Month: June 2022

Worried about coming to a dance-fitness class? Breathe deeply, take the plunge and give it some ZAZZ!

Sheila FramptonUncategorised

‘When a challenge lies ahead, and you are filled with dread and worry, give it some zazz.’ The Prom.

One of my favourite fitness routines in the Chichi-Fit programme is ‘Zazz’ from the musical, ‘The Prom.’ So what’s ‘zazz’ and what has it got to do with exercise?

According to the song, Zazz is style plus confidence – and some people are just born with it. At her christening, my 18-month-old daughter treated the congregation to her own unique rendition of ‘Bye Bye Blackbird,’ pulling faces, waving in a Queen-like manner and blowing the christening candle out. It was the first of many memorable performances. A year later a woman ran up to me in the street exclaiming ‘you’re the one with the performing baby!’ My ‘baby’ went on to become a dancer and she still has ‘zazz.’

Continue reading “Worried about coming to a dance-fitness class? Breathe deeply, take the plunge and give it some ZAZZ!”

Put on your dancing shoes….

urbycozUncategorised

“Hard times require furious dancing.” – Alice Walker.

We are all aware of the importance of keeping fit – even if we don’t exercise regularly, we know that our bodies will benefit if we work out regularly. Working out, however, doesn’t mean we have to spend hours in the gym.

One of the best – and most enjoyable forms of exercise (in my opinion) is dance fitness. Not only does it burn calories and improve our muscular endurance, balance and overall fitness levels, it has numerous mental benefits.

Research dating back to the 1980s reveals that regular dance sessions can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve confidence, body image and well-being. An hour’s dance-fitness class can help banish the stresses of the day – as my own class members can confirm.

When I’ve had a difficult day, all I need is an hour teaching Mumbai Moves Bollywood fitness and I forget about everything else. Teaching the Latin and Ballroom moves in SOSA makes me feel as if I’m on ‘Strictly’ and when doing Chichi-Fit, I feel like a West End performer! Moving to favourite tunes – and even singing along – is such a feel-good exercise. And there are plenty of other benefits – mental and physical.

Continue reading “Put on your dancing shoes….”