Archive for the ‘Dance Fitness’ Category
Zumba for Heart – Go Red for Women – Lafayette
Posted by zumbacontracosta on January 20, 2012
Zumba for Heart
Saturday, Feb. 25th – 2:00 – 3:30 pm (Doors open 1:30)
Posted in American Heart Association, Community building, Dance Fitness, Heart Health, Zumba | Tagged: american heart association, go red for women, heart health, Lafayette, Lafayette First, Salsa, Zumba | Leave a Comment »
Zumba & Zumba Toning – Walnut Creek Recreation
Posted by zumbacontracosta on July 29, 2011
Happy New Year! The time is now to register for Zumba (Tuesday’s 7:30 pm) & Zumba Toning (Wednesday’s 7:30 pm) at Walnut Creek’s Tice Valley Gym…http://www.WalnutCreekRec.org or 925.943.5858. Class Sessions ongoing. To find out more about Zumba Toning, go to the “Toning Sticks“ page. To see Zumba Fitness in action, go to the “Videos” page.
Zumba Walnut Creek 8-16
Get in shape now with Zumba & Zumba Toning
Posted in Cardio dance, Community building, Dance Fitness, Exercise, Fitness, Weight Loss | Tagged: east bay, Fitness, walnut creek zumba, weight lifting, women | 1 Comment »
Zumba Contra Costa Wins Award for Concord’s 4th of July Parade
Posted by zumbacontracosta on July 15, 2011
We, Parandis, Betsey, Valerie, Mimi, Lynda, Dee & I (Janice Litvin) thank the City of Concord, CA for giving us this opportunity to share Zumba on the 4th of July.
Posted in Community building, Dance, Dance Fitness, Fitness, husband-wife activities | Tagged: salsa east bay, Zumba Walnut Creek | Leave a Comment »
Zumbathon for Komen Smashing Success
Posted by zumbacontracosta on October 29, 2010
Over 90 people danced salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton & belly dance last Saturday at Walnut Creek’s first ever Zumbathon benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure at Las Lomas High School. Did you know that breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer in women? Over $1,000 was raised for breast cancer research & awareness, while 6 instructors: Janice Litvin, Eduardo Vargas, Sheyla Moreno Culligan, Raquel Call, Nannette Vides & Debbie Wiesenthal, accompanied by Percussionist Extraordinaire, Roberto Rios led the 90+ men, mothers & daughters. A big thank you to our sponsors: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Diablo Magazine, Target, Trader Joe’s Lafayette, & Allegro Copy+Print.
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Thanks to our Sponsors
Posted in Breast Cancer, Cardio dance, Dance, Dance Fitness, Exercise, Fitness, Zumba | Tagged: breast cancer, Debbie Wiesenthal, Eduardo Vargas, Janice Litvin, Komen, Nannette Vides, Raquel Call, Sheyla Culligan, Zumba fitness, Zumba Walnut Creek, zumbathon | Leave a Comment »
Zumba Belly Dance Master Class
Posted by zumbacontracosta on September 10, 2010
Zumba Belly Dance Master Class
A good time was had by all & at the same time, we learned how to belly dance from Ivonne Tamariz, Zumba & Belly Dance Mistress
Ivonne Tamariz
Belly Dance
Posted in Belly Dance, Breast Cancer, Dance, Dance Fitness, Fitness, Zumba | Tagged: breast cancer, charity, Ivonne Tamariz, Komen for the Cure, Party in Pink, Salsa, samba, Walnut Creek, Zumba Walnut Creek, zumbathon | 3 Comments »
Shed some pounds with Zumba’s DVD Set
Posted by zumbacontracosta on July 10, 2010
Now you can shed the pounds and have a blast while you’re doing it! It’s easy with the Zumba® Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set.
Click here to Purchase – Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set
Zumba Total Body Transformation DVD Set
Loaded with red-hot dance steps, pulsating Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow routines, this invigorating dance-fitness “party” will have you movin’, groovin’ and shakin’ the weight off to the sexy, exotic rhythms of salsa, cumbia, samba, merengue and more! Work your body from head to toe with four DVDs and six exhilarating workouts that teach you all the basics and hit your favorite targets, like your core, thighs and abs. You also get maraca-like Toning Sticks to add some muscle to your body sculpting routines. Now’s the time! Get ready to “Join the Party” and see a whole new side of yourself!
Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set includes: 1) Zumba Fitness Basics Workout; 2) Zumba Fitness 20-Minute Express Workout; 3) Zumba Fitness Sculpt & Tone Workout; 4) Zumba Fitness Cardio Party Workout; 5) Zumba Fitness Live! Workout; 6) Zumba Fitness Flat Abs Workout; 7) 2 Zumba Fitness Toning Sticks
Posted in Aerobics, Cardio dance, Dance Fitness, Exercise, Fitness, Gifts, Health, Heart Health, Lifestyle, Music, Sports, Weight Loss, Weight Management, Zumba | Tagged: Aerobics, beto perez, calorie burn, cholesterol, dance shoes, east bay dance, Fitness, flat abs workout, Health, heart, latin dance fitness, lose weight, music, Salsa, song, weight watchers, wellness, zumba concord, Zumba Contra Costa, zumba dvd, Zumba Lafayette, zumba music, Zumba Orinda, Zumba Pleasant Hill, Zumba Video, Zumba Walnut Creek | Leave a Comment »
Zumba is “What’s shakin” at Weight Watchers
Posted by zumbacontracosta on June 23, 2010
Zumba's founder, Beto Perez
If you haven’t heard of Zumba, the Latin music dance workout, it’s time to step it up and check it out.
Take one look at the Weight Watchers Community and you’ll see that more and more Weight Watchers members are discovering that Zumba is an effective and — most importantly — fun way to burn calories and collect activity POINTS® values.
Typically an hour long, a Zumba class typically combines salsa, hip hop, samba, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton and belly dancing moves and is customizable for men and women at all fitness levels. For example, if you’re more advanced you could add a turn or a hop to a particular move. Unlike traditional step and aerobics classes, there’s no choreography to remember, so don’t be nervous if you’re not a trained dancer. The instructor just changes from doing one step over and over to another step, so the class has a fluid progression. Zumba enthusiasts stress that a typical class doesn’t feel like a workout at all, but a dance party.
Zumba routines include interval training with both fast and slow rhythms. Classes also use resistance training to tone muscles while burning fat.
You can also try a Zumba Toning class which uses toning sticks, 2.5 pound weights that double as maracas to up the fun (and muscle building) level.
Basic Zumba steps
The Merengue March: A basic Latin dance step where you’re essentially walking in place while moving your hips a little right to left. Your arms are about even with your chest and bent at the elbows about 90 degrees. The Booty Circle: Exactly what it sounds like, you move your hips in a circular motion along to the beat of the music. The Andale: Take a step with your left foot and bring your right knee up with a small hop. Step backwards on to your right foot and do a small kick backwards with your left foot. Repeat. Then start with your right foot. The Reggaeton Stomp: with your feet together and your torso bent slightly forward, you just alternate stomping each foot slightly in front of you: left, right, left, left; right, left, right, right.
Meet a Zumbaholic
Anita Sado, a self-proclaimed “Zumbaholic” and a Weight Watchers Leader says the class works almost all of the body’s muscle groups. “You definitely work your core and your booty. You’ll also feel it in your upper arms, shoulders, across your chest and in your quadriceps.”
“The whole idea is that you’re not thinking about working out while you’re taking class,” says Alberto Perlman, CEO and co-founder of Zumba Fitness. “You feel like you’re in a nightclub, so Zumba is perfect for those who typically don’t get excited about working out.”
Zumba was started by chance more than 10 years ago by Beto Perez, an aerobics instructor in Miami, FL. One day he arrived at the gym and realized he’d forgotten the music he typically used to teach. So he went out to his car and grabbed his personal collection — salsa and merengue. The class focused more on freestyle dance than set choreography, which had the class members asking to do the same type of class the following week. The rest, as they say, is history.
The class spread like wildfire and is now available at more than 50,000 locations in 75 countries around the world. In the US, you can find Zumba classes at many 24 Hour Fitness, Bally Total Fitness, Equinox, Town Sports, YMCA and Gold’s Gym locations.
Jill Bennett-Weiss lost weight combining Weight Watchers and Zumba. “It’s so fun and liberating to be able to shake your butt,” she says. “You’re made to think that only skinny beautiful people can do it, but seeing all ages and sizes in the class is very encouraging.”
Say goodbye to shy
If you’re intimidated by Zumba, don’t be. Maria McCalister, a long-time Zumba instructor, says you have to go to a few classes before you really get the hang of it. “I have students who started out shy and a bit awkward who have transformed into totally different people. Plus, you have to remember the other people in the class are watching me, they’re not watching you.”
She also says it’s key to remember that everyone at one time or another had their first class, too. “You’re all there for the same reason,” Bennett-Weiss says.
Sado agrees. “You need to trust that you’re in a safe place, as safe as a Weight Watchers meeting. But you have to have the attitude that you’re doing it for you and you’re doing it to have fun.”
Gyms can pick their own pricing model for the class (either offer it free, or for a fee).
Zumba has reached an almost cult-like status among its loyal followers. Perlman says he’s seen many students who actually have Zumba tattoos. And essentially anyone can do it — not only hardcore movers and shakers. Zumba has developed Zumba Gold for seniors and beginners, as well as ZumbAtomic for kids.
For more info about classes in Contra Costa’s Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, or Concord, see SCHEDULE page.
To schedule a Zumbatomic (Zumba Kids) class or party, call Janice at 415.518.2202 or Janice@ZumbaContraCosta.com
Posted in Aerobics, Cardio dance, Dance Fitness, diet, Exercise, Fitness, Lifestyle, Music, Weight Loss, Weight Management, Zumba | Tagged: Aerobics, Beto, beto perez, cardio, cd, Contra Costa County, dance lafayette, diet, east bay dance, facebook, Fitness, heart health, Kids Parties, latin dance, music, Nike Musique, Nike shoe, Salsa, social media, video, Weight Loss, weight management, weight watchers, workout clothes, workout shoes, Zumba Kids, Zumba Lafayette, Zumba Pleasant Hill, zumba shoe, Zumba Walnut Creek, Zumbatomic | Leave a Comment »
Zumba Warms Up Weight Watchers’ Walk-it Challenge
Posted by zumbacontracosta on June 6, 2010
Janice & WW Territory Mgr., Jeanne O'Brien
Today Janice of Zumba Contra Costa prepared walkers for the Weight Watcher Walk-it Challenge in Pleasant Hill (San Francisco’s East Bay area). Fleet Feet of Pleasant Hill hosted the walkers by supplying t-shirts, water, and healthy snacks. Starting at 7:30 a.m. Janice warmed and toned the 300 Weight Watchers’ muscles and prepared them for their 5K (3.1 miles) walk-it challenge around the town of Pleasant Hill in Contra Costa County. Everyone finished the walk thrilled and energized, while feeling their endorphin-rush.
Janice teaches Zumba Fitness classes and Zumbatomic (Kids’ Zumba) in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette & Concord. Janice@ZumbaContraCosta.com
WW Leader, Elena Summers
Janice
WW Leader, Marianne Benedetti
Posted in Aerobics, Cardio dance, Community building, Dance Fitness, diet, Exercise, family, Fitness, Health, Heart Health, husband-wife activities, Lifestyle, Music, Sports, Weight Loss, Weight Management, Zumba | Tagged: Aerobics, Beto, Cardio dance, concord, diet, east bay dance, Elena Summers, Exercise, Fitness, Fleet Feet, Health, heart, latin dance, low cholesterol, Marianne Benedetti, Pleasant Hill, Salsa, Walk-it Challenge, Walnut Creek, Weight Loss, weight management, weight watchers, Zumba | Leave a Comment »
Meet Beto Perlman, CEO, Zumba Fitness
Posted by zumbacontracosta on May 23, 2010
Born for Business
Zumba Co-founder, Beto Perlman
Published: May 21, 2010
My great-grandfather moved from Jerusalem to Colombia at age 20 because he heard there were business opportunities there. He went from town to town selling textiles on horseback although he didn’t speak a word of Spanish.
When I was about 6, I had a watch that had a game on it. I loaned it to a classmate on weekends, and he gave me money in exchange. One weekend my mom me asked where my watch was. When I told her, she called the boy’s mother to apologize and made me return all the money. My father was proud. He said I invented renting.
It was a dangerous time in Colombia in the 1980s. Every time the government would pursue the drug dealers, they’d retaliate and bomb government buildings and public places. We’d hear the popping sounds at school. My dad owned a factory that made leather goods, and when I was 9 we were glad to live in the United States for six months while he opened a distribution center in Florida.
I moved back to the United States in 1994, and in 1998, I graduated from Babson College in Massachusetts with a B.A. in finance and information systems. Working as a management consultant for a while, I analyzed call centers for a bank to determine the effectiveness of its TV advertising. It was boring, but I learned about direct response marketing, which would come in handy later.
When I went home to Colombia to visit, my mother would rave about a fitness class she was taking with Alberto Perez, whom everyone calls Beto, that involved a dance routine set to Latin and international music.
In 1999, I created a business conference called Latin Venture with a partner, where Latin American entrepreneurs presented their business plans. I got companies like I.B.M. and Telefónica to sponsor it, and I lined up venture capitalists as speakers and panelists. We held the conference in Miami.
Then three partners and I created Spydre Labs, a business incubator for Latin American entrepreneurs with ideas for Internet businesses. We raised several million dollars and invested in the start-ups we created.
Then the tech bubble burst, funding dried up, and I had to let everyone go. I decided to return what remained of the investors’ money because my father always taught me that if you’re honest and respectful, it will come back to you tenfold.
My parents had moved to Miami by then, and I had dinner at their house that night. My mother suggested that I talk to Beto about starting a business related to his fitness routine. He had also moved to Florida and was giving fitness classes here.
He and I met and discovered that neither of us had any money. We decided to start a company anyway, and I asked Alberto Aghion, one of my best friends from childhood, to join us. We wanted to sell home fitness videos directly to consumers, so one night we set up on the beach and had a videographer film a fitness class. We started looking for joint venture partners for producing videos we could market on television.
Along with a TV infomercial, the home videos introduced our concept to the public, and when people called wanting to be trained as instructors, the company took off. Zumba Fitness is now in about 50,000 locations in 75 countries. This year we’re introducing a game for Nintendo Wii, Xbox and PlayStation.
I’ve learned that if you don’t take a risk, that’s a risk in itself. I’ve also learned that your customers are your boss. Our main customers are our instructors, who pay for training. They have their own community on our site, and I listen carefully when they tell me what we need to do in the future.
As told to Patricia R. Olsen. (Appeared in NY Times.com 5/21/2010)
Posted in Aerobics, Dance Fitness, entrepreneurs, Exercise, Fitness, Gifts, Health, Lifestyle, Music, Zumba | Tagged: alberto perlman, beto perez, beto perlman, cd, east bay dance, entrepreneurship, fitness industry, how to zumba salsa, latin dancing, music, Salsa, songs, zumba audio blast, Zumba Contra Costa, zumba dvd, Zumba fitness, zumba music cd, Zumba Walnut Creek | Leave a Comment »
Meet Husband-Wife Zumba Students – Garth & Jenny Andrews
Posted by zumbacontracosta on March 30, 2010
Get to know, Husband-Wife Students - Garth & Jenny Andrews
It is with great pleasure that I present to you a new feature of Zumba Contra Costa.com, Student of the Month. In creating this community feature, my goal is to get people to learn more about one another, since there’s not much time to chat during a Zumba class. Lasting friendships are often made in Zumba class because it’s so much fun, it’s like a party!
I am pleased to introduce to you Garth & Jenny Andrews, my first husband-wife Zumba students. As you can see below, Garth & Jenny like to do things together and with their hectic lifestyle, which includes four daughters and all of their activities, it is difficult to find time to do things together as a couple. Zumba in Walnut Creek fit the bill for Garth & Jenny. They can be together and get a great, fun workout.
Tell me a little bit about yourselves, such as how long married, how many children, career, hobbies, or other interests.
We have been married for twenty years and have four daughters, ages 16, 15, 11 and 10. Garth is a managing partner of an Internet marketing company, One Compass. I am a retired flight attendant, and now stay home full time to take care of my family (someone’s gotta drive all those kids around). We love doing things as a family. Tae Kwon Do is another physical activity that the family enjoys and plan to introduce Zumba to the kids as well.
What attracted you two to Zumba class?
Garth: It looked like something that we could both enjoy as it combined a high energy workout with something we both love to do, which is dance.
What is your favorite thing about taking Zumba?
It’s exercise that is actually fun and something we both enjoy, which means… we’ll stick with it!
How did you hear about Zumba, and specifically how did you hear about Janice’s class at Tice Valley Gym, Walnut Creek?
Jenny: In searching for a Zumba class, there were a couple of things that were required; I wanted to make sure the instructor was a qualified licensed instructor in Zumba Fitness, and the class time had to be convenient for both of us. We found Janice on the actual Zumba website.
Have you done Latin or any other dancing in the past?
Jenny: I have absolutely no Latin or any other dance background. Garth has a background in dance dating back to his college days. We both enjoy dancing leisurely and love the rhythmic Latin dance steps in Zumba.
What is your favorite Zumba step, Salsa, Cumbia, Meringue, Reggaeton (Latin hip hop), Belly Dance, or Bollywood?
Garth: My favorite Zumba step is Salsa because I feel it epitomizes the heart of the Latin beat. Jenny: Too hard to chose, I like them all.
How do you feel after taking a Zumba class?
Happy because it’s a fun experience and it’s a good workout.
Garth, for men with no dance background and who are intimidated by going to a group exercise class such as Zumba, what advice or encouragement do you have?
Most people like to dance, but I think that men are usually more self-conscious. The atmosphere and energy in the Zumba class is pretty infectious and you are constantly moving without really having time to think about what you are doing or how you look doing it, you just have fun.
Since the writing of this interview, Jenny enrolled one of her teenage daughters in Zumba as well.
Zumba® Fitness at Tice Valley Gym’s beautiful exercise studio meets every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm. If you would like more information about this or any Zumba Contra Costa class, simply email me at: Janice@ZumbaContraCosta.com
Posted in Community building, Dance Fitness, Exercise, family, Fitness, Health, husband-wife activities, Lifestyle, Zumba | Tagged: Aerobics, cardio, community, couples, Exercise, family, Fitness, fun, garth andrews, jenny andrews, latin dance, Lifestyle, marriage, one compass, Salsa, zumba men, Zumba Walnut Creek | Leave a Comment »
