Traci is a teacher at Rochester International Dance Studio among other places in the community. She has been a group exercise instructor/leader for close to 29 years. When she was growing up, she hated physical education class in school and was lousy at sports but she loved dancing or at least moving to music even though she didn’t have the opportunity to take dance classes as a child.
Here is her story:
I was in a baton twirling group for a while, did cheerleading for a year and pom pom for another year. I was in the marching band in high school. I think this all helped lead up to being a group exercise leader; it all dealt with rhythm, music, and movement. I took some dance aerobics classes after my son was born, and soon decided I could do this instead of taking classes; at the same time the instructor I had gone to moved on to other things.
So, many years ago I started leading aerobics classes….high and low impact on carpet over a cement basement floor in a library. When I had the opportunity to lead classes on a wood floor with air space I couldn’t pass it up! My legs knew that was a very good thing. I’ve been employed by a Parks and Recreation department in Marshall, MN, a women’s health club in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and four studios or clubs through the years in Rochester. I have been certified through ACE for many years. My fitness tips are based on education through the years with these employers, through workshops and reading, and my own experience with exercise and dance.
