News
Schedule Change June 21 at McDougle
There will be only one class at McDougle on Saturday June 21; the class will be held at 8:30 am.
June 2008 Class E-mail
Live Fit Live Green Water Bottle Attendance Promo: Our first attendance promo of the year is FINALLY here! Attend 30 classes in June and July, and receive a Jazzercise sports bottle FREE. Check out the bottles in class, and pick up an attendance card in class starting tomorrow; don't forget to get credit for classes attended yesterday and today. The promo sports bottle is made of recyclable material and does not contain BPA(Bisphenol A) and it is safe to reuse. Good luck!
Personal Touch: We are looking at starting one or two Personal Touch session in the coming weeks. If you are interested in participating in one of these sessions and have not talked to me about it, please let me know.
Community Center Information: Our year-round 6:15 am Tues/Thurs classes at the Community Center gym begin June 3rd. This will be a regular Jazzercise class, with all of the cardio, strength and stretch you need for the day, compacted into about 55-56 minutes. You'll be back in your car by 7:15 am! Or, bring your work clothes and use the locker rooms to shower and get ready. (Bring your own soap, shampoo, towel, etc.) This is a fabulous opportunity for those who like early morning workouts, or at-home moms who have other responsibilities during the days, or working women and men who find it hard to get away for class at night. We are hoping to have some men in this class, so if your husband/partner/friend/brother (uncle/nephew/son...you get the picture) is even slightly interested, bring them in for a free class. There will be no Joining Fee for new students who register at the 6:15 am class this week.
M/W/F 9:30 am classes move to Ephesus: Due to summer camp at the Community Center, the weekday morning 9:30 am classes will move to Ephesus Elementary on June 16th. See Ephesus info below.
Ephesus Class Information: There is no class tonight, June 2, at Ephesus due to a school function. This will be the last cancellation of the school year. Thanks for your patience!
Our M/W/F 9:30 am classes are moving to Ephesus for the summer, beginning June 16th. Also beginning June 16th, we will have additional childcare for elementary school-aged children. The younger children will play on the enclosed Head Start playground, and the older children will play on the adjoining larger playground. Our second childcare provider will be Silvia, who is the sister of our current childcare provider Claudia. So, bring your children for outdoor playdates with friends their age while you exercise in the air conditioning! Please apply sunscreen before dropping off your children.
McDougle Class Information: There are no cancellations at McDougle this month!
Parkwood United Methodist: We will not have class on Sunday, June 8. On that afternoon, all of the instructors and registrars will be at my house celebrating our success in 2007 - thanks to all of you for making it possible! On Saturday, June 14 and Saturday, June 21 we will have only one class at 8:30 am. Instructors are beginning summer travel, and we are short-staffed on those days. I hope those of you who enjoy the later classes will join us a little earlier!
May 2008 Class E-mail
Dear Jazzercisers,
Following is class information for May. Hope to see you in class soon!
• Make the Connection Second Trimester Kick-Off: It is time for the second trimester of our Make the Connection promotion. During the first trimester (January-April), you earned a green Jazzercise tank top when you brought a friend to class who registered. (Send me an e-mail if you earned a shirt but didn’t receive one.) During this trimester (May-August), you will earn a $20 Jazzertogs gift card when you refer a friend who registers for class. All new students receive a coupon for $20 off registration. Also, from May 1-14, new students will receive one week free in addition to $20 off registration. Make sure to pass the word along so you can start earning your Jazzertogs gift cards…and get another one for each additional friend you bring between now and the end of August. (Check out what you can buy with your card at Jazzertogs.)
• Memorial Day Class Schedule: We will have no evening classes on Monday, May 26 in honor of the Memorial Day holiday. We will have class at Parkwood at 8:30 am and 9:35 am, and at the Community Center at 9:30 am that morning. I’m looking forward to being at Parkwood to teach the 8:30 class.
• Send a Kid to Camp: We are collecting scholarship donations for Junior JazzerKamp this summer. If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation that will make summer camp possible for a child who would otherwise not be able to attend, please give your check to any of the registrars before or after class. Make the check payable to Ann Koonce, and note “Junior Jazzercise scholarship” on the memo line. I will provide you with a tax receipt for your records. The cost for one child to attend Junior JazzerKamp for one week is $105, but donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
• Air Conditioning in our Facilities: FYI, all of our facilities are air conditioned, and all of our classes take place year-round. When the dog days of summer hit, the instructors tend to take a little bit of the “heat” off of the top of the curve. Also, we will continue to instruct you to work to your own intensity and replenish your body with water. So, make plans to keep Jazzercising with us through the summer months!
• Community Center Class Information: Beginning on Tuesday, June 3, we will have 6:15 am classes at the Chapel Hill Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are locker rooms and showers available for your use after class. This will be a regular Jazzercise class, but the instructors will make a special effort to have you out of class in about 55 minutes. For those of you who are at-home moms with extra responsibilities in the summer, consider committing to one or two early mornings a week to help yourself stay fit over the summer. What a novel idea…taking care of ourselves BEFORE we start taking care of others. At least one or two days a week! Also, Lauren is interested in teaching a Personal Touch class following the 6:15 class on Tuesday mornings. Let me know if you would like to register.
There are no schedule changes at the Community Center during May. All classes will take place as regularly scheduled on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 am, including Memorial Day. Make plans to join us!
• Ephesus Elementary Class Information: There is no class on Monday, May 26 due to the Memorial Day holiday. Make plans to join us that morning at the Community Center (9:30 am) or Parkwood UMC (8:30 and 9:35 am). All other classes will take place as regularly scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm. On any evening, if there is Little League baseball taking place on the field behind the school, please park on the opposite side of the building and enter through the atrium. The Little League season should wrap up by late May.
• McDougle Class Information: All classes at McDougle will take place as regularly scheduled on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 8:00 and 9:05 am.
• Parkwood United Methodist Class Information: The Junior Jazzercise class will have their performance on this Thursday, May 1 at 5:20 pm. Please make plans to come see these youngest Jazzercisers show their stuff. They have been dancing and choreographing with Lauren since late January and we are proud of their hard work.
On Memorial Day, we will have class at 8:30 am and 9:35 am instead of in the evening. I am looking forward to teaching the 8:30 am class!
Let me know if you have any questions. See you in class soon!
Sincerely,
Ann
Ann Koonce, owner
JAzzercise of Chapel Hill and Durham/RTP
April 2008 Class E-mail
Dear Jazzercisers,
Following is class information for April. Join us in class soon!
Personal Touch: We are looking at starting additional Personal Touch sessions at McDougle, Parkwood, and the Community Center when we have enough interest. If a small group strength-training format interests you, please talk to one of the instructors about it. Many of our SLIM participants recently participated in a PT session, and when we took their measurements at their two-month follow-up visit, all of them had lost inches on their waists and hips! It is a great way to transform your body. We will offer free weigh-ins and measurements with the next PT session in each of our locations…but of course this is optional, so if a measuring tape makes you shiver with fright, you can just say no thank-you to that part!
Make the Connection: April is the last month to earn a Live Fit Live Green Jazzercise tank top when you bring a friend to class. Make sure to pick up the green referral brochure in class, and pass along the $20 gift card to a friend or colleague. We have plenty, so pick up as many as you need. If you brought a friend in 2008 who registered and have not yet received your tank top, please let me know.
Junior JazzerKamp Registration: Registration for Junior JazzerKamp will begin April 1. The camp will be held from 9-12 on July 14-18 at Ridgewood Pool, about halfway between the Community Center and Ephesus Elementary. The cost for the camp is $85 for pool members and $105 for non-members. More information can be found at www.ridgewoodpool.org/camp.htm, or you can ask me if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to spending this time with our youngest Jazzercisers!
April Class Info for the Community Center: Due to a rock climbing event at the Community Center, we will be unable to use the gym on April 7th, 9th, and 11th. During this week, weather permitting, we will have class outside on the basketball courts. The classes will be all standing, all low impact, and free childcare will continue to be provided in the meeting room. If rain is forecast, please check the website (www.chapelhilldurhamjazz.com) for updates. Other than that week, all classes will be held as regularly scheduled, on M/W/F at 9:30 am at the Community Center gymnasium at 120 S. Estes Rd.
April Class Info for Ephesus Elementary: We will not have class on Tuesday, April 22 due to the International Festival at Ephesus. Otherwise, all classes in April will take place as regularly scheduled, on M/T/Th at 6:30 pm at Ephesus Rd. Elementary at 1495 Ephesus Church Rd. Make special plans to join us this Tuesday, April 1 for Paul’s triumphant return following his hip replacement surgery!
April Class Info for McDougle Elementary: We are looking at starting our next PT session on April 5. The classes would be held April 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 9:05 am and would be taught by me and Hayley. We currently have 2 spaces available. Let me know ASAP if you are interested in registering. The cost for the session is $60 for non-SLIM participants and $45 for SLIM participants. Non-SLIM participants will have access to weigh-ins and measurements during the PT session if you choose. I’ll be at the 8:00 class this Saturday if you have any questions or would like to speak to me in person about. (I’m looking forward to taking Kelli’s class with our good friend and former Jazzerciser, Beth, who is coming to town this weekend!) There are no class cancellations at McDougle in April; all classes will be held as regularly scheduled, on Wed at 6:30 pm and Sat at 8:00 am and 9:05 am at McDougle Elementary on Old Fayetteville Rd. Please use the bus loop/service entrance off of Hillsborough Rd in the rear of the school.
April Class Info for Parkwood United Methodist Church: In March I have enjoyed being around Parkwood during class times and seeing many of you. I taught juniors the past two weeks, and taught a 6:35pm class this week, and loved every minute of it! I’m hoping to get there for a 5:30 class in the near future…I miss you sassy ladies! There are no class cancellations for April at PUMC; all classes will take place as regularly scheduled, on M-Th at 5:30 and 6:35 pm, Sat at 8:30 and 9:35 am, and Sub at 4:00 pm at 5123 Revere Road.
I think that’s all for now. Let me know if you have any questions. If you don’t see me in class, I’m always available by phone (971-3051) and e-mail.
Sincerely,
Ann
Ann Koonce, owner
Jazzercise of Chapel Hill and Durham
March 2008 Class E-mail
Dear Jazzercisers,
Following is class information for March. To receive these updates by e-mail, send your request to me. Hope to see you in class soon!
• Coupon for New Members: Not a current member and looking for a good reason to join? How about $20 off registration? Go to New Participant Offer to print your coupon. Are you a current member with a friend who is interested in joining? Pick up a coupon for them in class, and when they register, you receive a free Jazzercise tank top. It’s a win-win situation!
• Junior Jazzercise Summer Camp: We will be holding a Junior Jazzercise JazzerKamp at Ridgewood Pool, near Ephesus Elementary, from July 14-18 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. The cost will be $80 for Ridgewood Pool members and $100 for non-members. JazzerKamp will include dance, fitness activities, arts and crafts, water/pool games and a performance at the end of the week. Registration is open to rising 1st-5th graders and will begin in April, with first priority given to members. If you would like to register your child but are not a member of the Ridgewood Pool, send me an e-mail and I’ll start a waiting list. As soon as priority enrollment is over, I’ll let you know if there is space for your child.
• Class Info for the Community Center:
- There are no cancellations at the Community Center this month. Regularly scheduled classes are held on Mon/Wed/Fri at 9:30 am.
- Remember that these classes have free childcare. Our childcare provider, Claudia, is a wonderful, caring woman whom the children love! She is there during every class creating a fun and nurturing environment for our children. If you are a parent and are thinking of attending these classes and would like to come visit with your children first, you are most welcome. Come by any class morning between 9:20 and 9:35 or 10:30 and 10:40. Claudia will be glad to meet you!
• Class Info for Ephesus Elementary:
- We do have a few cancellations at Ephesus this month. We will not have class on Tuesday, March 18th due to PTA Science Night. We will not have class the following week on Monday (3/24), Tuesday (3/25), or Thursday (3/26) due to Spring Break for CHCCS. Do you have a flexible schedule at work? We would love to see you in the morning classes at the Community Center that week! You are also always welcome at PUMC and at McDougle. (We will have class at McDougle during Spring Break, thanks to Mary Gates, our dedicated registrar and McDougle teacher!)
- Regularly scheduled classes are held Mon/Tues/Thurs at 6:30 pm.
- I am really looking forward to being back at Ephesus tomorrow night after a 3-week absence!
• Class Info for McDougle Elementary:
- There are no cancellations at McDougle during March. We will have classes throughout Spring Break – thanks Mary!
- Regularly scheduled classes are held on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 8:00 am and 9:05 am.
- We are in the midst of very successful Personal Touch session at McDougle on Saturday mornings, and we are talking about the possibility of starting another session almost immediately in the same time slot (Saturdays at 9:05). Let me know if you are interested!
• Class info for Parkwood United Methodist Church:
- There are no class cancellations this month at PUMC. Regularly scheduled classes are held Mon-Thurs at 5:30 and 6:35 pm, Sat at 8:30 and 9:35 am, and Sun at 4:00 pm.
- Congratulations to Ros Grays, who attended her 1000th class on Saturday. Ros has been a mainstay at Durham Jazzercise classes for years, and she has been a huge help to me over the last 4 years as a registrar. Make sure to give Ros a high-five and a “whoop whoop” next time you see her!
- I am sad to report that we recently had a break-in to the car of one of our students during class. The police were notified, and they indicated they would patrol the parking lot during class times for the next few weeks. It is still a good idea to lock your car and keep your valuables out of view. With the beginning of baseball season, the parking lot will be more populated, which will also make it safer.
Let me know if you have questions!
Sincerely,
Ann
Ann Koonce, owner
Jazzercise of Chapel Hill and Durham
February 2008 Class E-mail
Dear Jazzercisers,
It has been great seeing full classes and new and familiar faces in January. Our year is off to a busy start, with our new 9:35 am classes at PUMC on Saturdays, and the continuation of our new weekday morning classes at the Community Center, as well as the other 16 classes a week we offer. February will be even busier, with 4 Personal Touch sessions and 2 Juniors sessions in Chapel Hill and Durham added to the schedule. Below you will find information about all of this and more.
General Announcements for All Locations:
· SLIM – SLIM (Support for Losing Inches and Mass) is off to a great start. We have 14 registered participants and are taking new sign-ups at any time. SLIM is a weight-loss support program that includes a baseline consultation and measurement, weekly weigh-ins, support from a teammate with similar weight-loss goals; and incentives for meeting fitness goals. The cost for SLIM is a $20 joining fee and $15 per month of EFT. During February, SLIM participants will get a $15 discount on Personal Touch sessions. If you are interested in Personal Touch, this is a great time to join SLIM; the PT discount for SLIM participants is equal to one month free!
· Personal Touch – Personal Touch is a small group weight training and body sculpting format designed to improve strength and tone muscles. The personalized approach encourages exercise consistency and the attainment of fitness goals. I am excited to announce a new Personal Touch (PT) promo for February called “Kick it to the Core.” The work-outs during the February PT sessions will focus on strengthening the core muscles in the torso, as well as muscles in the arms, back, and legs. Registration includes a free gift of an Xering, which will be used during the classes. Classes will be held once a week for 45-minutes, and sessions will last 4-weeks. We have weekend sessions scheduled for Chapel Hill and Durham, as well as a weekday morning session at the Community Center. Please see information for your specific class location below for dates and times. Price for the session is $60, with SLIM participants enjoying a $15 discount. Registration begins immediately and is limited to 5 persons per session.
· Junior Jazzercise – Junior Jazzercise is a format for children ages 6-11. At Junior Jazzercise, children dance, play games, work and learn about their muscles, and have a great time. We have Junior Jazzercise sessions starting at PUMC on Thursday, January 24, and at McDougle on Saturday, February 9. Lauren Madden, certified Jazzercise instructor and former Jr. Jazzerciser, will be teaching these sessions. See the specific Jazzercise location listing below for more info, or visit Junior Jazzercise.
· Instructor Introduction - I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to Christy, the newest instructor on our team. Christy moved to Hillsborough last fall from Orlando, where she certified to teach Jazzercise. By day, Christy is a marketing director with H & R Block. (Look for cross-promotion coupons for H&R Block coming to classes soon!) Since she moved here, she has been recovering from a stress fracture in her foot. She is slowly getting back to the stage, and will be teaching on Saturday mornings for Lauren while she is traveling and teaching Juniors at McDougle in January and February. Christy has team taught with Lauren on several occasions, and will teach her first solo class for us at PUMC on this Saturday at 9:35 am.
· Shoe Order – January 25 is the deadline for the Ryka shoe order. I will place the order after class, and expect the shoes to arrive within 7-10 days. I will deliver the shoes to each location upon arrival. If you have ordered shoes, you may take them home with you and try them on a carpeted surface. If they don’t fit or aren’t comfortable, please return them to class. In that case, you may either place an order for a different style or retrieve your check. No shoe checks will be cashed until 2 weeks after the shoes have arrived, to give ample opportunity for returns. Pictures of available shoe styles may be found here.
· Inclement Weather Announcements – In the case of inclement weather and resulting class cancellations, I will send out an e-mail as well as post updates on the website under an “Inclement Weather” link. In general, Ephesus and McDougle classes will be canceled if the schools release early or have after school activities canceled. Community Center classes will be canceled if the Town of Chapel Hill offices are closed or have a delayed opening. PUMC classes will be canceled if it is deemed unsafe for instructors to drive to class. Students are always encouraged to make their own decisions about whether it is safe to drive to class in inclement weather.
Announcements for the Community Center, Chapel Hill
· All classes will take place as regularly scheduled, with childcare, this month.
· I will offer a Personal Touch (PT) session on Wednesdays from 10:40 -11:25 am beginning February 6 and concluding February 27; see General Announcements (above) for PT details.
· All are invited to go out for breakfast after class on Friday, February 1 at Whole Foods on Elliot Rd. Hope you and your children will join us!
Announcements for Ephesus Elementary, Chapel Hill
· Our buddy Paul will have his hip replacement surgery on next Tuesday, January 29. Please keep him in your thoughts for a speedy recovery.
· All classes will take place as regularly scheduled.
Announcements for McDougle Elementary, Chapel Hill
· Junior Jazzercise will start on Saturday, February 9 at 9:15 am. You are encouraged to register before February 2, when registration will open to the public. The session will last 6-weeks, ending March 15 (the week prior to Spring Break for CHCCS) and costs $56. Additional children within the same household may register for $36. Registration forms are online at Junior Jazzercise.
· Hayley will offer a Personal Touch session on Saturdays from 9:05-9:50 beginning February 23 and concluding March 15; see General Announcements (above) for PT details.
Announcements for Parkwood UMC, Durham
· Junior Jazzercise will start Thursday, January 24 at 4:30 pm. The 14-week session will run until Thursday, May 1, with a break on April 3rd for DPS Spring Break. Cost for the session is $125 for one child and $84 for additional children in the same household. Financial aid is available. Registration forms are online at Junior Jazzercise.
· Classes on February 5 and February 10 will meet in Sunday School Room 1 due to functions being held in the Fellowship Hall. All other classes will take place as regularly scheduled.
· Julie will offer a Personal Touch session on Saturdays from 9:35-10:20 beginning February 2; see General Announcements (above) for PT details. This is soon so register quickly!
· Christy will offer a Personal Touch session on Saturdays from 10:40-11:25 beginning February 23. This is a great opportunity for all of you late sleepers out there!
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am available by e-mail or phone (971-3051) and want to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Ann
January 2008 Class E-mail
Dear Jazzercisers,
Since I started with Jazzercise 11 years ago, our local Jazzercise program has grown substantially. In January 1997, we had 2 classes a week at Glenwood Elementary in Chapel Hill. Now, in January 2008, we have 20 classes in 4 locations in Chapel Hill and Durham, along with Personal Touch, Junior Jazzercise, Jazzercise Lite, and the SLIM program. I am so proud of what we have been able to build together, and I want to thank the instructors, registrars and students…all of YOU…for making it possible. It is a joy to manage this business, teach classes, and be a part of your lives. Thank you so much for allowing me that privilege.
With the expansion of the class schedule in December to the Community Center, I am no longer regularly teaching classes at McDougle or Parkwood. This was a very hard decision for me to reach, but it has greatly simplified my family life, and I know I have left those classes in the good hands of very capable instructors. Even though I am not teaching in all locations regularly, please be assured that I am available at any time to address your questions or concerns. You can contact me by e-mail, phone (971-3051), or by leaving a message with any registrar or instructor. I am still very much involved in the “inner-workings” at all of our locations, and I am looking forward to seeing students from Parkwood and McDougle, as well as the Community Center and Ephesus, through the SLIM program (see below) in 2008.
With the growth of our program, these monthly e-mails have gotten longer and longer. I am going to try a new format this month in the hopes of making it easier for you to find the information you need. The first section will announce class promotions and programs that are applicable to all of our locations. The next sections will be location-specific. So, make sure to read the general announcements as well as the announcements applicable to the location(s) where you attend, if not the entire e-mail.
General Announcements For January 2008:
SLIM – In January, we will kick off the SLIM (Support for Losing Inches and Mass) Program. This is a weight-loss support program that consists of: a baseline consultation with me to discuss your fitness, weight-loss and healthy eating goals; baseline measurements and weigh-in; weekly weigh-in with an instructor at any Chapel Hill or Durham Jazzercise class; measurements every other month with me; placement on a team with one other SLIM participant with similar weight-loss and/or class attendance goals; and incentives and prizes for reaching your goals. The price for this program is $15 per month on EFT or $60 for three months non-EFT. The joining fee, which is $20, will be waived if you sign-up by January 15. After you sign up, I will contact you to schedule your initial consultation. Please let me know if you have any questions about this exciting pilot program.
Make the Connection 2008 – This year, our Make the Connection theme is Live Fit, Live Green. If you bring a friend who registers between now and April 30, you will receive a Make the Connection tank top with this logo. We will unveil new prizes each trimester, so you can earn prizes all year long. During 2008, the referral coupon for our prospective students is a $20 gift card; these are on order and are also be available on our website . When they arrive, make sure to pick up a few in class. You can give them to your friends, your child’s teacher, your bank teller, anyone you meet! Or leave them at the library, or in a local restaurant where you see other business cards. Write your name on the back, and you’ll still receive your referral gift, even if you don’t know the person who brings it in!
FIT Club – At our District Meeting in October, Jazzercise, Incorporated introduced the instructors to a brand new program for 2008. The FIT Club is an attendance promotion in which you can earn a Jazzercise metallic tote by attending 150 classes in one year. Everyone will start counting on January 1, and I imagine we will have some students earning totes by August or September! Students who make it to 200 before the end of 2008 will earn an additional prize. (And if any of our men join the FIT Club, we will find an appropriate prize for you!) This program will replace the 100 Club t-shirt program. We will give out t-shirts in all of our locations as long as they are available, and after the t-shirts are gone, we will continue to recognize and celebrate these milestones in class without awarding a shirt.
Shoe Order and Clearance Sale – We will place a Ryka shoe order on Friday, January 25, to be delivered the first week in February. I am very excited about the new styles that are available. We have two new options in a mid-cut (around the ankle) shoe, and one new option in a low-cut shoe. All of the styles and prices can be found at Ryka Shoe Styles . Orders are placed by bringing a check for the full amount, with sales tax included, to class and completing an order form with one of the registrars. All checks are held until the shoes arrive and are tried on for comfort and size. Please try on your shoes on a carpeted surface, and return them in the box if they do not fit. Shoes that are returned can either be refunded or a new order will be placed for another size. Ryka shoes run very small; please order one-half to one full size larger than you wear in dress shoes. We also have a few pairs of shoes available for purchase immediately; these are new shoes that were returned in the past due to being the wrong size. They are last season’s style, and are clearance priced accordingly. These are the styles/sizes available:
Ryka Iseum, size 8.5: white, low-cut cross-trainer, $53.00 (tax incl)
Ryka Iseum, size 11: white, low-cut cross-trainer, $53.00 (tax incl)
Ryka N-Gage Instructor, size 8: white, mid-cut aerobic shoe, $74.20 (tax incl)
Ryka N-Gage Instructor, size 8: black, mid-cut aerobic shoe, $74.20 (tax incl)
Versa Mary Jane, size 6: gray, shoe for light aerobic work or casual wear, $47.70 (tax incl)
Please send me an e-mail if you would like to try on or purchase any of these shoes, and I will bring them to your class location. If you would like to see what the style looks like before trying them on, you can google any of these style names to get a picture.
Class Information: Community Center – We will not have childcare for classes this week, December 31, January 2, and January 4. Childcare for these classes will resume on Monday, January 7. We will operate on a regular class schedule for all of January. Classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 am in the main gymnasium at the Community Center at 120 S. Estes Dr in Chapel Hill, across the street from the post office. Free childcare is held during class in the adjoining meeting room. These classes are co-sponsored by Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation.
Class Information: Ephesus Elementary – We will resume classes at Ephesus Elementary on Monday, January 7. We will not have class on Monday, January 21 due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Please join us for class that morning at the Community Center at 9:30 or at Parkwood Methodist at 8:30 or 9:35. There are no other class cancellations in January. Classes are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights at 6:30 pm.
Class Information: McDougle Elementary – We will resume classes at McDougle Elementary on Wednesday, January 2. Please note that this is earlier than was originally announced in the December e-mail. There are no schedule changes at McDougle in January. Classes are held on Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm and Saturday mornings at 8:00 am and 9:05 am. We will have a Junior Jazzercise session at McDougle beginning Saturday, February 9. This session will be taught by Lauren Madden, certified Jazzercise instructor and former Junior Jazzerciser, for 6 consecutive Saturdays from 9:15-10:00 am. Classes are for children ages 6-10 and include dancing, playing games, stretching, learning about and working muscles, and having a great time. For information on cost and registration, visit our Junior Jazzercise link. This session is co-sponsored by Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation and will be publicized in the Parks and Rec Winter/Spring program. Register soon to insure your spot.
Class Information: Parkwood United Methodist Church – We will ring in the new year with classes at Parkwood UMC on January 1 at 8:00 am and 9:05 am. I am looking forward to teaching the 8:00 class, and to seeing many of you who I have missed over the last month. We will not have evening classes on January 1. Beginning this Saturday, January 5, we will have Saturday morning classes at 8:30 am and 9:35 am. I am excited to be offering an additional class in 2008 for you late sleepers! On Monday, January 21 we will have morning class at Parkwood; the time and schedule are TBD, as I am still determining instructor availability. I will let you know the schedule for that day as soon as possible. There will be no evening classes on January 21. There are no other schedule changes in January. Classes are held on Sundays at 4:00 pm, Monday-Thursday nights at 5:30 and 6:35 pm, and Saturdays at 8:30 and 9:35 am. We will have a Junior Jazzercise session at Parkwood beginning Thursday, January 24. This session will be taught by Lauren Madden on Thursdays from 4:30-5:15 pm through May 1. Classes are for children ages 6-10 and include dancing, playing games, stretching, learning about and working muscles, and having a great time. For information on cost and registration, visit our Junior Jazzercise link. This session has been very popular in the past. Register soon to insure your spot.
Wishing you health and happiness in 2008,
Ann
Recent Jazzercise articles in Southern Neighbor
The following articles were published in Southern Neighbor over the past few months.
Local Jazzercise Instructor Celebrates 10th Anniversary
November marks the 10th anniversary of a very important relationship in the life of Chapel Hill resident Ann Koonce. It is not her wedding anniversary; it is the 10th anniversary of when she became an instructor with Jazzercise of Chapel Hill. Koonce moved to Chapel Hill in June of 1996 for a job in RTP as a 21 year-old, fresh out of college. She joined the local Jazzercise class as a student under Karen Haduck, and in November, she became an instructor. In January 1997, Haduck stepped down due to an impending move to Pennsylvania, and Koonce assumed management of the classes. Over the last 10 years, the classes have changed locations and additional classes have been added to the schedule, but some of the faces have remained the same.
Rikki Mangrum, who has attended Koonce’s Jazzercise classes since 1997 says, “I am 43 and in the best physical shape I have been in as an adult. What I like best about Ann’s Jazzercise classes is that they are challenging, but it never, ever feels like a chore. I used to be a runner, and it felt like a chore. When I did aerobics to tapes, that felt like a chore. I really like the ongoing instruction in Jazzercise. Even after 9 years, I still learn new things about fitness in general and my own physical abilities as well. I love that the class has women of all ages. During class, I often look to a few long-term Jazzercisers who are over 60 as my role models – on days when I feel old and tired, I see them bouncing up and down and think ‘if they can do it, so can I.’ I figure that somewhere in the class there’s a 30-year-old looking at me thinking the same thing.”
During the last 10 years, Koonce has seen many changes in her personal life. She went from a single woman working full-time at Family Health International to a married, stay-at-home mom with two sons. And Jazzercise has been there through all of it. In the midst of all the changes, what has kept Koonce hooked? “Jazzercise is an excellent program and has been favorably reviewed by the American College of Sports Medicine and Consumer Reports, but the reason I love being an instructor is the students. It is a privilege to be allowed into a student’s life and to have them share 2-4 hours per week out of their busy lives with me. In return, I work to provide them with a service. What is the service? Sure, it is a fitness program. But it is more than that. It is a community where everyone is called by name, whether it is their second class or their seventieth. Where they can come at the end of the day to do something good for themselves, and where they’ll go home feeling better than when they left. I can’t think of any better job in the world than having that kind of influence in a person’s life. I plan to teach Jazzercise for many years to come, and look forward to sharing the journey with folks who have been with me from the beginning, as well as the new student who might walk through the door next week.”
Cheryl McCartney, who began Jazzercising in 1996, says “Ann's Jazzercise class is fun and the exercises work, but what keeps us coming year after year is the welcoming atmosphere she creates.”
Jazzercise: An Ideal Fitness Program for Before, During and After Pregnancy
Staying fit and maintaining a positive self-image is challenging at any age, but many women at some point in their lives will experience an additional obstacle: pregnancy. Whether or not a woman has battled weight issues prior to becoming pregnant, the weight gain and other physical changes associated with pregnancy can be overwhelming. Finding the right exercise program for this life stage may seem like a good solution, but where to start?
Jazzercise of Chapel Hill and Durham has experienced great success in helping women achieve and maintain fitness before, during, and after pregnancy. Ann Koonce, owner of the local Jazzercise classes and mother of two, has firsthand knowledge on the subject. She taught Jazzercise classes throughout both of her pregnancies and now enjoys working one-on-one with pregnant students to modify their work-outs as needed. “Pregnancy brings a variety of physical changes, including increased blood volume and resting heart rate, a change in the center of gravity, and a loosening of the connective tissue. All of these side effects impact the way a mom-to-be should exercise. We educate our pregnant students so they can stay fit and safe, and we always encourage them to listen to their bodies. If your body tells you something doesn’t feel right, you should listen, especially during pregnancy,” Koonce says. Many of her pregnant students have successfully Jazzercised right up until their due dates.
But not all pregnancies are uncomplicated, and not all pregnant women are able to exercise. Women who are unable to exercise during pregnancy face an even greater challenge during the post-partum period. Finding an exercise program that is flexible and can be tailored to meet individual needs is very important during this time, but Koonce thinks another aspect is equally important. “I believe the social aspect of an exercise program is crucial for new mothers. Being part of an exercise community where you feel cared for by others can offset the isolation felt by many mothers in the months after a baby arrives. At Jazzercise a new mom can increase her fitness level in a safe and fun atmosphere, as well as meet new people and have a few laughs.”
Neva Parker recently joined Jazzercise of Chapel Hill and Durham/RTP. During the day she is at home with her 8-month old daughter, Emily. She attends Jazzercise classes about three evenings a week and enjoys many benefits. “I exercise at home as well, but I really enjoy coming to class. It is motivating to exercise in a group setting, and it helps me clear my mind at the end of the day. My body always feels great after class.”
At Jazzercise, 60 is the new 40
Jazzercise is the largest dance fitness franchise in the world. Founded in 1969, Jazzercise is a rigorous exercise program that combines elements of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing. When attended at least three times a week, Jazzercise meets the exercise recommendations for achieving overall fitness set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine. Despite the rigor of the program, Jazzercise students in Chapel Hill and Durham cover a wide range of ages, including those 60 years and over.
“Without Jazzercise I would not be able to do a lot of the things I do. I have arthritis and the exercise really helps me to maintain flexibility. I’ve increased my cardio-vascular strength so that I am no longer short of breath from climbing up and down the stairs at work. My most recent blood pressure reading was 113/77. I have a large garden and because of Jazzercise, I have the energy, strength and flexibility to work out there almost every day, and that includes shoveling the wheelbarrow full of mulch! Bending and “squatting” are easier – because of all those plies! They have really helped me, as I could barely bend over or squat down at all before I started coming to class. I truly believe that my overall health is much better because of Jazzercise,” said Toni Pendergraph, who turned 60 in January.
Christine Cabot, who will turn 60 in October, began attending Jazzercise classes in 1982. She has attended classes in Chapel Hill for the last 17 years, often exercising next to her friend, Paul Neuer, who turned 60 in April. Cabot says, “the benefits of Jazzercise for me include the wonderful friends I make and working out to all the latest pop music. When people ask my secret to staying youthful, I always tell them good genes, a healthy diet –- and Jazzercise!”
Irene Briggaman appreciates the flexibility of the Jazzercise program. Instructors teach both high and low impact options, encouraging students to work at their own intensity. “With just one more birthday between me and my 70th birthday, I must give Jazzercise a great deal of credit for keeping me in shape. We are kindly reminded to ‘stand tall’, to pull in our abdomens and to take deep breaths – wonderful reminders of good posture that I seem to need on a regular basis. The wonderful and caring instructors, fun music, and friendly fellow-Jazzercisers keep me coming back,” says Briggaman.
Another students says, “Nine years ago when I started Jazzercise at age 63, it was for the usual benefits of exercise: remove some of the stress of daily work, stay away from the refrigerator for an hour or so, keep in some kind of shape. But the effects of Jazzercise on the aging process weren’t foremost in my mind. Aging changes how one views the benefits of the physical and psychological aspects of this program. The agility one acquires can make the difference in walking like an ‘old person’ and someone 5-10 years younger. The ‘feel good’ atmosphere and friendliness of instructors and fellow students can be a wonderful fallback for those who may be newly retired, a life change in itself.”
These “Baby Boomers and Beyond” have found fitness in a format that is challenging yet fun and is adaptable to meet their needs. They have also found a group of people who feel more like a community than an exercise class. For these reasons, they just keep coming back year after year.