Sheela Hota-Mitchell

I wear two working hats that focus on the two sides of my brain.  Each type of work actually informs the other... the academic writing side benefits from my creative dance fitness side, and vice versa :-).

1. I have a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology and own and run an academic editing business, Write on Science (www.writeonscience.com), where I help doctors, scientists, engineers and health professionals communicate their work to their desired audience (grant proposals, manuscripts, website content, brochures, reports, etc.).  

2. I operate as Zumba with Sheela, and teach Zumba dance fitness to all ages, from Zumba Kids, aged 6-12,  to regular Zumba, for ALL, to Zumba Gold, "life-experienced" people who may need low impact and slower routines that still raise their heart rates and focus on their mobility and balance. I even teach Zumba toning, which combines light weight with dance fitness to give a boosted cardio workout while emphasizing particular muscle groups.  I can teach on land (Zumba/Zumba kids/Zumba toning/ZUmba gold) and water (Aqua Zumba).

I curate my playlists & choreography to suit my audience & teach progressively with modifications. My playlists cover the gamut of world rhythms (merengue, salsa, reggaeton, cumbia, Bollywood, Afrobeat, samba and soca, to name a few), sprinkled with the occasional trending hits that will keep students humming all day! I work hard to provide a safe, inclusive and joyous environment in my classes—my goal is for participants to leave class smiling, sweating and eager to return for more.

I even add special themed songs with choreographies to celebrate holidays, like winter holidays, Valentine's Day, Easter, St. Patrick's Day and Halloween!  We dress up (while still wearing workout clothing and shoes) and even have treats after class!

I have taught Zumba classes at gyms/community centres in Arizona, Tampa Florida, and Alberta, as well as participated in numerous dance parties/fundraisers/flash mobs.  When COVID-19 shut down facilities in March, 2020, I started live-streaming Zumba classes over Zoom, and I continue my Zoom classes today, due to the demand for this format. In addition, I teach in-person classes in my community hall in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as at the University of Alberta and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology gyms (registered classes). 

I love to dance and to share this love with others! I'm happy to share my resume and please visit my instructor page on Zumba.com: https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profile/sheela-mitchell/1459235