More than a workout: Andi Morgan celebrates 25 years of friendships

By Kristine Thomas

When Andi Morgan began teaching Jazzercise, she had six seconds to change the 45 record on the record player to a new song. Now, she uses an Ipod.

The outfits have gone from leg warmers, leotards and headbands to yoga pants and an athletic top.

As she prepared to teach a class on March 10 to celebrate her 25th anniversary as an instructor, Morgan said while a great deal has changed in technology, athletic wear and music,  what has remained the same is the friendship and support she receives from her students. She said it is an honor to be their instructor.

“I treasure the friendships I’ve made with my students. Many are people that I probably would not have met otherwise,” Morgan said. “My life is so much richer because of them.”

As she watched her students enter the gym, she said there are students who have been with her for 25 years and students who have just begun.

“It is very rewarding to see people in class that have stuck with me for my entire Jazzercise career,” Morgan said. “I also love getting to share the joy of dance and exercise with new students that come to realize that a challenging workout can also be incredibly fun.”

Morgan was first certified to teach Jazzercise on Feb. 29, 1989. She earned the certification by completing an intense workshop and performing a letter-perfect audition.

Becoming and continuing as a Jazzercise instructor requires dedication and thorough training, she said.

Morgan has maintained her certification by passing annual evaluations and participating in on-going instructor training. She receives and must learn new routines on a weekly basis.

“Jazzercise is certainly not the same program it was in 1989,” Morgan said.  “Jazzercise has always kept its instructors on the cutting edge of the industry, without giving in to fads. And the company’s high-quality standards guarantee that participants will always receive a safe and incredibly effective work out.”

A former teacher at Silverton High, Morgan now is an education specialist for the Oregon Department of Education.

“When I was teaching high school, I don’t think I ever had a student come up to me at the end of history or economics class and thank me for making their life better,” Morgan said. “That happens regularly at Jazzercise. I love knowing that I’m making my students healthier, both physically and mentally.”

Her class also makes contributions to the Silverton community. Each Thanksgiving, she hosts a class where she asks participants to bring canned food items to donate to Silverton Area Community Aid. On March 10, participants brought gently used or new books to donate to Silverton Together.

What drew Morgan to take the class and then to begin teaching is she simply loves to dance.

“I love the variety of the music and that it changes each week. I love that it is never the same,” Morgan, 59, said. “In 50 minutes, you burn 600 calories. This class is a great way to get rid of the stress. The class helps keep me young and gives me energy.”

In her March 10 class, there were two men and 30 women of varying ages. What makes Jazzercise a great workout, Morgan said, is it can be adapted to the person’s fitness level and ability.

“I tell people they are in charge of their workout,” Morgan said. “They can do low impact or high impact.”

The workout program offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga and kickboxing movements, she said.

In 1984, Mary Coleman brought Morgan to her first Jazzercise class. Morgan took the class for five years before becoming an instructor. Coleman attended the 25th anniversary class and celebration.

“Who knew Andi had music running through her soul,” Coleman said. “That girl can rock.”

Jill Knudson and Lynn McKeon have taken Jazzercise for a year. They both enjoy the “social piece” of the workout – getting to spend time with their friends.

“Andi just brings a joy to everyone she is around,” McKeon said. “We all just love to dance.”

A year ago, McKeon said she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She started taking the class as a way to become stronger and healthier.

“Jazzercise has a wellness approach,” McKeon said. “It’s all about feeling healthy, being fit and having fun.”

In April, Trisha Anderson will turn 21. From the stories she has heard, she has been “attending” Jazzercise classes since her mom, Janet Anderson, was pregnant. She has babysat children so their moms could attend class and has taken the class on and off for eight years. A runner, Anderson said the class provides a great core workout. And it’s something she can do with her mom – with each woman going at her own pace.

“What I like about the class is that I can modify the workout,” Janet Anderson said. “I like the fact I can have fun and the friends I have met.”

Cleo Ramsay, 61, has participated in Jazzercise for 30 years.

“When I was working, I had a lot of stress,” Ramsay said. “I would come here and dance the stress away. Andi makes the class so much fun that you don’t even realize you are exercising.”

Jean Edwards has been Morgan’s assistant for 25 years. She enjoys the music, the dance and most of all the friendships.

“Everyone who comes to class is a really good person and I am proud to call them all a friend.”

As Morgan was leading the class through a cool down, two women gave her a bouquet of flowers and a card from the class. Morgan invited everyone to enjoy a glass of sparkling cider afterwards.

“The people who come to my class are just amazing,” Morgan said. “They are a community who supports and encourages one another. It’s because of them that I can do this.”

Upbeat, encouraging and laughing during the workout, Morgan thanked everyone for celebrating the anniversary with her. She joked she hoped to be doing Jazzercise for another 25 years.

“It may be in a wheelchair,” she said. “Second thought, if we keep doing this we won’t need one.”