OUR MISSION:

EMZ is a non-profit, fitness organization dedicated to inspiring members of the community to unite in becoming healthy, fit, and active by providing and promoting free and low-cost fitness classes and health education opportunities.

EMZ Instructors:

Beti Tua'efe, Betsy Vakapuna, Billie Sosi, Dana Rossi, Lila Latu, Liu Vakapuna, Maki Yamagata, Meliame Vaikeli, Satomi Biggs, Sela Langi, Sela Misinale, Sinai Pauni, Sisilia Misinale, Twig Larkin

Donations kindly accepted :)

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Zumba from a young male point of view!

I shared this story on our FB group page.  Thought I'd share it again on our blog.  This was written by a young, male Zumba goer.  Props to all of them that attend!  I copied the story from this link.

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Society states that the average 22  year old male with…relative charisma and social standing, should be spending his weeknights hanging out watching the football with his mates, or out at clubs surrounded (if he’s lucky) by lovely ladies.

When I tell you that I spend, on average, four nights a week surrounded by ladies and paying for the privilige, you might give me a look or two. But when I tell you about my love for Zumba….well, you still might give me a look or two.

 

For somebody who has always fancied himself as a bit of a dancer, normally whilst under the influence of both drink and an inflated sense of self-esteem, going to my first class was both a daunting and enthralling experience. Walking in gingerly (and late, I’d hasten to add) I immediately had 30 or so pairs of female eyes transfixed on me as if I’d crossed over onto the wrong side of the tracks. Taking my place at the back of the hall and instantly regretting my decision to turn up, I had a sudden thought.

It was one of those “hey, why the hell not?” moments which were disturbingly rare in my relatively conservative character.

The next hour or so was a trial but I must say, I was immediately hooked. Knowing that I was the centre of attention for quite possibly all the wrong reasons was something that was quite difficult to grasp. But the atmosphere amongst the class was a real treat. Made to feel right at home, I continued to fumble my way through each routine, sweating un-naturally but ever so increasingly changing my smile from nervously forced, to genuine.

That was approximately a year ago. Funny how time flies. Now, well I look back at that and laugh. Some may argue that I still fumble my way through now. I’m a 6 foot plus, lanky son of a gun with flailing arms and legs that I can’t control, but I enjoy the experience all the same. It’s not about how good you are, it’s about the enjoyment. Which I suppose, is just as well.

The reason for writing this isn’t to ramble on about myself. It’s kind of meant to be written as an advertisement, just taking a while to get there that’s all. Turning up at that first class a year or so ago and being the only male present, confident or not, was still extremely overwhelming. It felt for a brief moment like an invasion of privacy, like I was coming into somebody’s home and re-arranging all the furniture.

 

However, the reason for writing is to make other men aware, those who have a boogie at a wedding and think that they can give anybody a run for their money on the dancefloor, that they should give it a go.

What have you got to lose?

Okay, don’t answer that.  But in all seriousness..
There are approximately 5 or 6 of us now that regularly visit these classes. We’re all different ages, shapes and sizes. We all flail a little bit, our hips desert us, we even have a “man dance” attributed to us….which hopefully serves as more of a tribute, not an excuse to point and laugh. But we keep coming back for more.
To sum up then I guess, encouraging more men with secret desires to “shake it”, as it’s often put, is never going to be easy. Believe me, I’ve been trying to ever since. Each man to their own and all that. Personally, right now I have no idea what I’d do without it. I’ve met some fantastic people because of it and it’s now a massive part of my life.

My encouragement for fellow males who are sitting on the fence is, give it a go! You may just find that you like it.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Upcoming Events!

This past Wednesday, we had Betzabe (aka Betsy) Villalba visit EMZ from Provo, Utah.  She joined our team by teaching a few numbers.  We really enjoyed the energy she shared with all of us.
If you're ever in the Provo area, definitely catch one of her classes.  You won't be disappointed!
Loved ya Betsy!


With her visit, two lucky class members won a ticket to Kass Martin's Master Class Night Club Style.


DISCOUNT for EMZ Crew.  Instead of paying $20 at the door, you get your ticket for $10 -- which is currently online for $15.  Discount is good until Wednesday, May 23rd.
Any questions, please see Satomi Biggs.

Upcoming Guests:


May 25th, Friday - Laurie Vincent from Sandy, Utah
will be visiting & team teaching with us.
Can't wait!!!
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May 28th, Monday
Memorial Day
1 1/2 hour Class
5:30 am - 7:00 am
followed by breakfast at 
CJ's Bakery & Restaurant
894 E. 3900 S.
SLC
(Here's the special offer we normally get - HERE)
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June 1st, Friday - the one & only Lindsey Taylor


Lindsey Taylor has been a Zumba® Education Specialist and international presenter for over four years. She was featured in the Zumba® Fitness music video for Pitbull's "Pause" and performed in the 2011 Zumba Instructor Convention Zumbathon® Fitness-Concert™ event. She has starred in three ZIN™ Volumes and two Zumbatomic® DVDs, modeled for Z-LIFE™ magazine and presented on the ZINtv™ platform. Lindsey is an AFAA and ACE continuing education provider and fitness professional. Besides being an accomplished choreographer, Lindsey is also a singer; she is featured on several original Zumba® fitness tracks. Lindsey has also appeared on The Today Show and Access Hollywood Live to help publicize the Zumba program. In 2012, she will be busy helping to incorporate the Zumbatomic program into elementary schools.

Be sure to catch her next big charity event.
See flyer below for details!

You don't want to miss!



Monday, May 14, 2012

New Songs

Here's a few songs recently played in class:




Routine by Sinai


 
Routine by Billie




Routine by Silia




Routine by Satomi

Monday, May 7, 2012

Foods that make belly Flat or Fat?

A little something I saw on Dr. Oz - see HERE.

Foods that make your belly flat:
  1. Chocolate
  2. Peanut Butter
  3. Guacamole
Foods that make your belly fat:
  1. Cheese
  2. Margarine
  3. Red Wine

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Videos from our Switch Up Day - May 4, 2012

I wish I could post our video from Twig's birthday -- but so far, the only videos I can post up are the ones off of YouTube.  Here's a few from yesterday mornings' Switch Up (all of us instructors' switched routines & did each others):



Liu doing Satomi's Cover Girl (RuPaul)

   

 Silia doing Maki's Quebradita (Ritmo Caliente by Banda Zarape)

   

 Me (Sinai) doing Lila's Baila Esta Cumbia (my wannabe Selena moment)

   

 Liu singing our stretch song "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"

Our Playlist:

Warm-up Mix - Dana
Pati Mai (Shakhouse)/Sinai - Dana
Swagger Jagger (Cher Lloyd)/Twig - Twig (song from Twig's pre-show)
Trai La Bulla (Zumba Fitness)/Beti - Satomi
Funk Danca Do Alarme (Sincrosone)/Billie - Beti
Wepa (Glora Estefan)/Betsy - Sela
Cover Girl (RuPaul)/Satomi - Liu
Pegate (Grupo Treo)/Sela - Lila
Baila Esta Cumbia (Kumbia Kings/Selena)/Lila - Sinai
Ritmo Caliente (Banda Zarape)/Maki - Silia
I Can Transform Ya (Chris Brown)/Liu - Betsy
Jungle (Last Voices)/Ame - Billie
I Am The Best (2NE1)/Souna - Twig
Jai Ho (Pussycat dolls)/Twig - Ame
Montagem Spring Love (MC Fornalha)/Silia - Souna
This Boy's Fire (Santana ft. Jennifer Lopez & Baby Bash)/Dana - Maki
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You (Lauryn Hill) - stretch by Maki, song performed by Liu


It was also Liu's last morning with us -- he's taking a 4 month LOA for his real job.

Thank you Maki San Chavoya for taking these video clips for us.

If you want to see more videos, look us up on Facebook -- EMZ Crew.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Prepping for Twig's Birthday

This week has been a fun week! So much to post. Sharing a video of us after class trying to get our PRE-SHOW routine down. Don't mind the laughing in the back.