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.

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)

Shoulder - Lats - Legs

Shoulders - 1
Wrap your power band around your back and hold on to both ends. Place one hand on your hip and the other comes out to one side,


Shoulders - 2
This is your starting position. Make sure your legs are shoulder width apart and your knees are soft. Don't forget to hold in your abdominal area.


Shoulders - 3
Bring your arm up to the side but do not go above the shoulder line. Do at least 2 sets of 8-15 reps. Remember to be creative with your up and downs and don't forget to do the other side.


Lats - 1
Take one side of power band and place it under one foot. Grab the other ring with the opposite hand. When you are bending over make sure to pull in those abdominals and keep your back straight.


Lats - 2
Pull back on the power band while keeping your arm close to your side and then release back down to staring position. Do not over pull or twist your torso. Repeat 2 sets of 8-15 on each side.


Legs - 1
Take one ring and step into it with both feet. Position the band right above your knees. Make sure you pull in your abdominal area.


Legs - 2
Go into a squatting position. Make sure you sit back and not down. Keep your knees back behind your toes. Look down and if you can't see your toes correct your position. You can do this going to one side for eight and then switch and come back to the left. This will work your outer thighs, quadriceps and gluteus. Do this exercise until your legs are fatigued.

Triceps - Chest - Biceps

Here are some of the exercises that you can do with your power 8 band at home. You need to do these at least 3 days a week. Please excuse the model, she was free!

Triceps - 1

Grab one of the rings with both hands.

Make sure that one palm faces downwards

and the other faces upwards.

When you switch to the other tricep just

make sure you have changed positions.

The bottom hand will now be the upper

hand facing upwards.

Triceps - 2

Bring your upper hand and put it on

your opposite shoulder. Tuck your elbow

into your side and keep it there.

You can do this with your legs shoulder

width apart or together but make

sure you do not lock your knees.

Triceps -3

Keeping your elbow to the side pull

down until your arm is in full extension.

Repeat this on both sides for 8-15 reps x 2.

Be creative and add pulses, half way down

and up, down 1 2 up on 3, etc..

Chest - 1

Bring your power 8 band around the

back of your body holding onto both ends.

Chest - 2

Extend arms forward and bring back

to staring position. You are replicating

a push-up but in a standing position.

Make sure you legs are shoulder width

apart and your knees are soft and tighten

your core (abdominal).

Bicep - 1

Put one ring under your foot and grab

the ring with the opposite hand

(right foot / left hand). For a less

challenging bicep work you can grab

the ring with the same hand on the same

side the ring is under your foot

(right foot / right hand).

Remember to always keep your knees

soft and keep your core tight

Bicep - 2

Pull the ring upwards into flexion mode

all the way to the top. Keep your arm

tight to your side. Repeat 8-15 times x2.

Remember to be creative and add half way

up and down, all the way up and half way

down, pulses, up 1 2 3 and down 4, etc.

Remember to switch arms every other time

and keep count so you don't over work one

bicep more then the other.

Last Monday Night

A shout out to all the of Monday Night Girls that came to Zumba, Thank you so much! We had a great time and we will be back on Monday's in the Spring time. Don't forget that Wednesday's are always Zumba Night at Southwest Dance. Make sure you tell your friends and family so we can all shake it together! Thanks again and we will see you Wednesday!

Personal Story 4

Hi my name is Annie and I am addicted to Zumba. I tend to start working out with hopes to get in better shape, and then quickly lose interest. Zumba has been so fun and entertaining that I haven't lost interest! I've been going for 7 months now. That is the longest I have ever consistently worked out. I think it helps that it doesn't feel like a work out to me, and I definitely don't get bored with it. I have always loved to dance though I'm not that great and can't move like Kerry and Marti. I love going and feeling the energy that they both give off. When I first started going I felt stupid and uncoordinated, but after a few times I realized nobody is judging we are all just having fun and most likely enjoying a little break from our kids. I haven't lost a ton of weight unfortunately but I'm certain I would if I didn't have the eating habits of a young kid. I think everybody needs to try Zumba at least once. It is unlike any aerobic class I have ever been to, and I think you need to try it for yourself to really understand how awesome it is. I am so glad these girls have started up Zumba in St. George!
*Warning* If you can't do the jazz square without tripping, then Zumba is not for you.