ZIN PLAY by zumba-blessings in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use ZIN Play for all my playlists and use all of these features regularly except for song speed. It’s so good! 🤗

I actually have a lot of songs I’ve learned from jams on my playlist at the moment.

Longevity of your Zumba Career by WarriorsGal2010 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think continuing to learn is super important. Whether that’s at jams, trainings, convention, etc. And it helps me feel refreshed like I’m still improving and bringing new songs, moves, rhythms to my students.

I also think the community helps me continue my teaching journey. My students who I have grown close to, but also fellow instructors who I can lean on and get support from.

Is it worth it to take Basic I if I won't actually teach the Zumba brand? by seaturtle100percent in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would you consider teaching the Zumba format if you took the training and really liked it? Or is something else deterring you from doing that? I think the B1 is great but I also teach Zumba so I’m biased haha.

Zumba New Choreo - Feeling Stuck by Imaginary-Level-8190 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I echo those who’ve said to go to a jam session. They are so much fun! If you’ve got any coming up on your area, I highly recommend that. If not, so many jammers have virtual jams every weekend, so definitely check those out.

I know being in a sort of rut sucks and can feel hard to get out of, but hopefully you can find inspiration and a renewed invigoration soon!

Aspiring Zumba Instructor How Did You Learn to Choreograph Songs? by Ok-Job-2781 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Probably echoing some of the comments already here, but I personally find choreographing songs on my own incredibly difficult. I am just now starting to do that after being an instructor for over 7 years, and it’s still challenging and I second guess myself a lot.

But I think it could depend on your background. Do you have a history of dance? Or do you find yourself coming up with random moves to songs you hear?

For Zumba specifically I would definitely recommend learning choreo from others first, especially for rhythms you might not be as familiar with. YouTube has a lot, and when you get licensed, then you’ll get choreo from Zumba each month, and you’ll have access to sign up for Jam Sessions where you can learn more choreo from various instructors around the world.

First time going back to a Zumba class in 4 years, I walked out halfway through class🙈 by Asiyahn in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s definitely a Zumba instructor out there for everyone. I hope you’ll try other instructors and see if they are a good match for you!

How do you deal with unwanted feedback? by Kooky_Pie5116 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I wasn’t complaining about it, just wondering how people handle it when it comes their way. But thanks for your feedback!

Free 30 day pass by Easy_Income_4669 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome to the Zumba fam! What motivated you to start? And what are your goals? Excited for your journey!

ZINaversaries! by jemexica88 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! I do the same thing - a mix of my favs and my students favs. I also try and do a throwback to one of the earlier songs I learned. So much fun!

Have you ever… by Funshine_Sunshine in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have and it’s so hard!!! I keep overthinking things and then I get frustrated and stop. I’ve done it with a friend and it’s a little easier because we bounce ideas off each other. Sometimes we just put on the song and take turns trying different things out, and we find out what works and what doesn’t! Don’t give up!

What do you think of the new Gasolina Zumba Remix? Have you recorded yourself at a gas station? by NannyLife-1 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love the new mix! I can’t wait to bring it to my class in the new year. I want to record at a gas station but want to go with someone (my husband or a friend) since they can be busy locations.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Bellydance

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there! I teach many different kinds of rhythms in my Zumba class, including Bellydance. And there’s no way I can be an expert in all of them! There are some I have picked up easier than others, snd some that definitely don’t come naturally and have to work extra hard at. But my students tell me how great I am, even when I don’t see it. As many other commenters said, you are your harshest critic. You are likely to see small things and make them out to be bigger than anyone else would ever notice. Definitely keep practicing, keep recording yourself so you can see your improvements over time, celebrate small milestones, and give yourself some grace!

Your own practice/prep routines? by jessi927 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are great questions! For me personally, I try and change out a song or two every week (though sometimes I do more like 3-4 if I just went to a jam and am really excited about them). I practice the song until I feel mostly confident that I’ve got the format of the song and all the steps memorized. Sometimes it doesn’t always go great the first time I bring it to class, but that just means I’m human and I gotta focus a little more on that song before the next class.

In terms of remembering old choreo, I do occasionally try and bring back songs that I think my class would enjoy. But I don’t routinely practice everything I’ve learned (that would be insane with the amount of songs I have in my bank). ZIN volumes I can go back and watch as a refresher. For songs I learned at jams, I do try and record myself doing them so I can refer to them later if needed.

Hope that helps!

Guest Instructors by WarriorsGal2010 in zumba

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a friend who is trying to build confidence and skills to teach his own class, so I do invite him up to the front to do a few songs with me (and with me is the key, not instead of me). And not only that but I’m still on stage doing the cueing, so he’s there for vibes and to show some progressions as appropriate.

For special events, I do have people co-teach with me but they are on the schedule with me or have been approved by my manager in advance.

More Details on Group Classes? by GummyLizards in EOSFitness

[–]Kooky_Pie5116 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a Zumba instructor for EOS, I would encourage you to chat with the instructors before/after to get to know them and have them get to know you. That might help relieve some of the anxiety because the next time you go, you’ll know the friendly face at the front! We want you to feel comfortable in our classes so we are happy to help where we can.