Thursday, October 23, 2008

Do any of you know the history of Zumba?

Here you go!

History
Celebrity fitness trainer, "Beto" Perez, stumbled upon the concept of Latin inspired fitness in his native country of Colombia (South America) in the mid 1990's. One day, he walked into his class and realized that he had forgotten his aerobics music, and his only option was to grab whatever tapes he had in his car. Beto's tapes were comprised of the songs that he loved, the traditional Latin salsa and merengue music with which he had been raised. But it was a challenge to improvise a whole class on the spot using non-traditional aerobics music. Beto rose to the challenge and from this last-minute improvisation was born a revolutionary fitness program – Zumba®! The class soon became the most popular class at his fitness facility.
In 1999, after his success in Colombia, Beto brought the class to the United States, where he was approached by entrepreneurs Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion to create a global company based on the Zumba® fitness philosophy. The three young entrepreneurs then set a goal to offer Zumba® classes all over the world.
In 2002, Perlman and Aghion secured a deal with a large infomercial company to launch the concept nationwide resulting in the sale of hundreds of thousands of videos to the US market. The overwhelming res ponse created a demand for more Zumba® instructors, and Zumba® created an instructor training program. The program was an instant success. By September 2006, there were over 2000 Zumba® instructors worldwide.
In 2003, Zumba® teamed with Kellogg's to develop a fitness campaign for the Hispanic market. Kellogg's has since expanded the campaign to five additional countries and has consistently renewed the relationship with Zumba® every year. Zumba® has been featured in over millions of boxes of Special K cereal around the world.
The following year, in 2004, Zumba® launched a successful infomercial campaign in Spanish for the US Hispanic market and Latin America, increasing sales to millions of DVD's in over 30 countries.
In 2005, the demand for Zumba® instructors across the nation and abroad spurred the creation of the Zumba®'s Educational Division. To ensure integrity and quality above and beyond the industry standards, the Educational Division has over 50 years of combined industry experience in their Vice President, Petra Robinson and Educational Director, Koh Herlong. Our two industry leaders have aided in the development of fitness industry standards over the past 25 years and now bring to Zumba® their expertise and experience.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

doTERRA by Marti

Anyone who follows this blog knows that Kerry does all the work. Except for the occasional picture that she makes me smile for, I haven't been a huge part. Well my friends times are a changing. Kerry of course will still be in charge, but once a week or so I (Marti) am going to chime in with my two cents worth about something I have found and love. Since anyone reading this comes to our Zumba class (I would hope) I know you are all health conscious and want to live best life possible. This is why I thought I would share this with you. I spent last weekend in Salt Lake at a doTERRA convention. What is doTERRA? Funny you should ask, they are fabulous essential oils that quite frankly may change the world. (You would never guess I am fresh out of the convention room right?) But seriously , I really do love these things. Wait, wait don't stop reading yet, here are my three reasons why - in three minutes or less.

1-SAFE - They are completely natural and the only oils available that are 100% Pure. I can put them on myself and my kids and never worry about side effects. (Example: while using Peppermint to relieve a head ache, I am not only saving my liver and who knows what else from regular over the counter stuff, but I am actually improving my respiratory system and soothing digestion. I can then use that same Peppermint the next day to eliminate a fever in minutes. )

2-EASY - One or two drops on the feet, directly on affected area, diffused or in the mouth (directly or in gelcap). Less is more and no right or wrong way.

3-AFFORDABLE - I am of the belief that financially this country will get worse before it gets better and who knows where health care is headed. Currently I am paying $20.00 for a regular office visit. (This does not include any prescriptions like overused antibiotics or something with side effects.) The average bottle of oil is around that same price, but can be used over and over for many different reasons and for the entire family. For me this means a feeling of empowerment that I can take my families basic health into my own hands.

So the good news is Wednesday I am going to bring some oils to class and have you experience them with me. Don't worry this isn't a meeting, or anything like it. I will have some energy boosting oils there for you to try if you wish. I will also be highlighting a different oil every week or so for those of you interested. I'll see you tomorrow, come ready to shake it! (www.mydoterra.com/martichristensen)