It’s amazing what a “WOO” will do!

Being told that you’re doing a great job is always wonderful to hear, however sometimes it seems few and far between. Many of you know that I’ve been teaching Zumba now for over four years. For those of you who don’t know what it is, Zumba is a Latin-based dance fitness class. It’s an amazing and, more importantly, fun workout, and it DEFINITELY beats running in place on a treadmill. It is something I truly enjoy. It has helped me through some very hard times, and it gives me something to look forward to where I can act silly and have a good time with a room full of people. I remember watching the room full of people from the elliptical machine as they would salsa and merengue and I thought, “Hell…I can do THAT!” When I walked into my first class over five years ago I didn’t know a soul. I was quite a bit heavier, and by the time I finished, my face was beet red!! I now teach that class and have made so many wonderful friendships because of it.

The class I taught today was the same class I first started taking, and it was so much fun! I was happy to see that people kept coming in even after the music started. I could feel the energy in the air which always gets me pumped. Everyone seemed to be happy to be there, and there were a few more WOO’s than normal. I was especially excited to have a fellow instructor crash my class. It turns out he’s going to be moving soon and will be leaving the team, so it was fun to get to dance with him before he left.

After finishing up my class, I was visiting with several people as I often do after the music stops. I was saddened to hear that one of my regular Zumba peeps is moving to Florida, so today was her last class. I of course hugged her and wished her well. (What can I say…I’m a hugger – thanks Mommala!!!) Standing there waiting her turn was a lady who had just achieved peepdom after finishing her first class with me. This wasn’t her first Zumba class, but it was the first time she had joined my crazy clan. She had a big grin on her face and proceeded to tell me that she has taken at least ten different Zumba classes and by far mine was her favorite. She then proceeded to compliment me on my choreography and even asked if I had a dance background. After telling her about my prior career as a Rockette (tee hee hee), I thanked her for coming and could feel the grin on my face getting wider. I gave her a hug (can’t help it!) and she told me she would definitely be back.

I don’t think most people truly understand just how much something like that means to me or any instructor for that matter. My goal as an instructor is to give someone a great workout while making them feel successful…otherwise they won’t want to come back. We all know how difficult it can be to even get to the gym, let alone find something you truly enjoy.

I remember back to when I was contemplating getting certified as I was afraid I would get burned out on it. I’m happy to say I still love it, and comments like the one today is the icing on the cake. After all, who doesn’t want to be told that someone thinks you are really good at something you love doing?!?!