Meet Molly!

Molly is a Chicago dancer with gorgeous classical ballet & jazz training who is also a fitness professional! Her classes are about as tough as they get with PLENTY of stretching in-between.

What do you love about teaching Ballerina Bum Bootcamp classes?

   I love teaching BBB because the exercises performed in class build a stronger, tighter, and leaner you! As a dancer, BBB has given my body so much strength, control, and confidence! 

Pretty Molly, always ready to kick some bum!

How do you relax? 

As a dancer, the best way for me to relax is to immerse myself into an hour of improvisation or dance class. By doing this, I am able to put all my emotions, stress, and whatever else is going on into my movement. This enables me to get completely lost in the freedom of dance!

What fashion item can you not live without?

In terms of dance fashion, I cannot live without my leg warmers and body wrapper tights!  

What is your go-to healthy snack? 

My go to healthy snack would have to be Chobani peach yogurt or a Protein shake with Kale, all natural yogurt, fruit, and a touch of cinnamon; this shake is super healthy and keeps you full for hours!

What do you love about teaching at MaZi?

       Teaching at Mazi allows me to pass on my passion of dance to my students; but at the same time, my      students teach me so much in return! I also love the fun atmosphere that surrounds Mazi!

Fun fact: 

       I can be the biggest goofball in the world, but when business needs to get done; I don't mess around! 

Fitness tip:

       Number one fitness tip is to stretch before and after a workout! Listen to your body as well! Monitoring how your body feels is the most important thing to remember while working out! 

How has ballet technique helped you?

     Ballet has impacted my life greatly! Ballet has instilled discipline, perseverance  and commitment into my outlook on life. I will continue to study ballet throughout my whole life. Because I excel in Jazz, Ballet is extremely important to maintain because it is the foundation of all dance.

Don't miss her class Wednesdays and Thursdays! 
-Zi

My go-to Fall Breakfast!

You know us, we love breakfast! As the weather cools, you need a reason to get out of bed and what better than a cozy, tasty, aromatic filling treat?

Zi's Apple "Cobbler" Bowl

2/3 cup of water or unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/3 cup of Steel-cut oatmeal "gluten-free" available at Whole Foods
1 Honey-crisp apple, finely chopped
1/4 tsp of pumpkin spice powder
1/4 tsp of cinnamon
Optional:
a teaspoon of sugar, honey or agave
pinch of Celtic sea salt

Bring water to boil, add in steel cut oatmeal and reduce heat as directed. Add apples through cinnamon immediately and simmer on lower heat for about 8-10 minutes or until water evaporates stirring occasionally.  Add sugar, honey or agave if you want extra sweetness then eat or pack for later!

Nutritional info:
About 250 calories (30 more calories for almond milk)

You can also add a tablespoon of walnuts OR almonds for an additional 100 calories or so for extra crunch good fats, fiber and protein!

Keep eating & moving for your best life!

-Zi

5 ways to manage performance anxiety!

This week is our MaZi Dance Chicago Showcase and even if you're not performing in it chances are you have times in your life where the spotlight WILL undoubtedly land on you! Interviews, job presentations, wedding toasts, etc. are bound to happen. So how to deal?

Marisol and I have been performing since we were 5 and I can tell you it doesn't get much easier. Here are some things that have helped us both on stage and in corporate settings:

1) Practice. Practice. Practice........and then Practice some more!
You cannot be over-rehearsed when it comes to presenting, performing or being in the spotlight. Whatever your routine might be it should feel like second nature to you and be deeply embedded into your physiological muscle memory so that you're not having to develop strategy or remember steps on the spot.

2) Anticipate What Will Go Wrong
Plan for a run in your leggings, forgetting a key piece of clothing, having technological failures, or having your boss poke holes in all your key points. I have been in situations where the projector doesn't work so I can't show my PowerPoint presentation or my shoe's ribbons tear off, or I didn't think of a question that would be asked and so you must have a plan b- through at least k. Bring extras or know who to get them from. :) Also, anticipate the hurdles you will face both from people or with your body rebelling on you that day. We love Motrin, Tiger's Balm & sparkly earrings!

3) Shake it Out
Nothing beats a little exertion before any performance. Climb stairs, go for a fast walk, do push-ups, do anything that's going to get the adrenaline out of your system before you have to control it in front of a live audience. 

4) Develop a Ritual
There's something to be said for crazy, superstitious rituals. They work because there's comfort in getting ready in your favorite leg-warmers or rehearsing a speech in your favorite conference room. If you're comforted then you are able to take the edge of your nerves and think more clearly.

5) Be Present
The best part about performing is that you're expressing yourself and being heard! You have a chance to make a difference because people are giving you their time to have you show them something meaningful. Don't let that opportunity be ruined by nerves, a bad experience or worse.........not soaking it in!

And Finally, if you don't know the answer or forget the combination.....FAKE IT! If you say it or dance it with confidence everyone will believe you. ;)

-Zi