Move ya body!
When my gym manager sent out an email in late August announcing that
Zumba classes will replace aerobics on Tuesday evenings starting in September, I was overjoyed. I’ve been hearing about Zumba for a long time and I’ve wanted to try it as well. But time constraints did not allow and besides, my gym is super convenient since we have one here at work. Finding a class elsewhere was simply too much work.
What is Zumba?
According to their website: The Zumba program is a fitness-party with a contagious blend of Latin and international rhythms that provides a fun and effective workout to a global community, either at home or in the gym…Using easy-to-follow moves and exotic, high-energy music, Zumba routines successfully tone and sculpt the body while burning fat.
I was the first one in the class. All excited to try something new. This was new to all of us, so the playing field was pretty level. And from what I heard from friends who tried it, it’s quite popular with the older crowd. So if a bunch of retirees could do it, how hard can it really be right?
I was immediately impressed by our instructor. Her wonderfully colourful outfit, think purple tights, hot pink sneakers and lime green top, was the first sign that this was going to be absolutely fun. Karen, our instructor, a petite, über-toned mother of 5, yes you read correctly, she has 5 kids and looks like she doesn’t even have one, reassured us that the hour-long class had only one rule: Do not stand still, if you get lost or can’t do a move do your own thing. Zumba is about having fun.
She wasn’t kidding.
Karen only spoke during the breaks between music changes and that was to encourage us. Such a change from regular aerobics and most definitely spin. It was both disconcerting and liberating to not have orders barked at me. After a crappy day at work, Zumba is an excellent way to loosen up and burn some calories as well.
We moved from Latin, to Bollywood to hip-hop to dancehall to a whole lot of booty shaking, the easy dance steps had us all in a party mood. Karen also said if we ever went to a Zumba class and the instructor played only Soca that it was not a Zumba class.
I was sweating so much after the “warm-up” I couldn’t believe that we were just “dancing”. I made a lot of errors, got lost many times and guess what? Nobody cared. I was laughing so hard most of the time it didn’t matter that I was turning counterclockwise instead of clockwise. Oh and those retirees are definitely on to something here!
The hour went by so quickly I couldn’t believe the class was over. Also I had so much energy afterward. I needed to keep moving. So I headed to the Savannah for a run. This is seems to be a common side effect from a Zumba class. The energy boost is incredible.
Reasons to try Zumba:
1. It’s awesome.
2. It does not feel like a workout. It feels like a party yet you are moving your whole body and after a crappy day at work, this is a fun way to burn some calories and get a good sweat.
3. Anyone can do it. It’s super easy, even if you think you have two left feet. As long as you can move you can Zumba.
4. The feeling afterward is awesome. After spin I feel like I can take on the world. After Zumba I simply feel energized and free, like all the stress of the day is left in the sweat on the floor.
5. It’s something different. If you’re in a gym rut, Zumba is a great way to add some spice to your gym routine.
Dear Stress
Zumba can teach us a lot about life. There are no manuals or instructions on how to do it, you learn as you go. There is no “right way to do it”. You just show up prepared to have fun and get moving. You make mistakes, you work hard, nobody cares if you look silly, you learn to laugh at yourself and most importantly you have fun. You keep going until the end of the class. Give it your best and have a good time. You truly have to be fully present in the moment because nothing else matters.
Tuesday evenings are now second only to Friday evenings. I absolutely cannot wait for my class next week.
I’m now a zumbaspinaerobicsyogaphile.
Do you Zumba? Don’t you just love it?
