Hi, I'm Kimberly Miguel Mullen and I'm honored to be blogging for you Amazon readers! My background is in dance and I believe that dance can have tremendous effects on your overall health. And what workout can be more fun?!
I helped Acacia create a dance/fitness line of DVDs called Dance and Be Fit: Brazilian Body and Lower Body Burn. And just in case you're saying to yourself, I can’t dance! Can this still work for me? I have your answer!
The beautiful thing about dancing is that there is no right or wrong way to move your body. For this reason, every body can dance. If you can walk, you can dance. What I love about the dances in the Brazilian Body DVD is that the movements are organic to how the body naturally moves. The success of the dances and how you execute them rely on your own individual expression not in the technicality. Dance dvds are great because they provide you with the inspiration towards discovering your own personal expression so that you can make it your own.
For beginners, my suggestion is to pay close attention to the small details of how your instructor’s body is positioned. Scan your body from head to toe, begin with the feet and then work up the body from there layering all the different body parts on top of one another. When you feel confident with the footwork, focus on the ankles, then knees, hips, torso, arms, hands, neck, and the head. Stick to practicing the basic footwork for as long as you need in order to feel confident in the step. Every thing in dance stems from the feet. Happy Dancing Feet!
Where did the inspiration for these workouts come from?
Dance is one of the most ancient forms of physical expression. Historically, people dance for many reasons; to pray, to celebrate, to harvest, to heal, etc. During my travels to Brazil and training with Master teachers, I experienced a physically active culture with no separation between fitness and dance. For the Dance and Be Fit: Brazilian Body DVD, the goal was to create a fun and effective workout highlighting Brazilian dance forms that celebrate life and the physical beauty of every size and shaped body. Viver Brasil!
What’s your background in dance & fitness? When/how did you start out?
I was involved in music and dance my entire upbringing. Growing up, I played the piano, alto saxophone and studied jazz and tap dance. I became active in coordinating the student-base dance organization for my university and was exposed to the most beautiful and talented dance teachers from all over the world. This inspired 15 years of dedicated dance training and research--nationally and abroad. Dance was the perfect medium for me to combine all aspects of my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
What’s the best way to begin a fitness routine if I haven’t exercised in a long time?
It can be scary to jump into a fitness regimen after not having exercised in a long time. Start off slow. Simply bring your awareness to the simplest forms of physical activity that you already do in your day-to-day routine--like walking, lifting, carrying, etc. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk instead of drive. Then, seek physical activities that are fun and engaging that take the attention off of exercise and divert you toward learning something new. Dancing is a perfect way to exercise without even realizing it!
Is stretching really important? What are the benefits of stretching? Are there stretching “guidelines” I should follow to get the most benefit?
I love stretching and I feel a big difference in my body if I miss one day. Appropriate stretching is important to do before and after any workout because of the many benefits--if executed properly. Stretching 1) facilitates breathing 2) oxygenates the blood, 3) increases the flexibility in the muscles and joints 4) helps prevent injuries, 5) increases blood flow to the brain, and much more. When becoming motivated to begin a fitness regimen, I recommend starting your program with stretching. It’s easy and accessible. No exercise equipment required. You can stretch any time, any place. Do not force stretches beyond your capacity to maintain proper alignment in your body. For example, in the runner's lunge stretch, your knee should be bent in a 90 degree angle in alignment with your first two toes. Your knee should not surpass your foot. Hold your stretches for 5 to 20 seconds. If the tension disappears or decreases, increase your stretch, repeat, and hold. If you are experiencing pain, ease off the stretch. Do not over do it. Happy Stretching!
I hope you begin this new year with a positive outlook on fitness and health! Enjoy the workout!
