Jazzercise instructor celebrates 25 years in Manchester

Manchester’s “jazz girls“ — left to right: class manager Susan Speziale, instructors Lynette Cannon and Lisa Dover, and class manager Yvonne Fent

by Marsha Chartrand

It’s said that if you do what you love, and love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

Well, Lynette Cannon might actually have a “day job“ at the University of Michigan, although these days it’s working part-time from home, but the job she loves, and what keeps her powered up, both literally and figuratively, is what she’s been doing for the last 25 years — right here in Manchester.

“I first got involved in Jazzercise in 1997 at the Saline Rec Center,“ she explains. “I found out then that there were satellite classes being held at the Emanuel Church, run by the Saline owner. I started taking classes in Manchester, and learned that instructor who was teaching at Emanuel was relocating. She approached me to see if I might be interested in teaching. I decided to go for it and the rest is history! I became the class owner of the Manchester classes on March 27, 1998, following a 3-day certification workshop.“

Jazzercise is one of the world’s leading dance fitness companies with 8,300+ franchisees teaching 32,000+ classes per week in 32 countries around the world. Instructors train every year to master the Jazzercise method, which fuses cardio, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, and the demanding forms of dance. Classes include Cardio Sculpt, Power Sculpt, and Stretch. With constantly changing moves, new beats, a variety of workouts, and calorie-crushing intensity, customers can expect to feel results after three classes and expect to stick with it.

“I think the first thing that appealed to me about Jazzercise was how much fun it was!“ Cannon says. “I loved the music (top 40 music we hear on the radio) and it was (and still is) a very effective workout as well. All the routines are choreographed for safety and effectiveness, and instructors cue to their customers so no one has to ‘learn‘ a routine, just follow along.“

Because it‘s so much fun, Cannon says she has several customers who have been with her from the beginning! “I‘ve made many wonderful friends along the way,“ she says. “I think that‘s another appeal of Jazzercise; people can actually find friends and have fun while getting fit!“

And new customers are not totally left on their own, she reassures you. If you‘re unsure or you have special needs in your exercising routine, she can show you low-impact and technique modifications to help make them feel successful. “I also let them know that as long as they are moving, they are still getting benefit from class. Everyone is free to modify the routines to fit their needs,“ she adds.

And although the classes are geared for both men and women, Cannon says she doesn‘t currently have any men participating in class, but has had men join in the past, and they‘ve always done really well. “They were surprised at what a great workout Jazzercise is!“ she says. “When Pastor David Williams was at Emanuel, he joined our classes and loved it — we loved having him as well; he was always a hoot!“

Cannon’s big news and celebration of her anniversary of becoming an instructor on March 27, 1998, is that Jazzercise-Manchester will hold a free-for-all open house at 6pm on Monday, March 27, at Emanuel United Church of Christ Gym (324 W Main St).

“This event allows me to thank the community for making Jazzercise such a huge success in a part of their lives for the past 25 years in Manchester,” she says. “I also want to give the public an opportunity to try us out and see the intensity and effectiveness of our workouts.”

Open house festivities will include light refreshments, information on the Jazzercise program, and a free workout. Admission is free to everyone, and participants should wear proper workout clothes and shoes. We will also be offering a special to mark her 25th year of teaching Jazzercise in Manchester — sign up for only $25 (1998 prices)! This price is good through the month of April.

Stop in on the 27th for a special class, light refreshments, and learn more about the fun and fantastic Jazzercise program that Manchester has available to everyone!

Judi Sheppard Missett, founder of Jazzercise, and Lynette Cannon, in 1998 when she was first certified as an instructor.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.