Yap (second from right) presenting a mock cheque to Wong as Ginibun (left) and Bonora look on.
FORTY years and counting – that’s how long Jazzercise, a mix of jazz dance and exercise, has been in Malaysia.
American Judi Sheppard Missett started the dance fitness revolution in 1969 and today, Jazzercise is the world’s longest standing dance fitness brand.
Over the years, Sheppard Missett perfected the formula by modernising the moves to design an all-in-one result-driven workout to improve cardiovascular endurance, increase strength and improve flexibility.
Thanks to local franchisee Christina Yap, who first introduced the original dance party workout here in 1984, Jazzercise has garnered a strong following, especially among women.
Last weekend, more than 200 participants took part in a three-hour charity “jazzerthon” session in Subang Jaya led by Yap, Janet Ginibun, who is celebrating her 20th year as an instructor, and Raffaele Bonora from Jazzercise Italy.
Aptly titled “Sweat2Smiles”, this was the 20th fundraiser organised by Yap who is celebrating her 40th year as an instructor and is on a lifelong mission to spread the benefits of Jazzercise to a wider audience.
Each instructor showcased his or her own speciality: Yap with her retro, low-impact session, Ginibun with a more high-intensity workout and Bonora with his blend of kickboxing moves – but all had an element of dance movements.
Participants exercising to fast-paced music during a fun workout.
The boisterous crowd grooved to the fast-paced, pulsating soundtracks.
They went wild during the strength-training segments and let out a sigh of relief when it was time to stretch.
The smiles were infectious and participants gave sweaty high-fives all around at the conclusion of the event.
When Yap walked into her first Jazzercise class in Yokohoma, Japan, where her husband was then based, she was 25 and overweight after her first pregnancy.
The former dancer got hooked, lost her post-pregnancy weight in a month from taking classes daily before becoming a certified instructor.
“This is the first ‘Sweat2Smile’ after the (Covid-19) pandemic and I’m so happy to see a full house.
“I can walk with pride knowing I have contributed to both Jazzercise and society, for helping to bridge friendships and businesses while raising funds to help the poor and needy.
“There’s no greater satisfaction,” said Yap.
The event raised a whopping RM306,000 for non-governmental organisation Persatuan Dialisis Touch (PDT) in Petaling Jaya.
PDT vice-president William Wong said, “This was our first major collaboration with a campaign driver such as Jazzercise and it’s the largest charity contribution to PDT to date.
“The funds will go towards upkeeping and upgrading our centre’s facilities, as well as giving more assistance to low household-income patients.
“We also have a food bank fund for patients in need.”
Established in 2006, PDT has been serving lower to middle- income earners by providing affordable dialysis treatment for those with end-stage kidney disease.
