<![CDATA[BoogieCamp - Boogie Blog]]>Fri, 01 Mar 2019 01:59:48 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Battle of the Solos: BoogieFit vs Zumba Gold]]>Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:14:39 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/battle-of-the-solos-boogiefit-vs-zumba-goldIf you want to shake it solo, you may be unsure as to which class would best suit you:
  • BoogieFit Solo Latin Dance
  • Zumba Gold Fitness

Let's break it down and see what's different and what's the same.

Latin vs International:
BoogieFit is purely LATIN whilst Zumba Gold is INTERNATIONAL (Latin plus Indian and more).
  • If you want to learn Latin dance only, choose BoogieFit Solo Latin Dance.
  • If you want to learn more than just Latin, you can get your fix of Latin plus other genres such as Bollywood and Rock'n'Roll with Zumba Gold Fitness!

Dance vs Fitness:
BoogieFit is a dance-based class whilst Zumba Gold Fitness is a fitness-based class. 
  • You'll learn real Latin dance steps in BoogieFit, whilst Zumba Gold Fitness includes a combination of dance steps, fitness variations of dance steps and aerobics moves.
  • You'll move more continuously in Zumba Gold Fitness whilst BoogieFit will be more stop/start as we stop to break down a move then we will practise it.

Simple vs Challenging:
Go simple with Zumba Gold Fitness or challenge yourself with BoogieFit Solo Latin Dance.
  • If you don't want to think too much, go for Zumba Gold Fitness, which focuses on simple moves and choreography.
  • If you're up for a mental and physical challenge, go for BoogieFit, where you'll learn Latin dance steps and exercise your brain with more complex choreography.

Intensity
  • Zumba Gold Fitness is low intensity and low impact. 
  • BoogieFit is mostly low impact but the intensity level is higher than Zumba Gold Fitness.
BoogieFit Solo Latin Dance
Zumba Gold Fitness
Still Unsure? Contact Your Instructor: Olga
]]><![CDATA[Did you know there's more than one Zumba?]]>Fri, 28 Oct 2016 03:02:32 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/did-you-know-theres-more-than-one-zumbaEverybody has heard of Zumba and you've probably tried at least one class, but did you know there's more than one type of Zumba class? 
Back in the late 1990s, a Colombian dancer and choreographer by the name of Alberto "Beto" Perez rocked up to teach an aerobics class and realised he'd forgotten his music. Armed with a cassette tape of traditional Latin, Salsa and Merengue music, Beto adapted the class to the non-traditional aerobics music.

The result formed the essence of what Zumba® Fitness is today - a dance fitness class using Latin and World rhythms. By taking the "work" out of workout, Zumba® classes are now attended by 15 million people across 180 countries in 200,000 locations. 
​The original Zumba® class started the dance-fitness revolution but now there's so much more to explore. Would you believe there are over TEN Zumba specialty classes? ​​
Zumba Gold

​Perfect for older active adults, Zumba Gold Fitness is a low-intensity version of the original Zumba class and offers low-impact and easy-to-follow moves. 

I've been teaching Zumba Gold Fitness classes at Kenmore State School since July 2012!

Click here for more info...
STRONG by Zumba™
​
Introducing music-led interval training for those who want a more challenging, high intensity interval training workout.

​Click here for more info...
Zumba® Step

Want a mash-up of the toning power of Step aerobics with the fitness-party that Zumba® brings to the dance floor?
​
​Click here for more info...
Zumba® Toning

Tone and sculpt your arms, core and lower body using maraca-like Zumba Toning Sticks (or your own light weights).

​Click here for more info...
Aqua Zumba®

Make a splash by adding a low-impact high-energy aquatic exercise to your fitness routine. Enjoy a pool party workout!

Click here for more info...
Zumba Sentao®

Using a chair as your dance partner, you'll experience strength and resistance training with innovative dance moves.

Click here for more info...
Zumba® Kids

Kids 7-11 years old get the chance to be active and jam out to their favorite music. Let the party animals loose!

Click here for more info...
But wait there's more!
​
  • Plate by Zumba™ - get the education you need to make healthier choices and live a better life
  • Zumba® Gold Toning - Zumba Gold + Zumba Toning combined
  • Zumba® Kids Jr. - for 4-6 year old Zumba fans
  • Zumbini™ - for lil' party animals 0-3 year olds and their caregiver
  • Zumba in the Circuit™ - for Zumba fans who want to add circuit training to their regime

For more info about these classes, click here... 
Whichever way you'd like to move and groove, there's a smörgåsbord of options available to you!

​If you'd like to check out the dance and fitness classes taught by Olga, click here for the timetable.
]]><![CDATA[More Couples Dance Workshops]]>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:40:58 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/more-couples-dance-workshops
If you wanted more couples dance workshops, your wish is now my command!

​I am introducing Couples Latin Dance Workshops in Salsa, Rumba and Bolero this month.

These are in addition to the current Tango For Two workshops but are replacing the Couples Dance Practice Sessions. Unfortunately I've had to cancel the practice sessions due to very low attendance.
  • No partner swapping.
  • No dance experience required.

Why come to a Couples Latin Dance Workshop?
  • By focusing on one dance style during each two-hour workshop, your learning and retention is improved.
  • As each workshop is self-contained, you don't need to attend every single workshop.
  • If you're not sure whether Latin dance is a match for you, then these workshops are a great taster.

​Try American Tango on Thursday 21 July and Street Salsa on Thursday 28 July.

For more info, dates and FAQs, click here.​
]]><![CDATA[Dance to stay young (no leotards required)]]>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:06:11 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/dance-to-stay-young-no-leotards-required
Okay, first of all, I've given you a bit of a teaser headline. I was inspired by an interesting documentary I watched last week called "How to stay young".

Dancing has been proven to be better than the gym in strengthening muscles and improving flexibility and balance.

As I lover of dance, I'm excited by these results! Read the details below.
Dancing vs Gym 
  • A German study compared two groups of older adults over six months. One group danced and the second group exercised in the gym (ie exercise bikes). Each group exercised to the same music to keep the level of exertion roughly equal. Both groups completed 3 x 1 hour sessions per week.
  • After six months, the gym group had a slight increase on average, however, the dance group showed a 15% improvement in muscle strength.
  • This is because dance is a more comprehensive/holistic form of exercise - it uses your brain, your muscles, your tendons, your ligaments and your nervous system. Dancing facilitates the cross-talk between the muscle and the nerves, which is the key to stronger muscles. As well as being aerobic, dancing requires flexibility and balance.
Strength, agility and balance are important factors in ageing well.
  • An exercise you can use to test these factors is the "sitting and rising" test. That is, cross your legs and sit down on the ground, then rise up - without support (ie no hands, no arms, no knees, etc). 
  • If you can sit and rise without support, you score 10 points (10/10). If you use your hand, forearm, knee or side of your leg, you lose a point for each. If you lose your balance or are wobbly, you lose half a point. 
  • Your goal is to score 8-10 points to achieve the greatest life expectancy. You can improve your score through exercises that target strength, agility and balance (or just keep practising this sit-and-rise test). I found a YouTube video that shows this segment: click here.
Lifestyle is a MAJOR determinant in how long you will live.
  • Lifestyle accounts for 75% of your longevity. Genetics accounts for only 25%.
  • After smoking, stress and weight have the biggest influence on how we age.
​Eat pulses to reduce visceral fat.
  • One of the presenters had an MRI which showed a high level of visceral fat (ie fat around your organs), which is a major concern. 
  • To reduce visceral fat, you need to eat high resistant starch. You can find high resistant starch in pulses (ie lentils and chickpeas). However, you need to eat kilograms of pulses per week to achieve the desired result.
  • A more concentrated form of high resistant starch is the food supplement powder, Inulin. 
Vegans live longer than meat eaters.
  • There's a town called Loma Linda, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, USA, which has been identified as one of five longevity spots, called Blue Zones, on the planet.
  • Based on a study of 96,000 residents, the healthiest diet was found to be a vegan diet. For vegans, overall mortality reduced by a quarter compared to meat eaters and vegans were half as likely to get heart disease.
  • Animal protein, when eaten, stimulates a hormone in our bodies that we all need for growth. But as we get older, this same hormone speeds up ageing. The more you replace meat protein with fruit and vegetables, the slower you age.
  • The suggestion is to start small, try vegetarianism one day a time, for example, meatless Mondays.
Eat nuts to protect against heart attacks.
  • Studies of nut consumption and coronary heart disease show that those that consumed nuts had half the risk of heart attack compared to those who ate nuts infrequently.
  • To get the benefits, you need to eat a handful of nuts 5 times a week.
​We need to be more active as we get older.
  • Exercise is another major way to stay young. 
  • As you age, your body naturally becomes more frail. From your thirties, your muscles get smaller. When you are 80, your muscle mass is approximately 40% less than when you were 30.
  • Exercise helps your body become stronger. So, as we get older, we should be MORE ACTIVE!
Find your own way to reduce stress and live longer.
  • When we are stressed, our adrenal glands release cortisol. Over time, an excess of cortisol weakens muscles, degrades bones and can shorten your life by up to five years.
  • We should all try to reduce stress. You can try yoga or bring your dog to work (if permitted). Three ways doctors recommend to reduce stress are: exercise, meditation and “me” time.
Be optimistic about getting older.
  • Your mental attitude has a role in your longevity.
  • Optimism can add up to 7 years to your life.
  • A young person with a positive attitude about growing older can halve the risk of a heart attack.
Have we found the fountain of youth?
  • People with Laron’s syndrome never seem to get the major diseases of ageing such as cancer and diabetes. Their blood contains very little of a particular growth factor. The presence of this growth factor is what makes us age.
  • Diseases of ageing have the same basic root causes, so scientists are now targeting ageing.
  • Scientists have created a drug called rapamycin which mimics the anti-aging properties of Laron’s syndrome. In mice, rapmycin extends life by 15%. 
  • Would you take this anti-ageing drug?
To watch part 1 of "How to stay young", it's available on ABC iview until 9.30pm on 20th July by clicking here.

​The second part of the series is on Tuesday 12 July at 8.30pm on ABC. 
What are your thoughts on how to stay young? Feel free to comment below.
]]><![CDATA[Which solo dance or fitness class is best for me?]]>Mon, 27 Jun 2016 08:15:14 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/which-solo-dance-or-fitness-class-is-best-for-me
If you're a little confused by your solo dance and fitness options, I don't blame you!

With four options to choose from, which is best for you?
  • BoogieFit Latin Fitness
  • FoxyFusion
  • Solo Latin Dance
  • Zumba Gold Fitness

Let's start with the class descriptions:
  • BoogieFit Latin Fitness is a Latin fitness class using real Latin dance steps from Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata, Merengue and more! You'll learn beginner to pre-intermediate level steps in this class.
  • FoxyFusion is a Burlesque-inspired group fitness class with high energy music. This simple, yet intense, workout will have you learning 6-8 sassy combinations per class. 
  • Solo Latin Dance is a dance class where you'll challenge your mind and your body with complex Latin dance moves and choreography. This is not an exercise class because we stop to break down and learn each new move, then build up to a sequence.
  • Zumba Gold Fitness is a simple, low impact fitness class for older active adults and beginners to fitness. You'll be grooving to zesty Latin, spicy Indian and other international rhythms! 

If you want an exercise class, choose from: 
  • FoxyFusion (high intensity)
  • BoogieFit Latin Fitness (moderate intensity)
  • Zumba Gold Fitness (low intensity)

If you want dance moves, choose from:
  • BoogieFit Latin Fitness (basic to intermediate Latin dance steps in a fitness class format)
  • Solo Latin Dance (complex Latin moves and choreography in a dance lesson format)

If you want mostly Latin, choose from:
  • BoogieFit Latin Fitness
  • Solo Latin Dance
  • Zumba Gold Fitness

Check out the comparison table below:
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If you still need help deciding, contact us today!
]]><![CDATA[Couples-Only Tuition with No Partner Swapping]]>Sun, 26 Jun 2016 06:49:22 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/couples-only-tuition-with-no-partner-swappingBoogieCamp is the only place in Brisbane where couples can learn to dance with each other, and not have to swap partners.

Couples can learn one dance style in a date night setting at our Couples Dance Nights, or focus on American Tango at our Tango For Two Workshops, or learn two Latin dance styles over 8 weeks at our Couples Dance Classes.
​You don't need any dance experience for any of these! New couples can join in at any Couples Dance Night, any Tango For Two Workshop and in week 1 of the Couples Dance Classes.

If you do have some dance experience under your belt, then you can revise what you've learned at our Couples Dance Practice.

​​Whether you want to learn some Latin dance moves for a wedding, cruise, party or just for something to do together, you and your partner can enjoy a welcoming and relaxed dance experience where the instructor knows your name! ​

For more info on our couples-only tuition, click here.
]]><![CDATA[Can't get your partner on the dance floor? ]]>Sat, 25 Jun 2016 06:48:26 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/cant-get-your-partner-on-the-dance-floor
Don't worry, you can leave them at home whilst you strut your stuff on your own at Solo Latin Dance! 

So, what is Solo Latin Dance?
  • If you want to focus on dance (rather than exercise), Solo Latin Dance is for you.
  • If you want to keep learning new Latin dance moves, then Solo Latin Dance is for you. 
Solo Latin Dance will challenge your body and your mind as you work on complex Latin dance moves and choreography. You can improve your coordination, balance, musicality and styling. 

Don't forget that learning a new skill is a journey and takes brain power. At times, it may not be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.

Choose from monthly workshops at Paddington as well as weekly classes at Kenmore and Stafford Heights. 

For more info, click here.
]]><![CDATA[Documentary: What's with Wheat?]]>Fri, 24 Jun 2016 06:06:28 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/documentary-whats-with-wheatThis is a must-watch documentary. Did you know that 80-90% of our skincare and supplements have wheat in it? I didn't!

And this documentary is not just about wheat. 
​
  • It's about how we grow/produce our food, the use of chemicals in that process and how those chemicals impact us. It's about how 70% of our genes that are involved in our health and longevity are actually within our control.
  • It's about the importance of a healthy gut to eliminate chronic disease, including auto immune diseases.
  • It's about the fact that we are using a lot of our land for ingredients that aren't great for our health - wheat, corn, sugar. I love the possibility of ecological agriculture and renewing the fertility in our soils.

I will be taking a much greater interest into where my food comes from.

I hope you watch this documentary and then decide what's best for you.
​
Watch for free until 30 June 2016: http://www.whatswithwheat.com/
​
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]]><![CDATA[The battle is on: BoogieFit vs Solo Latin Dance]]>Fri, 10 Jun 2016 07:40:07 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/the-battle-is-on-boogiefit-vs-solo-latin-danceAt one stage, this was one class: BoogieFit Solo Latin Dance, but from July 2016, this class is getting split into two.  So, what's the difference between them?

1. BoogieFit Latin Fitness Class
  • BoogieFit offers real Latin dance moves in a FITNESS class format.
  • You will learn beginner to intermediate moves in Salsa, Cha Cha, Bachata and other Latin styles!
  • If you want a dance-fitness class where you keep moving throughout the class, BoogieFit is for you. More info...

2. Solo Latin Dance Classes and Workshops
  • You will challenge your mind and body with solo Latin dance moves and choreography.
  • We stop to break down and learn each dance move, then build up to a choreography.
  • You'll work on your coordination, balance, body movement, styling and musicality.
  • If you want to dance, rather than exercise, then Solo Latin Dance is for you - available as weekly classes and monthly workshops. More info...
    ​
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]]><![CDATA[Recovery Rocket]]>Sun, 15 May 2016 07:14:21 GMThttp://www.boogiecamp.com.au/boogie-blog/recovery-rocketA friend of mine passed on a fantastic article by Andrew May about applying the principles of recovery for elite athletes into your everyday life. 

One of the principles was getting quality sleep 300 nights a year (or an average of six nights each week). "Quality sleep" means you wake up the following morning feeling totally refreshed and recharged.

Gulp! What a wake-up call for me! I'm more likely to get proper sleep for only 65 nights out of 365!! So, that's at least one principle I'll be working on!

A summary of the principles are as follows:
  • 1 Holiday or Off-Season
  • 3 Mini Breaks
  • 30 weeks of 100 recovery points
  • 300 nights of quality recharging sleep (gulp!)
  • go SLOW every day

​Download the full article here.

Which recovery principle will you be applying? Post your comments below.
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