Last Saturday night I had a nightmare that I had agreed to teach two classes on the same day at the same time at two different clubs. I couldn’t find someone to cover the class because I had found out too late that the classes conflicted with each other. In dismay I realized I would be a no-show for one class — and get suspended from teaching for that offense.

I think it was my subconscious mind expressing fears that I might not be able to handle teaching two programs at Fitness First, since I passed the BODYJAM auditions on Saturday. Funny having a nightmare after my dream to teach BODYJAM finally came true. I auditioned last year but wasn’t picked — but that freed me up for BODYBALANCE training last March. I’m a big believer in good things happening in God’s time, so only after more than a year of waiting did I get another chance at BODYJAM. A year of God leading me into situations of dancing while everyone’s watching, learning to manage stage fright, and enjoying the buzz of teaching dance. A year of growth and pruning to enable this vine to bloom and bear fruit.

Now I can dance!

It all began again with Arnold Warren (BODYJAM program head here in the Philippines) drumming up interest in the auditions by putting up posters in all the Fitness First clubs. He also posted bulletins and blog entries on Friendster and Multiply. Talk about getting the word out: on audition day, almost 70 people showed up! There were so many auditionees that Arnold was compelled to disclaim, “If you’re here because you think this is a class or an event, you’re wrong!” And no one left.

Lining up to hand in our registration forms — I was #17 — I felt like I was auditioning for American Idol, except we weren’t going in one by one. (Whew.) And we weren’t singing either; over the next 55 minutes we would all be dancing and grooving to the same music and set of moves presented by BodyJam instructors. While we did that, three judges would make the rounds and list down who they thought should go to Hollywood go through the training. Our judges were Arnold, Ms. Fhe Manalili-Samia (former BODYJAM program head and Group Exercise Manager for Fitness First Ortigas), and Joseph Regala (GXM for FF North EDSA and Platinum Trinoma).

NOT Simon, Paula, and Randy.

Our playlist consisted of the warm-up, isolation, and latin tracks from BODYJAM 42, the Candyman block from BODYJAM 40, the recovery track from BODYJAM 35, and the jazz cardio block from BODYJAM 35. Our groove-down was “Rock With You” from BODYJAM 33. Talk about intense! Midway through the warm-up the aircon cut out, ramping up the ambient temperature and causing the windows to fog up.

Afterwards, Arnold, Ms. Fhe, and Joseph combined their lists. Those who had received votes from all three of them would automatically be admitted to BODYJAM training in February 2008. This time, it felt like America’s Next Top Model, starring Arnold as Tyra.

The first number he called? Mine! The funny thing is that I had completely forgotten that it was my number he was calling. Ten other people were called. Those with two votes were then called to dance off for five remaining slots. Arnold and his co-program head Clark Amaba then led these people through BODYJAM 43’s first cardio block, which few of them had seen, much less mastered (ensuring they were all on even footing). Afterwards, the auditionees were asked to stand in front of the assembly, introduce themselves, and state why they wanted to teach BODYJAM. This helped Joseph and group exercise manager for FF ABS-CBN Brian Peralta choose the final five.

Our number complete, some administrative stuff was discussed, but my head was up in the clouds already. February might be a long way off, but I’ve waited a year for this. Two months is nothing! Ü

Tags: BodyJam, Fitness First Philippines, Les Mills

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For the last few days it’s all I’ve wanted to think or talk about. I’ve planned my entire calendar year-end around it (okay, that may be an exaggeration) and I’ve been so excited about it that I’ve already planned everything I’m going to wear. Actually, I’ve packed everything I’m going to wear just so I don’t use any of those clothes by mistake early this week.

What the hell am I talking about? It’s the second Les Mills Quarterly Workshop for 2007, of course. Held for all instructors of Les Mills group exercise programs, it’s like a grand convention of all my fellow instructors as we experience the upcoming releases, get to try other programs, and hang out with our best buddies. Yes, we also try to pick up new skills so we can make our teaching better for our participants. Ü It’s kind of like a Star Trek convention, except with more exercise instructors and less costumes.

Actually there’s less clothing involved, too. Haha.

Last April’s quarterly was my first, and it was tons of fun. Never mind that we had to travel all the way to SM Southmall since the event was held at the Fitness First branch there.

This time around, we’re traveling to the newest branch, Fitness First Mall of Asia. Yup, at that reclaimed piece of land in Pasay (I call it Farness First because it’s really far from Quezon City, where I live). I’ve been there several times this month to cover BodyBalance classes, so I know how to get there. Now I’m planning to form a carpool so we can imagine the whole thing as a field trip.

I’ll have photos and other stories after the event. I’m starting to get really hyper about it…

Tags: Fitness First Philippines, Les Mills, Convention

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