Playlists for 10/20 & 10/22

Hey Party People :-)

The same playlist for this week's classes are the same as last week, although Tuesdays are different from Thursdays (variety...it's the spice of life :-))

Tuesday's line-up:

Forever - Chris Brown (w/u)
Mercy - Duffy (pop)
Hip-Hop Reggaeton - ZUMBA - (the infamous "ROCKSTAR" step)
Those Days - Shaggy - (Bellydance/Hip Hop)
Ahora Es - Wisin & Yandel - (Reggaeton)
El Bombom Asesino - Ninel Conde (Flamenco) *Sorry about my brain fart with this choreo...
Four Minutes - Madonna & Justin T - (Rockstar & Samba)
Pachuco - Kumbia Kings (Cumbia)
Wake Up Call - Maroon 5 (jazz & "Las Vegas" steps)
Viva el Merengue - Oro Solido (Kick-your-booty Merengue)
Take a Bow - Rihanna (c/d)

Thursday's Line-up:

Dancing Queen - ABBA (w/u) *Their music will live forever in my classes!
Closer - Ne-Yo (jazz step & pop)
Santa Que - Zumba '08 DVD - Cumbia
Zumbandando Por Un Sueno - Zumba '08 DVD - Salsa
Love Song - Sara Bareilles (jazz steps & pop)
Zumbalicious Salsa/Reggaeton - Zumba '08 DVD
Life Is a Highway - Rascall Flats - (Country) *Working on the next country song for ya!
Alegria PA Zumbar - Zumba '08 DVD - ("don't-be-shy-with-those-hips" step & samba)
Disturbia - Rihanna (Pop)
The Prayer - Celine Dion & A. Bocelli (c/d)

I'm working on just a couple of songs for the new session on October 27 (2 spots left for Thursday and 5 more for Tuesday, as of today). Be on the lookout for: a HOT country line dance and some fun throw-back 90's :-)

Everyone is doing an awesome job with the cool-downs! You know it's practically the same thing over and over, just to a different song each time. That beauty, style and grace I see in you all is just a fabulous thing. Don't forget that final step; TAKE A BOW and curtsy! As a great dance instructor once told me, "Start off strong and have a great ending!"

Until the next party...
Myra :-)

Playlist for 10/8/09

Hello Everyone!

Today's playlist is the same as last Thursday, October 1 - another one of my "classics" mixed in with some of the new songs. I hope you had a good time and forgot about your cares for the hour :-)

Boogie Shoes - KC & The Sunshine Band (w/u)
Pitbull - I Know You Want Me (w/u)
Reggae Cumbia - Kumbia Kings (cumbia)
Ojos Asi - Shakira
Parsarela - ZIN 20 - (Reggaeton)
Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani - (Pop)
Que Te Pica - Notch - (Merengue/Reggaeton)
Love Like This - Natasha Bedingfield/Sean Kingston
Mas Que Nada - Black Eyed Peas - (Salsa/Samba)

This Tuesday I will change the playlist (again) but will include this session's favorites.

Have a fabulous-o week!
See ya at the party!
Myra :-)

Playlist for 9/29

Hola!

It's a big exam week this week, so no time for my chatty self :-)

I do want to tell you that I decided that my playlist on Tuesdays will be different than on Thursdays...I will play them for at least 2 weeks, maybe more. When I was teaching 7 classes a week, it was easier to rotate my playlists - and remember them! So, for my poor memory's sake, I need to rotate more often. Please let me know in class if you have a special song request - I have them stored in my "mental rolodex", but it's quite dusty in there :-)

Songs for Tuesday were my "recycled" favorites:

Yeah! - Usher - (Warm up)
The Way She Moves - Zion - (Salsa)
La Negre Tienen Tumbao - Celia Cruz - (Latin Pop)
Cha Cha Slide - Mr. C. - (Pop)
Whine Up - Kat Deluna - (Latin Pop/Reggaeton)
Hips Don't Lie (Bamboo) - Shakira - (Salsaton, African)
Zocalypso - Zumba DVD's 2004 - (Calypso, Soca)
Sway - PussyCat Dolls - (Tango)
Buttons - PussyCat Dolls - (Bellydance, Cha Cha)
Shh! - Zumba DVD's 2004 - (Cumbia)

I will being doing an older mix tomorrow night too, I just don't which one...but I'll list it on Friday.

Have a glorious week!

See ya at the party (even with your jeans on :-))!
Myra :-)

i scrapped!

Okay, so when I'm not thinking up choreography, or studying for school - I scrapbook. A lot. Obsessively, actually. My girls scrap with me every Sunday - they even own my old Cricut (die cutting machine). I have my blog posted on one of my favorite scrapbooking websites now, so I need to post some of my artworks a little more regularly. Here's a layout of Nina in Tahoe "striking a pose" or two - that girl is going to want to model when she grows up...heaven help me. Sorry the picture is a little blurry.

Scrapbooking is my one true relaxing hobby - I can't even think of making a profit from doing it. I would quit from the pressure and end up hating it. I don't wanna go down that route, ever! (I almost quit teaching Zumba last year - I was teaching 7 classes and I injured my feet so badly I couldn't walk.)

Ending on a more positive note, tomorrow I get to go with some friends (fellow obsessive scrapbookers) and Greg up to Novi, MI (he has a presentation for church up there) and have a window-shopping trip to my favorite scrapbooking store, Archiver's. Hooray!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Myra :-)

New Songs for 9/22 & 9/24

Hey all!

Another fun week - chalk that one on the board!
Thanks again for joining me this week and sacrificing your time to take a minute out for you :-)
This is the first time in 3 years that I've taught less than 2 classes a week - and I have to tell you, I get so excited (and nervous) when Tuesday and Thursday come around. Who wouldn't want to when you know you're going to a party?? I love being able to take a break from the busyness of life (family, school, volunteering & homemaking) and share my love of dance. And thank you all for the inspiring feedback you consistently give me: I want to give you great experience each and every time you join me.

Here's some of the (older) new ones from this week:

Circus - Brittany Spears - (warm-up)
Reggaeson Son - ZIN 17 (Reggaeton)
Black or White - Michael Jackson (do I need to explain??)
Hecha Pelante - ZIN 21 (Bellydance/Reggaeton)
I Want to Know What Love Is - Mariah Carey (cool-down)

Thanks for putting up with my silly cues and remarks in class...especially when I say, "Let's party...keep those legs closed..." If you've been to class in the last month, you know exactly what I'm talking about...LOL!

Have a great weekend - oh, and I'm thinking of doing a classic week next week. I have an exam and can't put too much energy into new stuff, so we may be recycling dance routines next week. I'll let ya know.

See ya the party!
Myra :-)

My Baby Boy is 17!!!

My big boy is 17 today!! Yoo-hooooooo! Where does time go?

Proud momma moment: Anthony was also elected as the Junior Class President for the PHS campus DECA Marketing Association...YEAH!!!!! We're so excited for his upcoming opportunity with the program this year.

It has been a joy being Anthony's mom - one of the easiest kids to raise, ever! We love him and he's such a great son and brother (3rd parent).

That was my happy thought for the day :-)

ZUMBA FAQ's

Hey Ladies!

I just wanted to tell you how fun last Thursday night was :-) Thank you for letting me direct you guys like the troupe dancers you really are! The second-to-the-last song was "Don't Stop" by ZIN. We did a little group formation and you guys did it just like professionals! We were like the Rockettes there for a little bit :-) We'll do it tomorrow night too, if you weren't able to be with us on Thursday.

Here's some info I promised you - I didn't have time to write it myself so I found some basic Zumba FAQ's on Facebook from this link:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=65266546830

Zumba FAQ's:

Do I need any previous dance experience?

No not at all! Anyone can do Zumba®! All ages, all body types and all skill levels! You do not need any previous dance experience. The basics are taught to you.


I have two left feet...how can I get a good workout from Zumba®?

Zumba® is not about getting every step perfect. There are no judges on the sidelines waiting to score us. Zumba® is about feeling the music and having fun...while getting a great workout. The more energy you put into your Zumba® moves, the better your results will be.


Do you have beginner classes, because I'm concerned that I have no rhythm and I'm afraid that I'll look silly or embarrass myself?

Trust me you are not going to look silly or embarrass yourself. In our regular Zumba® classes we follow the authentic Zumba® format, which allows for a multi-level class. You'll see a mix of everyone from the beginner, intermediate and advanced fitness participant to the professional dancer. Keep the following in mind when attending any Zumba® class, you are not expected to move like anyone but you! No one will critique your dance or fitness skills. The most important things to remember while participating in a Zumba® class are to let go, allow yourself to move naturally to the music, keep moving and to have fun! Dances which may have more intricate steps, are reviewed until all are comfortable.


What should I bring?

Water You will need it! Always keep yourself hydrated. Bringing a towel really helps with removing access sweat, especially off of the face. Get friends to come with you to Zumba® class! That may give you that extra boost to stay motivated and fulfill your health goal.


Do I need a partner?

Not at all. Everyone is learning the steps individually, but please feel free to bring all your friends with you! This is an exercise class, not partner dancing.


How many calories can I burn during a Zumba® Class?

It is very difficult to estimate the number of calories burned during a Zumba® Class, because it depends on you, your body type, your body composition, the intensity, and the range of motion that you use with each workout. For example in one Zumba class, one participant could burn 400 calories, while another participant burns 1000 calories. We recommend monitoring how you feel and compare it to other activities that you do that have "calories burned" associated with it and then estimate accordingly.


If Zumba® is so much fun, how can I be getting a workout?

Zumba® participants can burn approximately 400-1,000 calories per class based on their cardio intensity and fitness level. The Zumba® routines feature aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. Zumba® is a total body workout with emphasis on the glutes, legs, arms, abdominals, and the most important muscle of the body…THE HEART!


What are the best shoes for Zumba®?

Zumba® recommends any shoe that has good cushion support, medial-lateral support (for side to side movements) and low-traction rubber (for easy sliding and turning). There are a number of great fitness shoes and dance sneakers that fit this description. Usually court shoes or "aerobic" shoes are good for medial-lateral and pivoting movements. Running shoes are not ideal due to the heavy tread on the bottom of the shoes and because running shoes are designed more for forward movement. The best shoe for you is the shoe that fits your foot well. Everyone's feet, body type, and dancing styles are different; it is important for you to try different shoes to find the best one for you. I recommend, and wear the Ryka Studio D shoe--which works best for my particular foot--available at Zappos.com. Also check out the Nike Cameo which is another good shoe.

See ya at the party!
Myra :-)