ZUMBA

I'm sure most of you have heard about Zumba by now. It's a quite modern dancestyle and combines Latin Music with international music. Zumba is not like any other fitness program -you don't really get that you are actually working out because it is so much fun! Of course it's pretty exhausting the first times but before you know it you get really fit after short time. I first got in touch with Zumba in 2012 while planning our prom. We were lucky to find a dance instructor called Mr. Move-It who rehearsed with us a choreography to the song Danza Kuduro. It was awesome and it was clear that Zumba is definitely something for me!!This year I participated in a Zumba class which was held 3 times a week in February with two friends and we had a great time! Altough the first week was challenging it didn't take much time for me to fall in love with this great way to exercise. I have always loved dancing and so far I did Ballett, Jazz dance, set-pattern dance and Hip- Hop; Now Zumba is another dance style I absolutely love.
I can recommend it to everyone who loves to dance, wants to have fun while working out and is willing to try something new! Zumba is booming right now and nearly every gym offers classes. One of the best things of Zumba is that there are different ways to practice it for example Zumba toning is practiced with toning sticks or there even exists Aqua Zumba which is practiced in a pool. I'm planning to take another class sometime soon, I just hope I'll have the time for it. Zumba in the Circuit would tempt me ;)

Ah..! I forgot to tell that I was pretty afraid to look stupid at first but I found a great way to practice some Zumba steps before starting the actual Zumba class. There are plenty of YouTube instruction videos; here is one I found really helpful. It shows you the basic steps:

Here is another YouTube video which shows a choreography to Danza Kuduro. The one we rehearsed was pretty much the same with some little differences.

The Zumba program currently offers eight types of Zumba classes, here are the descriptions:
Tell me which program would you like to do?

Zumba^® Fitness  –  When participants see a Zumba class in action, they can’t wait to give it a try. Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before participants know it, they’re getting fit and their energy levels are soaring! There’s no other fitness class like a Zumba Fitness-Party. It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating, often building a deep-rooted community among returning students.

Zumba Gold^®  –  Zumba Gold targets the largest growing segment of the population: baby boomers. It takes the Zumba formula and modifies the moves and pacing to suit the needs of the active older participant, as well as those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle. What stays the same are all the elements the Zumba Fitness-Party is known for: the zesty Latin music, like salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton; the exhilarating, easy-to-follow moves; and the invigorating, party-like atmosphere. Active older adults want camaraderie, excitement and fitness as a regular part of their weekly schedule. Zumba Gold is the perfect fit. It’s a dance-fitness class that feels friendly, and most of all, fun.

Zumba^® Toning  –  When it comes to body sculpting, Zumba Toning raises the bar (or rather, the toning stick). It combines targeted body-sculpting exercises and high-energy cardio work with Latin-infused Zumba moves to create a calorie-torching, strength-training dance fitness-party. Students learn how to use lightweight, maraca-like Toning Sticks to enhance rhythm and tone all their target zones, including arms, abs, glutes and thighs. Zumba Toning is the perfect way for enthusiasts to sculpt their bodies naturally while having a total blast.

Aqua Zumba^®  –  Known as the Zumba "pool party," Aqua Zumba gives new meaning to the idea of an invigorating workout. Splashing, stretching, twisting, even shouting, laughing, hooting and hollering are often heard during an Aqua Zumba class. Integrating the Zumba formula and philosophy with traditional aqua fitness disciplines, Aqua Zumba blends it all together into a safe, challenging, water-based workout that’s cardio-conditioning, body-toning, and most of all, exhilarating beyond belief.

Zumbatomic^®  –  Designed exclusively for kids (ages 4-12), Zumbatomic classes are rockin’, high-energy fitness-parties packed with specially choreographed, kid-friendly routines and all the music kids love, like hip-hop, reggaeton, cumbia and more. Parents love Zumbatomic because of the effects it has on kids, increasing their focus and self-confidence, boosting metabolism and enhancing coordination. Zumbatomic rounds out family fitness goals by giving parents a great reason to head to the gym – for themselves, for their kids, for a totally fun family experience.

Zumba^® in the Circuit  –  Maximize your workout while still having a total blast. Zumba in the Circuit is 30 minutes of high-octane, Latin-inspired dance-fitness moves combined with circuit training, a series of strength exercises at timed intervals. Get the metabolism-boosting, strength-building benefits of circuit training while perfecting Zumba moves—all in the same class! Guaranteed to blast calories and thwart boredom, Zumba in the Circuit moves students from one exercise station to the next to the thumping beats of reggaeton, salsa, merengue, hip-hop and more. Be in and out in 30 minutes flat —this time-effective and efficient class can be adapted for all fitness levels.

Zumba^® Gold-Toning   –  The Zumba^® Gold-Toning program offers the best of both worlds — the exhilarating experience of a Zumba Fitness-Party with the benefits of safe-and-effective strength training. It’s an easy-to-follow, health-boosting dance-fitness program for baby boomers as well as beginners. Through dynamic lightweight resistance training and exciting international rhythms, Zumba Gold-Toning classes help participants build muscle strength, increase bone density, and improve mobility, posture and coordination.

Zumba Sentao™   –  The Zumba Sentao™ workout takes the thrill of the fitness-party and partners it with explosive, chair-based choreography to strengthen, balance and stabilize your core, and step up your cardio work in a whole new way. Grab a chair, feel the beat and learn how to use your own body weight to enhance muscle strength, improve definition and endurance, and tone your physique. Strut, shake and shimmy as you work your core (and work the chair) in a high-energy fitness-party that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Music- The sound of my heart.

Hi there,
As the title tells this post is going to be about one of my passions namely music ;)
I was 4 when I learned to play the recorder and first set eye on those small black points with the little flags on them- called notes. At the age of 6 I took piano lessons but at this time the piano didn’t really work for me, I was too lazy to practice every day and I wasn’t eager enough to get good at playing. So one year later I finally found it- the perfect instrument! From the very first moment the Saxophone fascinated me with its beautiful raucous but soft sound and it’s golden, shiny looks. I was really enthusiastic about it for the first years but sometimes got frustrated with my teacher because he was very into Jazz music which is obvious if you play the Saxophone but I was never really the improvisation type so I stopped getting lessons after 3 years and instead joined a marching band.

The Eisenbahnermusikverein Knittelfeld became a second home for me and my conductor who happens to be a Clarinet and Saxophone teacher gave me lessons in classical music. I like being in the marching band because not only can I share my love for music with my colleagues but also we have a lot of fun together and by a lot I mean tons of! Whoever is lucky enough to be member of a club like a sports club, a music society, a book club or whatever knows what I’m talking about. It’s the community and the sense of togetherness that makes it so great for me and of course playing the Saxophone. In this picture you see me playing the Solo from "Gabriella's Song" with my band.

Having introduced my beloved EMV I’d like to mention our concert this weekend. It is called “Chor+Blasmusik” and it is very special because 4 societies are working together on one concert. There are 3 choirs who are singing along to the music of the marching band and as a high point we were lucky enough to get a great solo singer to work with us. Her name is Sarah Kettner and she is the most talented singer I ever had the pleasure to hear live. The program varies between Opera, Film, Musical, Folk and Pop. I’m looking forward to finally play this weekend; the last months were quite stressful because of all the practicing.

The years passed by and my sister who also happens to be very musical bought a piano and took some lessons so I thought I’d give it another try and to my own surprise I loved it. I learned the bass clef with the help of my sister and some books but preferred it to just play the accords along with the melody. While writing this I have a great desire to play :-)
My newest wish is to learn to play the oboe which I heard is rather difficult.

Special day- Special food

Hi guys.
I hope all of you are enjoying your Easter break as much as I do :)
I hadn't much time to blog because I was very busy eating pretty much all of the time.
Last Thursday  was my birthday and I love my birthdays for one particular reason namely I get to choose exactly what to eat. As long as I can think I wanted the same. It's called "Schinkenrollensalat" in our family and I think many of you know it as Mayonnaise salad. It is my favorite dish and has been since I was a little girl. The best thing is that it is so easy to make and doesn't take much time.
Here is what you need:

• Apples
• Peas
• Carrots
• Veal
• Gherkins
• Mayonnaise

First you chop all the vegetable and the veal into equal small pieces then put them in a big bowl.Then you add some juice of the gherkin jar and mayonnaise and mix everything- Voilá! It's done. Not much effort is it? You can add as much mayonnaise you want there is no strict recipe. For example when my mother makes the "salad" for the whole family she puts in a whole jar of mayonnaise. For the so called "Schinkenrollen" you just need some ham which you wrap around small portions of the vegetable salad and then it's ready to be served.
It is so special to me because this dish is only served 2 times a year namely at Christmas and my birthday. My  mother makes always enough for everyone so we can still eatit  for breakfast the next morning which is my favorite meal of the day- but this is a topic for the next post.

Well, this salad is not the only thing we eat on my birthday. Some time after lunch my grandparents and my neighbors come to congratulate me and we eat cake and drink coffee. This year I got a lemon pie which tasted amazing!

But that's not it. In the evening I get to choose another dish and for this birthday I wanted Panna Cotta with berry sauce. We typed in Panna Cotta- Beerensoße into Google and immediately found a recipe at this site: http://www.chefkoch.de/rezepte/311941112514003/Panna-Cotta-mit-Beerensosse.html

What you need for it:

• 160 ml fresh cream
• 100 ml milk
• 30g sugar
• 1/2 vanilla pod
• 2 leaves of gelatin
• 100 ml whipped cream
• 150g berrys (We used raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and strawberry)
• icing sugar and
• lemon juice

First you heat up the fresh cream, milk, sugar and the scraped out vanilla pod then sieve it. You soak the gelatin leaves then put them into the mix. The mix needs to chill down and then you gently fold the whipped cream in. Put the mix into glasses or other small bowls and then put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours. You can simply leave the mix in a glass but if you want to eat it on a plate here's a useful tip: Before you turn them upside down on a plate put the bowls into warm water. This way the Panna Cotta will slide out of the bowls very easily. You can garnish it with the berries, the lemon juice and the icing sugar.

You are what you eat

This title is pretty much the best way to introduce myself to you. Since the topic is food now I figured I'd start off with telling you I love food and I love eating! I can't imagine the world without all the delicious food. My whole family likes to eat a lot and I simply love our get togethers- we eat and talk, drink coffee then eat again, then eat cake :).
One of the things I hate most is eating alone, whenever I have to eat alone I feel like some important part of the meal is missing. It feels like if you forget to put salt into your meal. My family and friends are used to my eating habits and don't find them strange anymore but whenever I meet someone new they are quite surprised by how much I can really eat :)
I always tell them it's simple: I'm either hungry or stuffed- there is nothing in between.
I know that this is probably not so healthy but what can I say.. I just love FOOD :D

Do you enjoy food as much as I do? I bet some of you do ;)