Page 46 - the NOISE October 2012

Tranzend FITness
From Ato ZumbA
story by lisa aguiñaga photos by jon jensen
In the 1980s, the only thing bigger and more frightening than my hair, were the crazy pseudo dynamic, day-glow neon trends that grabbed everyone by the legwarmers. I wasn’t the only one that had delusions of grandeur after Flashdance ... “Wow, that’s like, my life, like, totally.”
And although I certainly thought, I too, was that diamond in the rough, I knew I could find my niche (just like Alex), and dance my way into Julliard by demon- strating the moves I had learned on the street by Ray-Ray, Roach and Mothball Mike. Coming off the tail end of the disco scene and reconfiguring an entirely differ- ent genre, the 80s spared no one.
If you didn’t breakdance (I believe now it has morphed into hip-hop), you were probably rocking out to power love bal- lads while sporting huge quaffs or an intensely stylish mullet. You could have also chosen to be seriously Ramone punk or predictably German techno. Dusty rose was the color, overstuffed chairs the home fashion, skinny ties and shoulder pads were the “white hot” couture. BMWs, 280 Zs, the Miata and any other yuppified vehicle were amongst the select few to make the auto grade. Six hundred-dollar microwave ovens, $1000 CD players and cellular phones built into a portable “box,” were the norm in cutting edge technol- ogy.
When it came to lifestyle, the fitness craze was a whole other ballgame. Rac- quetball was king and aerobics was queen. Courts were booked. Classes were full. Bottled water was plentiful. Workout wardrobes were ridiculous. Mine, fancied
pale canary yellow high-top Reeboks, match- ing headband, a leotard that looked as if I had been in a paintball competition; splotched with colors — just so — flesh-toned tights, and a sweatshirt strategically ripped in all the right places. Especially the collar. It had to be jauntily slung off the shoulder. Serious work- outs demanded serious gear. How else could you feel the burn?
Laura Enciso is a fiery, fit, and delight- ful woman. She is a master at fitness and has taught Flagstaff how to enjoy being active through movement for close to 15 years. When I first met Laura she was teach- ing Jazzercise on the Southside at Beaver Square. Our paths have crossed since, but I last recall her and her charmingly Hispanic husband, Art, serving up flawless margaritas and equally fantastic chile verde, at an NAU Homecoming tailgate party a few years back. She had moved her Jazzercise business into a much bigger facility they had bought on west Santa Fe Avenue. (The old Arizona Daily Sun building to those of us who remember.)
Ms. Enciso isn’t offering Jazzercise at the facility anymore. After years of teaching, she has decided to offer exciting fitness alterna- tives. Zumba, Sentao, Kokoro and Hatha Yoga, Sleek Phyzique Personal Training and soon to hit Flagstaff — Pole Dancing Fitness!
Oh, SNAP! You read that right. An amazing workout phenomenon that emphasizes your body’s own weight resistance, core, upper- body, leg strength, leverage and a whole lotta sexy. It is an empowering workout for women (and men) that not only builds mus- cle but confidence. Pole fitness allows any- one, any size to learn the art form, and it truly is a performance art.
Pole dancing originated in the 1920s at the height of the Great Depression. It is thought that circuses or traveling fairs would go from town to town entertaining the crowds. As part of the fair, there would be many different types of side shows in small tents surrounding the main tent. One particular tent housed erotic
“Hoochi Coochi” dancers as they quickly came to be known. The dancers originated sugges- tive movements loaded with hip gyrations, adult innuendo (the equivalent to the bump- and-grind of today), usually on a small stage in front of crowds of cheering beer drinkers. Due to size of the tent, the tent pole would be situ- ated at the very edge of the stage. Hence, the dancer would approach the tent pole and be- gin to dance with it. Real Americana.
Excited to bring a reinvented fitness cam- paign to Northern Arizona, Ms. Enciso has been in business long enough to know she has to remain at the forefront, open to traditional as well as alternative fitness trends. Tranzend is premier studio fitness. A 4000-square foot facility offers clients a professional and com- fortable environment, and a 2000-square foot cushioned dance floor that better protects knees and body during exercise.
When the studio isn’t holding fitness class- es, Mr. Enciso handles a different end of the business. The facility itself is used to hold re- ceptions, celebrations, meetings and special events for up to 125 guests. It also offers full kitchen facilities for do-it-yourself or outside catering. Mr. Enciso says, “We’ve already got three graduations booked in the spring, so it’s a good idea for people to reserve a spot now for the holidays.” He goes on to say, “We’ve no- ticed more people are booking events that are all inclusive, weddings and receptions both. Clients will decorate to their vision and they
transform this whole space. It’s incredible.” Tranzend will be hosting some upcom-
ing fitness and charity events. Zumba Master Class: Ms. Enciso will join local Flagstaff and other Northern Arizona in- structors to bring a night of high energy and exclusive routines Friday October 19, at 6:30PM.
A fall retreat is scheduled October 12- 14 with Tango masters Adeline and Korey Ireland. Based out of Berlin, they bring a rich tango expertise to this special ASU Tango Club event. The weekend includes 5 classes, practica and an all night milonga
including live music by Korey humself. Party in Pink: Movin’ to End Breast Can-
cer a Zumbathon charity event benefiting The Breast Cancer Resource Center at Flag- staff Medical Center and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 10AM October 6. Ms. Enciso says, “The event we held in 2007 raised $10,000. We’re hoping to at least match or go beyond that this year.” For more infor- mation visit tranzendclub.com .
Other groups they have at their facil- ity are Flagstaff Youth Fencing that meets twice a week and the NAU Latin Dance Club which meets every Sunday from 6-9PM.
The Encisos are continuing to succeed at their business through the power of rees- tablishing and recreating it. Theirs is a win- ning combination.
| Lisa Aguiñaga may spontaneously break out into a number from Flashdance
at any given moment.
lisa_mansfield@live.com
46 • OCTOBER 2012 • the NOISE arts & news magazine • thenoise.us