| Jacki
Sorensen is the originator of Aerobic Dancing--the
complete fitness program that combines the health
and toning benefits of jogging with the fun of dancing.
In addition to choreographing over 150 routines
a year for her programs, Jacki is the President
and founder of Jacki's, Inc., headquartered in Orange
City, Florida.
Jacki has a broad background in dance, including
tap, ballet, modern, acrobatic, Hawaiian, and jazz
experience. While working on her Bachelor's degree,
Jacki discovered that she had a particular talent
for teaching non-dancers. She later applied this
ability to Officer's Wives Club classes and teaching
all forms of dancing to dependents on various Air
Force bases.
In 1969, Jacki was asked to develop a fitness television
program for Air Force wives at a base in Puerto Rico
where her husband Neil was stationed. Based on her own
fitness, she invented the concept of combining dance
with aerobic exercise for the program. She choreographed
a set of vigorous dances to lively music, and Aerobic
Dancing was born!
When the Sorensens moved to New Jersey, Jacki introduced
the first Aerobic Dancing class at a local YMCA. Within
three months, one class of 6 grew to two classes of
25 students each. The program rapidly expanded to
other YMCAs, Bloomfield College, and Seton Hall University.
Today, Jacki's programs are offered throughout the
United States and Puerto Rico, and in Japan, Australia,
Vietnam, and Russia.
As a fitness professional for over 30 years, Jacki
has played an active role in helping others become
physically fit. She is an active member of the U.S.
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
after serving as a clinician for six years. Presently,
she is a member of the Advisory Board of the Women's
Sports Foundation. Jacki has lectured extensively
on health and fitness to groups throughout the world.
In 1985, Jacki was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement
Award by the International Dance Exercise Association
and was inducted into the Club Industry magazine's
Hall of Fame a year later. She has been recognized
by the American Heart Association, Special Olympics,
and United Cerebral Palsy for her contributions to
the groups.
A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley,
Jacki has performed post-graduate work in exercise
physiology at California State University in Sacramento
and Seton Hall University in New Jersey. She also
has been an elementary school teacher.
Jacki is the author of two books, Aerobic Dancing
and Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Lifestyle Book.
Several Aerobic Dancing records and three aerobic
videos are included in her home programs. |
