My co-workers and I are currently taking Denise's Turbo Kick Boxing class through UC Davis’ experimental college and this is my FIRST, yes FIRST EVER aerobics/dance/workout class (well except for P.E. in the seventh grade but that doesn’t count as I am in my 40s). I had very scary expectations coming into the class. I contemplated calling my doctor and asking him to write me a prescription for pain meds, updating my will, and having an ambulance on stand-by. Needless to say none of those actions were necessary. From day one, I realized that Denise was fully knowledgeable about kick boxing as well as the proper way to perform each move so that the participants were not injured. I love when Denise takes a moment and walks around the classroom so that she can demonstrate how to properly execute the moves. Even when I think I am dying and I don’t have the energy to kick-a-box let alone get into turbo mode, I just focus on Denise and get inspired to just keep moving and NEVER give up.
I have arthritis in the knee, tendonitis in the wrist and a herniated disc in my back yet after each class I feel GREAT and can’t wait until the next one. I highly recommend this class to anyone who would like to have lots of fun; sweat a ton; and move it, move it, move it. Denise is our own little teeny-tiny turbonator and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Denise, you rock!!!
- Marlene (Mar-lay-nah)I took Denise's TurboKick class for 2 years, and as a person who had done several flavors of kickboxing prior, I had a set of expectations coming into the class. Denise really took the "turbo" part of the class to heart, and developed a choreography set that blew my previous ones out of the water. The pace was fast, and the combinations really made you stretch far and be light on your feet (unlike other kickboxing classes, which more or less keep you in one spot). That said, the class was completely accessible to beginners, because Denise offered multiple intensity variations for a particular combination, which allowed students to customize their workout. Denise also assumed an active role in her teaching that I've never seen in any other instructor. She ensured that you reach your personal maximum level of performance, instead of just telling you to do your best. She'd leave her spot at the front of the class and walk around the class to make sure your form is correct, and she'd even come do the combinations right next to you to shake things up. Walking out of TurboKick feels unparalleled-you're loose, energized, and you feel strong. I was not blessed with a stellar metabolism, and I really have to earn every pound I lose. No fitness class I've ever taken has given me the results that TurboKick did; when I combined its cardiovascular workout with some additional cross-training, I steadily lost 30 pounds, and kept them off. That achievement inspired me to make positive life-long changes that affected everything from eating choices to academic motivation. I'd highly recommend this class to anyone looking for serious fun in a motivating environment!
- UshaI have taken Denise's Gypsy Routes class. We did a combo of Flamenco, belly dancing, and some others mixed together. I liked that in this class, we worked on coordination and muscle control. Denise is very encouraging. NEVER makes you feel stupid or clumsy. She always breaks down the moves in such a way that you can understand it. Her enthusiasm is not fake like a lot of teachers, and she is not condescending either. Denise is very relaxed, but not lazy about her classes. Every time I would walk out of her class, I felt like we had learned something new, but applied it to the older moves to keep building and expanding our dancing repertoire. I was definitely jazzed after the classes and happy to have not just exercised, but done something creative too! Dancing definitely helped improve my mental state, as well. I also acquired lots of valuable cultural information. Being a Caucasian woman with limited exposure to Latin countries, I had no idea all of the dances and moves that were out there. It was so interesting to learn not just the moves, but the significance behind many of them. The music was always amazing and interesting. She has expanded my Latin music library immensely. Additionally, I accomplished one of my life goals by being part of and performing in Denise's dance group "Fiesta Afrolatina." She opened my eyes to many different kinds of Latin music! I even dropped weight off my waist and I felt really good. Samba gives you an amazing cardiovascular workout. It is really difficult! I would DEFINITELY recommend this class to others. THANKS!
- MeaganI have been taking Denise's Fiesta Afrolatina class for over two years. I like Denise's unique combination of dance and fitness, as well as her inclusion of the cultural and historical aspects of the music and movements. By starting with the basic steps and then adding more complicated moves, Denise allows each individual to progress at their own rate, which makes the class extremely enjoyable for all levels. Even for as long as I have taken her class, I still always have fun and a good workout. Denise's incredible energy keeps the class at a quick pace, and it seems to be over way too soon. I always leave feeling refreshed and energized. Before I took this class I didn't know how much I liked to dance, and now dancing an essential part of my life!
- Alyssa