ZUMBA! Perhaps you do it. Perhaps you've never heard of it. Perhaps you've dismissed it as another silly fad. Or maybe you teach it....take it.... and love it! This is my story.
A few years ago, one of my best friends from back home, Brittany Wood, introduced me to this crazy new exercise fad that had swept her WVU campus by storm... Zumba! I have to admit, at first I thought, "What the ^%*$ is Zumba? Sounds silly." But one fateful day, Brittany took me to a class being held in a church cafeteria. (Believe me, Zumba instructors are very creative in finding places to teach! They'll do it anywhere... and people will come!)
I found out that Zumba is a Latin and Hip-Hop infused cardio dance party! For an hour, the instructor leads the class through song after song of simple choreography that anyone can learn and execute to their own intensity levels. Think salsa, merengue, cumbia, kickboxing, aerobics, and jazz class all rolled into one. I worked my butt, legs, arms, abs....and muscles I didn't even know I had until I woke up the next day! All the while, laughing with Britt, shaking my buns and having the time of my life.
That night, I went home and told my Mom, who is almost as crazy as I am and LOVES to dance... "YOU MUST TRY THIS!!!!!" I knew she would love it. The next week she tried it and was immediately hooked...just like most people.
Months passed, I moved back to New York City, and back in Pittsburgh my Mom was Zumba-ing it up like a crazy lady with her friends. We had the brilliant idea to get certified together so we could teach! That's exactly what we would do in June of last summer. Here's us at the Pittsburgh Certification Event.... over 400 people attended! Zumba rock concert!
Now the Mother-Daughter team is changing the face of Zumba in Pittsburgh and New York City, leading our own classes. Brittany is also teaching! We like to stress that anyone can take the class, no matter your body type, gender, age, or level of dance skill. In my one class alone, I have had a 60 year-old librarian, a 45-year old male construction worker, a 9-year-old girl, and professional dancers. It's for everyone! No matter who you are, the music will put a smile on your face and sweat on your brow. I've even had singers and musical theater folks like to come to Zumba to get themselves moving and dancing again. They get more out of it than a regular dance class.
Maybe you're still skeptical, or maybe you should get out and find your nearest Zumba class to see for yourself ! Zumba is definitely better with a carefree friend. So grab a friend who wants to get ready for bathing suit season and who loves to shake it! You can locate instructors and classes on www.zumba.com.
Ditch the workout, Join the Party!!!
First post on your blog! Zumba sounds fun (and intense), I'm going to have to try this out. Is it focused on burning fat / leaning muscle? How much are privately certified Sheena Dimatteo lessons? Too many questions, only such much room in the comment field. By the way I didn't know you had a Flickr page either, what else are you hiding from me up there?
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