Sanda Kruger

I am originally from Bucharest, Romania where I started my dancing career when I was 5 years old.

 As a child, I participated to numerous shows and performances with the Dance School I was in, ( today is called MiKado in Bucharest, Romania)

I have an experience of 15 years as a professional performer in Ballroom and Latin dances. That includes: Salsa, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Raeggaeton, Raggae, Vals, Tango, etc.

In 2000, while I was a student at University of Bucharest (The Philosophy Department) I started spending my summers in Kusadasi, Turkey working as a tour guide. That's where I was exposed to belly dance for the first time and in my life and I absolutely loved the freedom of movement at the benefits that that type of dance can bring to ones body.

I spent years learning the Turkish belly dance and I noticed that my core muscles became stronger and stronger.

At the end of 2003 I came to The United States and I noticed the need of fitness education in the new country. Goiong through the pregnancy myself, I experienced on my own body the changes of age and a break in exercising, So I got back on track by going to the gym regularly.

But the gym itself was not quite enough, so I began to look online for other opprtunities ef exercise and eventually socialize in the same time. That way I discovered Zumba and I tried it at home for a while. From the first day I did my first routine I knew that is the right program for me, I just had to learn to mix the fitness variation into the routines.

In the same time, I restarted belly dance on my own at home, and when i showed my American friends what I do, they all loved it and encouraged me to start teaching.

Two years ago I started giving belly dance fitness classes, because I believe that the fitness benefits of the class are far more important than the dance itself. Once you get the body to be strong enough, dancing comes easily. We focus on building flexibility and endurance, working on the balance as well. It's been a blast.

A few month after the belly dance fitness classes started, I also took my Zumba license and a new journey started. I absolutely love Aqua Zumba, which is so different from anything else I have done before. There is no dancing in it, but the benefits of the water are immense. And is sooo much fun!

Today, ZumbAtomic(R) for kids 4-12 and Aqua Zumba are two of the specialty classes I love.

I am currently studying to pass my AFFA certification as a group fitness professional and I am looking forward to receive my Personal Training Certification and The ACE as well.

I would be very honored to be able to share my passion for fitness, dance and uplifting experiences with you!