Zumba Basic 1 Workshop - Official Zumba Instructor

My Saturday secret project is revealed! I spent all day Saturday doing my Zumba Basic 1 Workshop, which means that I'm now an official zumba instructor!

So here's how my "secret (zumba) project" went...

On Friday, I made sure to have a nice, healthy meal in preparation for my all-day certification.

I also laid out everything I thought I'd need for Saturday on Friday night so I'd be ready to go Saturday morning.

I packed:

• an extra pair of Zumba pants
• a couple extra sports bras
• a tank top
• a T-shirt
• a sweatshirt
• a long-sleeve T-shirt
• my Zumba bracelet
• and of course my Zumba shoes

I had plans to wake up extra early and have a leisurely breakfast and possibly do some warming up, but who are we kidding...leisurely doesn't usually happen with me when it comes to mornings.

I made coffee and banana oatmeal for breakfast. I used 1/3 cup of dry oatmeal, which is more than I normally eat and turned out to be too much to down before the workshop. I didn't quite get to finish it, but I did enjoy it! I think oatmeal is a great pre-workout meal.

I ended up eating breakfast while I was doing my make-up and then prepped my lunch and snacks for the day. Though I didn't leave as early as I wanted to, I still left about when I hoped to.

I got to the YMCA plenty early and signed in at the AFAA table where my friend Kat was helping out.

The Y had reserved an aerobics room for us.

There was zumbawear for sale (but with all the new house expenses, I held back on buying anything).

For attire, I wore my zumba pants, a sports bra, and one of my fave workout tops - a Margarita sportwear top in hot pink. Oh yea!

Booty shaking!

The day started with a welcome and then a 1 hour Master Class led by Koh Herlong, our training instructor. I made sure to get a spot in the front so I could see the instructor. It's SOO much easier to do zumba classes when you can actually see the instructor.

Koh had a couple of her regulars and fellow instructors stand in the front to help us all see what was going on, which was really helpful since the room was so wiiiiiiiiiide.

Kat helped me out by taking some pictures with my camera - Thanks Kat for being my photographer! ;)

My friend Kat led one song, which meant I knew one of the dances! Woot-woot!

I actually knew one of the other workshop participants: Cara, Kat, moi. It was so neat to know someone else there - I was glad to have a friend at the workshop. Kat had to go after the master class.

As soon as the Master Class was over, I downed an Aria protein shake...

...and a Greens+ Chocolate Energy Bar. Both snacks were AWESOME and just what I needed to help get me through this long, but extremely fun day.

After a short break, we got started with our lectures and dug into our training material: agenda, manual, ZIN pamphlet, and DVD/CD set. Mostly we used the agenda and manual.

We alternated lectures and information sessions with hands-on sessions where we learned and practiced the four rhythms of Basic 1: merengue, salsa, cumbia, and reggaeton. I thought both the lectures and hands-on sections were helpful - it was good to have a mix of the two. We learned a lot of useful information during the lectures and in the hands-on parts, we learned how to do the basic moves of each rhythm along with some variations for arms, legs, and how to make each move more fitness-y. We also got to share our own takes on the different moves and variations in small broken out groups and then with the whole group. There 58 of us there!

We got through merengue and salsa before breaking for lunch.

I packed a LOT of food, but didn't end up needing all of it. I was glad to have more food than less, though, for sure!

I brought plenty of eats:

• a turkey/co-jack cheese sammie on Great Harvest Tara's Dark Rye
• some Earthfare Live Green salad
• Kashi crackers
• a banana
• a Raw Organic Food Bar
• and 2 containers of Smart Water (need those electrolytes for long workouts!)

I downed the sandwich and most of the salad and the banana but not the crackers or the bar - I saved those in case I needed a snack later.

We finished the day with cumbia and reggaeton and some additional lectures and by the end, I was TOTALLY ZONKED! My body was aching, but I was so excited and happy to have participated in the workshop - it rocked my world!

Me and Koh! I thought Koh did a GREAT job with the workshop. I totally loved her fun, upbeat, and positive energy - she really made the workshop a party!

I decided a celebratory trip to Barnes & Nobles was in order, but first I stopped by Earthfare to pick up stuff for dinner and a little treat for myself:

I Whole Wheat Chocolate Oatmeal Walnut cookie. I wanted a WW Chocolate Chip cookie, but they didn't have any, so I figured this was the next best thing.

I took my snack to Barnes & Noble where I tried to order a Pumpkin Spice Latte, but they told me they discontinued that flavor for the year already! As if! I got a decaf Gingerbread Latte instead. I associate the Gingerbread, Egg Nog, and Peppermint Mocha flavors with Christmas, so the flavor didn't quite seem right for the time of year, but I enjoyed it nonetheless! Especially with my treat!

I found a slew of magazines to browse - a little bit of everything for my many interests: home mags, health mags, and fashion mags. I was in heaven with my yummy treats and fun magazines!

After my QT at Barnes & Nobles, I headed home to relax with hubby and make dinner. More on dinner next time, but for now, check out my official certification.

I'm an official zumba instructor! Now I just have to find somewhere to teach!

I'm so glad I did the zumba workshop today! I thought the workshop was really informative and very encouraging. I met some cool zumba-holics and learned a LOT. I feel like there's so much positive energy flowing through me from my zumba experiences and I can't wait to see where my love of zumba takes me. Here we go!

Breakfast, Life, Lunch, Snack

Comments

[VeggieGirl]

MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[Marie]

Congratulations! That is sooo awesome!!!

[Katherine]

soooooo proud of you!

[Amanda]

So exciting and so proud of you! Congrats! :-) I can't wait to hopefully see you in action one day!

[Emily]

Congratulations! :)

[Rae-Lynn]

Hi there!

I'm actually going to my first Zumba workshop on Saturday in Harrisburg, PA. I'm soooo excited! I can't wait! I wanted to ask you if you had any tips or pointers on what to take or do. I actually googled Zumba workshop to see if anyone had any good pointers on what to expect and your cite came up! it's AWESOME keep up the great work! annnd I read that you ike Ice skating.. I competed in ice dancing for 11 years...then when I quit... my life never felt the same... then I decided to cheer in college (cheered all my life)... and that did work for awhile... then i found zumba ... and I'm In LOVE and ADDICTED!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Rae-Lynn
:-)

[Diana]

I am so glad someone put the experience online.........congratulations!!! anything for the body and mind are always such an inspiration isn't it?

all the best to you on your teaching
Diana

[Sherri Hodge]

This was an awesome tale of your experience. I am doing my workshop tomorrow so this was so very helpful. Thanks! I loved the details and real-person comments (like not getting out as early as you'd liked-that's me too!) This really helped get rid of some of the nervousness for me in anticipation of my workshop. I share that same passion for Zumba and it's nice to know there are so many with it in common with me! Yay! Thanks!
Sherri

[Diana @ The Chic Life]

Glad to help Sherri! :) Good luck!

[Music_master]

I think you are not quite right and you should still studying the matter.

[Tim in Knoxville]

Diana thank you for your sharing your Zumba training agenda. I'm taking mine in AL in December and wasn't sure what to expect.

Thank you again.
Tim in Knoxville

[Tim in Knoxville]

opps.. too many "yours" in my post, sorry...

[Diana @ The Chic Life]

Tim,

Expect loads of FUN! haha You're very welcome.

Hope you enjoy!

:) Diana

[Kemery]

Awesome!

[Johanna Espinosa]

Diana thank you for your sharing your Zumba training agenda. I'm taking mine in NJ December 04 and wasn't sure what to expect. It was a great help! I can't wait!

Thank you again.
Johanna in New Jersey

[liza]

I am getting certified in January here in Utah and came across your blog as I didn't know what to expect. Thanks for sharing, it was very helpful.

[Diana @ The Chic Life]

You're welcome! Enjoy your certification - it's a fun day!

Be sure to check out my blog's new location: http://thechiclife.com :)

[school_dubl]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Lee]

I also googled Zumba basic training and was very happy to find your site! I am in South Africa and doing my course in two weeks! Did not realize there are so many Zumba crazies like me out there!

Thank you for sharing your experience, now I know what to expect and feel even more excited!

Lee

[Marlene]

Yes! Thank you very much! I am going tomorrow and just wanted to know what to expect and here you are! Thank you!! Congrats also!!!!!

[Scottandbea.blogspot.com]

Hi! thanks so much for your post. I will take the certification at the end of February ;) I can't wait!
Quick question: Is it true that you have to lead some steps for a song at the end and everybody has to follow?
Thanks again!!!

[Stacy]

I go to my class this saturday and have NO IDEA what to expect...will i have to teach in front of everyone at one point in time? Thanks so much for your help!

[Alina]

Hello!
Very nice blog post! looks like a lot of fun! Can you start to work and teach zumba with the ZUMBA BASIC 1 lesson?

thanks!

[Pr. B]

This was wonderful. Thanks!

[Bonnie Smith]

Congratulation!!!!
You post was very informative!!
I sooo want to do this!! I have been taking classes faithfully for 1 1/2 years. I LOVE it!!