Latin Blaze® the fiery, science-based workout for ALL

Latin Blaze® is the hottest, most cutting edge, science-based Latin fitness program around!  It is gaining momentum throughout the United States because of its unique take on the union of dance and fitness and the interactive role they play with one another.  Latin Blaze® was birthed from heart and soul, authenticity and freedom, passion and expression.  What makes it distinctive is that it explores and encourages the growth of sprit and soul while also applying science based fitness essentials of safety, effectiveness and results.  This dual delivery system provides a high intensity, sweat dripping, body shaping workout within an energetic environment, like no other.  “As I travel throughout this world, I find that I place the highest value on the unusual.  Latin Blaze® is an unusual mix of dance, exercise, and a form of visual art.  This class,.....a rare find!” states Felicia Keith-Jones, Adventure Author and Youngest Female Distillery Owner in the U.S.

The foundation for Latin Blaze® was inspired by a love for fitness and a passion for dance.  By blending the two flawlessly we bring the beauty and benefits of both and transform every fitness workout into a fitness experience.  The very heart of Blaze was designed with you in mind.  The basis for the program was defined and developed during 2 years of researching what people wanted and needed from their workout.   We were able to design something special, out of the ordinary.  Health professionals have taken notice of this difference “Working in the health and wellness world for almost 15 years it is rare to come across a workout program that is so all encompassing as Latin Blaze®…high energy…intensity specific to the individual…and most importantly FUN!  This has Jamie G.’s personality all over it and everyone I have referred to Latin Blaze® has come back ON FIRE for life and health!!”, expresses Dr. Joel Kinch D.C., D.PhC.S. 

There are some fantastic dance-based programs that have become the norm in gyms around the world.  We love that they are creating a positive impact on the health of the general public.  We wanted to offer something additional, something more.  International Mindful Movement Specialist and Fitness Presenter, Lawrence Biscontini, MA agrees.  "Jamie G.’s innovative Latin Blaze® fitness program merges many fitness essentials and combines them effortlessly with spicy moves and music, creating a Latin-inspired, sweat-dripping workout experience for everyone!  I love how this girl takes Latin classes to the masses!”  At Latin Blaze® we saw the felt need for a Latin fitness class that specifically puts fitness first and then fuses it with personal discovery, all the while making it doable for all levels and abilities.  This one-of-a-kind program offers health clubs the opportunity to have a fresh, updated, more wholistic approach to Latin fitness; offering a new concept that provides even greater benefits to their members.  Latin Blaze® is original to what is offered everywhere else.

Latin Blaze® believes in raising the bar.  We set a high standard for Blaze instructors because we believe that no matter how amazing you are, you can always learn and achieve more.  We encourage our instructors to strive to reach the next level of competency, professionalism and education. The Latin Blaze® Workshop for fitness instructors is getting rave reviews due to this philosophy.  “What a positive atmosphere!  Jamie G. is very professional and her passion is contagious…her hips…are simply AMAZING!!!!  This is one of the best workshops I have been to ever!”, affirms Blythe Thurston, Trainer for the YMCA  Instructor Team.   Instructors have been trained in the importance of providing modifications at all times.  Not everyone can do other fitness classes, but a Latin Blaze® fitness class is a perfect fit for all ages and fitness levels.  We provide a core of basic moves that can be built upon to inspire exhilarating dance sequences.  These basic movements and modifications provide all participants the freedom to choose their own difficulty and intensity level.  This enables everyone the ability to participate at their own level, leaving class having found success and the personalized workout they needed that day!  This is true whether they are 8 or 80 years old, need a gentler style of movement or want to be pushed and challenged - Latin Blaze® can meet them where they are at. 

Blaze instructors also incorporate all styles of cueing because not everyone learns in the same way.  We have found this makes for a safer and more effective combination, because they are being spoken to in their own learning language whether it is auditory, visual or kinesthetic.  We wanted to provide a class with the equal pairing of a program grounded strongly in science and exercise-based philosophies, as well as provide an outlet for people to find a deeper connection within themselves and others.  All of this works to create a greater understanding of each participants own unique vibrancy while emphasizing community.

Latin Blaze® is a passionate, fiery, fun workout that seriously takes into account, all of the true fitness principals and standards.  We believe strongly in bringing one-of-a-kind experiences to participants, health clubs and instructors through every Latin Blaze® encounter. 

“Not only is Latin Blaze® a GREAT cardio work out, it is so much fun that the hour just flies by!  Before you know it you are cooling down, feeling great and have just had the time of your life laughing, dancing, sweating and shaking body parts you never even knew you had!  If this "boot camp - kick boxing - choreography challenged girl can do it... anyone can!”
Terri Garden, Group Fitness Instructor 

Bio:  Jamie G. Smith, creator and presenter of Latin Blaze® is a freelance writer.  She received her degree in Exercise and Sport Science and is a dance-fitness specialist with over 20 years experience.  She has been featured on TV for her innovative movement work.  She is passionate about bringing freedom, authenticity and success into every workout, spreading throughout every life!

To follow Latin Blaze check us out on:
                twitter:  http://twitter.com/latinblazefit
                facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95511468298  
To contact Jamie G. or for more information about Latin Blaze go to:  http://www.JamieGSmith.com  

On a personal side note (cause you know I can never resist), I must add that the staff at Lululemon could not have been more perfect!  I have VERY high standards for customer service.  I simply think if you are paying for a product or a service, you should receive the very best possible.  To be told NO because no is an easy answer drives me nutty and is so accepted and expected these days that it has become the new norm.  From the moment I stepped in the front doors of Lululemon, I was met with a smile, a “can do, let’s figure out together how to make this the best evening imaginable for all participants” attitude, a bubbling over of energy and excitement and by the way …..we are so glad you’re here!  These are the people that make spending your time and money worth it.  The ones that bring their A game and their essence to the table!  Now that is what I am talkin about!!

Whoooo Hoooo Mountain Dew!!  Sometimes there is just nothing else to say that can fully describe an experience or event.  Lululemon and Latin Blaze® teamed up for an evening of shopping, dance, and community!  I could not have asked for anything more……exceptional shopping at one of the best athletic shops around, a phenomenal group of life filled men and women adding their own personal  radiance to the equation, the hip shaking vibrations of some rocking Latin music, an outstanding and vivacious Lululemon staff that were ready to jump in full on…head first….awaiting whatever the night held, a buffet of some very snappy and festive food (the margarita’s certainly didn’t hurt either ;)…and did I mention the shopping?!?!?! 

The evening kicked off with some fiery Latin notes, setting the stage.  As all participants started wondering in, the expectations began to be set.  Margarita’s were flowing, the buzz of excited chatter and introductions carried through the room adding to the fusion of anticipation and enthusiasm.  As Latin Blaze® began to take center stage, the atmosphere was already prepared.  I love to have fun!!  I love to feed off the energy of others.  I love when others love that, too!!  This was one of those nights!  Together we shimmied, shook and practically burned holes in the floor with the synergy that we found together.  By the end some God given connections were created, everyone (and I do mean everyone) had a smile lighting up their entire being and we all were in synch with one another.  We came into that evening with our own unique challenges from a day of simply living life, but by the time it was winding down we had shared something exceptional.  Those out of the ordinary experiences are what fill us up and make life worth cherishing.

So here’s my battle cry…let’s all choose to discover more of these unexpected little jewels in our day.  Let’s choose to engage.  Let Us All choose to unite in bringing life back into our lives!!!

The 1^st snow of the year!!!!!  Does anyone else LOVE it as much as I do?  I am a true native Coloradoan at heart, no mixed emotions here….BRING IT ON!!!!  It just stirs change inside my soul, excitement for something new and crisp and fresh.  Smores by the fire outside, hot cocoa curled up on the couch, sledding, skiing, ice skating, warm sweaters, snow angels, nights in with a good glass of wine and even better friends, holiday festivities, snow topped evergreens, tractor hay rides…how could you not be filled with the richness and promise for the beginning of such a season?

1.My play name as a little girl was always "Shasta"...I know, scary, right?
2. Patience is NOT one of my great virtues.
3. I have never been stung by a bee.
4. I have compassion for others and am typically non-judgmental. I cannot, however, stand whining or a victim mentality.
5. I am 100% German but created a Latin fitness program called Latin Blaze®. So, either German’s have hidden talents that are not well known or (as a few are convinced) someone, somewhere in my family had a little fling…hard to tell! ;)
6. I went on exchange to England my junior year in college and at the end traveled to 10 countries in 4 weeks (complete whirlwind of newness every day-LOVED IT!).
7. My favorite place, hands down, was Rome, Italy. We met a group of local boys that day and communicated without a common language. Fun, exciting (hey, maybe I’m Italian?).
8. My favorite coffee drink is an Iced Triple Breve Latte with Stevia!
9. I eat chocolate pretty much every day of my life.
10. I am a native Coloradoan. All I have to say is…if you live here and are not from here….LEARN TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY!  (See #2)
11. I am a kinesthetic person! I enjoy life by experiencing it throughout my whole body and by movement. I learned this little lesson when I broke my foot 2 years ago. I need to be able to ACTIVELY engage in my surroundings and environment!
12. I HAVE TO workout…or I am a mean, mean person.
13. I love connecting on a deeper level…shallow is for sissies!
14. I love to relax on a week night cooking a great meal, drinking a glass of wine and blaring the music in my kitchen.
15. My long term memory is very sad. I have been told that I could go on vacation the same place every year and I wouldn’t even know it….so not nice….but sadly somewhat true.
16. Music moves my soul!
17. I am VERY analytical, but driven by my heart and soul…so although I can make logical choices they are sometimes overruled by passion!
18. I am an introvert. Yes, me. My mother raised me to be an extrovert and so I can easily do it and enjoy it…but at some point all the stimulation EXHAUSTS me and I need to be home to rejuvenate and get back to normal.
19. I'm not big on monotony.  For some reason it bores me. :)
20. In high school track I competed in the long jump and hurdles…well I don’t know that I would really call it that, I was horrible. It is a good thing I have other talents.
21. I am never satisfied with average. I want to be at the top of whatever I am doing. I remember one job I was working as an Admin. Assistant and the Account Exe.s were going out on their own and wanted me to come work for them as an assistant. I thought…seriously? I want your job, I don’t have any intention of remaining an assistant.
22. I learned from personal experience that July is monsoon season in Mexico.
23. I CANNOT STAND someone standing over me and chewing loudly in my ear!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you know who you are....just stop the insanity!!!
24. I cannot watch scary movies or the news.
25. I need outlets to let loose and blow off steam. Dancing (it’s not a party unless it includes dancing…kinesthetic, remember), a good glass of wine, alone time, working out, certain TV shows, hanging out with God.

This is an old post, but the perfect way to start my Blaze Blog because ECA-NY Feb. 2007 is truly where this journey began.

Written March 2008

Phew. I just taught Cardio Salsa this morning, had dance rehearsal tonight for 2 hours, go back to dance rehearsal tomorrow morning for 3 hours and teach a 3 hour Cardio Salsa workshop on Sunday. My body is already pleading for ice and rest...but at the same point I feel somewhat exhilarated from a great rehearsal and just feeling my body move!! It’s sick, I know. But that is why I and others crave and love this industry. There is something in me that comes ALIVE in those environments.

It still baffles me that I ended up here. I started my life out wanting to be a dancer but my precious mother convinced me that I would starve and end up waiting tables…so I stuck to Exercise and Sport Science (ok, ended up there my 4th year into college), graduated and started selling jewelry (wow, that worked out well. Smile). Fast forward many years and here I am completely enthralled and loving what I am doing! I am dancing my buns off, actually utilizing my degree and feeding my passions!

It was funny, I went to ECA-NY in Feb. 07' and for the first time in my life felt FULLY in my element. It was amazing and fun and even a little hard to come home and leave all of it. It is as if I finally found my place…a place where all of the pieces of me that everyone else doesn’t quite get or understand…fit in perfectly, there. I could be ALL me and express it in its entirety and that was embraced and understood.

Ahhh, well it’s been 20 minutes. I can take the ice off now. Smile. It is back to reality. I have dishes to get under way and hopefully some sleep to catch.

Good Night.

J.