THE MEANDERWALKER

I went to Jazzercise at least four times last week. And I’ve accumulated about 15 classes in the past month since I officially joined. That’s a lot of jazzercising, to say the least.

(Sidenote: I also go to pilates once a week and sometimes ride my bike 15 miles; so maybe it’s exercise in general that I’m addicted to. Which is probably one of the better addictions a person can have.)

I’m at the point now where I have a hierarchy of favorite Jazzercise instructors, several favorite Jazzercise routines, and even a favorite “spot” in class (as far away from the smelly lady as possible). Yesterday in class, our instructor told us to look up a video on YouTube (I was probably one of about 3 possible people in class who knew what YouTube was) of a football player doing the Jazzercise routine to Shake & Pop, and since it is my favorite Jazzercise routine, I obviously did::

But don’t get me wrong, it’s still really, super weird and ridiculous. I’ve never done so many grapevines and ball changes, with so many jazzhands, in my entire life put together (including the time I took tap dance when I was like 5 years old). Oh, and the bouncing… there’s so much bouncing, kicking, and skipping. Not to mention, some of the songs and routines we do are just bizzare. Like, we did this one to a John Fogerty song — I’m a CCR fan and everything, but I assure you that there is absolutely nothing “jazzy” about John Fogerty.

I also can’t get over how much the ladies (who go to class even more than I do) absolutely love Jazzercise. They have the time of their lives for an hour each day, hooting and hollering and singing along to all the songs, clapping and kicking and loving every minute of it. I mean, I get it. I just can’t get over it.

While I was looking for that football player clip, I also came across these old Jazzercise videos, which are so ridiculous I can barely watch them – maybe you can:

But, Jazzercise has come so far in the last 20+ years, as per this new commerical:

And, here’s a clip of the CBS Early Show talking about what a “phenomenon” Jazzercise is becoming again (and not just with old ladies!):

I feel pretty validated, though, knowing that I’m not the only young person who has a ridiculous amount of fun and gets a lot out of Jazzercisin’ (and now I know that I can particpate in very crowded Jazzercise classes, if I should move to New York).

And, one day, while I was wiping the embarrassingly copious amount of sweat from my face, Mrs. 500 Classes told me that I’m doing really great for someone who’s never even done Jazzercise before. Which I believe is the highest compliment that someone of her Jazzercise caliber can give.