Something to Dance to (not Christmas music:)

We have been hit by snow here in Toronto. It's cold and slushy. Last night our salsa class was at Lula Lounge because our teacher had to teach salsa to a Christmas party booked there. We had fun in the class and we stuck around and danced to the excellent DJ tunes! (not necessarily salsa) Here is a little salsa classic to put on and dance to especially if you are snowed in!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXtleF5mTiU

More changes :)

This week our salsa instructor told us that the space where he has the classes, "The Movement Centre", will be closing down at the end of January. We were very disappointed but he assured us he will find another space to teach from. The Movement Centre has been around for many years and has also supported local talent (performance artists, dancers, comedians, writers) with cabaret-like shows for local artists to try out new material. It is sad to know it will be closing down.

On the bright side, all the little steps and movements we have been working on seemed to be coming together in the last class. I actually felt like I was (almost) dancing! :) It's been a great learning process and a lot of fun. I go to the classes with my sisters and it has been a great way to have "sister time" as well. The musical education has been inspiring too. As someone who used to sing folk music I have had a great time finding out about the greats of this genre.

So far there is no news on the Zumba class front. Our instructors are still looking for a location from which to teach but it looks like it will be in January at the soonest! AHHH! A month without Zumba? It is really my cardio workout. It looks like the bootcamp alternative is getting to be a viable alternative. (Just in case the Zumba takes longer to get going.)

Another New Yoga Pose

I am a beginner to intermediate level of yoga student. I have done yoga since I was a kid (off and on). This family yoga class has a lot of great basics and the teacher throws in these poses I have never done before as well. We basically did a tree pose and then went into a forward bend. The closest link I can find has it as a "bound half lotus". If you can do a half lotus standing I find the bend forward is easier from this postion than from the tree. (foot on upper thigh). We simply bent forward however. We did not wrap one arm around our back to reach for our toe! YIKES! That looks hard! :) As the site says, don't FORCE yourself into half lotus. You will injure your knees and you don't want that!

http://www.acrocore.com/ardha-baddha-padmottanasana-half-bound-lotus-standing-forward-bend/

The End of Zumba? Fitness Bootcamp for 2011? The Importance of Conistency and Enjoyment in your Health Journey

In the last couple of weeks it has struck me how important consistency is to your healthy eating or exercise routine. Little things can get your routine out of whack and inadvertently lower your motivation. Last week our salsa instructor wasn't able to make the class so it was cancelled. (with plenty of notice and totally understandable) Unfortunately, the following Saturday my Zumba lesson was also cancelled for reasons beyond the instructors control. I was VERY disappointed. It made me realize how addicted I am to moving to music! It really brightens my week to have those two classes. I've also become addicted to the cardio aspect of the Zumba. Our teachers are really great. I particularly like the fact that they have a dance background so you feel you are learning some basic dance steps as well. It's lots of fun. The bad news is it may be gone in the future. The space that has hosted the class (Lula Lounge) will no longer be open at that time so the class will not have access to the space:(  We (my sisters and I) know of other Zumba classes going on and we may have to find a new space with new teachers.

Yesterday I was at a kid's birthday party with my son. The party was held at a very small local community centre. I discovered that they have yoga classes there as well as a "Fitness Bootcamp". Now, "Fitness Bootcamp" is totally not my style but hey... I didn't think I would like Zumba! I've really seen a progress in my fitness level through the Zumba. I used to get really winded and sweat profusely. Now, I still sweat but not as much and I don't get nearly as winded. It has been a good lesson in the results of sticking to it!

I am happy to report that I am maintaining at about 141 or 42. I AM nervous about the coming festive season! I don't want all that hard work to go to waste.

Here's the Salsa Kids

Last week I wrote about going to Lula Lounge in Toronto. There was a  young brother/ sister team who are competitive dancers there. I think they started dancing when they were 5. It was amazing what they could do. I happened to have my camera with me so I made a little clip. Enjoy! Be inspired! Again, I have the dance studio link on my list.
PS This has taken me ages:) Due to the size of the clip I had to post it through Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12gTCNiP22c

Two New Poses in Family Yoga Class- Dolphin and Vishnu's Couch

I am still going to the family yoga class at my son's school. I was hoping he would participate too but he doesn't seem to be into it. Luckily they have a volunteer that watches a few of the kids that would rather play so that the parents can still participate.
The teacher is really great and it is a basic class but it is still giving me a great workout. I was telling Audrey I would like to strengthen my core and there were two poses that seemed to be a godsend for this purpose. One was called the Dolphin and the other was called Lord Vishnu's Couch. They were both tough to do repeatedly and with focus. I found a demonstration on Youtube of the dolphin so I'm posting that. The closest thing I could find to the other yoga pose is this Pilates pose. We were simply lifting our legs while lying on our side and propped up on one elbow. (It's harder than it sounds.) You are not propped up in the Pilates pose and they have added the difficulty of a scissor kick at the same time. I'll have to try it!
(PS there is a bad edit on the first clip but you will get the idea.)

Dolphin Pose Demo
Pilates "Banana Split"

I found this instuction on the pose. (Dec 6)
http://www.ehow.com/how_2331201_assume-vishnus-couch-pose-yoga.html

A Salsa Night Out

I had the opportunity to go out with an old friend to last night. She came in from Vancouver with her son and it was nice to see her. My mother in-law was able to have my son for a sleepover so I thought I would take advantage and see some salsa dancing in action. I am taking salsa lessons for fun and to stay in shape so I wanted to see how it takes form in the clubs (not going to them too often:). Lula Lounge is great because they start out the evening with an informal, basic salsa lesson. It was packed. I did the beginner lesson and it was fun!  The instructor was an amazing dancer herself and incredibly personable. We approached her about her shoes, which were fantastic dancing shoes. (Style and structure;) It turns out she has a dance studio in Mississauga so I will post a link.
After the lesson, there was a short performance by a ten year old girl and her brother. They are in world class competitions and their performance was incredible. ( I may post it. I happened to have my camera.)
The live band that played was an 8-10 peice ensemble called Cafe Cubano and they were really outstanding. I realize how lucky we are in Toronto to have this kind of live music on a regular basis. It really is a treasure.
I was asked to dance and failed miserably but I guess that's part of the learning process:) I had a blast and it was really intriguing and inspiring to see all that dancing in action!
I wasn't able to maintain my dedicated commitment to the cleanse though. I had two glasses of wine and boy did they hit me! Ah well, back to the routine today. Now my decision is whether to try to drop a final 5 pounds or not to get me to 135. I will think on that.