Simply Shakera: zumba

Friday, 20 May 2016

Waitin' For Di Stage...

ONE DAY I will have stage photos with my eyes open! HA! ... I can't help but be in the moment and while enjoying the vibes. Photos like this make me so excited for what’s in store for the summer. My nephews are preparing for school in September, my best friend is getting married, and of course Toronto Carnival season is underway.

As you know with the Carnival Spice team and I, Carnival runs all year round… but we can’t help but excited with the extra buzz in the summer! I want to highlight some of the awesome events and initiatives that Carnival Spice has in store. If you are considering participation in Caribana this year, THEN YOU DEFINITELY do not want to miss this::

Carnival Spice Summer Sessions

Let’s jam to the sweet sounds of soca, dancehall, chutney and more! Dance up a sweat with amazing members from your community and have fun while getting a great workout! You will definitely leave feeling ENERGIZED from the Caribbean vibes!

BONUS: With Toronto Carnival just weeks away

We will help you get ready for di road!!****

Join Us June 4th - July 21st at the following locations:

DOWNTOWN, TORONTO

527 Bloor St West (inside Dance Annex)

Saturdays 12pm - 1pm

SCARBOROUGH

2065 Midland Avenue #2 (inside Southside Muay Thai)

Mondays 7pm to 8pm

MISSISSAUGA

626 Burnhamthorpe Road West (inside Grooves Dance Studio)

Wednesdays 8pm - 9pm

BRAMPTON

180B Sandalwood Pkwy E suite #2000 (inside Synergy Performing Arts Academy)

Thursdays 7pm - 8pm

Summer Session Promo Rate is $99 and includes:

- unlimited access to all Carnival Spice classes at all four locations

- Carnival Spice "Caribana" workbook; feat. carnival playlists, costume discounts & more

- free gift for the first 50 registrants
(hint, it will make jumping and waving much easier!)

- offer expires Friday, June 3rd, 2016

Register ONLINE HERE

OR send email transfer and contact information to info@carnivalspice.com (Password “carnivalspice”)

Check out some of the action in the video below:

If the video link is not visible, please click here: https://youtu.be/CZmNjzvpT6U

Mississauga Dance Fitness Workshop

Mississauga crew ahganize yuhself!

Bring your sweats, water bottle, and rag or flah!

MISSISSAUGA CENTRAL Saturday, May 28th, 2016 11am to 1pm

626 Burnhamthorpe Road West (inside Groove Fitness Studio)

located east of Mavis - minutes away from Square One Shopping Center.

Click HERE For Further Information.

TESTIMONIAL from Spring Workshop Participant Kadaajah J.L

CARNIVAL SPICE PRESENTS: "Summertime Lunch & Lime"

Join us Sunday, June 26th, 2016 from 1pm - 4pm for a chance to connect with your community and experience Caribbean culture while tantalizing your taste buds.

Enjoy Creole food with a Caribbean flair while relaxing in the atmosphere of Harlem Restaurant. Dress to the nines. Mix and mingle. Let yourself go while we entertain all your senses.

$30 ADVANCE TICKETS

- food inclusive + live performances*

- limited tickets available

Click HERE for tickets

The Toronto Carnival Run with “Di Spice Crew"

Once Carnival Spice summer session is complete we would love for everyone to participate on our team “Di Spice Crew” for the Toronto Carnival Run taking place Saturday, July 23rd. This is a 5k run or walk meant to encourage wellness and community involvement with a Caribbean carnival theme.

Join our team HERE

Thanks for reading!
Join me on my social media pages below:

Facebook: Simply Shakera
Twitter: @SimplyShakera
Instagram: @SimplyShakera
YouTube: Simply Shakera
Email: info@simplyshakera.com

Monday, 28 March 2016

Get Into The Groove

It has been a while since my last post but I promise that I was keeping myself busy working on upcoming projects that I know you will love.

Today's post is quite fitting of where my attention has been for the last few weeks. I just completed teaching a dance fitness children's program with the Toronto Public Library in celebration of Black History Month. Additionally, while leading my weekly classes with private clients I also launched ten week Carnival Spice programs in Toronto and Mississauga. It has been amazing seeing so many new faces and watching each person grow week by week. I appreciate everyone that comes out and can confidently say that the energy in each session is so special and felt by all! Below are a couple anonymous responses from participants when asked, "How did you feel?" after one of my classes!

(Love you guys ^^^^^^ #squad)

"Get into the groove" is more than just a phrase, it is a an action that everyone should be practicing. I encourage you all to embrace the power of movement and if you have not tried a dance fitness workshop or class, then you are definitely missing out! I do understand however if you are unable to participate because of physical injury or other health reasons but any other concerns shouldn't stop you - instead they should motivate you!

Dance fitness is a type of group exercise that incorporates dance moves/technique. This full body workout is tons of fun and the overall intensity of a class varies depending on the style of dance you are doing. I often hear folks call dance fitness “ Zumba". To clarify, "Zumba" is a TYPE of dance fitness workout and one of the more popular dance fitness brands. Their instructors go through a training process based on the Zumba style, class format, and program principles. So for example, when someone calls any of my classes "Zumba" , they are very incorrect and legally if I ever advertised my classes as "Zumba" I could be sued for trademark infringement. #foodforthought #fyi #pleasestop #knowledgeispower

One of the main differences between dance fitness classes is STYLE! There can be fifty different hip hop classes out there but I promise you they are not the same. I challenge you to try them all so you can experience the difference for yourself and feel which one you enjoy the most.

Whether in class or online there are so many great dance fitness classes out there that provide amazing results. Benefits include building your stamina and energy levels, strengthening and toning your muscles, burning tons of calories etc. Dance fitness workouts can also help you avoid or overcome plateaus because they will challenge the body in a different way. Plus most classes are super fun so you do not realize how much work you are putting in.

Listed were only a few benefits that affect your physical state but there are amazing social benefits as well such as boosting your confidence, building your performance ability, releasing stress and meeting amazing people who are active and may also be looking for support for their workout too. Not everyone in the class will be at the same fitness or dance level, but that is the beauty of it, you have to start somewhere in order to grow or see results. As as I would say, you have to "pace", listen to the music, listen to your body and take everything in stride.

What to bring to a dance fitness class:

- a water bottle

- comfortable fitness attire and shoes

- a yoga mat (if you have)

- and a change of clothes because you will get sweaty!

There are so many different classes to choose from out there. Ask yourself: What music do you like? How long is the class? Check out different videos and see how you feel while watching.

Below are a couple different classes that I personally enjoy/attend in the GTA: