Press Release for Women's Weekend at Jazzercise, featuring Survivor Kathy O'Brien

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact:
Jill Gonsalves
Jazzercise
5 Countryside Lane
Williston , VT 05495
802-872-8800

Enclosure: Photo

Jazzercise isn't just about fitness anymore!

The Williston Jazzercise center recently hosted its first women's weekend, featuring guest speakers Nan Patrick, owner of Nan Patrick clothing downtown, and Kathy O'Brian, from last season's Survivor television show. The weekend featured a variety of class offerings from the always popular regular Jazzercise class, to special classes in dance technique, body sculpting, and the special "Basic Training" class which offers a variety of exercise stations, all to the beat of Jazzercise's popular music tracks. "Many of our students are new," says Jazzercise instructor and trainer Kerry Vatis, "so it can really help them just to take a few minutes and learn some basic technique. Plus, it's fun!"

Owner Jill Gonsalves lead the Saturday afternoon workshop on Ten Steps to Better Nutrition for Women, which focuses not on losing weight, but creating a life plan for eating health. "A lot of people think that getting fit is about starving themselves," says Gonsalves, "But we promote a positive combination of aerobic fitness, strength, flexibility, and healthy eating habits." The weekend wasn't all about learning though, child care was provided Saturday evening so the participants could go out and paint the town red. "Everyone needs a break from their responsibilities sometimes," adds Gonsalves. "At the women's weekend we got to have fun, and get fit too!"

Sunday's events featured Nan Patrick showing a clothing and makeup makeover on Jazzercise instructor Kim. "I had just had my second baby," says Kim, "so my body is a very typical women's size. It was a great experience to show how wonderful fine clothes can make you look and feel at every size." After some healthy munchies, Kathy O'Brian of last season's Survivor television show spoke about her adventures going to Thailand . Kathy felt that it was a transformative experience, and has created a new foundation offering outward bound type events to help women increase their self esteem. (www.thereadlfoundation.org). "Listening to Kathy speak was amazing," says Jazzercise student Cybele Werts, "She was such an engaging speaker that you could hear a pin drop."

Thanks to the success of this event, Jill Gonsalves plans to organize another women's weekend in six months. Jazzercise student Andrea White adds that, "I found the two days to be thought-provoking and enlightening. There was a definite focus on our individual selves, our own well-being, and yet there was an overall sense of how our mental and physical health can benefit others." Waterbury Jazzercise instructor Brenda adds that, "I was not expecting to learn as much, or to rejuvenate my teaching passion. I knew it would be fun, but for me it was a mini pep rally!"

The Williston Jazzercise center is the number one Jazzercise center in New England , and has just passed its fifth anniversary in October. Jill Gonsalves started the first Northern Vermont Jazzercise class ten years ago using a rented gym in Essex Junction, and soon moved to the Williston Center near Taft’s Corners. Jill’s center has also helped develop satellite classes in Waterbury , Shelburne, and Essex Junction, making good health available to students across Northern Vermont .

In addition to offering over thirty day and evening Jazzercise classes, the center hosts a variety of health related activities from children’s dance birthday parties to classes on diet and exercise. The Jazzercise parade team is also popular at the Williston Memorial Day and July Fourth parades, winning a number of awards.

ABOUT JAZZERCISE
Each Jazzercise class is one hour long and includes a 6-8 minute warm-up, 25-30 minutes of aerobic activity, floor routines for toning and strengthening and a stretch/cool-down period. The instructor teaches from a stage so everyone can see each move. There is no memorizing of routines and each class is follow-the-leader style, enabling you to begin anytime. Instructors are trained to demonstrate modifications to apply various fitness levels.

Part of the hour concentrates on aerobic activity and improving cardio vascular fitness. And, this is the segment of the class where you will burn fat, In addition to cardiovascular fitness, Jazzercise focuses on coordination, balance, flexibility, posture, and muscle tone. Low impact modifications are shown for every song.

Each Jazzercise instructor is professionally trained and certified by Jazzercise Inc. Jazzercise is accredited by AFAA [Aerobics & Fitness Association of America]. All instructors are CPR certified and receive continuing education in all aspects of dance and exercise physiology.