Emily Shaw teaches fun and intense group fitness classes at Sports Club Kahana.  Emily’s energy is amazing. She will put a smile on your face and make each class worth attending.  You will leave her class feeling great! Below is a recent interview I had with Ms. Shaw. Enjoy.

1. How did you end up in Maui?
I vacationed here when I was young & loved it & knew I’d live here one day.. Then was selected to do a business management internship with a company here and so I stayed!!

2. Tell us a little about your dancing experience? How has a dance background helped you in fitness?
I’ve danced & chroeograohed for many competetive teams, travelled all over to keep up on the current trends. I was recruited by a gym to be a fitness instructor after I graduated high school. I had a full-ride scholarship as a cheerleader in college. Staying in shape provided stepping stones to get to where I am today! Fitness has made a huge impact on my life! In work, in friends, and opened up doors for numerous opportunites.

3. What are your classes like?
I love to provide a fun yet challenging fitness atmosphere.. Where the music is loud & motivating and the energy is through the roof! It’s infectious and empowering to be working with people who can’t stop smiling through their workouts!

4. Do you have another job other than fitness? If so, what?
I am assistant manager at Coach. I love my job there too! I am blessed

5. How do you stay in shape?
I love working out and challenging my body. I am a competetive person so I’ll always be pushing myself.. I’m going to start training for a triathlon and just keep going from there.
I am excited to participate in my first Hana Relay this year..

6. What advice would you give someone who wants to get into great shape?
Surround yourself with positive workout experiences, find a passion for it. Whether in a person, a type of workout, or in yourself. Dont take yourself too seriously & if you miss a day, just get back asap!! And a new pair of shoes or workout outfit can always cure the battle of whether to go to the gym or not!

7. What classes do you teach at the gym and elsewhere?
I currently teach
Xtream Training- an athletic workout without choreography. Pushups, pullups, running, cycling, plyometrics, agility, a great workout.. Worth the early rise

Cardio Party-for anyone who love dancing! Simple repetative, choreographed moves to fun music! Shaking! Sweating! Dancing! Fun!

Cycle-An intense hour ride.. Varying in climbs, sprints, intervals, etc. A great workout where everyone wants to work harder each week as they get stronger. It’s amazing to see and a blessing to be a part of!!

Sculpt – An hour class, easy to follow and a great way for beginners to start building a workout routine and still challenging for those who have been at it for awhile. Moves are set to fun music, every muscle gets worked!!

Kickboxing – Carlos(boxing coach) & I are collaberating a fun fitness kickboxing class. There will be some choreography, some bag work, and other exercises to better your body & experience.

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Sports Club Kahana in West Maui has Zumba!!

What is Zumba? 
Zumba is an aerobic dance workout to latin influenced music.  It was created in Columbia by dancer/choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez by accident.  One day Beto was going to teach a standard aerobics class at the gym when he realized that he had forgotten his usual music.  Because he did not have enough time to go home and get his music, he decided to use the traditional salsa and merengue cassettes that he had in his backpack.  He taught a very different aerobics class that day; Beto completely improvised the class.  It wasn’t structured or planned out, instead the gym members followed his lead while Beto guided them through easy-to-follow, latin dance moves.  The class was an immediate hit and on that day, Zumba was born!.  A few years later, Beto moved to Miami to teach Zumba.  Zumba increased in popularity extremely fast and word spread across the United States that Zumba was definitely the next fitness craze.  In 2001, Zumba was officially trademarked and the company Zumba Fitness LLC was created.  Today Zumba teacher trainings are offered globally and Zumba classes are one of the most popular classes in health clubs worldwide.

According to zumba.com, “Our goal is simple: we want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked.”  Be prepared to get hooked on Zumba!!

Zumba is free at Sports Club Kahana with your club membership or visitor pass.
Classes are every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30pm.

       

   

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Add some spark to your practice!  Energize your body and illuminate your soul as you plug into Source.  Julie will guide you through an energizing sequence as you discover your inner light and awaken your spirit. 

Electric Yoga taught by Julie Mitchell is on Tuesday mornings from 9:40-11:00am. 

Classes are held at Sports Club Kahana in West Maui (Lahaina side). 

Interview with Julie
How did you get into yoga?

I kind of stumbled upon yoga at a gym in 1991.  I was hoping it would open my body and be a compliment to all the Belly Dancing I was doing.  Little did I know that yoga was going to take me on a fantastic journey opening much more than just my body.

Why did you start teaching?

It was natural for me to want to share and guide others through this life changing movement, yoga.  I feel deeply blessed for the opportunity to guide people through something as special as themselves.

Who are your most influential yoga teachers and how did they inspire you?

Ateeka showed me how movement is poetry in motion and how to live my truth as love and light.  Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein showed me we can do anything with practice and intention and how we can dive deeper into our selves with the support of a partner in AcroYoga.  Sharon Gannon and David Life inspired me to play music that evokes our spirit.  Shiva Rea inspired the dancer in me to move through Vinyasa as a fluid dance – fun and creative!

What is your teaching style?

I teach many different styles such as restorative, gentle, vinyasa, dynamic and AcroYoga.  First of all, it must be fun and full of Bhakti (devotion).  I guide all classes with a deep sense of intuition and the knowledge of what has worked for me over the last 20 years of practicing.  I encourage your heart to open wide as you discover your inner light and awaken your spirit as you listen to your inner Guru, the breath.

Do you think yoga is for everyone?  Why or why not?

Absolutely YES!  You always feel better after yoga!!  There are so many different styles of yoga that you can find one that matches your needs,  whether it be to rest and restore, to strengthen and tone, to unwind gently, to chant and sing, to be silent and meditate, or even to do acrobatic yoga.  There is something for everyone.  Yoga will take you on a wonderful journey deep inside of who you really are - beautiful, peaceful, whole and complete.

What do you think the overall message is for yoga?

Metta (unconditional love) for everyone and everything.  Be present, here and now.  It is such a gift, that’s why it is called PRESENT.  Peace to you and everyone.  Om shanti, shanti, shanti Om.
      

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