Saturday, February 12, 2011

My students are SUPER!!!



Between holidays, inclement weather, my own conferences for work, etc, the class has not been as consistent as I would like.

However, the students never miss a beat. They remember every song, and every step. They keep greeting me early every Saturday morning with so much enthusiasm, it’s hard to stay tired for too long…

So, what has 2011 brought to us so far…

Coming back after new years was smooth and quiet. The students were happy to be back.

The students were eager to get back to Zumba. And of course, it wouldn’t be our class without something major going on to lead us all to distraction, and be forced to work through it to stay focused on the music and our steps…

One particularly freezing Saturday, with the temperature outside in the single digits, the dojo didn’t receive their oil delivery. The studio was actually colder inside than it was outside.

That was the day I taught most of the class in my hat and gloves. That was a tough day for the students to get motivated and stay motivated, but… they did it! Eventually we all warmed up a bit. That was not a sweaty class to say the least.

The following Saturday, the dojo had guys in to test and fix the fire alarm. All through the class. If anyone is unfamiliar with people on the autism spectrum and loud, screeching noises with flashing lights, let me sum it up for you: a recipe for disaster. Again, after a few held their fingers in their ears and voiced their protests, I was able to get them back on track with a favorite song.

It is becoming the running joke in our class between myself and the moms… what is in store for us THIS week?

This morning, surprisingly – the class went off without a hitch. Frankly, I was shocked. And possibly a bit disappointed.

Last night, at the teen dance, I was told that X. not only requested that Fuego be played (which he happened to have on his iPod – he has found all of his favorite Latin songs and carries them with him now – thanks to Zumba!), but he got up and taught all the other teens the choreography that we do in class. The moms that were there were all raving at how amazing he did. I was not surprised. X. has a gift for being right on the beat. His rhythm is flawless. He gets every move – every step, every arm movement, everything. And he loves it enough to share with everyone.

Go X!!!

And then there is D…. My new superstar.

D has been coming with his mom, always doing his thing in the back. Smiling, and moving – loving every minute of it, but I could not get him to venture far enough away from his mom to get closer to the front of the room. His mom tells me that he looks forward to Zumba all week. His smile says it all.

However, last week, and this morning, something completely transformed in D.
He has moved to the front row!

That, to me, is huge.

Seeing him move, his face, his smile all change from simple enjoyment to pride is something hard to measure. It has to be seen.

D. is PROUD of himself.

D. is developing confidence, knowing that he is not just moving – but moving correctly.

After each song, he makes eye contact with me, and smiles when I praise him. He is trying new steps. He loves the challenge. I remember when walking side to side was challenging. He could not do a basic salsa step or a reggaeton. Now, he steps side. He steps front. He grapevines. He jumps. He does V steps. He cha chas. He used to do a step AFTER I did it, and now he does it at the same time. These are all really major accomplishments!!!

His favorite song is “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz. He rocks it out like no one’s business.

Unfortunately, these guys have ANOTHER 2 week break until our next class. At least that means I can hold onto my music for a while before I feel the need to switch it up.

My goal for March is to put on a song once a week and let one student teach the class for that song. Since each student has “their” song that they have connected with, I thought that would be a great way to let them have it, own it, and exude the joy and confidence that their song has given them.

Stay tuned!!!