I haven’t written in AWHILE and I think it’s time to start again. So why don’t I first update everyone about the one thing controlling my life right now…ZUMBA.
It is THE thing to be doing right now so of course I wanted to teach it. When I got licensed to teach Zumba I didn’t plan on teaching 15 classes a week…I planned on maybe having one class; which is how it all started. Then I started to get the “Zumba High” after teaching class (By the way if you don’t know what that is; it’s the euphoric happy feeling you have after leaving class AKA the Zumba High). I don’t know why but there is something so special about Zumba compared to teaching other styles of dance. I think it’s because it’s open to everyone no matter what experience you have with dance. I 100% believe that dance can change lives. You will leave feeling sweaty and happy for sure. I get to make people fall in love with what I love every day….seriously there is nothing better than that.
Now once I felt a sense of accomplishment with teaching Zumba Fitness classes all I wanted to do was progress so what did I do? I got licensed in the specialties, Zumba Toning, ZumbAtomic, and Zumba Gold.
Zumba for kids is genius. Seriously you get to teach them about different cultures, dance rhythms and on top of that they are exercising and moving. Most kids these days stare at a TV after school or play video games. Kids need to be up and moving and focused on something! If they aren’t focused on an activity that interests them, they will look to other things to occupy their time…
Zumba Gold…not Zumba Old p.s. I have all ages that take my class because it really is designed for active older adults but also Beginners! It is my absolute favorite class to teach. They love the music they love to interact with each other and they love to move it! It is also the most rewarding because I can see people getting progressively better every day. Their arms start to reach higher…their steps become more on beat, their over all mobility increases by the end of class. And how can you not love people over the age of 65 dancing, smiling and over all enjoying themselves.
Now moving on to an exciting event that happened last month in my Z Club NY class. I was teaching my class Saturday morning at 11 A.M. like always then all of sudden a video camera walks into the room. I almost stopped the girl and said, “uhhh excuse me” but I didn’t want to stop class. Then a few seconds later Beto Perez walks into my class shimmying. WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING?! After I stopped my music he came over to me and said he saw I posted my classes online and asked me how many classes I taught a week…I responded by saying, “UHHHH I do not know” (seriously biggest brain fart moment of my life). Beto replies laughing, “You teach 15 Casie.” Then he tells me he is giving me the “Golden Ticket” to the next 2012 convention in Orlando, Fl all travel expenses paid…..WHAT….I cried. haha YUP. I wasn’t able to afford to go to the last one so it was a HUGE financial weight lifted from my shoulders. If you want to see the video of Beto coming to class click this link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHCXKIQ-vgs
Now to something a little more serious…the Zumba Burnout…
It’s happening to me right now…I teach so much that I am running myself and my body into the ground. Don’t forget that on top of the Zumba classes I teach I am also a choreographer, a professional dancer still actively auditioning, a private instructor and a bgirl. YUP. That’s a lot of moving…A LOT. I am starting to feel it in my knees, back, feet, every where. I need to pull back and re-think my plan of attack. I am working so hard and honestly not make that much money….because I am working for gym’s….I am not working for myself…but that is about to change. I am taking things into my own hands, getting rid of gym classes and renting the space and doing it myself. I am done killing myself and enough is enough. I am a good instructor and I know I can do this On My Own. If you are reading this and you are feeling the same way, you can do it too! 
Okay I am done with my Zumba rant. Just wanted to share my thoughts and experiences over the past couple of months. Zumba Love <3 Keep pushing, never give up…Dance, Dream, Believe.
