Swap Your Focus

Have you ever asked yourself the simple question, "What is my gym philosophy?" 

Do you go to the gym to lift weights?  Swim?  Run on the treadmill?  Take group exercise classes or do you even go to the gym at all?  For me personally, I have no excuse about going to the gym...it's my job.  Yes, I get paid to workout and I love it!  Those of course are great reasons, but in all honesty I wouldn't be the person I am today if I did not exercise.  It is a place to release which is the BEST feeling in my life.  Staying healthy, fit, and looking good are all bonuses to working out in my opinion.  I believe that each person needs to find the exercise that works best for them.  Working out should never be a chore!

This past Tuesday, after my Dance Party class at 360 Health Club, I learned something very interesting from a couple of my students. They were leaving the studio saying these words,  "Ilyse's classes are all amazing.  I never feel like I am exercising.  So what are your intentions of going to the gym?"  "Who cares...it so much fun and that is why I get my butt in the gym!  Her classes have changed my gym philosophy."

Some of these individuals come to the gym on a regular basis to tone, tighten, and blast fat.  Some others come because it keeps them healthy and fit.  While chit chatting and listening to them after class, they came to the conclusion that since joining my classes their focus has switched.  These people experience a sense of fitness, an increase of energy, a clarity of mind, and an overall happy outlook on life.  More comments were made to me,  "I come to the gym to stay healthy, but then when I get to your classes, all I do is have fun.  My focus has switched. I realize not only am I having fun, getting exercise, burning calories, clearing my mind, but I become a brand new person."

With all that said and done, I, Ilyse Baker fulfilled my job.  These people get me, my classes, and what being healthy is all about.  I challenge you to take a good look at your normal work out routine and now spice it up a bit.  Do something different, step out of your comfort zone, and I promise you too will swap your focus.

Behind The Scenes

About one month ago, I was approached at 360 Health Club in Tarzana, CA by one of my talented students.  She asked me if I would be interested in choreographing the 1st music video for her husband's show, "A Kid's Life."  Of course, I was very eager to learn more about the project and meet her husband, Keith Markinson, Creator / Director, in person.  At my first meeting with Keith, I viewed several clips from the touring show and was blown away immediately by the wonderful music, dancing, live performers, and costume characters.  It brought back great memories from the days when I traveled dancing professionally with Sesame Street Live playing "Prairie Dawn" and "Google the Purple Monster."  I couldn't help but smile and know before Keith explained anything further that I was his girl for the job!  I remember saying to myself, "This is so up my alley!  Keith then shared with me his website, www.akidslife.com where children are able to sing along with music from the show, play games, meet the characters of the show, and do lots lots more!  After seeing this site, I said, "Wow, if only I were a kid again."

To make a long story short or should I say, "Too late," Keith did hire me as the choreographer for his first "A Kid's Life" music video.  We hired 10 kids ranging from the ages 6 - 10 years old that were experienced in dance, singing, and acting.  We also hired the amazingly talented Mark Komlos to play the role of "Starsky."  "Starsky" is the popular dog in the show that the kids go crazy over and love.  I must say he is a lot of fun and very cute.

This past weekend, I had a total of five hours to teach the 10 kids and Mark 2 minutes and 36 seconds of choreography.  All I can say is, "WOW...what a job!"  We rehearsed Friday evening for 2 hours, Saturday for 3 hours, and then shot the music video all day Sunday.  I definitely gave these kids a great workout.  The music video was shot in Sun Valley, CA.  It is was a lot of work with little time, but we got it done.  I am so impressed with everyone's work ethics.  It truly was an amazing experience.  Thank you to EVERYONE that was involved...we did it!

What are the next steps?  The editing begins, final tweaks on the website, and the buzz starts going about "A Kid's Life."  Please be patient and stay tuned to view the first "A Kid's Life" music video choreographed by me, Ilyse Baker.  It is going to be a hit!  Watch out you tube because "A Kid's Life" music video WILL be the next video to get millions of hits.  Please take a moment to view some of our fabulous pictures below from the shoot.  Enjoy!

Just Dance It Out

     I tell my students over and over again on a daily basis, "You MUST step out of your comfort zone, leave your worries at the door, trust me, trust yourself, and I promise that you will leave class feeling even better than when you first walked into the studio.  "Just Dance It Out"  It is that plain and simple.
     This week, I want to try something a little different and challenge you to join me in the fun.  You will notice a link below that I would like you to click after you are finished reading this posting.  I have put together a 5 minute video of my favorite moves straight from my LA classes.  These moves all happened this week so they are funky, fresh, and brand new.  If you are familiar with me and my classes, please welcome me into your homes, practice, and share your "Just Dance It Out" moments with your family and friends.  If you are new to me, then I am so excited for you to experience what I do everyday in LA.  Please go ahead and pass this video along to all your family and friends as well.  Take your time with the moves and know that you can always rewind to do it over and over again.  After you get the moves, pop in your favorite music, and dance the day away.  Let's all make it one HUGE dance party and "Just Dance It Out!"  Good luck and enjoy!  Let me know how well you do.

"Just Dance It Out" 

with Ilyse Baker, Your Dance Fitness Guru

Making a Difference

     Do you ever wake up in the morning and think to yourself, "I wonder if today is going to be a day where I make a difference in something or someone?"  For me, I wake up with that thought every single day.  Making a difference is a huge part of what I do for a living.  Besides the fact that it is in my job description, I choose to make a difference in anything that I can.  For example, letting another driver in on the freeway, holding the door open for someone, or letting someone else ahead of me in line at the grocery store if they have only 1 item and I have 10.  It could be the littlest thing possible that you do to make a difference.  If it feels good then you did the right thing and you can say at the end of your day, "Wow, I made a difference today!"
     I bring this topic up because I experienced this today and I feel amazing.  Every Wednesday morning I teach Cardio Dance Fusion at Equinox Fitness Club in Woodland Hills, CA.  I have the hottest, most talented, fun group of women in my class.  I am blessed every single week with their smiling faces and tons of energy that they bring to my class.  Their willingness to learn more and more is so incredible and inspiring.  For the last 3 weeks, my Equinox ladies have been strutting their stuff to "Fame."  It has been a blast.  One of my newer students approached me after class in the parking garage and said these exact words, "Who do I talk to about getting you a raise or giving you an amazing review or whatever it is...you are truly amazing and make me feel so much better about myself and life.  No matter what you do I ALWAYS leave happier than when I walked through the doors of your class.  You are AMAZING and everyone needs to know!" 
     Now ask yourself, how would you feel if somebody said that to you?  This new student of mine who ROCKS it out every week made my day.  I had tears of joy in my eyes.  What a wonderful feeling it is to know that I made a difference in her life today, Wednesday, October 7, 2009. 
     I have been on cloud 9 ever since I heard those words and my day has continued to get better.  Try to wake up every morning asking yourself the simple question, "How can I make a difference in something or someone?"  Trust me the end result will be so rewarding.