The Texas Tommy and Hammer hold- yes these are dance moves.

Progressing with my Silver Ballroom and Latin routines that l am learning with my awesome teacher John Paul, and  I have almost mastered the Cha Cha and Salsa ... Arms have always been a challenge for me but l have surprisingly picked this up a lot quicker this time round  and really loving the  Cha Cha routine. What l do have a  giggle about, are some of the Salsa dance move names in my routine - "The Texas Tommy", "Sling Shot", "Hammer hold" at first l thought  JP was making them up but they are in fact names derived from the Apache dance..lots of turns but once you get going with it, its so much fun. I also find Robbie's Latin classes most beneficial with my preparation. So it's 2 dances down and 6 more to go!!
My fitness campaign is going well, still aiming for my first Fun Run in October and l am enjoying my Personal Training Sessions, easing into the running which is improving each week and working hard on my core training. For a woman who has never trained before, l am finding it pretty tough and challenging but feeling exhilarated and very satisfied afterwards. Even enjoying the aches and pains that go with it (think there is something wrong with me). Adding to my fitness campaign are the  Saturday classes with  Ashley and Courtney which  gets the heart pumping, and for some heavy duty workout then its Thursday night's dance  marathon with Camilla's double zumba which is guaranteed to get those stomach muscles working with her sexy latin moves  and if you really want to sweat, you must do the Jive or as Bri , Dan  and l call it the "Killer Jive", we can barely move afterwards and neither can Robbie.. (word of warning though, do not eat beforehand, especially hamburgers, otherwise you maybe sharing a lot more than you bargained for).... And for some real  food for the soul  then its Trent's zumba with his different fun routines...,,.I am exhausted just reading this. But it really doesn't matter what classes you rock up to  the instructors are all great and you are  guaranteed a real fun work out!!!

Dancing is sneaky because you sometimes forget you are actually exercising!

I agree with that lovely lady Rita from her last post ;-)

Being involved in the dance classes really is such a release from the pressures from work, home etc. It's so sneaky too because its not until you start losing the weight and feeling healthier that your realise you are actually exercising and building on your fitness! Sometimes the last thing you want to do is go an exercise after work, but then I remember how much fun and laughter I have! And occasionally I get through a whole section without stuffing up!

Last year I was encouraged to start private lessons and I am so glad I did, going for my first medal in March - Bronze latin and whilst I am massively nervous about it I am excited too! I have to say a big thanks to Trent for encouraging me to do it and for Rita who actually forced me to do it (short of actually pushing me up the stairs for the first lesson!) - so glad I am doing it. And of course thanks to my instructor Robbie who challenges me every lesson and pushes me to improve. Even though sometimes he makes me do hideous stuff to get my technique right and I want to hit him a little, when it gets put into practice it all makes sense and comes together - lucky!

xx

Do something for yourself!

Dance Dynamics has been an absolute sensation.Music and dance has always been food for the soul , it has helped me find a release from the day to day pressures, lose weight ( lost 11 kilos), stay fit, (first time in my life that l have toned arms) and l have learnt to dance!!   And to add to this, l have made some beautiful friends!.What a release it has been for a working mum like me, and finally l am doing something l really love. Last year l even took the next step and completed my Bronze Medals in Latin and Street Latin, something l never thought possible and what a thrill to perform in front of family and friends, and l must add that the Dance Dynamics crew have been so great to work with, l have never felt so comfortable.
My aim for 2012 is to maintain my fitness so that l can  participate in my first charity run in October, go for my Silver Medals in both Latin and Street Latin and to have a ball doing it! Keep you posted!

I assumed that when I started at Dance Dynamics around 2 years ago that my fitness would improve. That was a give. Isn't that the main reason we all decide to "shake it" a couple of times a week? Zumba, contemporary, cha-cha , strength & tone; all of the classes give excellent workouts guaranteed to make you sweat ( didn't I hear that in a song some where?)
Anyway, the one thing I hadn't counted on was how much it would exercise my brain. Co-ordination is not my strong point and for those who happen to see me in action in class, it probably still isn't...but it has improved.
And in saying that, it has created some very hilarious moments. Talk about a challenge! There you are standing behind a few other people watching the instructor breeze through some awesome routine that you know should not be a problem and flow right through your body.....ummmm...maybe not. Wrong foot, arm is up not down....why am i facing the wrong way....Arghhhhh! It's a cracker. Not only am I exhausted from trying to keep up ( excellent for my physical fitness) but I now have a stitch from laughing so much at my haphazard attempts to look like my cool instructor. Fun, fun,fun. And hat's off to the very patient teachers who go over till you nail it. Getting fit while you laugh your head off. Who would have ever thought that exercise could that much fun. Can't wait for next class....

Hey guys, to start the new year I am doing the Channel Ten 1 Million Kilo Challenge, raising money for the Cancer Council of Victoria www.everydayhero.com.au/briarlea_green 


It starts on Monday 30th January and goes for 10 weeks, they provide you with exercise and nutritional tips and also meal plan options! So far there has been 534,493 kgs pledged.


You can choose your own charity if you would like to raise money, so I suggest you get on it! :-). Or feel free to donate to my cause! And if you see me slacking off in dance class, feel free to nudge me along (or throw things at me!)


Visit www.1millionkilochallenge.com.au/home if you are interested in doing it yourself!

You're Invited

Hello ALL - Happy New Year!

Would love to get this Blog a lot more active this year with content from both teachers and students.
If you would like to become a contributor and talk about anything Dance Dynamics please email me and I will add you to the permission list.

Happy Blogging !

Katherine - Founder (Dance Dynamics Australia)

Get Fit: Show Fit

As I sat in a meeting yesterday, with my fellow DD crew, I was reminded of the fact that in 8 short weeks I will be performing onstage at the Dance Dynamics Mid Year Concert, Dance around the World. I am going to be performing in Camilla’s Moulin Rouge show where I will flash my knickers and legs to an audience of seven hundred as well as in her Burlesque routine, in which I will be wearing not very much. When this realisation hit, a sense of worry and trepidation fell over me. If this performance was tomorrow, there is no way in the world I would be confident enough to parade around in a short skirt baring my legs. No way!

So today, I have decided to do something about. It didn’t take much for me to decide this, just a willingness to achieve something and a will power to stick to it. Easier said than done, right?

I have made a Wednesday morning resolution and I want you to be a part of this because, trust me, I need you to help me. My goal is lose 5cm off everywhere. Doesn’t seem much, does it, however in the short amount of time there is I need to get realistic. So 5cm it is. My opening measurements often surprise people; I am bigger than first thought. My bust is 97cm, my waist is 82cm and my hips are 97cm, and I wear a size 14 in most dresses and pants. I currently weigh 77kg roughly, but that I will confirm. I would like to be wearing a comfortable size 12 when these 8 weeks of torture...I mean regime is over.

I am boldly going to share with you all the hardships and triumphs of this next 8 weeks; I hope that in doing this you can empathise with me on how tough this is and offer me support and encouragement when I need it most. In return I will give you all my trade secrets on how to make this work for you, sharing recipes, work out secrets and exercises that you might find handy. I am a qualified Personal Trainer so feel free to ask me any questions about training, diets etc.

Every Thursday I will post a weigh in/measurement and hopefully some pictures of my progress. Every Thursday will also be open forum day so this is your time to get on the Blog and ask away any fitness questions you may have.

You can also email anytime – ellen@dancedynamics.com.au. My training includes nutrition education, specific resistance training and a speciality in weight loss for women.