bandanachick.com
dance & fitness classes with melanie strawn
bandanachick
Hello, my name is Melanie and welcome to my dance & fitness website: bandanachick.com.
Everyone has a Zumba® story and here is mine...
I was on hospital bedrest for 4-weeks and ballooned to a 50" waist with an overall weight gain of 80lbs before my twins were born. They were a miracle and I felt like a hero but I was kinda a wreck. In February 2008, I found Zumba® Fitness and suddenly felt as if I found myself again. Unlike other Zumba® stories, I wasn't inspired by a local class or instructor as there were none available to me in my area. I studied the 2008 Zumba® DVD Series at home and after feeling more-than comfortable with the movements, I went to a training to become a Licensed Basics I Zumba® Fitness Instructor!
With my dance education, teaching experience and "story", I thought I would be a good instructor but had planned to be the BEST instructor possible - for me and my students. Along with participating in local ZumbATHON®s, i also host independent fundraisers for organizations such as our local Soup Kitchen, relay for life, for the Grand Opening of the local Children's Museum, and Project Gavin's goal of giving sleep sacks to babies born at CMCH. We have special themed classes each month including the crazy-popular 2-hour Saturday class and 'Peep' classes. Since 2010, I have held numerous classes in the sand at Island Park and plan to continue with that tradition! At the beginning of 2010, I had a 14-week Movement 2010 challenge (% of weight loss while participating in my Zumba® Fitness classes) and had 38 participants! Some of them have turned into CrAzY exercisers, cardio-aholics, local derby girls, Pure Barre Instructors, and fellow Zumba® Fitness Instructors.
I have now been teaching Zumba® Fitness for over 3-years and thanks to the Zumba® Fitness program, have been able to change the lives of women in Central Michigan. Since September 2008, I have taught classes as far north as Harrison and as far south as Ithaca and have met some absolutely beautiful people along the way. My classes are FUN FUN FUN but are also challenging... afterall, Zumba® Fitness is a fitness class and you want to feel like you had a workout, to sweat your b&tt off, and to enjoy yourself... THAT is what Zumba® Fitness is all about. Let's not forget that Zumba® Fitness is exercise in disguise so be prepared to dance your little heart out!!! Come join the party - it is one you will NEVER forget! What happens in Zumba®... stays in Zumba®!!
Zumba HugZ,
Melanie Strawn
Zumba® Programs licensed to teach:
2008 - Basics I with Barbara Klontz (Michigan)
2009 - ZumbATOMIC® with Gina Grant & Koh Herlong (Florida)
2010 - Aqua Zumba® with Kelly Bullard (Michigan)
2010 - Basics II with Tanya Beardsley (Florida)
2010 - Zumba® Toning with Barbara Klontz (Michigan)
Attended additional training with Zumba® Fitness Corp:
2009 - 2nd Annual ZIN Convention / Peabody Hotel / Orlando, FL
2010 - 3rd Annual ZIN Convention / World Marriott / Orlando, FL
2011 - 4th Annual ZIN Convention / Peabody Hotel / Orlando, FL
Fitness Background:
Certified Group fitness Instructor - Aerobics & Fitness Association of America
Dance Background:
Currently a member of the dance staff at DuHadway Dance Dimensions. Earned my Associates in Applied Arts from Lansing Community College. Trained competitive dance company students and adults in the following disciplines: modern, tap, flamenco. Worked with Gina Gibney Dance and Cleveland State University on the Food For Thought project and Hathaway Brown performance. Attended various dance workshops throughout Ohio along with competing with fellow teachers and students.
Proud ZIN Member since 2008.
Everyone has a Zumba® story and here is mine...
I was on hospital bedrest for 4-weeks and ballooned to a 50" waist with an overall weight gain of 80lbs before my twins were born. They were a miracle and I felt like a hero but I was kinda a wreck. In February 2008, I found Zumba® Fitness and suddenly felt as if I found myself again. Unlike other Zumba® stories, I wasn't inspired by a local class or instructor as there were none available to me in my area. I studied the 2008 Zumba® DVD Series at home and after feeling more-than comfortable with the movements, I went to a training to become a Licensed Basics I Zumba® Fitness Instructor!
With my dance education, teaching experience and "story", I thought I would be a good instructor but had planned to be the BEST instructor possible - for me and my students. Along with participating in local ZumbATHON®s, i also host independent fundraisers for organizations such as our local Soup Kitchen, relay for life, for the Grand Opening of the local Children's Museum, and Project Gavin's goal of giving sleep sacks to babies born at CMCH. We have special themed classes each month including the crazy-popular 2-hour Saturday class and 'Peep' classes. Since 2010, I have held numerous classes in the sand at Island Park and plan to continue with that tradition! At the beginning of 2010, I had a 14-week Movement 2010 challenge (% of weight loss while participating in my Zumba® Fitness classes) and had 38 participants! Some of them have turned into CrAzY exercisers, cardio-aholics, local derby girls, Pure Barre Instructors, and fellow Zumba® Fitness Instructors.
I have now been teaching Zumba® Fitness for over 3-years and thanks to the Zumba® Fitness program, have been able to change the lives of women in Central Michigan. Since September 2008, I have taught classes as far north as Harrison and as far south as Ithaca and have met some absolutely beautiful people along the way. My classes are FUN FUN FUN but are also challenging... afterall, Zumba® Fitness is a fitness class and you want to feel like you had a workout, to sweat your b&tt off, and to enjoy yourself... THAT is what Zumba® Fitness is all about. Let's not forget that Zumba® Fitness is exercise in disguise so be prepared to dance your little heart out!!! Come join the party - it is one you will NEVER forget! What happens in Zumba®... stays in Zumba®!!
Zumba HugZ,
Melanie Strawn
Zumba® Programs licensed to teach:
2008 - Basics I with Barbara Klontz (Michigan)
2009 - ZumbATOMIC® with Gina Grant & Koh Herlong (Florida)
2010 - Aqua Zumba® with Kelly Bullard (Michigan)
2010 - Basics II with Tanya Beardsley (Florida)
2010 - Zumba® Toning with Barbara Klontz (Michigan)
Attended additional training with Zumba® Fitness Corp:
2009 - 2nd Annual ZIN Convention / Peabody Hotel / Orlando, FL
2010 - 3rd Annual ZIN Convention / World Marriott / Orlando, FL
2011 - 4th Annual ZIN Convention / Peabody Hotel / Orlando, FL
Fitness Background:
Certified Group fitness Instructor - Aerobics & Fitness Association of America
Dance Background:
Currently a member of the dance staff at DuHadway Dance Dimensions. Earned my Associates in Applied Arts from Lansing Community College. Trained competitive dance company students and adults in the following disciplines: modern, tap, flamenco. Worked with Gina Gibney Dance and Cleveland State University on the Food For Thought project and Hathaway Brown performance. Attended various dance workshops throughout Ohio along with competing with fellow teachers and students.
Proud ZIN Member since 2008.
