CHRISTMAS ZUMBA PARTY

Our first Christmas Zumba party was a lot of fun. We danced to many Latin Christmas songs, ate and everyone went home with a door prize.  Thank you to Judy and Sumie for making the Somen Salad and Sushi and for giving everyone Fortune Cookies. 

CLASSES NEXT WEEK

Function space at the hotel is tight next week but I do plan on having a class as follows:

Tuesday, January 3
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Leahi Ballroom, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Happy New Year!  May 2012 bring us all properity, health and a thinner body.

TIME CHANGE FOR CLASS

We will start our Wednesday class at 5:00 pm in the Leahi Ballroom.  That will be the location for Thursday's class as well.

CLASSES WEEK OF 12/26

Burn the holiday calories before the New Year.

Tuesday, December 27
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Kaimuki Room, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Wednesday, December 28
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Kaimuki Room, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Thursday, December 29
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Kaimuki Room, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Happy Birthday Alice!

 We celebrated Alice Basuel's birthday after Zumba tonight.  Alice is one of our regulars.

ZUMBA CLASSES WEEK OF DECEMBER 18

Sunday, December 18
9:00 am - 10:00 am
East Foster Village Community Center

Monday, December 19
4:30 am - 5:30 am
Kaimuki Room, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Thursday, December 22
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Kaimuki Room, Waikiki Beach Marriott
This will be our special Christmas Zumba Party.  Dancing, prizes, food and fun.

FELLOW ZIN FROM CALIFORNIA

Julie Schatz from Los Angeles joined our class while vacationing in Hawaii. Fellow ZIN are always welcomed.

CLASS SCHEDULE WEEK OF DEC 4

Sunday, December 4
8:30 am - 9:30 am
East Foster Village Community Center

Monday, December 5
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Leahi Ballroom, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Tuesday, December 6
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Leahi Ballroom, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Wednesday, December 7
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Leahi Ballroom, Waikiki Beach Marriott

Thursday, December 8
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Kaimuki Room, Waikiki Beach Marriott

International Housekeeping Week at the Waikiki Beach Marriott

KNEE SURGERY

On August 12, I had knee surgery for a torn meniscus (not a result of Zumba but an old injury from basketball).  I recovered quickly which I believe is due to the muscles I developed from Zumba. 

I want to extend a big MAHALO to my Zumba Ohana for the beautiful gift basket.  The "I LOVE SALSA" salsa was delicious as well as the "SABES A CHOCOLATE" candy bar and "CUMBIA" chips.  They were labeled very cleaverly.  What a creative group of dancers.  Thank you Trini, Lynn, Allison, Alice, Regina, Lita, Jocelyn, Sandy, Judy, Vicki and Darlene.  You guys ROCK!

Basic 2 Training

I received my Basic 2 license.  Only Zumbatomics to go and I will have completed all training.

WAIKIKI BEACH MARRIOTT

http://www.marriotthawaii.com/spiritofaloha

June 3, 2011

Get Your Beach Body Ready For Summer!

Fuji, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

We love summer! Everything from the hot, sunny weather (although who can complain about 70-80 degree weather year-round) to outdoor barbecues, beach and fun in the sun! And for most of us, we always want to look our best! At Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, associate Fuji Murakami teaches visitors and locals how to get fit with Zumba classes at the resort.

ELIE KEETON

Elinor Keeton, aka Ellie, an instructor from Suwanee, Georgia, joined my classes this week.  We enjoyed her choreography to Caipirinha.  It was similar but with a little "kick".  Mahalo, Ellie.

SAYONARA YUKO

One of our regulars, Yuko Kobayashi, left today to take her children back to Japan for the summer.  I will miss her but she will return in September and will need to learn all our new choreography.  Have a wonderful vacation, Yuko.  Matta ai masho.

INDY 500

Libby Harris and her two beautiful daughters, Shatira and Shatonna, attended their first Zumba class.  They were visiting from Indianapolis, Indiana.  I'm sure they will find a Zumba class in Indiana since they enjoyed their first class.

MASTER CLASS

 Romana and I when we are still looking fresh.

 Who could ask for a better view from the classroom?

We had so much fun.  More pictures will be posted on my Facebook.

ZUMBA JAPAN

Miyako Nagai and her friend were here visiting from Japan.  They attend Zumba classes at their sports club three times a week.  It's always fun to have our visiting guests come to my classes.

Zumba Master Class is tonight and I am really looking forward to it.  Romana and I have a great song line up.  I hope we see you there.

ROMANA ARRIVES

Romana Novotna arrives in Honolulu today.  Here she is with Zumba creator, Beto Perez.  This was taken this past Saturday when Beto was in Prague.  We really need him to come to Hawaii.

MASTER CLASS

ALL THE WAY FROM THAILAND

Susan Rees came all the way from Phukett Thailand to attend a Zumba class.  Actually Susan used to work at the Waikiki Beach Marriott and now lives with her husband, Craig, in Thailand.

AQUA ZUMBA

I did it!  Another license!  This was for Aqua Zumba.  It will be the hardest class I teach because of the slow movements.  Give me some time and I will get a class going.  Here I am with my Education Specialist, Madalene Aponte. 

ALANA REUNION

Charles Degala and Theresa Kong Kee joined in for class tonight.  We all worked at the Alana Waikiki together.  Charles has definitely been to many Zumba classes as he followed the choreography very well.  Charles teaches Hula Arobics among other workouts on Norwegian Cruise Lines.

EMMA HARROLD

Emma Harrold was my house guest for the past week.  I finally got her to come to a Zumba class on her last day in Hawaii before returning home to London, England.  Aloha, Emma!

MASTER CLASS

Stay tuned for our first Master Class coming in May!  I am working with an instructor from the Czech Republic so details to come.

WHAT’S A ZUMBA^® MASTER CLASS?

Beto once said that a Zumba^® master class is “a class that is much more than just the usual ‘weekly’ class. There must be something much more phenomenal about the class — that makes it special or unique from a regular weekly class.”

In other words, a Zumba master class is an event that might feature a special guest instructor from another city, a group of local or guest instructors, a special reason for the class (like a grand opening of a gym or studio), or some other element that might make the class unique or different from a regular Zumba class.

It’s true that in some professions only a “master” or an accomplished expert in that field is qualified to offer a master class. However, in the fitness world the term “master class” describes an event rather than the qualifications of the presenter, and this is why any Zumba Instructor can host or organize a master class.

 

EXHILERATE DVD

I just received my Zumba Exhilerate DVD set and have gone through three of the seven DVD's.  I love the music, choreography, and DVD format.  It also comes with toning sticks.  If you are interested in ordering a set for $90.00 including shipping, let me know or you can go to http://www.zumba.com/ to order but will pay the shipping.

Welcome Lovelyn

We welcome Lovelyn who was here visiting from Waikoloa, Hawaii.  She just did a Master Class with Efren Buzzo, the same guy who i did the Zin Jam with.

ZUMBA TONING

I added some Zumba Toning to our class.  If you own Zumba Toning sticks or 1 pound weights, bring them with to class.  If you don't have the sticks, they will be available for purchase.  Even without sticks, you can still dance with us.

Zumba For Hunger Flash Mob

Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (GMT-1000)

Honolulu, HI

This event will be held at Waterfront Plaza (aka Restaurant Row) in conjunction with the Food Drive.  Come out an support the Hawaii Foodbank.  This is a free event.  For tickets, visit my facbook wall and click on the Zumba for Hunger.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR - ROBIN COMBS

We were energized by Dr. Robin Combs of Vermont.  Robin led us in a dance to Shakira's Waka Waka.  Not only is she a Zumba instructor, but she is also a Neurologist, attending the American Academy of Neurology convention.  Mahalo Robin.  It was a pleasure having you join the class.

ZUMBA IN THE MORNING

Zumba at 6:15 am.  I didn't think I could wake that early to get into Waikiki by that time, but I did.

Zin Jam Session

I attended my first Zin Jam Session with Efren Buzzo from California.  It was held at Madalene'z Dancefit Studio in Pearl City.  I learned some new choreography that I will incorporate into some songs.

A JAMMING WEEK

We have been jamming all week with more fun to come.  I started a Zumba Gold class at 4:30 pm followed by a regular Zumba class.  I'm impressed with the people who do both classes.  It's like a mini Zumbathon.

Speaking of Zumbathons, there will be one on Saturday, April 23 at Kamehameha Schools.  This is being put on by several instructors.  I will not be teaching, but I will be attending.  It is the Zumba Love for Japan Zumbathon.  100% of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to help fund their relief efforts in Japan.  There are 11 participating instructions with raffles and refreshments.  It's 2 hours of energy and excitement.  Tickets are $15.

I will be having a special class this Thursday, April 7 at 6:15 am.  Yes, 6:15 in the morning.  It's a special wellness event for the hotel staff, but any one is welcomed to attend.  The cost is $3.00 and it will be the Zumba Gold format.

Zumba Class on Friday

Zumba Classes resume tomorrow at 4:30 pm for Gold and 5:45 pm for the regular class.  The location is Milo Room 4 & 5. 

This is a picture of my Education Specialist, Madalene Aponte.  She's an awesome instructor.  We have a Master Class coming up that I'm looking forward to.

New Gold Volume 2

I just received the new Gold Volume 2 CD and working on new songs for Friday.  Did someone say "Mambo"?  Sorry we had to cancel today and tomorrow.

Keep on moving and burn those calories.

Cathy Veillard = Guest Instructor

Cathy Veillard was a guest instructor last week, teaching us Cumbia Arabe and Caipirinha.  Thanks Cathy.  You were as always very graceful.

Tiffany Gibbs - Guest Instructor

While vacationing in Hawaii, Tiffany Gibbs of East Hartford, CT joined my class.  She led us in dancing the Salsa to La Vida Es Un Carnaval.  Thanks Tiffany for sharing your choreography.

Zumba Toning Certification

Yesterday on received my Zumba Toning certification.  It was fun but my butt is sore from bending down to pick up and place the toning sticks on the floor.  Let me know if you want me to order some sticks for you.  I recommend the 1.5 pound sticks.

Zumba Tonight

I look forward to seeing my friends from the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

ZUMBA CLASSES THIS WEEK

Friday's class at the JW Marriott Ihilani was great.  Thank you to Eleni Hirasuna for coordinating the event.

Classes this week will be on Tuesday and Thursday.  As soon as I have the location, I will post it.