If you haven’t tried a SHINE Dance Fitness class yet, it’s ok. I hadn’t either until now. And now I’m hooked! It was SO MUCH FUN! And I honestly had no idea what to expect when I accepted the invitation to represent the Orlando Mom Collective and check out a class at the White Swan Academy dance studio in Ocoee. But I’m glad I took the risk and tried a new exercise outside of my comfort zone. It was a blast!

A latina mom is taking a mirror selfie at a dance studio
Let’s start this SHINE Dance Fitness class! But first, let me take a selfie.

What is SHINE Dance Fitness?

According to their website, a SHINE Dance Fitness class has a little bit of jazz, ballet and hip hop, plus toning and a dash of “high intensity cardio.” It is a full-body workout (Oh, it definitely is. I felt it!) And they share that SHINE is a “mood-lifting experience that leaves you feeling capable, confident and connected.” I couldn’t agree more. I had SO much fun during those 60 minutes. My mood was definitely lifted.

A view inside the White Swan Academy dance studio
The White Swan Academy dance studio in Ocoee has a beautiful window view!

Is it beginner friendly?

YES! I haven’t been working out consistently (since like 2008 when I FINALLY lost the baby weight from my son who was 2 at the time!) But I honestly felt like I was able to keep up with the class (for the most part! HA!) No, really. I didn’t feel like I was huffing and puffing. And I appreciated that the SHINE Dance Fitness instructor, Lola, shared both low and high impact modifications, to make the class beginner friendly. I even invited my daughter and her friend to join me (they’re both 12 year old competitive gymnasts), and they did a great job!

Two smiling women pose in front of a photo backdrop at a dance studio
SHINE Dance Fitness instructor Lola and Coppelia

Are the dance moves hard to follow?

I would say the dance moves are not complicated or advanced, but it depends on your experience. I have taken hip hop workout classes in the past (at a 24 Hour Fitness) and I remember having trouble learning some of those steps. I’ve also been known to jump on stage with Zumba instructor friends to help lead classes at a YMCA because I can do those moves in my sleep! So it depends. If you’ve taken dance type fitness classes like Zumba or hip hop, SHINE Dance Fitness will feel very similar to that. The instructor (in this case Lola) shows you a few steps, one by one, and then you put them all together.

Dance studio windows with a beautiful view of trees outside
The White Swan Academy dance studio has so much natural light. It’s a beautiful place to workout!

Does it feel like a good workout?

It felt like a GREAT workout! The SHINE Dance Fitness website says it’s a “full body” workout and I really felt like that’s what I got. I love it when exercise is fun, but you also feel it the next day! To be honest, based on the workout, I thought for sure I was going to be SO sore … but surprisingly, I wasn’t! I felt a little sore, but nothing intense (like after you try a bootcamp class for the 1st time. Ouch!)

White Swan Academy dance studio mirror and beautiful picture window
The White Swan Academy dance studio feels very open and airy with natural lights flooding in thru picture windows.

Post in the comments if you have any other questions. Or you can get in touch with SHINE Dance Fitness instructor, Lola, here. She teaches at White Swan Academy in Ocoee. Oh, and if you want to check out a class, let me know! I might want to join you! 🙂

~Coppelia

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Coppelia
Coppelia is a local Orlando radio personality, wife, mom and self-proclaimed "Boricua princess!" Boricua because she was born in Puerto Rico and princess because ... Disney! Her love of all-things-Disney probably started when her grandma "Abuela Mamin" brought 5-year-old Coppelia to Disney World for the first time! She's married to her "Boricua prince charming," Adam, who is also from Puerto Rico. Both of their kids, their son Chris {2006} and daughter Ally {2009} were born in California. So far, Coppelia's family adventures have taken her from Puerto Rico to California, then Texas (where she loved being a part of our sister community, the Houston Moms Blog!) She moved to Orlando in 2019 for an awesome radio gig! You can hear her on Z88.3 in English and La Z 102.5 in Spanish! When she's not on the radio or getting her kids to basketball and gymnastics, Coppelia blogs about family, faith and fun at coppeliamarie.com. She's also the author of a Bible devotional called “Whole: How One Book Can Transform Your Whole Life." While her roles as wife & mom are priority, she loves opportunities to lead worship and sing in churches and speak at Christian women’s conferences. Orlando life is still new to Coppelia, but she loves being a Disney Annual Passholder. She and her sister Emille hit the parks as often as possible! Special Disney memories include her Disney Honeymoon in 2004 and her first RunDisney half marathon at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in 2015! Can't wait to make new memories & share them with YOU! You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @Coppeliamarie.

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