After an accident, I gained a lot of weight. I also started a new job and, being low-man on the totem pole, got a lunch hour that no one else had, so had to find something to do. Started by walking at lunch, got bored with that, and a friend introduced me to a kickboxing class, which I love (as long as we have bags - no air boxing for me).
Started Belly Dancing by taking a community education class in Pullman, WA, while going to college at the University of Idaho. Continued taking classes after getting my first job in Nampa, Idaho, with instructors in Boise.
Why I Love It:
I like seeing progress in how much weight I can lift, and how many reps I can do. I haven't been able to do kickboxing, though, because my gym has turned the classes into air boxing, which I hate (gotta have the bag).
I love dance, because it is artistic, creative, entertaining, and FUN! For me, exercise has to have a point other than just raising my heart rate. ;-)
How I Stay Motivated:
One way I stay motivated to practice dancing is to be the teacher! I am a community exerciser and dancer, so I just am not very consistent about practicing by myself, unless I'm practicing for a performance. I have lots of exercise videos just collecting dust, because I've got to be with other people. I can't afford to take more than one class a week, so, by teaching, I found a way to surround myself with people.
BB Accomplishments:
I'm not really into bodybuilding, but I've only seen one other woman at the gym who lifts as much as I do, so I guess that's an accomplishment! My major dance accomplishments are: 1) dancing for more than 13 years; 2) teaching for two years; 3) constantly challenging myself by taking workshops in styles I'm not comfortable with; 4) recently choreographing a triple veil dance (to two songs) after not doing even a single veil dance for 10 years
Forum Signature:
Jahanara
"Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health - it rusts your
spirit and your hips." ~Adabella Radici
What jahanara Is Up To:
Mar 7, 2009
jahanaraupdated Fit Status "Exercising more, but I tend to gain weight during the (Baha'i) Fast"
Teach others how to dance and realize they are beautiful! Do exercise of some type for at least 4 days a week, at least 30 min. each day
Goal (Long):
1. Continue to learn more folkloric types of dance and tribal and tribal fusion styles (take at least two workshops every six months, take a class from Sidonia once a week)
2. Dance at least two to four times a week (Sidonia's class, my classes, dancing with a friend)
3. Pass on my knowledge and skills to others
4. Lift weights at the gym twice a week (and treadmill at least 20 min.)
What type of person at your gym annoys you the most? Why?
People who act like they don't want to be around other people, because I go to the gym to be around people!
- Updated Feb 19, 2009 10:44pm
What type of outfit do you usually wear when you workout? Why?
Well, at the gym, I wear black yoga pants and a black t-shirt (slimming, you know). The rest of my workouts, I wear a Belly Dance Unitard (red or blue) with mesh middle that has an optical illusion effect of trimming that area, skirts, hip scarves, fringed belts....don't you wish you could too? ;-) Belly Dance attire is designed to be flattering to the female body, unlike most workout wear out there.Well, at the gym, I wear black yoga pants and a black t-shirt (slimming, you know). The rest of my workouts, I wear a Belly Dance Unitard (red or blue) with mesh middle that has an optical illusion e...more
It's pretty safe to say that our first meeting was at the Reef. I lived in Wisconsin for the majority of my life and only moved to Idaho in 2007 working for HP. Then it was late Nov 2008 when I started working for Bodybuilding.com. Maybe you could let me know about a class you will teach and I could come check it out?
