Do you Zumba?

Zumba has taken the world by storm and I feel confident that it is here to stay.  Starting in the 90's by Alberto Perez, Zumba actually took off by accident.  Alberto (Beto) was a traditional aerobic instructor and forgot his music for his class.  He went back his car digging for music and came across salsa, latin type of music and taught his aerobics class with based on dance routines with a latin flair.  The love for his classes grew and he moved to Miami in 1999 to pursue his dream of teaching his dance and fitness routines.  Combined with two other individuals for financial and technical assistance, Zumba was born.



 Being a Zumba Gold instructor, I can attest to the fact that it is fun, a great source of excitement and  all sizes and ages are encouraged to attend.  Zumba is one of the few fitness programs that offers classes for all levels of fitness, age groups as well as offering classes of many variations such as:

• Zumba Dance
• Zumba Step
• Aqua Zumba
• Zumbatomic (for children)
• Zumba Circuit
• Zumba Tone
• Zumba Santeo (Core workout utilizing a chair)
• Zumba Kids 
• Zumbini (for babies and their caregivers)

From ages 1 through 70 can participate and have fun.    You have fun but I admit, I felt like a real wallflower because I couldn't swing a hip without breaking it!  No worries though.  No one laughs and eventually it does get easier and you see it at the same time your waist is whittling away!  I have always had a strong stomach firm stomach but it never shrunk down a couple of inches until I started Zumba.  

Key points to remember:

• Do not use your running shoes.  Wear cross-trainers or Zumba/Latin dance shoes that allow your feet to pivot  I had excruciating hip pain until I switched to Zumba sneakers
• Dress in layers because you will get warm and need to take something off
• Dress in lose fitting clothing
• Bring plenty of water
• Don't be self concious 

Need some basic instruction on how to refine your Zumba dance moves?  I used this video,  Zumba for Dummies and it helped me to break down some of the moves.  I also lowered my jump level to a low hop or moved across the floor quickly without any elevation.  Zumba

More Zumba info to come!

Cheers!
Jenna