INSTRUCTORS.. Tanya Shearrer has been a certified Jazzercise Instructor since 2000 and is the owner of Jazzercise on the Square. Joining Tanya at Jazzercise on the Square are fellow instructors: Leslie Edison, Holly Zellers, Jane Tobben, Rachelle Doolin, Brenda Savage, Julie Beam, Missy Strong, Shana Meyer, Diane Rowlett and Jyl Bowen . All Jazzercise instructors have fullfilled all requirements for certification. The instructors continue to attend workshops, conventions and seminars to further their knowledge and provide the best instruction available. I took my first Jazzercise class in 1999 a year after having my first child. I had thirty five to forty pounds still lingering on my body and it wasn’t going away. My husband noticed an ad in the paper and the big catcher was “NO CONTRACTS”. After recruiting a few friends I made it to class. I couldn’t believe how much fun I had even though I stumbled all over myself trying to keep up. I’ve tried just about everything out there from gym memberships to do it yourself at home and this is the only thing I truly enjoyed doing. It wasn’t a chore dragging myself to class. I actually LOVED it and the people. Six month’s later and thirty pounds lighter, I decided to get certified to teach Jazzercise. I love a challenge and as a stay at home mom what a great way to earn some money while keeping healthy. Not to mention, I could bring my children with me. So, in 2000 I became a Jazzercise instructor and have been teaching ever since - even through two pregnancies. I can honestly say Jazzercise made a huge difference in my last two pregnancies. I maintained my weight and recovered so much quicker then the first time. Diabetes is very common in my family history. One way for me to fight against that is to exercise. I’m in the best health ever and plan on staying this way for the rest of my life thanks to Jazzercise. "Jazzercise on the Square" Owner since July 2005. A good friend of mine introduced me to Jazzercise in 1995. I was hooked immediately because of the dancey movements and upbeat music, not to mention the friendly, fun, non-intimidating atmosphere. I wondered how I had not heard of this program before? (It's been around since 1969!) I never had the desire to stick with an exercise program prior to this, but I had no intention of stopping Jazzercise! I developed such a passion for it that I became a certified Jazzercise Instructor in 2000. It was a natural progression for me because I truly enjoy inspiring people to feel good about themselves through fitness. I've forged so many special friendships through Jazzercise, too. Some might consider this a job, but it doesn't feel like work to me! I have been Jazzercising for eight years and have been an instructor for almost four years. I Jazzercised my way through two pregnancies. The main thing I love about Jazzercise is; it does not feel like you are working out. Jazzercise is all about dancing and having fun and I love to do both! I have tried numerous other workout programs, gyms, etc. however I would become bored very quickly. Jazzercise is the only workout program that I have ever stuck with; the workout is different every time you go to class. I became an instructor because I wanted to help people achieve their fitness goals and because I want everyone to love Jazzercise as much as I do! The success stories of individuals that have lost weight, lost inches, lowered their blood pressure, gained bone density and lowered their cholesterol absolutely thrill me. I want to be a good example to others of how important it is to take care of your body. You should value yourself enough to devote one hour a day just for you! Several years ago, a friend of mine invited me to go to a Jazzercise class with her during a ‘Bring a Friend to class’ event. She an I had dabbled in fitness a bit by running a few 5K’s and even a half marathon, but that got boring and we kind of , well…QUIT that activity! I had taught aerobics nearly 15 years earlier and really like it, but a job transfer, working full time and children made my life change drastically over time and I figured I would just have to give up exercising. Boy was I wrong! It was just what I needed! I LOVED the class I took and joined immediately! Within 2 months, the owner of that facility asked me if I would be interested in becoming an instructor. WOW, me? Really? I never expected that but boy did it peak my interest! I became an instructor in Summer of 2004 and have enjoyed every moment of it! There are so many great things about Jazzercise from the terrific, constantly updated music and dances to the opportunity to meet lots of wonderful personalities in the students and instructors. And the work out is so perfect because within just one hour I can exercise my body and my mind with fun cardio routines, strength training, pilates and stretching. I am grateful to my friend for introducing me to this fantastic program! I have been Jazzercising since 2005 and have been an instructor since June 2006. Growing up, I took ballet and jazz classes, but stopped when I was in college. After trying, without luck, to find a workout that would keep me interest long-term, I joined a gym that had a Jazzercise class. The first class felt like home! The music was fun, the choreography was unique, and I finally found a workout that seemed to go by quickly! It didn't take long before I became passionate about Jazzercise. I have been Jazzercising for 12 years and teaching for 5 years. The reason that I fell in love with jazzercise was because of my dancing background. I always loved my dance classes that I have had especially my jazz dance classes. It was everything that I wanted in an exercise program. It was fun, it had cardio with strength training and it is a great workout. I have always put exercise as a priority in my life but this was the first time that I couldn’t wait until I could go again. I have never been bored with it! Because I was such a dedicated customer, I had several instructors talk to me about becoming an instructor. I was hesitate for about 6 months but the instructors kept after me. So finally, I realized I was always going to do Jazzercise and I was there so much that I might as well become an instructor. I love the friendships that I have made through Jazzercise and I enjoy sharing with others my passion for Jazzercise. I started Jazzercising in January 1997. My sister and I joined together. We caught a class here and there but I didn't make the 100 club that first year. But the next year I made sure I was in the 100 club. I was an early morning Jazzerciser and class manager. I liked to get my workout in before going to work. But I had my first child in 2002 and quit my job as an elementary school teacher to stay at home. My class times changed but my love of Jazzercise, the music and friends didn't. Jazzercise is what I do for me. I loved it so much I thought being an instructor would be a great way to stay in shape and get to talk to adults. So in June of 2004 I became an instructor. That same week I found out I was expecting baby number two. I was introduced to Jazzercize by a good friend around 2002. It is truly the only workout regimen Ive been able to stick with and Ive tried them all! I am completely passionate about Jazzercise, I love the atmosphere, the friends Ive made and honestly all the weight Ive lost between two pregnancies just seems like an added bonus! I love the dance aspect of Jazzercise, the music is awesome and best of all with there always being new routines coming out..its always a fun & challenging workout! When I Jazzercise..it motivates me to stick with a healthy lifestyle, its so addicting, I met my goal of 400 classes in 2006 as a student, I decided to finally get certified and be that motivation for others to experience the natural high of Jazzercise and WANT to do something good for themselves. Certified January 2007. I first got into Jazzercise about seven years ago shortly after Tanya, my sister started. She talked me into attending a class with her. At first, I really wasn’t sure it was my thing. I could tell it was great exercise, but I felt like I had two left feet. I stumbled around at the back trying not to feel too foolish. Eventually, I got better and learned to love it. But attending classes was as far as I went for several years. Tanya was always telling me that I needed to get certified and become an instructor. It was something that I wanted to do, but life just kept getting in the way. Fear also prevented me from taking that next step. I loved to exercise, or as my husband would say, I was obsessed with it. I just really liked the way being fit made me feel. Finally, I decided to go for it. Why not get paid for doing something that I really loved. Now, instead of challenging myself to complete workouts, I get to challenge others to reach their fitness goals. Not only is Jazzercise good for you, it is also a lot of fun! I was introduced to Jazzercise in 1994 when my oldest sister brought me to class when I moved to Phoenix. She had been a Jazzercise student for years and was anxious to show me what it was all about! Just like her, I was hooked after the first class! I became an instructor in 2001 after being approached by a center owner looking for new instructors. (My sister also became an instructor after she saw how much I enjoyed teaching) I have taught Jazzercise in Arizona, Texas and now Oklahoma. Jazzercise is not only a fabulous health and fitness program but it opens up the doors to new friendships in every city. In 2007, I took on a new challenge and became a Certified Personal Trainer thru NASM, National Academy of Sports Medicine. I enjoy sharing my passion for Jazzercise and health with our students. To see a student work hard and achieve their goal makes it all worthwhile. I started Jazzercising in the early 1980s living in Texas, New Mexico, now Oklahoma and was immediately hooked on the upbeat, energetic and just flat out fun way to exercise. It beats those "do it yourself home videos" or going to a gym to exercise. I always thought it would be fun to be an instructor, but never took it seriously. I joined Jazz On The Square in February 2007, after moving to Broken Arrow in September. 2006. After going for a couple of months, one of the instructors approached me and asked if I had ever considered being an instructor. I laughed and said "yeah, back in the day". After much encouragement from family and friends, I decided to go for it. It was something I always wanted to do, but just didn't have the nerve. Why not go for something you have a passion for and be fit for life. I truly believe one way to be happy in life and make yourself feel good is exercising and I can't think of a better thing than Jazzercise. If offers everything, cardio, strengthen, tone, not to mention meeting people. What more could a person want. I look foward to helping others achieve their fitness goals and have fun doing it.