Ann-I LOVE Jazzercise, it’s that simple. I have always been active in sports and dance, but am bored with the workout that a typical gym offers.When I joined the Roxbury Fitness Center, I looked up at the instructor and knew that was what I wanted to do. So, in October 2006, after months of hard work, I became a Jazzercise Instructor. The great thing about Jazzercise is that it is vibrant. It has a life of its own, always changing and growing.I am a mother of 2 young girls and work full time as the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer of the Southeast Morris County MUA. I am a Certified Municipal Finance Officer and hold a Batchelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting from Montclair State University and a MBA in Finance from Seton Hall University. As you can see, my career is somewhat sedentary. Jazzercise, for me, is my alter-ego. I love to work out, dance, teach, and love people. I look forward to a life long, growing career with Jazzercise.

Dena-For most of my life I never had a major issue with my weight. However, I started to feel sluggish at work and my thighs were getting a little giggly. Scary. I knew I needed an exercise regiment and fast! One day I was reading a local community paper and saw an interesting Jazzercise advertisement. That one advertisement was enough to reel me in so I decided to visit the Roxbury Center. I instantly loved it. The staff was welcoming and fellow students appeared happy and engaged. I had a great workout and an amazing time during my first class. I joined Jazzercise that day on February 4, 2002. After a few years as a student and Class Manager, I stepped out on a limb and decided to become an instructor. This was a big decision for me as I also have a full time career. But I accumulated so many friends through Jazzercise and enjoyed helping and being around the students; I knew it was the right time for me to do it. Since I became an instructor, I am more confident as a woman and professional. I feel a better sense of balance between my personal life and career. More importantly, I have met and befriended the most incredible women whom I am proud to call my friends and team members!

Donna R.-I grew up in South Florida and started cheerleading at age 4. That grew into an interest in gymnastics, tap, jazz and ballet. I participated in all of these activities into my early 20’s. After getting married, attending college, having children and no longer being involved in sports, like most women, I noticed some weight gain and tiredness. I knew I needed to exercise, but I had trouble finding a gym I liked. I found exercise machines to be boring.. I tried regular aerobics classes, but I also found them uninteresting. Like most people, if I don’t enjoy the exercise I am doing, I am not likely to keep up with it. I needed to find something fun that would hold my interest. I was first introduced to Jazzercise about 12 years ago in Florida. Since I grew up doing gymnastics, dance and cheerleading; Jazzercise was a perfect fit. I loved the music and the routines. I love the way the choreography challenged your mind as well as your body. It was just what I had been searching for. I immediately joined. I was soon asked to be an instructor, but the timing was not right. I looked forward to my workouts and meeting the students. I lost a few pounds, felt great and made new friends. My family was then transferred to New Jersey. One of my first thought was, “Would there be a Jazzercise center? “ Although I loved the Roxbury center, it was almost an hour from my home in Sparta. Having 2 girls still in high school, it was just too much of a time commitment to travel that far on a regular basis. Again I looked for other gyms to attend, but nothing was like Jazzercise. I would come and go from the Roxbury Jazzercise center over the next few years, depending on my schedule. It was always my exercise/fun of choice, when time allowed. My dream was that a center would open closer to my home, so that I could attend on a regular basis. Dreams do come true!!!! I found out Stacey was opening a new Jazzercise center in Jefferson, NJ. , in September of 2009. Stacey asked me again if I wanted to become an instructor. I am proud to say that in November of 2009 I became a certified Jazzercise instructor. It feels like a natural extension of what I have been doing all my life. dance/gymnastics I love being an instructor and helping people learn to lead a healthy lifestyle.
 
Kim-In 1998, I gave up my career in Marketing to stay home with my two children. Giving up my job seemed difficult at the time. After all, I spent all those years getting that Marketing degree. But it was clear in my heart, that now was the time to be home raising our children. My neighbor was the one who introduced me to Jazzercise in the fall 1999. Since dance has been a part of my life since I was in Kindergarten, Jazzercise was just what this stay-at-home mom needed. I loved the music, and the total body workout I received. It certainly was a great opportunity when Stacey needed an Instructor. So in July 2000, I became a Certified Jazzercise Instructor. I couldn’t ask for a better job. I am grateful every time I get to teach because I know I’ll meet wonderful people. To top it off, it feels good giving our customers get that one hour to themselves, making that time fun all while providing an awesome workout

Linda-I am a Wife and Mother of 3 young children. I tried Jazzercise after seeing a friend at a party who had gotten amazing results and she told me it was all from Jazzercise. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and have tried many different excercise and weight lost programs. Jazzercise is the first thing I have actually stuck with. I walk into the center and I instantly feel like I am surrounded by a room full of friends. The routines are so much fun and enjoyable I almost forget I am working out! I became an Instructor in April 2007. I wanted to set a good example for my daughter and show her the proper way to stay in shape and live a healthy life. There are too many young girls with low self esteem and eating disorders. What I enjoy the most about being an Instructor is watching the transformation of women like myself, who have given so much time and energy to taking care of their families and now are finally making time for themselves again. Jazzercise works for all ages and all levels of fitness. So many people think they need to get into better shape before they come to class or know how to dance and it is just not the case. The routines work for everyone and the enthusiasm and support you get from the other students is amazing. I invite you all to come and give it a try.

Lisa B-I joined Jazzercise in January of 2007. I was a new stay at home mom after selling my business that I had for many years, with three beautiful children, overweight, run down and rounding the corner to 40 with both heart disease and cancer in my family I knew it was time to do something! One of my friends invited me to come and take a class ....I felt right at home the minute I walked through the doors… I was greeted with a smile, a positive energy (who wouldn’t want to see that every morning!?) and……it just continued throughout the whole center as I entered the floor….the music, the instructor and within a week or two, it happened…I WAS HOOKED!!!!!! I couldnt believe it myself! In February of 2008 Stacey approached me about becoming instructor...she planted the seed… my journey started soon after that and was completed in June of 2008!!!!! It has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life, I have never felt better!!! I am proud to be a part of this great exercise program. I am having the time of my life!!!…. I welcome you to Jazzercise and know that you will also have a fun and exciting time while exercising! As an instructor, I look forward to meeting you whether a veteran or a new student! Keep on smiin'! Our students are my biggest motivators!

Lisa C.-In 2001, I was frazzled with a one-year old daughter on my hip and a five-year old running circles around me. With left over baby weight and my 20-year high school reunion right around the corner, my partner in crime from grammar school had just moved back home from California (living just outside of the California Jazzercise home office) and persuaded me to try something new. I first dipped my toes into the warm Jazzercise water with a step into working the babysitting room. Before one year had lapsed I was determine to become an instructor. The excitement and enthusiasm were the perfect hour long escape from a hectic life, with great benefits for my body!! True passion came with the personal attention and kindness each student received from the wonderful staff at the center. I especially admired the time Jazzercise dedicated to running warm-ups for fund raisers and walks that aid the MS Society, Breast Cancer Awareness, Light the Night Lukemia & Lymphoma Society and the March of Dimes, in addition to its’ contribution to the Susan B. Koman Foundation. I have had the pleasure of personally handling several of these warm-ups and just like at the center, the smiling faces constantly encourage me to continue to work hard.I hope everyone breathes the adrenaline in the air at Jazzercise, never stops pushing for their goals, and finds the satisfaction they seek. Dedication, as I have found, has extraordinary benefits.

Michele- I am a wife and mother of 3 awesome kids. I've been a dancer for most of my life and have a real passion for dance and music. My wonderful journey started the second I walked into the Roxbury Jazzercise Center, there was an instant vibe of comfort. Everyone from the staff to the students were so warm and caring. I actually looked forward to waking up and starting my day with exercise. My workouts went from 2 days per week to 5 days per week. My cholesterol count went from 360 to 190...it was incredible. The energy in the room was so intense, it was my "feel good" place. Stacey had mentioned to me about becoming an instructor, but I guess I just felt that the time wasnt right for me. I have always admired the hard work and dedication of the instructors and how they help the students achieve their fitness goals....I knew that I wanted to do that too. After some surgery setback with a speedy recovery (all because of building strength through Jazzercise), I am proud to say I became an instructor April 2008. I feel better then I have in many years. Not only do I get a great workout, but I get to share my love of it with others and also set a good example of healthier living for my children. For me, it is most rewarding to see each and every student's smiling face in class. I love to hear about thier own fitness goals.. I have made some amazing friends along the way. Thank you Stacey Oshrin for being a wonderful mentor and friend. "Believe and Achieve" I hope to dance with you all in class!

Stacey-My story started when my daughter was a year old and my son was three. It was very difficult to take that first step to walk into a place where I didn't know anybody as well as not feeling good about myself. On top of that my son has Asperger's Syndrome and had a difficult time in the babysitting room. It took time for him to get used to it and I would stand outside the door and go in and out of the room until he looked forward to going to class with me. I am thankful that I saw him through that difficult time! At the time I was going into a size 16 and ate everything that was on my children's plates. While I was pregnant I had gestational diabetes with both of my children and was on a strict diet. Brianna was big (9lb. 1oz.) due to this. Diabetes runs in my family on both sides and the doctor told me that it is an onset and it was important for me to start exercising. So I started working out two times a week and worked my way up to five days a week. I slowly adapted to a more healthy lifestyle so I didn't change everything at once, because I knew if I did I would only set myself up for failure. We all want quick results but that isn't that way it works. So I started with exercising and changed my eating habits. I needed to drop the weight, get out of the house, and socialize. I have managed to drop the weight and keep it off for 11 years. I am several sizes smaller, I have toned made a lot of friends and a lot more energy! I am so happy to bring to you what Jazzercise has done for me!
 
Wendy-  I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Moved to Paterson NJ in June 1984. All my life I’ve always loved dancing and made it my business to be
apart of anything to do with dancing. I attended Eastside High school and was a member of the Cheerleading team and the dance club. I’m a
single mother of two crazy children and I’m a full time Registered Nurse at Passaic County Sheriffs Department so I keep busy, but I always make
time for “me”. Before I moved to Jefferson Township in February of 2005, I was a member of Lucille Roberts. The only part I liked was the step and aerobic classes. I was very disappointed when I found out that there was nothing like that in Jefferson. I was so happy when I saw the Jazzercise sign!! I figured anything Jazzercise had something to do with dancing, so I decided to try it out. I started the first day Jefferson opened and have
been there ever since. I fell in love. After two months of Jazzercise I was asked if I was interested in being an instructor. I wanted to make other people feel, the same I felt as a jazzercise student. I was screened in January or 2010 and by April 2010 I became and Instructor and I love every minute of it. Jazzercise has brought a beautiful light to my life. I feel good and get a lot of when I’m asked how I keep in shape, I tell them “ I Jazzercise” with the biggest smile on my face.