #2 MH
Heavy: Slow Dance with A Stranger (another big winner)
Heavy: Control 2
Medium Heavy:One Two Three, Go! #1 MH
Medium: Shut Up and Drive#1 Medium
Medium: Mercy#3 Medium
Light Medium: Lovestoned/I Think She Knows

Abs: Into the Night
Legs: Let's Dance
Stretch: Gorgeous
Upper Torso: Pocketful of Sunshine
Ender: L.O.V.E.

Sometimes I think it's difficult for customers to recognize the routines from the song titles. I try to mention the name of the song with each routine that I do, but with all of the other cueing going on, people might not catch the titles until they've heard them several times.

We've been doing this every year for the last 4 or 5 years, and it's always fun to see what routines stand out in people's mind.

I wonder if these are favorites with most Jazzercise classes, or if there are differences depending on the makeup of the group and the location of the center.

And what makes for a favorite routine? I think the fun factor is most important, along with ease of learning the routine and probably the enthusiasm for it as shown by the instructor.

Reality Check

2009-01-11T18:57:00.003-05:00

We spent some time with family over the weekend, and it was eye-opening for me to see how difficult it is for some of the older (over-80) women to get around. One of my aunts uses a walker because her knees are so bad that there is no cartilage left, and she's not a candidate for knee replacement because she's too old and her heart is too frail. Yikes!

Now, Auntie Em (not her real name) hasn't exercised a day in her life and she, unfortunately, has heredity against her in the heart department. However, I can't help but think that if she'd done some amount of cardio activity and strength training, plus some stretching, earlier in her life, she might be more mobile, and her spine wouldn't be bend over with osteoporosis.

On the other hand, I have my mom, who is amazingly fit for her 83 years. When we walk in the mall together, she's right there with me. When she came for Thanksgiving, she was right down on the floor with our toddler grandson (her great-grandson), doing puzzles and enjoying his company.

Mom has always valued physical activity. She grew up in France, and during her adolescence, WWII was raging. No one had gas for cars, so they thought nothing of walking or biking everywhere. Food was scarce, so they were grateful for anything that they could eat. Sugar was a luxury reserved for very special occasions. No junk food for Mom, because it simply didn't exist!

I realize that genes have a lot to do with the aging process. I hope I have inherited my mom's great fitness genes....I know that I've learned from her that it's good to move our bodies and to take care of what goes into them!

Sweating, Clothes, and Jazzercise

2009-01-04T17:39:00.007-05:00

According to fitness experts, the ideal room temperature for working out is between 68-72 degrees. Here's a "cool" (get it?) article about sweating that I found online: Is a good sweat necessary for a good workout?

I am one of those people who really enjoys working up a good sweat. Only in the extremely hot and humid summer weather do I think of turning on the fan that sits on the stage for the instructors to use during class. I probably don't sweat as much, or as readily, as some other people, but that doesn't mean that I'm not working to my capacity.

Sweating is a very individualized function. It's our body's way of cooling down, of course, but different people perspire at different rates and in different amounts. It's not really accurate to judge others' efforts in class by the amount of sweat that you visibly see on their bodies.

Do you find that sometimes you sweat a lot, and other times not so much? It was reassuring to me to read that I shouldn't judge my workout's effectiveness by the amount I perspire. Here's what I learned:

" Everyone doesn't sweat the same amount or under the same circumstances...

"Some people sweat just sitting at their desks and others don't bead up until they're midway through a high-impact aerobics class. So don't assume that sweating is necessarily an accurate measure of a good workout or an indicator that calorie burning is in high gear. If it's hot and humid outside, you could break a sweat just walking out the door.....

But if you're exercising indoors at around 70 degrees, there's nothing wrong with aiming for a good sweat by getting your heart rate up."

That brings me to a related topic, and it's about what clothes to wear when you go to Jazzercise class, or to work out anywhere else indoors. Friday I went to class as a participant, and wore one of my older, all-cotton tank tops. It's from Jazzertogs, and fits me well, but wow! my arms were so chafed by the middle of class, that I had to put on my hoodie just to protect that tender tricep area on both sides! Cotton feels comfortable, but it doesn't wick away moisture, and just the thickness and relative roughness of the fabric made me sorry I wore cotton! I was dreading the next morning, when I'd be teaching a class, thinking I would barely be able to move my arms properly if they were so sore.

But I chose an all-spandex smooth tank top (also from Jazzertogs), and I was soooo much more comfortable. No more cotton for me on the dance floor!

Starting the New Year with Family Exercise

2008-12-31T12:40:00.007-05:00

We spent our family holidays with our children, children-in-law, and two little grandsons. Everyone brought some part of the holiday meal, and I must say, we've raised some excellent chefs in our family! It's nice to sit back and relax, allowing the younger generation to host our family gatherings after years of doing it ourselves. I made sure that I held the baby in my arms whenever possible, maximizing my Grammie time while I could.

Our two-year old grandson is a joy to behold. He doesn't walk anywhere, he RUNS. He can sit and do a puzzle or "read" a book, but when he moves, he moves. He must have inherited some of my Jazzercise genes, because he had us all doing stretches at one point.....He'd stand, feet apart, toes turned out, in a perfect plie position. Then he'd look around to make sure everyone in the room was in plie position as well. Then he'd place his feet in first position, and "cue" us to do the same!

I love how young children are so flexible, so proud of what they can do, and so joyous as they move their bodies in rhythm to music.

This year, I hope that you'll feel that sense of joy as you move your body to the music in Jazzercise class. You don't need to move perfectly to benefit from class - just be willing to take that risk - make mistakes, but keep on moving! Make a promise to yourself that you'll attend class three times a week. And when you're in class, focus on your form, squeezing your muscles as you move during cardio, and making your moves strong and deliberate during the strength portion of class.

If you have a young child in your life, make sure you move with him or her. It's good for both of you to be active. Go outdoors if you can, but just stretching in the living room is a great start. You'll have fun and you'll be teaching the little one a lifelong love of physical activity. What a great gift!

Happy Holidays to All

2008-12-24T16:06:00.004-05:00

It's Christmas Eve day, and almost dark. I started my first day of the holiday break by teaching a 6 AM Jazzercise class! Everyone was in a cheerful holiday mood, and we finished class just before sunrise.

What a great start to what I hope will be a time of comfort and joy for all of you.

Keep on attending your Jazzercise classes so you can be as healthy as possible for the new year 2009.

I wish you much happiness for the holidays and beyond.

Let It Snow! No SADness for me!

2008-12-21T13:05:00.015-05:00

With snow falling at a steady, heavy pace, there were over twenty people in the Sunday morning Jazzercise class today. In the depths of winter, it's great to have a place to go work out and have fun.

Today is the shortest day of the year, with the least amount of sunlight and the greatest amount of darkness that we'll get all year long (at least for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere). Combine that with bone-chilling cold, piles of snow to shovel, frigid winds, and the common cold and flu bugs, and it's a wonder that we aren't all curled up in a corner, watching TV and eating carbohydrates until spring!

There is an article about S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in the local paper today. It's called:
BEATING THE WINTER BLUES , and it got me thinking about my own feelings at this time of year.

The article is mostly about a study being done, and it focuses a lot on cognitive therapy; however, a couple of lines stood out in my mind:

"A common thought that people with SAD report is ‘I hate winter.’ If you’re wallowing on the couch thinking that, do you feel better or feel worse? We could replace the thought with, ‘I prefer summer to winter.
"She also prodded subjects to get up and get out.

“We’re looking for sources of enjoyment. Winter sports are great, but it doesn’t have to be outdoor activities. It can be taking a class or joining a club — anything that gets the person active as opposed to sitting or hibernating."

Now, that's what Jazzercise is all about! I joined Jazzercise in January, almost 6 years ago. I was feeling dumpy and frumpy, and I was concerned about my daughter, who seemed to be going through a lot of emotional upheaval at the time. Although we live in a cold climate, neither one of us is much of a skier or skater. But we both really like music and dance.

There was a new Jazzercise class just starting up in our town. I saw a small ad in the local paper, and convinced her to come with me to our first class. The instructor was fantastic. He was so easy to follow, and made us feel very welcome. We both joined on the spot, and I've been going ever since, becoming an instructor after two years of attending classes. My daughter doesn't live in the area anymore, but she comes to class once in awhile when she visits.

Jazzercise has made a huge difference in how I feel about winter. I still don't care for the cold, but I know that if I just bundle up and drive five minutes to teach or attend a Jazzercise class, I will soon be sweating , my heart rate and breathing will be up, I'll be toning up my muscles and making my body more flexible. I love the moment in class when the endorphins kick in - those are the "happy hormones" that help us fight depression.

For me, Jazzercise is the best defense against S.A.D.

In tough times, you've gotta dance!

2008-12-02T19:57:00.010-05:00

Yep, it's official, the U.S. is in an economic recession. Of course, this isn't news to anyone who has had a cutback in hours, lost a job or taken a pay cut recently. Each one of us probably knows someone who has been affected by the tough times.

If you're thinking that you want to stop attending Jazzercise classes to save yourself some money, though, you ought to think again…

The benefits of that $40-something a month are well worth the investment. Here's why:

1. For less than the cost of one doctor visit, you can work out several times a week, and build your strength and stamina.

2. For about the cost of a half hour of mental health counseling, you can get your endorphins going and focus on feeling good for 16-20 hours each month, if you come to class 4 or 5 times a week!

3. For the cost of a month of cable TV, you get a month of current music, fresh routines, and interaction with real, live people in your Jazzercise class.

4. For less than the cost of one hour of physical therapy, you can get a month of classes that include strength training for your upper torso, abdominals, legs, and core muscles.

5. For the cost of about 4 or 5 yoga classes, your EFT payment allows you to stretch during opening routines, during the strength training portion, and at the end of every Jazzercise class. Proper stretching will help you avoid muscle aches and cramps, and can improve your flexibility.

5.It's quite a bargain. People who come to class 4 times a week are paying less than $3.00 a class for their workout. That's about the cost of a latté, but the payoff is a whole lot better than a foamy cup of coffee could ever be! Give up the lattés if you must, but keep up the Jazzercise!

These are a Few of My Favorite Customers..!

2008-11-26T11:28:00.010-05:00

Just in time for Thanksgiving, I have made a top ten list of my favorite student types in Jazzercise class.

A roomful of these students, combined with a dynamite set and an instructor who is excited about what she's doing - well, that is just about a perfect storm of Jazzercize nirvana, and something we're all thankful for, because it happens more often than not when we get together and work out in Jazzercise class.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday, here's my Top Ten List of Favorite Jazzercise Customers:

Favorite Student #10 : Urlie Byrd: She arrives at the center at least 5 minutes before the scheduled start.

Favorite Student #9: Curtee Uss: She takes off her street shoes outside the door and changes into her pristine, Jazzercise-only sneakers before class.

Favorite Student :#8: Notta Moocher: She takes a water bottle out of the 'fridge at the center : AND PAYS FOR IT !!!

Favorite Student #7: Swee T. Pi: She comes in with a smile and talks to several people around her before class starts, especially paying attention to the new customers who look very nervous.

Favorite Student #6: Funta Knowya: She follows the instructor's moves until the very last note of each routine, "nailing" the ending with a look of satisfaction on her face.

Favorite Student #5: Paysa Tenshun: She uses intensity throughout the class, trying her best to maximize her own workout.

Favorite Student #4: Clearly Thinkin: She leaves her gum in the garbage, and stops her side conversations as soon as a routine begins.

Favorite Student #3: Attsa Spirit : She responds with a whoop or a "yay!" or a shout-out when the instructor asks, "How's your breathing?!!"

Favorite Student #2: Apprecia Tivness: She claps and thanks the instructor when class is over.

Favorite Student #1: Knowstha Score: She brings new people to class and encourages them to sign up and become a member of Jazzercise!

Personal Touch is fun!

2008-11-12T21:10:00.003-05:00

Tonight I decided to drop in on Diane's P.T. (Personal Touch) class. I hadn't been to one since she started doing them over a year ago. There were 7 other women there besides myself, and we got in a circle to start class. Everyone was chatting and smiling before class began, and Diane greeted us all in her friendly way.

She didn't use a microphone or the sound system, but a boom box. The atmosphere was relaxed. We started with a warm-up exercise, without weights, but to a good beat that got our heart rates up and our muscles ready to be used.

We did some upper torso work first. The moves are similar to what we do in a regular Jazzercise class, but we do many more repetitions. Diane encourages people to use heavier weights if they want to, but to keep a lighter set nearby as well.

For each exercise, after showing us what to do, Diane went around to look at how we were executing the moves. She would gently touch people to put them in the correct alignment if they were doing the moves incorrectly. (That's why they call it Personal Touch!)

We did some leg work, and a few abdominal routines on the floor after that. What surprised me was how fast those 45 minutes flew by. I know that I would never, on my own, work out for 45 minutes straight. It would seem like an endless drudgery. But, with other people around, and Diane encouraging us all, the session was not tedious at all, and I felt great at the end of class.

I'm glad that I stopped by, and I think I'll go back for more as soon as I can.

Leave Your Baggage at the Door

2008-11-06T19:37:00.004-05:00

When you go to your Jazzercise class, if you're like most of us, you look forward to that one hour of blissful physical activity, and maybe some small talk with some of the people in your class.

When I was a student, I couldn't wait to get to class and just leave my stressful thoughts at the door so I could enjoy working up a good sweat, letting those endorphins kick in, and just feeling good about what I was able to do with my body.

That's what I mean by "leaving baggage at the door". Jazzercise even had an ad about that a while ago, and I thought it was great!

With all the current troubles in the economy, the wars we are fighting, the sometimes bitter political campaigns, and other complex issues - we need to remember to leave our opinions at the door.

Jazzercise classes are populated by people of all political persuasions, religious beliefs, and economic backgrounds. And we welcome them ALL. As an instructor, I keep my comments on the stage to lighthearted banter about the weather, about celebrities (because they are fair game, being in the public eye and all), and about good news that we can share as a group (new babies, weddings, engagements, etc.)

So, I encourage you to take a deep cleansing breath, put on your dancing shoes and your smile, and just stay in the moment when you are in class. Save your debates for another time and place, so that you and everyone else can relax and enjoy that one hour each day that is for you!

Heel Hops and Such - ouch??

2008-10-31T19:41:00.011-04:00

The weather is getting cooler, and our muscles are feeling it. When we come in from outdoors now, it is going to take us longer to get the circulation going.

Jazzercise is mindful of the need to stretch our muscles and warm up slowly. That's why each opening routine is a combination of low-impact aerobic exercise and the isolation of each body part in order to stretch it slightly and prepare for the rest of our workout.

A lot of the routines in this new set have heel walks or hops. I'm thinking in particular of "Can't Stop", which has heel walks forward and back, and also "Control", which includes the back ball-changes and right/left heel hops to the front.

Sometimes, even after we've warmed up with the opening routine, your Achilles' tendon might not be ready for the flexing and stretching that is a part of these moves. I want to encourage you to NOT flex your heels if you are experiencing any kind of pain. In Jazzercise, you can always modify the moves to take the hops out of them. Feel free to do so at any time.

There is an interesting article about Achilles' heel pain on the PodiatryChannel.com website: Podiatry Channel

In the article, there are a couple of statements that stood out for me:

First, who may develop problems with the Achilles' tendon:

The condition... may develop in people who exercise infrequently and in those who are just beginning an exercise program, because inactive muscles and tendons have little flexibility because of inactivity. It is important for people who are just starting to exercise to stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.

And later, how to prevent its occurrence:

Proper conditioning and appropriate footwear are the best defense against Achilles tendonitis. People who engage in physical activity should always warm up (e.g., jumping jacks, light jogging) and stretch properly before beginning the activity. Cold muscles are inflexible and working them hard without stretching causes excessive stress to the muscles and tendons.

I'm Liking This New Set

2008-10-23T23:41:00.003-04:00

When I first got the DVD and the music for the latest Jazzercise set, I saw a few that I liked, but nothing really grabbed me right away. I must say, though, that the routines are growing on me. I've learned quite a few of them and so far they've been surprisingly fun and effective.

I like both of the new openers. "That's Not My Name" is just fun and quirky and really wakes people up right away. "Bright Lights, Big City" is more bluesy and kind of eases people into their workout. I like it for the early morning crowd. You know who you are...the ones who just rolled out of bed and don't want to be jolted too much until those stiff, cold muscles have warmed up a bit. It was quite chilly in the Center this past Monday, and I didn't see those sweatshirts come off until the 3rd or 4th cardio routine...

I've learned and used a bunch of new strength routines. "I Guess I Told Her" is one of my favorites because it's a true Upper Torso routine - biceps, delts, and triceps, with lots of repetitions and easy transitions that allow us to focus on our form. We've done this one standing and also on the floor ( a high kneel position), and I like them both.

"Peace, Love and Happiness" starts with a bunch of bongos playing and makes me want to reach for my tie-dyed bandana and tinted wire-rimmmed glasses. It requires lots of core balance work in the standing version, as we plie while doing a pec press, then do a hamstring curl with the right leg, then the left. I taught the floor version tonight - and it has pushups! I'm going to keep this floor version in for awhile, because I like the way we have to work really hard to stay centered, using our core as well as working the hamstrings a lot.

I'll write about some more of my favorite routines in a day or two. I'd like to hear which new ones you like, too! Comments are welcome, just click and write !

An Article to Share

2008-10-16T22:48:00.005-04:00

Here's something written by a journalist who happens to love Jazzercise. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Lifelines: Beautiful, flushed faces - and all heart
By Terri S. Vanech
Features Editor - Stamford, CT Advocate

Many people think beauty resides on the edge of a scalpel or the point of a Botox shot, but I know better: True beauty fills the dance space of my exercise class every day.

For 3 1/2 years, I have been an avid Jazzerciser (yes, it's still around - 39 years and going strong, just like the participants). There are about 130 of us in lower Fairfield County, ranging in age from 16 to 70-something, representing a wide variety of sizes, shapes and fitness levels. We come from all walks of life and gather in groups of about 25 to lunge and chasse, kickbox and shimmy in an effort to turn back the hands of time - and hang on to our last threads of sanity.

The routines are great fun and they work. Fairly soon after starting class, I began to notice a difference in my fitness level. But the endorphin high isn't the only thing that keeps me coming back. My classmates are the most amazing group of people; they are welcoming and fun, and never fail to inspire me.

When I became The Advocate's features editor last fall and asked the franchise owner, Kristen Hallett Rzasa, to help me celebrate by doing the routine to the Black-Eyed Peas' "Let's Get It Started," she called me on stage to dance with her and I was overwhelmed by the response of the class as they cheered for my milestone. I'll never know fame, but for those 3 minutes and 49 seconds, I was on top of the world.

That sense of camaraderie was very much in evidence again this past summer as three of our group took the
plunge to become instructors. In class, as they repeatedly practiced their audition routines, we all offered as much encouragement as we could, then cheered as one by one they received their certification.

Outside of class, many of the women are wives and mothers, some also care for elderly parents and hold down demanding jobs, but still find time to help out at their children's schools, their houses of worship and in the community.

They give freely and happily of themselves time and again, without seeking recognition for their actions and each act is a thing of beauty.

As you may have read in our Community section recently, women from the group have collected soccer balls to send to Lt. Daniel Merritt, instructor Eleanor Casale's nephew, who is stationed in Iraq, so he and other soldiers can distribute them to children there. Annually, many of the women reach into their closets for clothing to donate to Dress for Success, and into their wallets to purchase gift certificates for needy families at holiday time.

Last spring, several instructors organized a breast cancer awareness event - a high-energy, team-taught workout and cocktail party, complete with raffle prizes - that raised more than $5,000 for the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Plans are in the works to create a more successful fundraiser for next year.

And this past May, others from the fitness center gathered friends to participate in the Bennett Cancer Walk fundraiser in Stamford.

These are just a few of the ways the women stretch themselves to make a difference to others. Individually, they offer the most basic kindnesses: support for those battling illness or going through other rough patches; an ear for those of us needing to vent; parenting advice; recipes; book titles to share; even hand-me-downs! In short, together we form a secondary family unit.

Thanks to time logged on the dance floor, I've learned that sometimes, the simplest acts affect us most.

And these days, as airbrushed beauties seem to beckon from every magazine cover, billboard and TV screen, I'm not keen to imitate their looks. Indeed, as I pack up my sneakers and weights after class, and survey the flushed, sweaty faces of my workout friends, I think: I want to look just like them.

Barre Jazzercise is having a great October!

2008-10-13T21:57:00.008-04:00

Thanks to all of our loyal customers, and also to the many new faces that we're seeing in our classes this month, Jazzercise of Barre has been growing steadily, and Diane is working hard to help us grow by adding more classes as soon as possible.

Some of our recent classes have been extremely..."popular"...... Many of our members are participating in the wildly successful attendance game, whereby a team of two can earn a Jazzercise sports towel by attending a total of 45 classes between October 1st and November 15th.

The fall is traditionally a season when Jazzercise classes tend to grow. The kids are back in school, the holidays are approaching, the weather is getting cooler, and people have a sense of renewed energy and commitment to fitness. We love seeing all of you working out in our classes. Yes, sometimes it gets a little cozy in the space that we've got; we really appreciate your cooperation as we work to get new instructors and new classes underway.

A little background information might help you realize why the process takes some time.

Adding a class, for instance, requires that a certified instructor be available to teach it, and that there be enough income generated from a larger customer base so that Diane can afford to pay the instructor. Any new class added to a schedule needs to be approved ahead of time by the powers-that-be; a written class proposal has to be submitted by the class owner (Diane).

Right now, all of the instructors are about maxed out in the number of classes per week that we are able to teach - we average out to about 3 or 4 a week, except for Diane, who teaches many, many more because she has made Jazzercise her full-time job. The rest of us work at other full-time jobs, and we teach Jazzercise because we love it and enjoy it, and we're paid by Diane for the classes that we instruct.

Training new instructors takes time and effort. They first have to pass a "movement screening", by showing a trainer that they have the ability to keep a beat and move to the music, doing heel hops and grapevines, and cueing as they change from one move to another.

Then, they have to spend quite a bit of money (currently $1,000) just to get the training materials from Jazzercise. They have about 8 weeks to learn 10 different routines, and they also have to learn physiology, best practices in teaching fitness classes, and get certified in CPR.

Diane and other instructors work with them to learn and practice their routines.

Trainees attend one training workshop, at their own expense, which is usually held about three hours away in New Hampshire. A couple of weeks later, they must again drive several hours to either New Hampshire, Connecticut or Rhode Island, to go to their audition. Before they can audition, though, they must pass the written physiology and safety features test.

Once they've done that, trainees are asked to perform, at random, 2 of the routines they've learned, cueing the moves correctly and going through the entire routine. After everyone has auditioned, the candidates are told whether they've passed or failed. If they pass, they have to stay overnight (again, at their own expense) and learn 4 more routines, plus the business end of being an instructor, before they're allowed to set one foot on the stage.

After paying for their insurance, and purchasing a microphone, they can begin teaching - most instructors start out teaching a few routines with a veteran instructor, then build up to teaching an entire class within a few sessions.

Whew! It's quite a process, but it's what makes Jazzercise instructors very committed and very qualified to do what they do.

We've grown from having 7 classes a week offered 2 years ago, to now having 19 classes a week on the schedule, plus the optional PT classes that are given at a slight extra cost.

We're lucky to have some excellent trainees getting ready to become instructors, Aimee and Nicki. In November, they will be going through their audition process, and then Diane can start thinking about where in the schedule to add more classes.

We're always looking for new instructors, so think about it, and let Diane know if you'd like to go to a movement screening. There's one coming up on Saturday, October 25th, in Williston, VT.
There's no obligation whatsoever, and if you pass, you have a whole year to decide if you want to proceed in becoming a certified instructor.

Try it! You've got nothing to lose, and you might discover that you've got the potential to be a really awesome instructor!

Road Trip!

2008-10-06T17:07:00.005-04:00

If we look a little sweaty here, it's because we had just worked out for about 40 minutes in an intensive, high-impact class that was a combination of Express and Circuit.

Justine, Darlene, Kim, Diane and I drove down to Groton, CT for a Jazzercise district meeting yesterday (Sunday October 5th). We left at about 7 AM and drove for over four hours to get to the meeting at the Marriott Hotel.

Diane had to meet with the class owners for a couple of hours, so the rest of us found a Chili's restaurant and had a soup and salad lunch. We came back with takeout for Diane, and were allowed into the meeting by 2 PM.

Most of the information was about how to run a Jazzercise business, so not of much interest to the general public. I can tell you, though, that there will be some fun promotions and games in 2009.

The best part of the trip for me was being able to hang out with my fellow Jazzercise instructors on the rides down and back. We all got energized by the workout at the meeting, and it gave us new insight into what it's like to be a student.

For instance, we were pretty far back from the stage, and it was hard to see the moves that the instructor was showing us. We didn't mind so much for routines that we already knew, but for new steps, it took us a few repetitions until we figured out what to do. It was also important to be able to hear the instructor, especially when we couldn't see.

The instructor was energetic and looked like she was having fun up there. It motivated us to really work out as hard as we could...and that's what Jazzercise is all about. I couldn't wait to get onstage and teach my class this morning. And, even though my iPod conked out (fixed it!) and not one but TWO batteries died on me (replaced them!) we kept moving and steamed up the windows at the Jazzercise Center at our early morning class today.

We are thrilled to see all the new people coming through the door, and even more thrilled that so many of you are joining us as members. With new instructors being trained, and more people coming to class, we'll be assessing our needs and thinking about when and where in the schedule to add more classes.

I'm off to learn more routines. I like a lot of the new ones, and I hope you will, too!

Our Technique Class Was a Success

2008-09-29T22:07:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, all 6 instructors teamed up to provide a free technique class at our Center. It was geared to help our newest customers, and we held it at 8:30 in the morning, so people could stay for the Lite class that we have at 9:30.

We reviewed how to properly execute the plie, releve, chasse, jazz square, triplet, attidude lift, and a few more moves. We had two or three of us on stage at a time, while the others circulated among the customers to give them pointers on their form and execution of the moves.

We all had a great time, and I believe that our customers came away feeling more confident. They will definitely get more out of their workouts if they implement what they have learned.

Thanks to all of you who are responding to my little survey about the stretch class times. It's interesting to see how people react. I'll let you know what develops as a result.

Sunday Afternoon Stretches

2008-09-25T11:04:00.008-04:00

We used to have a Sunday afternoon Jazzercise class when we were at our old location. It helped me get through a lot of those "Sunday afternoon blues", especially in the colder months.

While our husbands would be home watching football, a lot of us would zip down to the Center and work out for an hour. It felt great to get that workout during a time when I would otherwise have been a couch potato.

Once I became an instructor, I would teach a variety of formats during that slot. People liked having the change of pace of a Circuit class on some Sunday afternoons.

Lately, I've been thinking about offering a PT Stretch Your Options class. It would be about a half an hour long, and it would be set up like the PT classes are now - $10 per class, small groups (no more than 12) but with a focus on increasing flexibility and minimizing muscle soreness and stiffness.

And, wouldn't a Sunday afternoon stretch time be a wonderful way to relax before going back to work on Monday morning? Perhaps a 4 PM or 4:30 PM time might work. I'd have quiet instrumental jazz music playing in the background, and perhaps we could try some indirect lighting (candles, even?) to keep the mood mellow and calm.

So, that's the topic of my survey this week. If I ran a 4 or 6-week session of Sunday afternoon stretch PT classes, would you be willing to come to any? I've written in this blog before about the importance of stretching, and you all know how much I love the stretch portion of each class, so let me know what you think.

It's been a fun week!

2008-09-18T18:26:00.001-04:00

I'm excited about the success of our early morning classes. As I noted in my last post, we had 16 people at our Monday morning 5:45 AM class, and on Wednesday there were 18 at Diane's 6 AM class.

Also, this Wednesday's 6:15 PM class was one where I encouraged people to bring a stability ball to class. About a third of the class brought theirs, and several people noted how different the same strength routine feels when using a ball. We don't just sit on it, we sometimes use it for upper torso work, instead of a weight, or we'll use it in a floor routine by lifting it up with our feet and doing some adductor work with it.

We're seeing some new faces in class as well. This is a time of year when people often decide to get into an exercise routine, and we're always happy to have them come to our classes.

Finally, I just want to mention something about how important your attitude is to the success of your exercise program. It always surprises me to see people looking absolutley bored, or barely moving, in a Jazzercise class! I try not to be judgmental, because anyone could have a bad day or feel tired or sore for some reason. However, they are paying the same amount of money as everybody else...why not put some effort and enthusiasm into the workout?

If that lack of engagement continues, the person is bound to quit sooner or later, and often will complain about the fact that they didn't see any results. Well, you get results by putting in some effort!

On the other hand, most people in class are so peppy and enthusiastic - I derive a lot of my energy from my customers. Seeing them smile and enjoy themselves while working really hard is such a pleasure. It's why I always look forward to teaching a Jazzercise class, no matter what kind of day I've had!

Get Energized in the Morning

2008-09-14T08:49:00.012-04:00

Monday September 15th, I'll teach my first very early weekday morning class. I'm working on the set right now and it's exactly 57 minutes long. I'll start class at 5:45 AM, so we'll be all finished by quarter of 7 .

On Wednesdays and Fridays, Diane will teach class at 6:00 AM.

We're predicting that these times slots will become popular quickly.

Many of our customers have school-aged children who play sports, take dance and music lessons, and need to be driven to their various activities during prime Jazzertime (4:30-7:30 PM). Most of our customers also work full-time outside the home. No one wants to give up working out, but finding time to do it, and still be available to our families, is a tough juggling act.

One advantage of early-morning workouts is that they get your metabolism revved up for the rest of the day. Rather than feeling fatigued, most people report that they have more energy for the rest of the day if they've exercised in the morning.

I found an article online about the pros and cons of working out at different times of the day. You can read it here: What's the Best Time of Day to Exercise?

Here are just a few of the advantages mentioned in the above article:

Pros:
• The majority of people who exercise consistently do so early in the day. It is easier to form the exercise habit through morning exercise.
• Fewer distractions and schedule interruptions.
• Can make time for exercise by getting up a bit earlier.
• Raises your heart rate and metabolism to burn more calories earlier in the day.
• Gives a feeling of physical energy for hours.
• Improves your mental acuity for hours.

The downside is that our body temperatures are at their lowest, and our muscles are stiffer in the early morning, so we may be feeling a little more sluggish when we first start the workout. I'm planning to ease into the set with an opener that's not too bouncy or peppy, but will warm up our muscles and boost our heart rates gradually and effectively.

Not everyone is an early bird, but I'm glad that we've got this option now for people who would rather Jazzercise at the beginning of the day.

Please remember to drink some fluids, and have something nutritious to eat prior to coming to class.

I'm looking forward to seeing who our "morning people" are!

UPDATE: We had 16 enthusiastic people at the first early morning class. I'm thinking of calling it "Sunrise Jazzercise"! See you all next time!

More Success with Ball Tonight

2008-09-10T22:30:00.003-04:00

I promised that I would try different time slots for my resista-ball workout. Tonight for the 6:15 PM class, I was happy to see 4 or 5 people bring their exercise balls to class. I had picked routines that I could fairly easily cue for people on the floor, or standing, while I did most of the workout on the ball. So, i feel that everyone, ball or no ball, got an excellent workout.

I am going to stick with this time slot for my ball workouts, at least for a few weeks. Diane, our Center Owner, has a few gently used resista-balls for sale, at a bargain price of $5.00 apiece. I'm glad to be able to offer a bit of a change from the usual format, just for variety's sake.

It's amazing how more intense some of the routines were as we used the ball, especially the ab routine, "Summertime", on the floor. Holding the ball between your feet while rotating your legs in the air while lying on your back - that was quite the workout for those pesky adductor (inner thigh) muscles.

My Thursday Resista-Ball Class

2008-09-06T20:43:00.004-04:00

Well, I tried. I had one person bring a resista-ball to my Thursday class this past week. I think that she got a very good workout with it, and she seemed to enjoy it.

I showed everyone else how to do the standing version of Bleeding Love, then did it on the ball with the person who had brought hers. By the time I got to the abdominal routine, "There's Nothin'", my wonderful co-instructor, Cheryl was in the house and volunteered to demo the floor version while I showed the ball version.

I think that it's difficult to do these variations with a class unless the majority of the customers have the equipment that you're using on the stage. Due to storage issues, we currently don't have a way to store the balls in our facility.

I'll try this once or twice more, with different class times. Maybe once the word gets out about how fun and effective it is to use the exercise ball, people will start bringing theirs from home.

That Ab Set Really Worked!

2008-09-02T19:49:00.002-04:00

All I can say is ...wow!

On Monday, I introduced my set for the week, using a little play on words....since it was Labor Day, I called my set the "L-AB-or" Day set, and told people we were going to work our abs in every routine.

That's exactly what we did. Today, I went to Justine's Lite class, and my abs were screaming at me the whole time. The obliques, the rectus abdominus (center of the abdomen), and the latissimus dorsi (muscles along the sides of your back) were particularly telling me that they'd had a good workout yesterday, and were getting another one with Justine's excellent set.

I'll do the same set tomorrow (Wednesday), and then on Thursday I'm going to incorporate the use of the stability ball for those who'd like to bring theirs to class.

I'm looking forward to it!

Working the Abdominals

2008-08-29T21:05:00.003-04:00

I'm putting together a set next week that will emphasize abdominal work, from the opening routine through to the final stretch, and everything in between.

The cardio routines will have a lot of core work, and the strength routines will be combinations that work the abs along with either the legs or the upper torso.

On Thursday September 4th, I'm inviting people who come to class to bring their stability balls. Many of you may have one of these things lying (or rolling) around the house. They are the large vinyl, inflatable balls that you can actually sit on. My set will give you options for using the ball during the strength portion of the class.

If you don't own a ball, that's o.k. Please come anyway, because all of the routines have options to be done without a ball.

I hope you all have a safe and pleasant holiday weekend.

Simply Irresista-Ball

2008-08-23T15:34:00.011-04:00

When we moved to our new location (which is fabulous, btw - airy, bright, and huge!) we did lose something that the old, musty, 3rd floor converted schoolhouse had tons of - storage space.

And that brings me to the topic of those large, inflatable vinyl balls that I used to use in my Thursday afternoon class back in the "old" days. I've heard from some of you out there that you miss using them in class.

I agree with you - those things are really FUN!

The downside is that they are ridiculously difficult to store. They take up floor space during a class, so they need to be put up and out of the way during most class times, to prevent everyone from tumbling about like so many Nerf bowling pins being knocked down by oversized balloons.

So, I think that I will try going back to what I did before…designating a particular class time for a format that would include resista-balls during the strength portion of class.

OK. Now here comes your part: you will have to BRING YOUR OWN BALL to class. Please don't worry if you don't own one. You can still do the routines standing up rather than seated on a resista-ball. You'll get a terrific workout either way.

My guess,though, is that when you see other people bobbing around on their resista-balls, smiling, and raving about how much they are working their core muscles, you'll want to get one of your own.

Walmart and other discount stores sell these things for under $20, usually including a silly plastic, but functional, foot pump.

My plan is to start this resista-ball format beginning in September. So, on Thursday, September 4th, if you own an exercise ball, stuff it into the back seat of your car and bring it to the 4:30 PM class.

We'll have a ball!

Stretching Counts….

2008-08-17T20:11:00.010-04:00

Another thing, among many, that I like about Jazzercise, is that stretches are included in the workout. How many people do you see who start jogging, playing tennis, or playing golf without giving a thought to warming up their muscles and stretching them?

The more I read about stretching, the more important I believe it to be. During our recent vacation, I got to spend a lot of time with our little 20-month old grandson. His flexibility was a marvel for me to observe! He could crouch down, stay with his knees bent as he carefully picked up a leaf or a twig, then pop up with no creaking or aching, and take off running down the driveway to chase a ball. When he'd wake up from his nap, his little arms would reach up and he'd stretch his whole body before going back to his whirlwind of activity.

I've learned that we begin to lose that flexibility as early as our teens, and continue to get stiffer and less flexible as we go through adulthood.

But…

We can do a lot to change that. Judi Shepard Missett, the founder of Jazzercise, is 64 years old, and she can sit on the floor, legs extended in front of her, and touch her nose to her knees. Now, she is one of those super-flexible people who have joints that just flop around and bend every which-way - almost too much! But all of us can work on stretching every day in order to build our flexibility and improve it.

Here are some do's and don'ts about stretching:

DO warm up your muscles before stretching them. (In Jazzercise, our opening routine is designed to get the heart rate pumping and the various muscles of the body warmed up before we stretch them, gently, towards the end of the song.)

DO hold the stretch until your muscle feels relaxed.

DO focus on stretching one muscle group at a time.

DON'T bounce! Gently stretch the muscles without bouncing up and down. This is called a static stretch, and it is the most effective. Bouncing when you are stretching a muscle can lead to hyperextension of your joints.

DON'T stretch to the point of pain! If you feel pain, you could be damaging the ligaments, tendons, or muscles themselves.

DON'T rush! Stretching should feel good and should never involve quick or jerky movements.

So, the next time you are in Jazzercise class and it's time to stretch, make the most of that time by thinking of all the good you are doing for your body.

Jazz Withdrawal

2008-08-17T17:19:00.006-04:00

I recently was away on vacation for a week with my family. We had a wonderful time hanging out together, going to the beach, swimming in the pool, and just relaxing.

I didn't realize how much I missed Jazzercise until I was driving home and listening to my iPod for the first time in a week. The house we had rented didn't come equipped with an iPod cable for the stereo system, so I hadn't gotten a chance to listen to anything during our entire stay. I suppose I could have worn my ear buds and tuned out, but I didn't want to isolate myself from everybody else just to listen to my music.

Anyway, I played the set of routines I'd used last week, and found myself just looking forward to getting back to class and MOVING! I think it was when I played "Mercy" that I truly began to get that old feeling of elation back. My shoulders began to move…down-down, up-up..lift/lift/lift/lift…..and the muscle memory kicked in as I did a "virtual" dance to the routine, all while driving along I-91. I bet a lot of you know just what I'm talking about, don't you?

I want to get to class and see the familiar faces of the people who understand how good it feels to move to the beat, work up a sweat, stretch, lift some weights, and push ourselves to work out as hard as we can for an hour. I'm looking forward to the whole experience. Sometimes it's good to step away from what we do for a little while, just so we can appreciate it when we come back to it.

I know that it will take me a few days to get my fitness level back where I want it to be. I don't like missing my workout for too long a time. True, as an instructor, I can work out on my own whenever I want to - but having other people to work out with makes exercise so much more fun.

And that's the secret to Jazzercise's success - it's fun to work out with friends!

See you in class!

Listen to Your Body - Exercise for the rest of your life…

2008-08-07T19:53:00.016-04:00

I've been an instructor for three years now, and I've been Jazzercising for five. That's a long enough time to notice some changes in my body, and I'm having to adjust to those changes. There's no way around it, we all get older; but we can still be strong and fit.

Read this article, and you'll see what I mean: New York Times Boomeritis article by Jane Brody

In the article, Brody recommends the book, Age-Defying Fitness (Peachtree Publishers), written by two prominent physical therapists, Marilyn Moffat of New York University and Carole B. Lewis of Washington, D.C. They hope to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining "The Five Domains of Fitness." These are:

Posture
Strength
Balance
Flexibility
Endurance

The authors devised a quick quiz for assessing your fitness level in the various domains:

Are you not standing as straight and tall as you once did?
Is walking up a flight of stairs a strain at times?
Are you getting up from a chair more slowly than you used to?
Is it getting harder to look to the left and right while backing up?
Do you get stiff sitting through a long movie?
Is standing on one leg to put on your shoe difficult or impossible?
Do you trip or lose your balance more easily?
Does walking or jogging a distance take longer than it used to?

Brody says that the answer to maintaining and improving the five domains of fitness is to exercise. What often happens as we age is that it becomes more difficult to move, so we move less. Less activity leads to a loss of flexibility, strength, endurance, and balance, and a lack of good posture.

“The antidote to aging is activity,” the therapists wrote. “Inactivity magnifies age-related changes, but action maintains and increases your abilities in all five domains.”

It's never too late to begin an exercise routine. If you're reading this blog, then chances are you've found Jazzercise and you've become committed to fitness in your life. Congratulations! Coming to class three times a week will help to maintain your fitness level; you'll need to participate more often if you want to improve your overall physical fitness.

Make the most of each movement while you're in class, but if you are feeling pain or discomfort, modify, modify, modify! Put the weights down, march instead of jogging or skipping, or make the moves smaller and/or slower. Watch the instructor and focus on trying to have the best form that you possibly can. Jazzercise routines are all professionally choreographed and reviewed by a physical therapist for effectiveness and safety.

If you have questions about how to execute a particular move, ask the instructor after class. We're here to help you maximize your workout.

I plan to buy and read the book, Age-Defying Fitness . I'll be glad to lend it out to anyone at Barre Jazzercise who'd like borrow it after I've finished it.

Have you read any good articles or books on fitness lately? Please click on "Comments" and share what you've read. Thanks!

Morning Classes

2008-08-04T11:15:00.006-04:00

I love teaching morning Jazzercise classes. The people who come to the weekend classes at 7:10 AM or 8:15 AM are such energetic and enthusiastic folks. I know that they have to really enjoy Jazzercise to get themselves up and out the door to work out for an hour that early in the morning.

Today I taught the Monday morning 8:15 class, and that same energy was there. People were smiling and joking, chatting among themselves while waiting for class to begin. It was really fun.

I'm a teacher in my other life, too, so pretty soon it'll be time to get back on the school schedule. The school day starts at 7:30 AM for us, and our first class starts at 7:55 AM. This is in a high school. Imagine facing 20 sleep-deprived adolescents who have probably skipped breakfast, and trying to teach them rules of grammar or quadratic equations at that hour of the morning....but that is for another blog!

What I'm thinking is that there are probably a lot of people like me, who love the morning slot for classes, but who can't come at 8:15 AM and still get cleaned up and off to work on time.

So, this week's survey is testing the waters for how people would feel about a REALLY REALLY EARLY morning class - even at 5:30 or 6:00 AM?

So far, only a few people have answered the survey. It would be great to get a better idea of who might be interested. Even if you're not at all interested, please let me know that as well.

Thanks in advance for your responses. Feel free to add a comment, too, if the survey doesn't give you enough options.

Mercy

2008-07-30T09:34:00.001-04:00

If you are a fan of So You Think You Can Dance, you will recognize this tune when you hear it in class. The artist is Duffy (full name Aimee Anne Duffy) , a 24-year old Welsh singer-songwriter.
Her official website is here: http://www.iamduffy.com/

"Mercy" was the music for a very edgy contemporary routine a couple of weeks ago, danced by Twitch and Katee. There was a door for a prop, and Katee danced as the jilted girlfriend trying to get back into Will's life. The judges loved it.

Here it is:

Our Jazzercise routine to this one is one of the most complex we've had in a long time. I'm working on learning it, and I know some of the other instructors are, too.

Let me know what you think of the routine after you've done it in class a few times.

Thanks!

Run the Show

2008-07-28T16:39:00.000-04:00

Today in class, Diane taught us the routine by Kat deLuna, called "Run the Show". I love the beat, and the moves are great! I looked up Kat's biography and got some information at www.katdeluna.com which I can share:

In recent months, Kat has emerged as one of the defining faces of pop’s next generation recently kicking off the summer on the "True Colors" tour with Cyndi Lauper and Rosie O’Donnell. Honored as MTV Tr3s’ Best New Artist and winner of a Latin Billboard Award, DeLuna has been also featured in People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, and Teen Vogue. Said Billboard Magazine, "With the vocal strength reminiscent of the late great Selena, the Dominican bred chanteuse might just be starting a musical movement all of her own."

Kat DeLuna's unique musical training laid the groundwork for her remarkably wide-ranging sound. As a child, DeLuna trained as an opera singer and developed a remarkable appreciation for a breadth of musical influences. Today, her sound is a colorful canvas of strokes blending hip hop, R&B, meringue, pop, Latin jazz, electronic, and dance. The bi-lingual songstress does it all.

Despite her success, things haven't always come easily to the artist. Born in the Bronx, Kat was raised in the Dominican Republic, where by age four, friends and family had already recognized her talent. At age 9, shortly after she and her family relocated back to the states - this time to the coarse streets of Newark, New Jersey - she used her parents divorce as inspiration to pen her first song titled "Estoy Triste" (I Am Sad). "In the song, I'm telling my mom how I feel about the situation and I'm asking her not to cry for my daddy," explains Kat.

I'm going to learn the routine and put it in my next set.

New Routines in Class

2008-07-26T13:26:00.000-04:00

All of the instructors at Barre Jazzercise have received our latest DVD from Jazzercise headquarters in California, with the newest routines and music. Five times a year, we get these packets in the mail. We call each other..("Did you get yours yet?")...we ask which ones we're going to learn first, and we spend hours watching the DVD and learning the routines. There are about 30 that we get each time. We all want to learn them quickly, but we also want to pace ourselves so that we don't throw too many new routines at our classes at once.

I like to learn a new "opener" first. That's what I did this time. It's the one I taught this morning for the first time with a class - by Madonna, it's called "Give It 2 Me". The song is catchy, and the moves were easy to learn. Each body part isolation is done to 4 counts, then 8 quick counts. So, you lift your head up/down/up/down, then tilt it right and left 8 times. To be perfectly honest, that much head-shaking makes me a little car sick! I will be doing the Lite version tomorrow morning, which is a slower, gentler version. And you should feel free to modify the routine like that anytime that you'd like. It's YOUR workout - it should be challenging, but not nausea-inducing!

Next, I learned "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by the Ting-Tings. The Ting Tings are a male/female duo out of Manchester, England. She does the vocals and the guitar, while he does percussion and mixes the sounds simultaneously, so that every song seems fresh. This tune may sound familiar to you because it was used by Apple in April for its iPod commercial:

Ting Tings

This is a fun routine, and you can add your personal style to it. Again, it has some quick attitude moves, which you can choose to do, or do in half time.

That's what I love about Jazzercise...there is something for everyone. You can ramp things up and get your heart rate at the top of your zone. Or, if you want to go low-impact, you can take the hop out of your moves but still get a great cardio and strength workout because you maintain that intensity.

OK, the third routine that I put in is by Kraak and Smaak, called "Squeeze Me". It is an intense upper-torso routine that works it all - the lats (latissimus dorsi, those muscles along the sides of your back), the deltoids (the muscles around your shoulder blades), the rhomboids (the muscles along your spine at the top of your back) and the pecs (pectorals - the muscles across your chest). "Squeeze Me" is all upper torso. I like routines like this for a change of pace, because all of the focus is on one part of the body - in this case the upper torso - and you can really work on your form and think about what body part you are using.

Thanks to all of you who came to the 7:10 AM class this morning - a Saturday morning, no less! There were a lot of you there and you all participated at 100% effort.

I'll see you tomorrow at 9:30 for the Low Impact session.

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-21T23:12:00.000-04:00

This is a fun movie. See it with your friends on a GNO (Girls' Night Out). The dancing to Abba is over the top, and the setting on a Greek island is nothing short of glorious.

Maybe Jazzercise will include some Abba routines in the next set!

Come Blog with Me!

2008-07-20T16:20:00.000-04:00

OK, all you Jazzercisers, I'm going to try something new here....

My goal is to provide this blog for people who want to share ideas, comments, questions....all in a positive way.....about our great Jazzercise facility in Barre.

Feel free to post. All posts are moderated by me prior to being published. This is to prevent spamming and other evils from happening. I thought maybe I could link this blog to our Jazzdebarre website and try to get some ideas going and flowing among us. Post your ideas about Jazzercise-related issues. Here are some ideas:

Who sings that song....Bleeding Love? (That would be Leona Lewis.)

When will the new routines be coming out? (They're here! We'll be learning them this week - once we've all got the new DVD- probably around July 21st.)

As always, we are looking for constructive and positive comments, feedback from our customers that will make Jazzercise in Barre even better.

Here's a topic: Helen Mirren is my new hero. Discuss.

She's not only a wonderful actress (Elizabeth I), but she is a real woman who is comfortable with herself. When I see everyone in Jazzercise class working so hard, each one at her (or his) own pace and own level, I think that each one of those people is a star. Helen Mirren isn't perfect, and neither are any of us. But, we can be proud and do the best we can to take good care of ourselve and our bodies.

Yay, Helen - she'll be 63 next month!

I get very tired of the fashion magazines giving out advice to women over 40, for instance, to never wear spaghetti straps, or bikinis, or shorts.....whatever.

Life is short. Have fun!

That is all. I look forward to your comments!