Jayme watched people run the track, spar, saw martial arts groups meeting, and had seen people on the climbing wall and the resistance/weight machines, but no organized aerobic/techniques classes. Jayme decided that what was needed was some organized aerobics classes and pulled together the music and decided on offering Kickboxing. She touched her combadge to invite Kassia, [Lt. Kassia.]
[Kassia Here] came the bright response.
[I am starting a kickboxing aerobics class. Will you join me?] Jayme asked.
[Sounds like fun!] came the enthusiastic reply. [I could seriously use a break! When are you having this class?]
[Tonight in the Small Marine Gym at 1900hrs] Jayme said with a smile.
[I'll be there!] Kassia replied.
[Great. Wear something that is easy to move around in. Bring a towel, and a bottle of water. I'll meet you there.]
[I'll be prepared!] she replied with a playful lilt to her voice. [I'll see you soon!]
Jayme walked into her sleeping room and started pulling on the stretch pants she'd bought while shopping with Kassia a few weeks before. She found an old academy T-shirt, and some slip on shoes, grabbed a towel, water bottle and disc.
Kassia managed to find a nice pair of black, stretchy pants and a large purple shirt. She pulled her hair back into a pony-tail and did as Jayme has bid her. She grabbed a towel and a bottle of water. She then headed out the door after kissing Tiyanna and Tarik good-bye.
In the side gym, Jayme removed her shoes and set up the Disc and the Vid system. The vid camera would track on her, displaying the moves she did from the front for those who were participating in the class. She hadn't taught any of these classes since her pre-med school days. She'd put signs up and knew about twenty people who were interested. She was glad Kassia was coming.
Kassia entered and looked around. She saw Jayme and waved. "Looks pretty impressive so far," she smiled. "I'm sure this will be a lot of fun!"
"I'm nervous. It's been a long time since I've taught this class. But I needed something to do besides work and study." Jayme ran her fingers through her hair which--she either needed to cut or let it grow back out so she could pull it back.
Kassia immediately patted her shoulder. "You'll do just fine. It's like... what's that Earth-saying... ? Riding a bike! You never forget how!" She smirked as her green eyes twinkled.
Jayme blew out a breath as several members of her unit and Talia and Shannon entered. "Thanks." She laughed and gave herself a shake as several more people arrived. So far it was looking like an evenly mixed female/male group.
Everyone was finding places on the floor and stretching out a bit. Kassia followed suit, loosening up her muscles for what was to follow.
Jayme moved to the head of the class and loosened up a bit while she gave everyone five more minutes. Then she'd start.
"Can everyone hear me?" she asked over the microphone." Everyone jumped and looked up from their stretching or conversations. "Guess so!" She turned and looked at the large screen and saw she was in good position. "Everyone ready to start?"
Again she got an affirmative answer from her exercise group. She spotted Kassia, who smiled back at her encouragingly.
"All right then, let's get started." Jayme keyed the audio system and said, "Let's march in place." She used the mirrors on either side of the viewscreen to see everyone follow suit. "Roll your heads Right and then Left." After a few rolls, "add your shoulders five forward and five backwards." She led them in arm, back, and leg stretches.
"Okay everyone march." For five minutes to the fast beat of the music she led them on the warm up. "Let's add some new foot work. Right leg forward at about 30 degrees from center and then bring that foot back and repeat." She demonstrated and then counted, "one-and-two-and three... "That's good," After a minute or so she had them change the lead foot and they continued.
"Great lets add a straight punch. Right Arm, at shoulder level, thrust it out not hyperextending the elbow and back." She demonstrated and everyone picked it up and followed. First the right and then the left side.
Kassia followed along easily as if she knew the routine by heart. Once she saw the demonstration it was as if it were something she were doing for years. A couple others weren't quite as perfect, but everyone was enjoying themselves and working up their heart rates.
Jayme looked into the mirrors and saw the smile on Kassia's face and noted frowns of concentration on others. She also noticed that the class was building an audience outside the glass enclosure separating them from the main gym. With a smile Jayme increased the speed of the leg work-various step combinations and patterns. Then she started adding punching combinations-straight, hook, and jabs. For two tracks she maintained that level of intensity and watched while several members of the group had to back off and do half time rates.
She slowed the group and started teaching the basic kicks; front kick, side thrust kick, and round house. They did the kicks for a slow track while everyone mastered the technique. Then the music picked back up and so did the speed for the kicks. The music slowed just a bit and she had them add in various punching and kicking combinations for a song. The hour was about up and she started them on the cool down segment, then had them all on the mat for push-ups and crunches. Followed by ten minutes of stretching. "Everyone having fun?"
There was a mixed response, but all in all everyone had enjoyed the workout. Though some were more tired than others.
Kassia smiled and patted her head with her towel and took a drink of her water. It was almost half gone. But she didn't look any worse for the wear.
Jayme took several sips of water and dried her face with the towel while about half the class stayed sprawled and the mat. Kassia had a smile on her face and looked flushed but good. After taking off the mic, ejecting the disc, and turning off the vid system she did a couple of stretches on her way to visit with Kassia who'd been joined by Talia and Shannon. "Hi guys. Thanks for coming." She took another couple of sips from her water bottle. "We had quite an audience." Jayme said with a smile.
"We certainly did," Kassia said with a smile. "A very good turn out and your instruction was very good... and very brisk!" She smirked as she took another drink of her water.
With a smile and a nod Jayme agreed. The said, "as people become more familiar with the techniques and combinations --it will become more intense."
Kassia laughed. "A challenge! Good! Sounds like even more fun!"
"I think some of the group was expecting a lighter workout. I wonder how many of the audience will try it next time?" Jayme laughed. "I'm thinking of doing this twice a week...maybe three depending on my schedule. What do you guys think?"
"I think that's a great idea!" Kassia said. "Exercise is a wonderful way to work off frustration and to ease stress levels, but I'm sure you already know that."
"If that's the case then I should do this for several hours a day..." Jayme smiled and shrugged, then said, "I've heard sex also works." With that everyone laughed. They were the only ones left in the gym. "Well. Guess we should either keep moving or break this up and hit the showers before muscle stiffness and cold sets in."
"Well, I should get home anyway. I do have a family to tend to," Kassia replied. "But let me know when your next session will be and I'll be sure to come," she smiled.
"Not tomorrow night, but same time the next night." Jayme smiled and stashed everything in her gym bag, "yeah, I also need to go to the clinic and spend several hours working yet before turning in."
Jayme shouldered her bag and was leading the way to the exit; her plan was to take a quick shower in the main locker room and change. Kassia headed out of Marine Country and the ladies headed to the section reserved for the flight crews. "Bye."