Meet Jess! Wicker Park Studio Manager

Jess mid-flight, supporting our claim that we can fly at MaZi!

            Meet Jess, our newly appointed Wicker Park Studio Manager! Jess has been working as a choreographer and instructor for the past four years. Her choreographic works have been featured in festivals & concerts and she has taught ballet, jazz, modern. Her certifications include Zumba, NETA and Ballerina Bum! We'll let you know when she performs again so you can catch her onstage! 

"MaZi provides the environment and community to share a passion for creative and innovative workouts that truly make a difference". 

What do you love about teaching Ballerina Bum classes?

  I love the workout itself! Ballerina Bum works my core, gluts, legs, and more. It's the perfect combination of strengthening and stretching and I always leave energized and toned. As a dancer, it's definitely strengthened me technically!

 

How do you chill out?

  My favorite way to relax is spending the day in a coffee shop reading a book. My life is so hectic that I rarely get down time, being able to sit still and read is a luxury! Add a Chai Tea Latte and that is my weekly therapy session!

 

How do you rev up?

    I rev up by putting on my favorite song. It changes weekly- but whatever it is I blast it while taking a walk and let myself dance a little bit. The right music and movement can really wake up my senses and fill me with adrenaline. 

   

What fashion item can you not live without?

     Two things: a scarf and pair of boots. They compliment every outfit and I feel so classy when I add these accessories to my wardrobe. 

 

Go to healthy snack?

     Granola. I'm a granola-holic. 

 

Fave indulgence?

    Frozen Yogurt. I have quite the sweet tooth and usually it's hard but possible for me to turn down junk food, but if ever someone mentions ice cream, I'm in!!

 

What do you like about teaching at MaZi!?

     I love that everyone at MaZi is so warm and giving. It means a lot that I work in an environment where the students are invested in working hard and want the class to grow in the best way possible. It isn't often that you run across a student base that is devoted to a studio. 

 

Song that keeps you going?

    No matter what my favorite song of the week is, my go to is always "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train. Particularly the verse: "the way you move ain't fair, ya know." As a dancer, I like to listen to that and it reminds me that I'm lucky to be doing what I do. 

Fun fact?

     I've read each of the Harry Potter books a dozen times. 

 

Your #1 Fitness tip?
   Make sure you enjoy your workout. The best way to maintain a work-out schedule and stay on track is if you love what you are doing. Having a passion for working-out makes the world of difference. Try several forms of classes and find the ones that are both challenging and fun. An hour long class can fly by much faster if you're smiling the entire time!

Catch her classes Mondays at South Loop, and Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays at Wicker Park!

- Zi

MaZi Dance Chicago Q & A

We've had such an amazing response to our 3rd Season of MaZi Dance Chicago! We're going to take a minute to answer some FAQ's.

-Do I have to audition for MaZi Dance Chicago (MDC)? 
Nope! We welcome anyone who wishes to perform to join.

-What is the format of the Monday 8:00 PM class?
You will warm-up (plies, isolations, etc.) for 15-20 minutes and then you will begin the choreography process with the featured choreographer for the month; learning the steps, working through the piece's "language" and theme, repetition, polishing, and more repetition.

-Will this be available at South Loop location?
Not at this time........next season maybe!

-What style of dance will we be learning?
We always incorporate several styles into our performances and choreo classes. First month will be Contemporary/Jazz, and second/third will be hip hop or lyrical.

-Do I have to commit for the entire time? 
Yes. From 2/11-4/29 we will have rehearsals/class on Mondays. We can only grow as a performing group with consistency and teamwork!

-Do I have to perform?
Not necessarily. If you just want to partake in the rehearsal experience that is ok. Additional rehearsals will be needed in the 2 weeks before a performance and if you choose not to perform you would not be part of that. You might decide that you want to be in one of the 2 scheduled performances or both. Not everyone will be in every piece, usually there's a natural gravitas that occurs in the rehearsal process for a certain piece or the other.

-What/where are we performing?
Currently, we are scheduled to perform at RIC's ArtFUTURA Opening Celebration, May 30th at 6PM, with Jackson Junge Gallery in April, and some other opportunities might come throughout the Spring......they always do! Additionally, you have the opportunity to audition for AyOH's music video being shot 2/22 (all day).

-How do I audition for AyOH's music video?
The audition is Friday, 2/8 at 6:30 PM and you must be part of MDC. AyOH will be at the studio to watch a short combination and select a couple of dancers for the video based on their vision for the edit.

-What happens if AyOH selects me to be in the video?
The shoot will take place all day Friday 2/22. Rehearsals for the video will be seperate from Monday night's class and will take place the weekend of 2/9-10, and 2/16-17 with Ziba (choreographer for production).

-How many additional rehearsals will be needed?
Usually, it's 2-3 additional rehearsals prior to a performance. The dates/times are arranged so that it works for all performers at that time.

-Do I have to have professional experience?
No. We do recommend that you feel comfortable in the existing MaZi formats; Zi-Cardio, Dance Cardio, MaZi Urban Hip Hop, etc.

-What does the price include (Zi members $55/month, MaZi general students $95/month, Feb, March April)?
It includes the Monday evening scheduled classes/rehearsals and all additional rehearsals. It does not include any other class on our schedule. Shoes and wardrobe are also not included.

-How much are shoes & wardrobe?
Generally, we've kept it under $50 for every performance. We usually leverage clothing that you would already own.

-Will I have the time of my life?
Pretty much.....YES!

REHEARSAL!

-Zi
Email us at mazidancefitness@gmail.com for anything else!

The Gift of Movement- Dance Therapy

Movement is a gift! Every note that I have choreographed, performed to, and throughout the tens of thousands of classes that I have taken or taught I’ve had an acute awareness of gratitude for that moment. To us at MaZi Dance Fitness, fitness is an extension of that insight and so is the “Gift of Movement”, our newest project in partnership with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).

This program will provide an extremely valuable outlet to RIC’s patients and community. As art therapy gains momentum and exciting new research supports its worth, we are so fortunate to get to participate in their ART in Motion program. If you’ve taken a class at MaZi Dance Fitness, you have felt how dance is the ultimate outlet and mind/body connection. After a dance fitness class, you feel whole, beautiful, happy, generous and superhuman. We believe that no matter one’s level, age, genetic predisposition or life circumstance should hinder the opportunity to dance and emotionally connect with music, our bodies and create art.

The Gift of Movement Program has been spearheaded by MaZi Dance Fitness Co-Founder Marisol Sarabia’s passion and determination to make a difference. Her huge heart and will have paved the way over the last two years to make the case for the inclusion of dance fitness in this art therapy program. We’re so excited to see where this leads, and to connect with the new people that we’ll cross ways with. There are so many ways that you can be involved! 

1) Join us at Art in Motion Event: http://www.ric.org/about/people/boards/associate/activities-events/artfutura/

2) Help spread the word! Share our FB INVITE

3) Volunteer with our MaZi Gift of Movement instructors during the summer! Email us at mazidanceinfo@gmail.com.

4) Donate!   

5)     Finally, if you know someone that is injured, handi-capped or restricted in movement, let them know! 

-Zi

Brownies: Naughty & Nice

"I hate brownies!", said no one ever. I started baking brownies at the tender age of 8 with a recipe from my first cookbook, aptly named "Kid's Cookbook". Given that I have difficulties following instructions, they didn't turn out very well but I have found my go-to recipes! These are my two favorite Brownie recipes for very different reasons.

NAUGHTY
The first is quick, lowfat, ridiculously simple and beyond delicious.The consistency is a crazy combo of chewy fudge and crispy edges. I heard of this recipe several years ago and it stuck in my head because you need two things:

Brownie Mix- I LOVE this one!

And the very controversial drink:

AND THAT'S IT!

I know what you're thinking.....I was reluctant also but it works and never fails to please! These are also Marisol's favorite, I can't count how many times I've made these for her. :) You take the Brownie box mix of your choice (literally any), dump it in a bowl and add diet coke ounce by ounce, mixing very well until it reaches the right consistency (probably about 1/2 cup-2/3 cup). You then follow the heating directions on the box and viola! These are perfect if you are:
- short on time
- can live with yourself after eating gluten, sugar and artificial sweetners (all currently damned ingredients)
- cutting down on fat
- run out of oil, eggs or butter

From thespunkycoconut.com!

NICE
The second is VIRTUOUS, grain-free,  and requires an involved grocery trip. This consistency retains it's brownie nature of fudgey, moist and chewy! Recipe here from thespunkycoconut.com. These are perfect if you are:
- not currently eating any gluten, grains, eggs
- shun artificial sweetners (nice job!)
- have time

Enjoy whichever you choose and remember to share and savor the moment!

-Zi

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