Monday, September 23, 2013 – Never Gonna Be Janet Jackson…
Yesterday afternoon, I attended a Zumbathon to raise money for the Supportive Care Unit of the Northeast Cancer Centre. No, actually, I did it to Zumba, and I gave a donation to the Northern Cancer Foundation.
Whatever my motivation, it was a GRAND time. For twenty dollars at the door or a donation of $100 or more, you could Zumba for three hours. Depending on what route you went it could be the best Zumba deal in town or the most expensive dance lesson to be had.
No matter. My two favorite Zumba instructors were there – Vee and Arr (not their real names.) Granted, they are the only two Zumba instructors I’ve ever taken classes with. Still, they are wonderful women and delightful dancers.
Me, not so much. I just received a picture of the gang of us dancing and it was easy to find myself. Whereas everyone else had their left foot in the air in the middle of a jump, mine is still firmly on the ground trying to figure out where to go next.
When I did the Zumba Master Class last week, it was two hours long – so I figured that three hours would be no bother at all. It’s funny how I never ever really get used to cardio-demanding activity. After what I thought was easily an hour, I asked Vee (mid-step, of course) how long we’d been going so far; she said, “Half an hour!”
Gah!
After two hours I decided that there was nothing to really be gained by going the full three hours and pretended I was just going to the bathroom while bringing my purse, jacket, and giant water bottle. I have to accept that I am never going to be Janet Jackson.
*****
Today I did a round of Body Pump, but this time with the smallest weights possible. I felt more like a majorette with a baton, than a weightlifter – though not a very regimented one. I did have fun though – didn’t even check the clock. And eventually I’ll add a little more weight (hopefully to the barbells, not my hips. I find myself really wanting to chow down after exercise classes.)
And then, my first (recent) attempt at Body Flow. Oooooo, now this was a wonderful class from the get-go – tai chi, yoga, pilates, and (best of all) lying on the floor just breathing. Can I get into all the poses? No. Can I hold those poses I can get into? Nope. Did I position myself by a post so that I had something to grab onto when I started to topple over? Yep!
I do get a chuckle out of some of the pose names. For example Eagle Pose (Garudasana) - you wrap your legs around each other and your arms around each other, while standing still and stretching upward. What eagle in its right mind would perch like this? The working name is “Standing Spinal Twist.” Now that makes sense.
*****
Part of me feels guilty for doing this – like I am being self-indulgent. There is always a little voice asking me, “Yes, but to what end?!” But I actually have an answer to that. At some point we’ll be – GBOH –wintering in Arizona, and they’ll need someone to lead the classes they’ve been doing for forty years. The thing about Seniors Centres is that there is a bit of a turn over.
Zumba will keep me in shape for Zumba Gold, Senior Stretch, Hiking and Dances; Yoga for Yoga; and Weight-Lifting – for lifting up my hubs and carrying him (kicking and screaming) to fitness classes. :)
Whatever my motivation, it was a GRAND time. For twenty dollars at the door or a donation of $100 or more, you could Zumba for three hours. Depending on what route you went it could be the best Zumba deal in town or the most expensive dance lesson to be had.
No matter. My two favorite Zumba instructors were there – Vee and Arr (not their real names.) Granted, they are the only two Zumba instructors I’ve ever taken classes with. Still, they are wonderful women and delightful dancers.
Me, not so much. I just received a picture of the gang of us dancing and it was easy to find myself. Whereas everyone else had their left foot in the air in the middle of a jump, mine is still firmly on the ground trying to figure out where to go next.
When I did the Zumba Master Class last week, it was two hours long – so I figured that three hours would be no bother at all. It’s funny how I never ever really get used to cardio-demanding activity. After what I thought was easily an hour, I asked Vee (mid-step, of course) how long we’d been going so far; she said, “Half an hour!”
Gah!
After two hours I decided that there was nothing to really be gained by going the full three hours and pretended I was just going to the bathroom while bringing my purse, jacket, and giant water bottle. I have to accept that I am never going to be Janet Jackson.
*****
Today I did a round of Body Pump, but this time with the smallest weights possible. I felt more like a majorette with a baton, than a weightlifter – though not a very regimented one. I did have fun though – didn’t even check the clock. And eventually I’ll add a little more weight (hopefully to the barbells, not my hips. I find myself really wanting to chow down after exercise classes.)
And then, my first (recent) attempt at Body Flow. Oooooo, now this was a wonderful class from the get-go – tai chi, yoga, pilates, and (best of all) lying on the floor just breathing. Can I get into all the poses? No. Can I hold those poses I can get into? Nope. Did I position myself by a post so that I had something to grab onto when I started to topple over? Yep!
I do get a chuckle out of some of the pose names. For example Eagle Pose (Garudasana) - you wrap your legs around each other and your arms around each other, while standing still and stretching upward. What eagle in its right mind would perch like this? The working name is “Standing Spinal Twist.” Now that makes sense.
*****
Part of me feels guilty for doing this – like I am being self-indulgent. There is always a little voice asking me, “Yes, but to what end?!” But I actually have an answer to that. At some point we’ll be – GBOH –wintering in Arizona, and they’ll need someone to lead the classes they’ve been doing for forty years. The thing about Seniors Centres is that there is a bit of a turn over.
Zumba will keep me in shape for Zumba Gold, Senior Stretch, Hiking and Dances; Yoga for Yoga; and Weight-Lifting – for lifting up my hubs and carrying him (kicking and screaming) to fitness classes. :)