Kerttu Tänav and dance aerobics

Kerttu Tänav’s story brings music, dance and her work as an instructor together into a coherent whole. It is more than a list of achievements: it shows how a childhood interest can grow into a career that demands both physical and mental presence.

Why Kerttu Tänav matters to fitness.ee readers

Some instructors find their way into the studio through strength training, others through athletics. Kerttu Tänav’s journey began with music and dance at a very young age. She sang in the Ellerhein choir and also attended a girls’ dance group. That background tells you a lot about an instructor: a sense of rhythm, body awareness and confidence on stage do not develop overnight.

Sport and dance became more serious pursuits for her in 1993, when she began competitive dancing at Revalia Dance School. She devoted almost 13 years of her life to the discipline. That is a long time. Over such a period, you learn to win, lose, repeat, handle pressure and put in the work even when you are not in the best of moods.

Dance aerobics calls for the same combination. Being able to demonstrate the steps is not enough. An instructor needs to keep the group together, follow the music, give clear instructions and help participants feel capable. This is where competitive dance experience becomes a practical teaching skill.

How Kerttu Tänav developed as an instructor

Kerttu Tänav achieved many strong results during her competitive dance career. She won the Estonian championship 5 times and was a multiple medalist and finalist at the Estonian championships and cup competitions. She also achieved high placings abroad: she became a Blackpool champion in 2002, placed 10th at the Junior World Championships in 2001, 15th at the Youth World Championships in 2002 and 13th at the Youth World Championships in 2004.

Those numbers are more than a tally of medals. They reflect years of consistent effort. Competitive dance teaches you to notice details. Arm position, footwork, center of gravity, breathing and awareness of your partner all matter. In group training, that same attention to detail needs to be expressed in simpler terms. You do not need a complicated explanation in the studio; you need a clear cue at the right moment.

After her competitive dance career, Kerttu went on to study at the University of Tartu’s Faculty of Law. At the same time, she was drawn to various sports, from tennis to kitesurfing. That breadth of interest is valuable in an instructor. When you have experienced several ways of moving, you do not get stuck in a narrow mindset. Your body can move in many ways, and good training does not have to be dull or intimidating.

Dance and dance aerobics nevertheless remained special to her. In the original story, she describes them as one of her most important challenges, both as a participant and as a good instructor. “Challenge” is exactly the right word. Dance training should be fun, but that does not mean it is haphazard. A good class has structure, maintains its pace and gives you a reason to come back.

What Kerttu Tänav brings to training

Kerttu has completed the EFTE foundation course in fitness and begun taking EEVL courses. She has also attended workshops and further training courses. She specifically highlighted the NRSW Nu Soul course, which she took with the aim of becoming an NRSW instructor in Estonia.

This is an important point. An instructor may have extensive personal experience, but teaching is a separate skill. Even someone who has danced for years needs to learn how to guide a beginner, keep a class at a manageable difficulty level and notice when someone needs an easier option.

To be honest, much of the value of dance aerobics lies in its accessibility. You do not need to arrive at the studio with the posture of a competitive dancer. You can turn up after a day at work, feeling a little tired, and still enjoy how movement makes you feel. When the music carries you along and the instructor leads with confidence, the group generates an energy that is hard to find alone at home.

Kerttu’s own outlook also seems well suited to training. She tries to live each day as though it could be her last: showing her loved ones what they mean to her and doing everything with wholehearted commitment and joy. This is no mere slogan. In group training, that attitude is easy to see. Participants quickly sense whether an instructor is fully present or simply reciting the routine.

A practical look at dance aerobics

When choosing a dance aerobics class, look for three things. First, does the instructor break down the steps without making newcomers feel embarrassed? Second, does the class keep your body warm and the movement flowing, rather than jumping straight into a complicated combination? Third, do the music and movement fit together? When all three come together, the workout is much more enjoyable.

A good dance class does not have to be a flawless performance. You are there to move, not to perform on stage. If you get a step wrong, you keep going. That is precisely what makes this kind of training so freeing for many people: the training load builds without you noticing, your mood improves and your body learns to move in rhythm.

Kerttu Tänav’s story is a reminder of a simple truth: a diploma or a medal alone does not make a good instructor. Good instructors develop through experience, learning and the ability to channel their energy in a way others can understand.

FAQ

Is dance aerobics suitable for beginners?

Yes, if the class is well taught. As a beginner, you do not have to perform every step perfectly straight away. What matters is joining in, listening to the instructor’s cues and giving yourself room to learn.

What does a competitive dance background offer an instructor?

It develops a strong sense of rhythm, good posture, precision of movement and experience of working under pressure. In group training, this helps an instructor lead the class with greater clarity and confidence.

Did Kerttu Tänav focus solely on dance?

No. In the original story, she mentions an interest in various sports, from tennis to kitesurfing, although dance and dance aerobics remained particularly important to her.

As Omar Khayyam said: /Be happy for this moment/.

Author: Dance aerobics instructor

Source: Turg.Fitness.ee

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