Comments on Cardio & Earthquakes: Jamming it all in: Part 2

Shimi - Rhys is a cool person, on...

2012-01-08T20:13:09.911+13:00

Shimi - Rhys is a cool person, one of the most awesome people I know :D It is amazing that he wants to help me; I'm very lucky.

It's an interesting situation with Zumba in Auckland... there are hardly any instructors around, so gyms that have Zumba on their timetable often get Jam instructors in to cover classes. However, at most of the clubs I am exposed to, I feel Sh'Bam would be more successful.

We'll see though, it's interesting times for Jammers the world over, I feel.

I'm sorry you didn't pass the first time, ...

2012-01-03T15:41:12.308+13:00

I'm sorry you didn't pass the first time, Raina! But I think sleadbetter is right and it doens't mean you should give up at all. Rhys sounds like a cool dude...I think its great that you're going to get some extra help so you can kick ass in a program you love. Good luck! I wish I was still teaching Jam but alas Zumba has crushed it at my gym like a little ant.

Stacey - I know you more than any...

2012-01-03T12:43:54.670+13:00

Stacey - I know you more than anyone understand how I feel; and you had such a hard release training on BJ45. I remember feeling ecstatic for you upon you telling me that you had your training with Josh and Tim and passing the second time; though then I didn't have appreciation of how much you had been through and how much work and effort you had to put in to pass the second training. You seriously inspire me, girl :)

I can't tell you how much my heart sank when I...

2012-01-03T09:23:06.692+13:00

I can't tell you how much my heart sank when I read this--I know how much it meant to you. Like you, Jam was the first program to inspire me enough to actually want to teach. I had never taught group fitness before, and don't exactly look like the cover of SHAPE magazine. Despite that I was incredibly motivated to try and I truly thought that my devotion to the program would be enough. After all-I had several people in class telling me I was really good-why couldn't I take it to the next level? So I went to my first (notice I said first) training and was completely overwhelmed and underprepared for the level of technical proficiency that was required. I was certifed on 45 (yes the global summit release)and in the states at the time you literally worked until 9PM and then had to learn a track and present it the next day. Luck of the draw-did I get the easy stuff-heck no. At the end of the first training I was positively crushed to find out I didn't pass and would have to resit. After allowing myself to have a decent pity party (you know they didn't pass me because I don't look like Rachel etc. ) I had to admit that there was a huge transition from avid participant to instructor. The level of cueing is so much harder in this program--it's not like Combat 4 sets of xyz, or Pump, which I am now certified in too. Every song is different every release. Sorry folks, but a Jab is a Jab is a Jab--Jam is much harder. If it helps at all-realize that you can absolutely pass. I had to work harder for this than anything I had ever done, and going back is tough because you can't help but feel vunerable. I aced my second training because I knew what to expect and the extra time I got to spend with a master trainer made me a better instructor. Keep at it--you will be even better because it didn't come 'easy ' to you--I know you can do this :)