Friday, August 27, 2010

Convention--Day 2

WOW. I really can't describe how incredible this experience is. The only thing I can suggest to help you imagine is how AWESOME you feel when you take a master class or Zumbathon. Now multiply that by 3-4 times a day, for 5 days! Then take in the feeling you had as an older kid in summer camp, meeting all the awesome new friends and getting to take a break from "real life". Add in the love of a family reunion and the general MAGIC of so much Zumba in one place, and you'll start getting close!

Warm ups and Cooldowns with Tanya Beardsley was amazing yesterday. Lots of new ideas for both for classes (get ready to change things up, dear participants!). Tanya was awesome, awesome, awesome. So real and so nice--I couldn't have asked for more from such a famous Zumba celebrity. Last night was an awesome mixer where I got to meet lots of 'virtual' Zumba Instructor friends. This morning was one of the most amazing experiences of my life--the big all Convention Zumbathon! They were filming it for the new Zumba DVD. It was part Zumbathon, part rock concert, all amazing. I admit, I cried on numerous ocassions just because it was SO overwhelmingly incredible. I wish I could share pictures of that too, but cameras weren't allowed. You guys will see it all when the new DVD comes out!
Then I had the Zumbatomic Boost. Lots of great reminders, tips, new ideas and new songs and choreography. Gina Grant joined us and we had other amazing ZES's joining us including Lindsey and Marcie! Marcie is a blast--I got to take my Zumbatomic certification with her and it was great to connect. Lindsey with the ZES on my first ZIN DVD and she is so sweet and wonderful. Great to meet her. The whole class was inspirational. I'm taking a quick break to update you guys--next up I have Toning Boost! I'll be honest, I am EXHAUSTED and can't imagine how I'm going to get through it except that I KNOW the instructors will pump me up! You come here saying you're not going to go all out, but when Gina or Beto is up on stage telling you to give them everything you got, you just can't hold back! Just like my particpants are with me, right guys? See you in a few days!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Zumba Convention, Day 1

I arrived in Orlando yesterday and met up with my fabulous North Dakota gal roomate, Jill! Jill and I met at our B2 Certification in Lake Geneva this Spring. We made it to the Mariott World Center and started running in to amazing Zumba people right away. The theme of the convention this year is: "We are ONE--One World, One Family". There are people I've never met before but "know" from the Zumba online forums screaming my name and running up to hug me. Zumba creates friendships like nothing else. Being here really does feel like a family reunion, with some Zumba celebrities mixed in! We sat just feet away from Gina Grant (you may recognize her from the Zumba videos)--so awesome! We also saw Tanya Beardsley and I spotted Beto Perez heading into the hotel. This morning we made it through the lines of registration and the Zumbawear shop. Our first session was Hip Hop with the off-the-hook George Lu. It was an amazing 2 hours! I feel so lucky to be a part of this worldwide family. The energy here is phenomenal. In just a bit I'll be off to a session on Warm Ups and Cooldowns. I'll try to check in again tomorrow to let you know more about this amazing experience! Zumba Love!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Welcome to the Dancing Lotus Blog!


I've finally gotten around to creating this blog so that I can better keep you updated on my adventure at my first Zumba Instructors Convention! I am so excited to immerse myself in the Zumba world completely for the next 5 days, and can't wait to tell you all about it! Stay tuned!