Zumba! The mere sound of the word conjures up the tremor of a primitive song, or a dance of lively gyrations that saturate that fitness factory on Salem Road where scores of people, mostly women, travel through their paces in the hopes of dropping a pound or more. It might be called a dance, but more accurately, Zumba is a regimen of strenuous motion that, with a torrid, blaring musical accompaniment, rocks, Millions of people around the world are moving, making joyful sounds and searching for a healthy lifestyle by virtue of the dance.

Assuredly, the pounds fall off making everyone giddy with success, including the bosses at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center who support the activity wholeheartedly - this dance and fitness phenomenon.

The fitness center paints Zumba as a hypnotic Latin rhythm that creates a dynamic fitness effort that produces fairly amazing results.Movement and drive - thats Zumba, a dance craze that scores of participants seem to love, burning some 500 to 1,000 calories during an hour-long trip.

Tiffeny Crow, the senior program specialist at the Fitness Center, and other instructors, take their charges through workouts five days a week at various times, helping them experience the electrifying transit by means indigenous Latin music.

All this has come about by pure accident, if one considers the history of Zumba which is the story of Alberto Beto Perez who created the dance craze when one fateful day in his native Cali, Columbia, he darted off to teach an aerobics class and forgot his aerobics music.Not to be undone, he improvised, using his own combination of music from tapes he carried in his backpack (the salsa and merengue music he grew up with). Merengue is a fast dance with tricky moves that originated in the Dominican Republic in the 19th century.Instinctively, Perez created a new kind of dance fitness, one that focused on letting the music move a dancer instead of the dancer counting the steps over the music. People gravitated toward the new sounds - they loved it - and a revolutionary new fitness concept was born - the Zumba Fitness Party.

Today the idea of moving the world to a new beat seems to be the fashion -an exhilarating, effective, easy- to-follow, Latin inspired calorie-burning fitness party that is moving millions of people toward joy and health.

To say the Zumba dance is addictive begs the question. It has become that and infinitely more since its inception in 2001, It has grown to become the worlds largest - and most successful- dance fitness program, with more than 12 million or more people of all sizes, shapes and ages, taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across 125 countries.

If you are new to Zumba, a word of caution: This is the most physically exhausting event of them all, Your instructor will encourage you to perform certain actions - probably unheard of actions - that your body will resist. You will bend in places youve never bent before. But you persevere. Remember the big picture: get fit, lose weight.

The instructor will exhort, almost beg you to stay with the others even if you hate everyone in sight. Your body will ache, but somehow you will be caught up by the excitement even if the Latin music and the fancy footwork are beyond your ken.

Tiffeny Crow and other instructors cajole and set the pace seeming impervious to the demands Zumba present.

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Zumba taking area by storm

More professional and consumer content available for studio and home-based use

TORONTO, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Merrithew Health & Fitness announced today the release of 50 new professional and home-based DVD titles for their premier Pilates brand STOTT PILATES and two new multi-disciplinary fitness brands ZENGA and CORE Athletic Conditioning & Performance Training.

"We are very proud to now have over 170 DVD titles in our library and posses an extensive collection of fitness programming available for professional and consumer markets," said Lindsay G. Merrithew, Executive Producer and President and CEO. "With a strong global presence and an increasing customer base, we continuously aim to establish the highest quality products, services and equipment lines. This includes educational materials for our instructors and detailed, safe and fun content for fitness enthusiasts."

With the largest collection of Pilates DVDs, expansion now begins in general fitness titles. Recognized as The Professional's Choice by studios, fitness facilities and home exercisers around the globe, DVD content ranges from beginner to advanced levels across all brands including titles such as: Bounce & Burn Weight-Loss on the Reformer and Strength & Conditioning on the Jumpboard & Reformer. All programming is taught and presented by Master Instructor Trainers adding experienced-based training to each DVD. While some titles are already accessible online, remaining DVDs will be available throughout the year and at key international tradeshows including IDEA World, San Diego and Can Fit Pro, Toronto - as well as at upcoming Merrithew Health & Fitness Symposiums in Los Angeles, Essen, Germany, Toronto, New York City and the UK.

"We are excited to bring to market new DVD programming for our world-renowned brand, STOTT PILATES and our most recent fitness brands, ZENGA and CORE Athletic Conditioning & Performance Training," explained Moira Merrithew, Executive Director of Education and Master Instructor Trainer. "As part of our Mindful Movement campaign, these titles showcase the benefit of responsible lifestyle and exercise choices instead of quick-fix diets and short-term workout fads. We are proud to continue to provide thoughtful programming that is engaging, inspiring and convenient."

Merrithew Health & Fitness is dedicated to building high-caliber, multi-disciplinary fitness brands for people of all ages, levels of fitness and abilities. For over 20 years, Lindsay and Moira Merrithew have built their business on the philosophy that effective and responsible exercise is the foundation to a better lifestyle. STOTT PILATES, Merrithew's premier Pilates brand, delivers high-caliber education with over 32,000 students trained from more than 105 countries. Their other high-end fitness brands include CORE Athletic Conditioning & Performance Training and ZENGA which is a unique blend of the foundational principles of STOTT PILATES, Yoga and Dance. For more information please visit http://www.merrithew.com.

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Join the Mindful Movement with 50 new fitness DVDs

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Concerns about job security and piles of debt have left American workers more pessimistic about retirement than ever.

Only 14% of workers feel "very confident" they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, while 38% of workers say they are "somewhat confident" and 23% say they are "not at all confident," according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The results have remained relatively unchanged since hitting an all-time low in 2009.

Many respondents said that saving for retirement has taken a backseat to more immediate financial concerns. About 42% of survey respondents said a lack of job security is the biggest issue they are facing, with only 28% of workers saying they feel very confident they will have a paying job for as long as they need it. Meanwhile, a whopping 62% -- nearly two-thirds -- of workers said their debt is a problem.

As a result, many workers barely have any savings, with about 60% of workers reporting total savings and investments of under $25,000 (excluding the value of their home and benefit plans). About 30% of these respondents said they have less than $1,000 in savings.

In addition, far fewer people are saving for retirement. The percentage of workers who said they were putting money away for retirement fell to 66% in 2012 from 75% in 2009. People earning less than $35,000 account for the majority of that decline -- most likely because they have either lost their jobs or are worried they may be out of work in the future, the report found.

"A lot of the people who have either lost their jobs or are worried about losing their jobs are trying to put a little money away for a rainy day and just don't have money to put into savings right now," said Jack VanDerhei, EBRI research director and co-author of the report.

Out of those who have started planning and saving, 67% say they are behind schedule. This is unchanged from 2011, but 12 percentage points higher than the 55% of workers who were behind schedule in 2005.

Medical costs are also a major concern, with only 13% of respondents reporting that they are very confident they will be able to afford medical expenses when they retire. Only 26% of workers are very confident that they will even have the money to pay for basic expenses.

While workers' lack of saving and confidence in their ability to retire comfortably is troubling, VanDerhei said it's good that people are becoming more realistic about their financial situations. In 2009, following the economic downturn, many workers clung to over inflated expectations about their retirement future.

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Retirement scare: 60% have less than $25K saved

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A new survey says Americans confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement remains at historically low levels in the face of job uncertainty and financial insecurity.

The 2012 annual Retirement Confidence Survey, released today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, and co-sponsored by the Principal Financial Group, finds only 14 percent of Americans are very confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement1. Workers with the most debt have the least confidence.

Current worries appear to overshadow long term planning. Forty-two percent of workers identify job uncertainty as the most pressing financial issue facing most Americans today. The percentage of those saving for retirement continues to decline, many report virtually no savings and investments and most workers have not even tried to calculate how much they need to save.

But the survey data show that retirement confidence levels are measurably higher (20 30 percent) among workers whove taken positive financial actions, including saving in an employer-sponsored plan, getting advice from a financial professional and calculating retirement savings needs.

Especially in an uncertain economy, having a plan and taking action helps Americans focus on what they can control and builds a realistic sense of optimism about the future , said Greg Burrows, senior vice president of the Principal Financial Group, long-time underwriter of the Retirement Confidence Survey. Working with a financial professional to set goals, and putting aside as much as possible, helps with short-term needs and paves the way for more security in the long term.

This is the 22nd annual Retirement Confidence Survey, making it the longest-running annual survey of its kind in the nation. Among other key findings available on the EBRI website at http://www.ebri.org:

Little savings: Many workers report they have virtually no savings and investments. In total, 60 percent of workers report that the total value of their households savings and investments, excluding the value of their primary home and any defined benefit plans, is less than $25,000.

Fewer saving: Two-thirds (66 percent) of workers report they and/or spouses have saved for retirement, a continuing decline from the 75 percent measured in 2009. Fifty-eight percent report currently savings versus 65 percent in 2009.

Workers expected retirement age: In 1991, 11 percent of workers said they expected to retire after age 65, and by 2012 that has grown to 37 percent.

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2012 Retirement Confidence Survey: Job Insecurity, Debt Keep Retirement Confidence at Historic Lows

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Concerns about job security and piles of debt have left American workers more pessimistic about retirement than ever.

Only 14% of workers feel "very confident" they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, while 38% of workers say they are "somewhat confident" and 23% say they are "not at all confident," according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The results have remained relatively unchanged since hitting an all-time low in 2009.

Many respondents said that saving for retirement has taken a backseat to more immediate financial concerns. About 42% of survey respondents said a lack of job security is the biggest issue they are facing, with only 28% of workers saying they feel very confident they will have a paying job for as long as they need it. Meanwhile, a whopping 62% -- nearly two-thirds -- of workers said their debt is a problem.

As a result, many workers barely have any savings, with about 60% of workers reporting total savings and investments of under $25,000 (excluding the value of their home and benefit plans). About 30% of these respondents said they have less than $1,000 in savings.

In addition, far fewer people are saving for retirement. The percentage of workers who said they were putting money away for retirement fell to 66% in 2012 from 75% in 2009. People earning less than $35,000 account for the majority of that decline -- most likely because they have either lost their jobs or are worried they may be out of work in the future, the report found.

"A lot of the people who have either lost their jobs or are worried about losing their jobs are trying to put a little money away for a rainy day and just don't have money to put into savings right now," said Jack VanDerhei, EBRI research director and co-author of the report.

Out of those who have started planning and saving, 67% say they are behind schedule. This is unchanged from 2011, but 12 percentage points higher than the 55% of workers who were behind schedule in 2005.

Medical costs are also a major concern, with only 13% of respondents reporting that they are very confident they will be able to afford medical expenses when they retire. Only 26% of workers are very confident that they will even have the money to pay for basic expenses.

While workers' lack of saving and confidence in their ability to retire comfortably is troubling, VanDerhei said it's good that people are becoming more realistic about their financial situations. In 2009, following the economic downturn, many workers clung to over inflated expectations about their retirement future.

However, instead of putting more money into savings, more people are opting to delay retirement, with 37% of respondents expecting to retire after age 65. That's up from only 11% in 1991.

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Workers still pessimistic about retirement

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Concerns about job security and piles of debt have left American workers more pessimistic about retirement than ever.

Only 14% of workers feel "very confident" they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, while 38% of workers say they are "somewhat confident" and 23% say they are "not at all confident," according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The results have remained relatively unchanged since hitting an all-time low in 2009.

Many respondents said that saving for retirement has taken a backseat to more immediate financial concerns. About 42% of survey respondents said a lack of job security is the biggest issue they are facing, with only 28% of workers saying they feel very confident they will have a paying job for as long as they need it. Meanwhile, a whopping 62% -- nearly two-thirds -- of workers said their debt is a problem.

As a result, many workers barely have any savings, with about 60% of workers reporting total savings and investments of under $25,000 (excluding the value of their home and benefit plans). About 30% of these respondents said they have less than $1,000 in savings.

In addition, far fewer people are saving for retirement. The percentage of workers who said they were putting money away for retirement fell to 66% in 2012 from 75% in 2009. People earning less than $35,000 account for the majority of that decline -- most likely because they have either lost their jobs or are worried they may be out of work in the future, the report found.

"A lot of the people who have either lost their jobs or are worried about losing their jobs are trying to put a little money away for a rainy day and just don't have money to put into savings right now," said Jack VanDerhei, EBRI research director and co-author of the report.

Out of those who have started planning and saving, 67% say they are behind schedule. This is unchanged from 2011, but 12 percentage points higher than the 55% of workers who were behind schedule in 2005.

Medical costs are also a major concern, with only 13% of respondents reporting that they are very confident they will be able to afford medical expenses when they retire. Only 26% of workers are very confident that they will even have the money to pay for basic expenses.

While workers' lack of saving and confidence in their ability to retire comfortably is troubling, VanDerhei said it's good that people are becoming more realistic about their financial situations. In 2009, following the economic downturn, many workers clung to over inflated expectations about their retirement future.

However, instead of putting more money into savings, more people are opting to delay retirement, with 37% of respondents expecting to retire after age 65. That's up from only 11% in 1991.

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Retirement scare: 60% of workers have less than $25,000 saved

Concerns about job security and piles of debt have left American workers more pessimistic about retirement than ever.

Only 14% of workers feel "very confident" they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, while 38% of workers say they are "somewhat confident" and 23% say they are "not at all confident," according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The results have remained relatively unchanged since hitting an all-time low in 2009.

Many respondents said that saving for retirement has taken a backseat to more immediate financial concerns. About 42% of survey respondents said a lack of job security is the biggest issue they are facing, with only 28% of workers saying they feel very confident they will have a paying job for as long as they need it. Meanwhile, a whopping 62% -- nearly two-thirds -- of workers said their debt is a problem.

As a result, many workers barely have any savings, with about 60% of workers reporting total savings and investments of under $25,000 (excluding the value of their home and benefit plans). About 30% of these respondents said they have less than $1,000 in savings.

In addition, far fewer people are saving for retirement. The percentage of workers who said they were putting money away for retirement fell to 66% in 2012 from 75% in 2009. People earning less than $35,000 account for the majority of that decline -- most likely because they have either lost their jobs or are worried they may be out of work in the future, the report found.

Super young retirement savers

"A lot of the people who have either lost their jobs or are worried about losing their jobs are trying to put a little money away for a rainy day and just don't have money to put into savings right now," said Jack VanDerhei, EBRI research director and co-author of the report.

Out of those who have started planning and saving, 67% say they are behind schedule. This is unchanged from 2011, but 12 percentage points higher than the 55% of workers who were behind schedule in 2005.

Medical costs are also a major concern, with only 13% of respondents reporting that they are very confident they will be able to afford medical expenses when they retire. Only 26% of workers are very confident that they will even have the money to pay for basic expenses.

How I'm easing into retirement

Originally posted here:
Retirement confidence remains at record low for workers

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has defended the government's performance after his personal rating dived in the latest opinion poll.

Mr Baillieu's personal rating has slumped 11 points since October, according to the latest Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper on Monday.

Forty-one per cent of voters said they were satisfied with the premier's performance, compared to 52 per cent in October.

On a two-party preferred basis, 53 per cent of voters support the coalition compared with 47 per cent preferring Labor.

Mr Baillieu said the public understood the government had tough challenges ahead.

'We have got an agenda in front of us and the community know that,' he told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.

'These are tough times, we've got some challenges in front of us, we are getting on with the job.'

When pressed on whether he would change his own leadership style, Mr Baillieu replied: 'We are getting on with the job.'

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Baillieu defends govt after bad poll

Conditions strengthened markedly in WA last month, despite the softening in mining activity. Source: PerthNow

The NAB survey showed that the gap between WA and the worst-performing sectors remains not far away from the biggest margin on record. Source: PerthNow

WA business conditions and confidence levels are bucking the national trend and are the highest in Australia - despite conditions weakening in the mining sector, according to NAB.

NABs monthly business survey, released today, revealed that WA remained the strongest state for overall business conditions and confidence in trend terms.

According to the survey, conditions across the country improved significantly in wholesale, and in transport and utilities in February, unwinding heavy falls in the previous month.

Surprisingly, conditions deteriorated modestly in mining and also in retail, the former lauded as the key driver of the national and state economies.

NAB chief economist Alan Olster provided insight and commentary on the survey results.

Conditions in the mining sector have been volatile, in line with recent gyrations in commodity prices, NAB said.

However, the survey also suggested that there are more indications that the expected surge in mining investment is on track, including the first ABS estimate of capital expectations for 2012-13.

Overall, business conditions were strongest in transport & utilities (+24), recreation & personal services (+19) and mining (+17), the survey stated.

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WA the nation's hands-down success story

The Irish Times - Tuesday, March 13, 2012

SUZANNE LYNCH

FUTURE PROOFING:A Roscommon company founded during the last recession has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the biggest employers in the county

LIKE MANY of the best business ideas, P&G cards had its genesis in a recession. Run by the Naughton family, and now one of the biggest employers in Co Roscommon, it was founded in the 1980s.

Founder Pauline Naughton was working as a nurse but, following cutbacks in the health service, she began helping out in a newsagents run by her sister. It was here that she spotted a business opening. I had always loved greeting cards, and could see they were a strong seller. I began to ask where these greeting cards came from and realised there was an opening for a wholesaler in Ireland, she says.

P&G cards was set up in 1988, from a small warehouse on the family farm in Athleague, with the help of a 2,000 loan from AIB. The company began importing cards from Britain and bought a van for distribution. One of its first contracts was with the local supermarket and the company was soon supplying 100 small shops along the western seaboard.

A major break was securing a listing with Musgraves in the early 1990s. Musgraves were the up-and-coming multiple in Ireland, says Pauline. Getting a contract was a huge boost for us. Following the contract, PG implemented a number of changes, including a computerised distribution system, and extended its existing facility at Athleague. The company also took on its first employee, a trainee from Fs, who still works there.

A business course with Roscommon Enterprise Board followed. I had come from a non-business background, and had no specific experience or training in business, so the course was hugely beneficial, explains Pauline.

The company also received business advice on scaling and soon signed a contract with BWG, the owners of Spar and Mace.

Over the ensuing years, Paulines two daughters, Aisling and Michelle, joined the business. Michelle, who has a degree in marketing and French, set about finding new business for PG, eventually securing a contract with Dunnes Stores, where PG is now the premium card supplier.

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Success was on the cards for business idea