Launch Week Recap

This past week was launch week at all the local gyms/clubs for the Les Mills programs.  I am currently certified in Body Jam only, so my post will reflect the Jam launches I co-instructed.  Although it was not during this week, the first launch I participated in was at the Skyline Sport & Health on Oct 9th.  Here, I launched with Mindy and Elizabeth.  Might I add how privileged I felt to be teaching alongside these two ladies.  I used to be a participant in their classes, they have been extremely supportive in getting me through my Body Jam journey, and I see them as amazing mentors.  Mindy started us off, I took on the Contemporary Rock block, Elizabeth rocked the French Electro Awesomeness block, and I came in for the groove down.  We had a little under 30 participants; all were energetic and seemed to have fun.  The only mishap was that the microphone did not like to sit on our heads.  Regardless, I had a blast during this launch and we looked good!  Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures from any of the launches this quarter.  :-(

My next launch was last Monday with Red in her Gold’s Gym Annandale class.  Yet another instructor I felt privileged teaching next to due to her awesomeness and continuous support.  Prior to any launches, we all ordered Jam shirts that coincided with some lyrics from track 4.  The front says “Natural Born Jammer” (should be hustler as in the lyrics but changed for the purpose of launch) and the back says “Certified Freak” (direct quote).  We were able to wear them for this launch and they looked amazing!!!  We had about 26 participants and they enjoyed themselves just as much as we did.  I took first half and Red took second.  A few small spots where we flubbed a few steps, but it went unnoticeable and we rocked it out.  After class ended, Red surprised everyone with her announcement of “baby Red.”  Yep, she’s having a baby!  :-D  So excited for her and her husband, congrats to the two of them!!

An hour and half after launching with Red, I headed to the Arlington YMCA to launch in my own class.  I know it is crazy to do 2 launches back to back, but it was lined up and I was there!  Unfortunately, I was feeling the exhaustion from the earlier launch and it slightly affected my energy levels.  I also had to launch by myself; no fun energy bouncing off of another instructor to help out in any way.  I had a couple more flubs during this class than at the previous launch and it made me start to feel a bit awkward.  Not good.  I finished it out, but I felt I was dragging.  The 11 participants did not seem to notice or be affected by my lack of energy.  I made a note that I would need to make sure my energy level and cuing was up to par for next week’s class.

The next launch for me was on Thursday night with Laura at Gold’s Gym Baileys Crossroads.  Typically Mindy would be with us for that class (it’s usually hers), but she had rehearsal dinner for her brother’s wedding.  Mindy, you were missed!  We decided to wear the Jam tshirts made for the launch and again they looked great!  I taught first half and added on the Recovery track.  Laura took us through second half and Groove Down.  We had 10 participants that remembered to put their dancing shoes on that night.  Seems like they had fun and the energy level was high.  Again, minor flubs but nothing to stress over.

Every one of the launches I participated in was tons of fun and I can’t wait to do it again.  Along those terms, the day after the Thursday launch we did, I received an email from the Les Mills people stating that they are sending out the new DVDs the first week of November.  It’s going so fast!

In completely different and sad news, a good friend and former co-worker of mine had passed last week.  I will write a short note in his memory.  He was riding his motorcycle home Friday night and was struck by a drunk driver.  He was a great person and one of the few who consistently encouraged me to not give up on my path.  He would help me out as much he could to find out if any openings were available in decent jobs.  He would send me texts/BBMs to check up on me.  I never really got to say how much I appreciated it, but I believe he knew.  I will miss the back breaking hugs, conversations, and great smile that he provided.  I truly believe he was taken before his time.  Dear Gerald, you will always remain in my heart/thoughts.  Thank you for all you gave to me and everyone around you.  

Curiosity Kills…..Right?

The person that lives 2 doors over never seems to be around.  I have never seen him/her/it in the three years I’ve lived here.  But there is always a delivery or note on/by the door.  I always have this random urge to want to know what is being sent to this apartment or what is written on the notes.  Why?  Because they sit there for days or a full week(s?) before they go away.  I always wonder if this person ever gets the packages or notes…..or do they get taken away because nobody checks them.  Tell me you wouldn’t think or want to do the same thing.  I believe it’s because this person is so elusive that it makes it more interesting to know what his/her/it’s life is all about.  I do know that if I ever did give in to that silly temptation to look at the note/delivery, then that person will walk in/out of the door at that exact time.  Just my luck.

How About That Mess Called My Hair?

Recently, my hair has been causing me slight stress.  Don’t get me wrong, I love (!!!!) having long hair and will probably keep it that way when I’m an old lady.  But, I haven’t been able to prevent it from obtaining extreme knots.  I’m not talking about the small ones that you can undo by running your finger through it slowly.  You know, the huge tangles that cause major pain and take a long time to brush/comb out.  Yes, I know what detangler is.  Yes, I’ve used it ….probably more than I should.  I definitely need to buy more, but detangler cannot be the answer, only a solution.  I have many theories to why my hair has been ridiculous lately, none of which cannot be easily changed to fix the problem.

Here my hair looks normal right??!! But this is what I go through every day!! Boooo :-/

Here are a few reasons I have tossed around:

1:  My brush sucks.  I bought one of those half boar hair bristle, half plastic pokie things kind of brush (it’s this brush only with the boar hair bristle in between the plastic).  All the little ends on the plastic pokies have popped off already, therefore they don’t work.  Also, I’m unsure if the thickness of my hair prevents the boar hair bristles from correct brushing.

2:  The headbands I wear move the hair underneath it causing it to intertwine.  I usually wear yoga-type headbands because I love how soft they are and the way they look.  Every time I fix it or take it out, the hairs that are underneath are in complete chaos.

3:  I never and I stress NEVER get my hair cut consistently.  Wait, I take that back, its been a very very very long time since I’ve been able to keep up with steady appointments.  Lately, I’ve been doing a cut once a year.  This grosses me out because of the way the ends of my hair looks by mid-year.  If only I could afford a $50 haircut every 3 months!  :-/

4:  Certain necklaces I wear tangle in the hairs that cover it.  So, not only do they get stuck in the necklace but they feel it necessary to link up with each other as well.

5:  I don’t always blow dry.  I know I’ve done this forever; there were times when I’d do it for a full summer.  But lately, the no blow dry leaves my hair longing for heat and therefore wanting to hold each other to get warm.

As an odd side note, this hair chaos seems to only occur here in the DC Metro area (mainly VA because it’s the part where I reside).  Whenever I go home to NY for a visit, it NEVER happens.  I must say that my hair loves being in NY and becomes very cooperative with everything I want it to do.  This has occurred in IN as well when I lived/visit there.  I cannot make this a theory because I haven’t tried other states.

So, I keep the 5 theories and ask anyone to chime in with any possible theories I might have not considered.  Maybe someone that knows more about hair can push me in the right direction.  Today, however, I discovered that the local radio station 97.1 Wash FM is hosting a big Locks of Love event the first weekend of November.  One of the radio deejays decided to donate and they made it a huge event where anyone can sign up and donate hair as well.  Sooooooooo the thought popped in to my head that maybe I should do this.  Free haircut…sweet!!  Losing all my long hair….not so sweet.  They require at least 10 inches to be cut.  This means that my hair will be right under my chin in length.  It’s been 7 years since I’ve had short(er) hair.  It always grows back, right?!  I need some opinions, so please voice some!!!  I will also post a poll to make it more visual.

Been a Long Time Comin

Yes, yes, I know.  5 months blew by and I have deprived myself of writing.  Bad me.   Well, I’m back and have no intentions of losing myself again….other than the fact that I’m completely lost right now!  Please don’t expect much in the sense of updates because it’s been nothing new, literally.  Only 1 thing has changed ever so slightly.  For people that have followed my Body Jam journey, I am officially certified to teach Body Jam world wide

Speaking of Body Jam, launches are coming up.  The first one is this Saturday at Skyline Sport & Health.  We are making this a Les Mills Super Saturday Launch!!!  The next few are the week of Oct 18th at all the local Gold’s Gyms and YMCA’s.  So, if you are in the area come out and rock the Les Mills programs with us!  You don’t have to be a member at any gym/club to enjoy the launch!!  As for this release (Body Jam 54), I must say I am in love with tracks 1-4 (see bottom of paragraph for tracklist).  As for the rest, I’m not so sure.  Maybe it’s because I have been feeling like a bum lately and I just can’t get into the choreography and some of the music.  It took me forever to stop watching the DVD on my couch and actually get up and practice the steps!!  Any other instructors feel the same/different about 54??  Thankful for the Wed. night practices with my awesome co-instructors.  These mini-rehearsals really help gear us up on the choreography, music, and fitness magic!

Body Jam 54 Tracklist :

1. Jump (Jump Smokers Remix) – Flo Rida (Feat. Nelly Furtado)
2. Make My Heart – Toni Braxton
3. Cantina – Starkillers
4. Natural Born Hustler feat. Pitbull – Crookers
5. Bombtrack – GhostHunter
6. Objection (Tango) – Shakira
7. Whole Lotta Love – Amber Luck
8. Girlfriend (Pied Piper Remix) – B2K
9. Everybody’s Free (2009 Rework) – Global Deejays feat. Rozalla
10. Cooler Couleur feat. Yelle – Crookers
11. I Will Be Here – DJ Lotus
12. Put It In A Love Song – Alicia Keys featuring Beyoncé Knowles

I finally attended a Body Pump class and loved it!!  What can I say, I don’t think I’d have a hard time enjoying a program from Les Mills.  Definitely felt the good soreness the day after.  Totally worth it!!!  Am looking forward to the new releases from the other programs as well.  Will give my views on them after Launch craziness!!  I hope to see people front and center and ready to move!