What Do You Fear?

Wouldn't you agree that we all have at least one fear in life?  Some that we have already dealt with, some we will never deal with, and some that we continue to deal with.  A fear is a normal and healthy part of life.  It is easy to become afraid of almost anything.

About a month ago, I was invited to go to the Santa Monica Pier to take a flying Trapeze class with other Lululemon Ambassadors.  When I read the evite, I responded yes right away without even thinking twice about it.  It sounded fun and exciting so why not?!  As it got closer to the Trapeze class, I suddenly got fearful.  I remember trying to think of every way possible to get myself out of going, “Am I crazy?  I hate heights.  There is no way I can do this.  I can’t I can’t…I just can’t.  Wait, don’t I have to wash my hair or something?”  I thought of every negative thing to say or any excuse to get me out of going.  I had never tried something like this before.

That Friday came sooner than I thought and I found myself at the Santa Monica Pier with the rest of the Lululemon Ambassadors ready for Trapeze class.  The set up was crazy and I couldn’t believe what they wanted us to do.  My heart was palpitating, my palms were sweaty, and I literally thought I couldn’t do it.  The instructors went through all the technicalities so fast that I remember saying, “You want me to do what?”

Climbing up the tall ladder was so scary and I literally cried the entire way to the top.  My heart was beating so fast that I couldn’t even introduce myself to the cute instructor at the top waiting to assist me.  I was one hot mess.  He said, “Just look out into the ocean and do not look down.  I am right here and will not let go until you are ready to jump.”  Was he joking?  Did he really just say all of this to me?  At this point, I was laughing and crying at the same time.  The next minute I knew I was screaming my head off and felt so alive.  I was in the moment and now determined to do everything they told me to do.  It was the best feeling to know that I overcame my fear and did it.  It happened so quickly and I wanted to go again.  As I climbed the ladder a 2^nd time, those butterflies in my stomach came back.  This time, I took a step back (not literally) to breathe and forget about the fear.

"Ilyse, I am dying to take your dance classes, but I can't dance.  I have 2 left feet.  I hear you’re an amazing instructor, but I just can't can't can't!" I hear this each week from people at the gym or outside of the gym who hear about my dance classes.  When I hear the negativity, I can't, I can't, all I hear these people saying is that they are making an excuse and not admitting to me that it is a fear they have to dance.  They are fearful to step out of their comfort zone and try something different.  Facing a fear or trying something different is never an easy thing to do and most people do not do it on a regular basis.  I now know this from experience and it comes down to this:  You have to at least try.  What is the worst thing that could happen?  You find out that it is not for you so you move on to something different?  Or best-case scenario, it is for you and you love it!  Either way, you can at least say you tried it, you know how it feels, and you did it!     

This is a perfect time of year to reflect back on.  Can you overcome one fear from 2009 or try to deal with it?  What about bringing in 2010 with trying something different?  Overcome a fear or 2…

Check out how I overcame my fear.  I did something that scared me, challenged me, but made an impact on me:

Ilyse fears the Trapeze School

Anything Is Possible

Meet Aleen Lodge, a 52 year old mother of 2, a wife, and Vice President of sales and marketing for Grapevine Communications.  I met Aleen about 3 months ago and invited her to take my dance classes.  At the time, Aleen's fitness routine was absolutely NOTHING!  The most exercise that she got was doing the laundry, walking the dogs around the block, and carting her kids around from activity to activity.  She was overweight, frustrated, and sick of her old ways.  Her weight was always a problem and her eating habits were out of control.  You name every diet out there and Aleen had tried it...but nothing had ever worked.  Every time she had a doctor's appointment, she would pray that she had a thyroid problem.  The question was, "Could Aleen make it possible to change?"

"I thought that I was going to die after my first dance class with Ilyse.  It was about 100 degrees in the summer time in the San Fernando valley with no air condition in the dance studio.  After 5 minutes, I had to stop because I could not breathe.  I had no stamina and all I could think about was Ilyse will never invite me back to this class again.  I had to push myself because I couldn't believe that this was considered exercising.  It was so much fun, the music was great, and she was incredible.  I had no dance experience, but she got me to move," Aleen voiced after class.

Is it bad to say that I was actually overjoyed by watching Aleen huff and puff through her first class with me?!  She struggled, had to stop numerous times, and it was awesome!  :)  I say this because at that moment I knew anything was possible for Aleen.  I knew that I had Aleen hooked and I was going to help her make a big change in her life.  That hot summer day was one of the best days of my summer, because the unexpected began...

"David, you are going to back to school night by yourself tonight, because I'm dancing.  I have gone every year.  This year, I am putting my foot down and I am not giving up my dance class.  It is my time and I will not compromise,"  Aleen told her husband.  When Aleen shared this with me that night after class, I could not stop laughing.  She put her dancing, me, and her new fitness routine in front of her own children.  I was very proud and excited to hear that her family was supporting her new choices as well.  Aleen was finally doing for Aleen.  She was no longer in bed at 8:30 p.m. ... instead...she was DANCING!

On September, 25, 2009, I received a text message from Aleen, "I just put on a pair of pants that I haven't been able to wear in a year!  Don't stop the music.  You've given me a new Ilyse on life!"  That text message was yet another "Rock Star" moment for my, Aleen Lodge.  The results that she was seeing, feeling, and getting were mind boggling.  This was just from dancing, eating the right way, and making new choices.

Now, after 3 months of me knowing Aleen, she asked me to share this, "I'm 52 years old, it has taken me this long to get here, but everything happens for a reason so it's okay.  This journey with Ilyse has made me feel good and made me realize that I will be around for a very long time.  I want to set a good example for my children.  I have lost 50 lbs. in 3 months, but it was the happy result to this experience with Ilyse.  I feel good and that is all that matters.  Discovering Ilyse has been more that I could have ever hoped for.  She is a choreographer, dancer, fitness instructor, and my angel.  I do not know where I would be or what I would be doing if I never met Ilyse.  I probably would still be sitting on my couch watching TV and not living my life.   Now 3 times a week, I know where I want be and what I want to be doing, because of Ilyse.  I didn't have it before, something was always missing, and now my life is complete.  This is a new part of my life.

After hearing how Aleen feels, it amazes me how many choices need to be made in life.  Some are doable, some are more difficult, and are some even possible?  Aleen Lodge's life has now changed for the better after that hot summer dance class.  Aleen Lodge did it....accomplished the unexpected...she is on her way to a new, exciting journey.  So...it is true...ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

Take Aleen's story and reflect back on 2009.  What could you have done differently?  What did you not accomplish?  Could you have worked harder?  Whatever your answers may be just move forward.  Step into 2010 on the right foot, because "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!"

Living The Life

There is ABSOLUTELY no one like YOU in this world. We all have something unique to say, to create, to offer, and to teach others. If you follow your heart and value your happiness it will lead you to great health with endless opportunities.  Your dreams, talents, passions and desires are your clues. Don't discount them. Instead, honor them and you will find happiness in all that you do.

After more than 20 years of studying dance and fitness, I know now that my greatest teacher, advisor, and guide, is my heart. I know now, more than ever to follow my heart and trust that it will always lead me to everything I need.
 
As many of you know, I started dancing at the age of 3.  I knew from the start that dance was my path. Right from the beginning I ate, slept, and dreamt dance.  I was the kid who never stopped twirling around.  I remember getting lost in the aisles of the supermarket because I was too busy leaping through the cereal aisle to realize, that my mom moved on to the freezer section.  My parents would get stopped all the time by complete strangers, “Wow, does your kid ever stop dancing?”

Growing up in South Jersey at one of the largest, most prestigious dance studios in the area was a true blessing for me.  I can recall countless opportunities as a young dancer:  trips to NYC; performances for local charities; regional and national dance competitions; master classes with Top Choreographers, and the list goes on and on.  To this day, I know that I wouldn’t be the dancer, choreographer, and teacher that I am if it wasn’t for the long hours spent in classes and rehearsals, amazing teachers, and support from my family. 

Of course my story continues and it just gets better. In my last 6 years of living in Los Angeles, I have had innumerable “hallelujah” moments:  Dance, Exercise, and Choreography all together!  This is what I, Your Dance Fitness Guru, am all about and it is my calling. What’s your calling?

I always knew that pursuing a career in the entertainment industry would be a risk. Would I make money?  Is it a “real job” for a college graduate?  Wait…does this all matter?  I love it and it makes me happy.  My mom used to say, “I would rather not eat then take dance away from you, Ilyse.  Go get it, girl!”  She is ALWAYS right so here I am…Your Dance Fitness Guru and I couldn’t be happier.

I am delighted at how my life is unfolding. I really feel like I found my true calling and it is a combination of the things I knew I wanted even as a child. I loved to dance, perform, create, receive attention, teach and lead.  My greatest accomplishment has been following my heart.
 
Following my heart has led me to so many unbelievable opportunities. If you feel you want guidance in this area, look for people who are living well, living lives they love, and who are truly happy. Remember, no one knows what is best for you but you. Look for people who ask you the questions that will help you uncover your heart and your passion.
 
Are you living a life you love?  If not…why?
 

This Is It

So by now most of you have seen the Michael Jackson documentary, "This Is It" and if you haven't then...WHY...What are you waiting for?! Go out and see it. The DVD and Blu-ray disc will be released on January 26, 2010. The documentary rung up $71 million in the domestic box office since bowing in theaters Oct 28. Both the DVD and high-def versions of "This Is It" will include several mini-documentaries and other special features. The Blu-ray Disc also will include two versions each of the Jackson music videos "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller."

What did the movie mean to you? Yes, I am aware that there are so many ways to take that saying. Michael Jackson stated a clear message in the film, "We have only one planet." I agree with Michael's clear message and would like to add to it by saying, "We also only have one life." Life is full of opportunities and chances. Adding dance into your life is an opportunity and chance. The dancers in the film were very inspiring to watch and incredibly talented. I found myself jamming in my seat at the Theater wanting to jump through the movie screen. I am sure that you felt the same way. So here is the real question:  How much dancing do you do on a regular basis?  Do you continue to tell yourself that you have two left feet and will never be able to hear the beat of the music? Or maybe you say, "I just cannot dance!" My answer is that everyone has their own groove and can dance. All it takes is practice, motivation, and dedication. Give yourself some time to learn the moves and I promise you WILL be a dancer in no time just like the dancers in, "This Is It." Practice makes perfect...for some it is easy...for others it takes more time.

After seeing Michael Jackson's documentary, I was completely inspired that I choreographed to "Billie Jean" the entire car ride home. For the last two weeks, I have taught several routines using music from the hit album, "This Is It." Please click the link below to view a one and a half minute clip from my Cardio Funk class dancing to "Jam." Check out these HOT Mamas dance it out!

THIS IS IT