Kia Ora

I did it! I attended my first Les Mills Training this past weekend. It was ... well, words can't really describe how it was. I got there at Noon on Friday with absolutely no idea what to expect. As I walked into the gym I saw what was obviously my class sitting awkardly in one corner waiting for what ever insructions we were going to get. I instantly did what everyone does in that situation and scanned the people. There were the two "cute" girls who's clothes matched. The nice looking, obviously people person, little ball of muscle whom I only assued would be our instructor (I was right) & the guys, there were only two of them. Then a lot of other women who seemed to be waiting just as I was. I noticed right off the bat that I clearly missed the memo about wearing red and black. I learned later that red, black & gray are the Bodypump colors but I had no idea that was the case going into this weekend.

We headed upstairs into what soon became "our home" and set our stuff down. I am naturally a shy person so I stuck to myself and watched as the bouncy, athletic people traveled around the room and got to know each other. The first people to introduce themselves to me were the two matching girls, Jen and Allie and they truly were very very nice! Before too long our instructor, Maria Long had us all in a circle and was teaching us about the history of Les Mills. It was originated in New Zealand and was influenced by the Maori people. She explained some of the Maori traditions and then we as a group got to practice one. One by one, in an organized manner we all looked straight into the eyes of these strangers, butted heads and said "Kia Ora" which literally means be well/ be healthy. Yeah, a little awkard staring into the eyes of complete strangers & then butting heads. But it did exactly what our instructor wanted it to do. It broke down that wall that each of us had placed around us. Weather we knew it or not it was there when we walked into the gym and was gone by the time the head butts were done. And the rest of the weekend we became a family, a tribe. We are tribe Dallas!

We did it through group games, Bodypump classes, extreme challenges, drawing pictures, watching motivational videos, watching videos of ourselves, eating together and much more. Through each of these we learned a little bit more about how to better our teaching. Weather it be through the coreography, the tone of our voice or by creating fitness magic everything we did tied back into making each of us the best we can be!

We did just what a family does, we helped one another! We taught each other technique, we helped each other with timing and choreography. Basically we encouraged each other to do our best and supported each other when we were having a hard time. We were trully happy for the other person when they did their best. There was no feelings of competition!

Now that the weekend is over I get to continue my Bodypump journey. It's time for me to set up my team teaching and get 100% ready for me to film my video! Even though it will take a lot of work and a lot of determination I am so "pumped" to get moving! Kia Ora Everyone!