MY ZUMBA CERTIFICATION WITH BETO
I am a Strategic Health Coach for Women and I am always looking to enhance the strategies I offer my clients. Since I have always loved music and dance and know the healing benefits of dancing, I decided to become Certified as a ZUMBA FITNESS INSTRUCTOR. As an Instructor, I could further support women in achieving a healthier, pain-free body.
In May, 2004, I completed the ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION WEEKEND WITH BETO. I’d like to share my experience with you.
I was in Miami, at the Deauville Hotel on Miami Beach, so excited that I’d be training for 2 days with Beto, the very talented dancer/choreographer that brought ZUMBA FITNESS to the U.S. I’ve been a dancer all my life so this training would be a piece of cake. NO PROBLEM!! Born and raised in NY, everyone was a dancer and we never took lessons. We were called street dancers and you know what I mean if you are one.
I assumed that because I’ve been a dancer and I’ve been taking ZUMBA FITNESS classes at my gym in FL a few times a week, that living through 2 days of intense training would be NO BIG DEAL. I was pre-registered so all I had to do was sign in and get my packet, gift and name tag. I was just too excited to notice all the size 3 bodies and ages of most of the participants. It wasn’t until the weekend was ready to start that I looked around and saw that I was probably the oldest one in the room and maybe even in the hotel.
There were both men and women dancing, yet, mostly women. Most of the dancers were of Hispanic background and there were dancers from all around the globe, who probably have been dancing to this music all their lives from the time they were born.
I’m used to dancing ZUMBA FITNESS for an hour at my gym and then I go home. After the first hour, no one went home. We danced and danced and danced, had lunch, had breaks, and danced and danced and danced. All I could think about was, “I can’t feel my legs anymore. How am I going to get up to my hotel room on these feet.” Even when I was a younger dancer, much, much, younger, I danced for 3-4hrs at a dance and was fine. Nothing hurt and I could always feel my legs. “How am I going to return tomorrow and repeat this day? My body will never make it” was the question of the night. I needed a massage desperately but there was no massage therapist around.
I had a little more water to drink, sat for an hour and watched the other dancers standing, talking and laughing. No one else was sitting. I suddenly remembered that I recommend Epsom Salts to my clients to sprinkle in their bath after their massage to prevent inflammation and pain. It was time for the Wellness Coach to follow her own advice.The challenge was first to find a Walgreen’s or CVS and the second challenge was to get my body there.
Fortunately, there was a Walgreen’s right across from the hotel and could I get there and back. It’s amazing what we can do if we put our mind’s to it. I did get there and did buy my magical cure, returned to the hotel room, so anxious to get into the tub, I forgot that I didn’t have any food with me for dinner. At that point, I didn’t care. All I wanted was my Epsom Salts bath hoping to feel my legs again.I sprinkled the Epsom Salts in, 2 cups full as the tub was filling with the hottest water in the hotel. I was salivating as I sat on the side of the tub, just waiting to dive in. When I did get in, I’m sure my hotel neighbors on either side of my room, must have heard me moan. It felt sooooo good. I didn’t think I would ever want to exit the tub. I wanted to sleep in the tub until the class began on Sun morning. I didn’t know if I could continue the training given how I felt at that moment. But the funny thing is, I was determined to finish the weekend, even though another part of me wanted to quit. I kept saying to myself that I couldn’t take one more step, nor ZUMBA to one more 5 minute song. After an hour in the tub, I was ready to find out if my legs had feeling again and whether I’d be calling room service for my dinner while I ate in bed or I’d be able to make it outside to a restaurant.
The amazing result was that the EPSOM SALTS WORKED. I no longer had pain in my legs to the point of numbness and I felt better than I did when I started the class this morning. I was rockin’ and ready to eat a great Cuban dinner. I did go out and find a great restaurant, had a good night’s sleep and woke up pain-free. I did complete the training and by the end of Sunday, received my Certification from ZIN, the Zumba Instructor Network. I was now a Certified Zumba Instructor. I made it through 2 days of dancing with beautiful young bodies, young women with gorgeous hips, legs, rings in their bellies and magnificent faces to match. I kept up with them. I didn’t stop once. I said to myself, “if they could do it, I could do it, I will do it.” I left Miami hotel with my ZUMBA FITNESS Certification in my hand. I DID IT!!
I have been teaching for more than 5 yrs and continue taking classes to update my skills.
VISIT MY WEBSITE:
www.shelliefraddin.com
or CALL:
561-702-0570
to schedule a class in your community NY metro area or So FL
Barbara Noujaim replied:
Hi!
I was “googling” the internet for ZUMBA (I Love it – have a Zumba instructor that is fantastic).
I want to send my instructor, Mariko, to get her Zumba Fitness Certificate.
Can you direct me to the source to get this information. The ladies in our class want to give this to her for a gift. Thanks! Barbara from Palm Desert CA.
June 19, 2008 at 7:09 pm. Permalink.
Alexandra replied:
Shellie, you have an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm for life. You truly live life fully. You have been and continue to be a great leader, coach, inspiration and mentor. You have so much to offer the world in the realm of Health and Well-Being! What a great Wellness Coach!!! If you are looking for a role model, someone who walks their talk, Shellie’s the one!
June 22, 2008 at 4:22 am. Permalink.
carmen replied:
hola estoy interesada en sacar el certificado de zumba
October 9, 2008 at 10:19 pm. Permalink.
adriana replied:
hola estoy muy interesada en sacar la certificacion en zumba podrian ayudarme y decirme que es lo que tengo que hacer?
gracias en verdad me interesa.
November 4, 2008 at 8:49 pm. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
Hola Adriana,
go to zumba.com, put in your zip code or country and you’ll see where the classes are being taught. Good luck, shellie
January 8, 2010 at 1:20 am. Permalink.
Karen Palma replied:
Hola me gustaria obtener el certificado de zumba me pueden ayudar??
De antemano Gracias !!!
November 22, 2008 at 2:31 pm. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
Dear Karen, Go to zumba.com and put in your zip code/country and you’ll see where certification classes are being held. good luck, Shellie
January 8, 2010 at 1:18 am. Permalink.
veronica replied:
Hola! me gustaria saber que salida laboral tiene este tipo de clases en U.K.. Me gustaria hacer el curso para poder obtener el certificado y dar clases de Zumba aca pero no estoy segura si tiene salida laboral y el curso es un poco elevado para mi en estos momentos. Tengo 36 anos y soy instructora de aerobic, areo-latino entre otras disiplinas pero no he tenido el gusto de dar clases aqui todabia ya que mi certificacion es de Argentina y por lo que tengo entendido , no me sirve para trabajar aca. Tampoco cuento con tiempo como para hacer un instructorada de uno o mas anos ya que tengo 3 hijos y trabajo 35 hs semanales en otro rubro que no es el mio presisamennte. Agradezco cualquier informacion que pueda ayudarme a vivir de lo que amo y he tenido la suerte de poder hacer por muchos anos antes de llegar aca hace ano y medio. Gracias
February 3, 2009 at 4:51 pm. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
Hola y gracias por su letre. www. zumba.com por certificado y dar clases de zumba . Bueno Suerte!!
February 3, 2009 at 8:33 pm. Permalink.
starr replied:
I will like to know how can I obtain a zumba certificate.
March 12, 2009 at 11:15 pm. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
Hi Starr and thanks for your email, You can go online to http://www.zumba.com and click on the link, ‘become an instructor’. This link will direct you to the the trainings in your area. Good luck and Zumba baby!! Grandma Shellie
March 14, 2009 at 3:12 am. Permalink.
liliana gailie replied:
hola estoy interesada en tomar clases de zumba y que me den un certificado les agradesere cordial mente liliana.
April 25, 2009 at 2:17 am. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
hola! y gracias por su letre. zumba.com por instructores en su ciudad.
April 25, 2009 at 2:39 am. Permalink.
july replied:
deseo mi certificacion como instructora de zumba por favor puede decirme a donde dirigirma. gracias
September 25, 2009 at 1:33 am. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
Hi and thanks for your interest in becoming an Instructor. Check out zumba.com for locations to become an Instructor. Good Luck, Shellie
January 8, 2010 at 1:13 am. Permalink.
ISA L SOLIS replied:
mi cell 619 408-9985 call my now pliss
san diego california
November 4, 2009 at 5:31 pm. Permalink.
amilcar hernandez replied:
quisiera poder tomar la sertificasion de zumba megustaria saver cuando tienes y en donde quisiera poder implementalo en mi paiz que es guatemala tengo 17 años de ser maestro de baile latino y salsa cubana tres años de ser campeon de salsa en mi paiz te agradesco tu respuesta porfa
November 10, 2009 at 6:24 am. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
Hello and thank you for your interest in becoming a Zumba instructor. Look at zumba.com for information about teaching/taking classes in Guatemala and other countries. Shellie
January 8, 2010 at 1:02 am. Permalink.
Susan replied:
I am a active 75 year old grandmother living in Central Florida. I would like to buy a Zumba DVD for under $20 but all I can find on line is the big set for $59.95 which I cannot afford. Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Susan
December 26, 2009 at 5:22 pm. Permalink.
healthdoc100 replied:
Hi susan, Unfortunately, there are no Zumba Gold DVD’s made yet. I will let you know when one becomes available. Thanks for your email. Shellie
January 8, 2010 at 12:55 am. Permalink.