from http://zumbausa.com/index.php
In an effort to do more than plod away on the treadmill or pump away on the elliptical machine at the gym I decided to try a Zumba class. Well, I’m hooked. Who doesn’t love dancing, I mean really dancing? To make it even better I’m using muscles I don’t even have. On top of that I have yet to see anyone show self consciousness which is amazing given the wide variety of folks who attend. I have seen men and women of every age, every body type, all nationalities, all shakin’ it up together.
Ever thinking about the deeper meaning of EVERY single thing that pops into my brain, I began getting very inspired about Zumba. Wouldn’t it be great if the entire world could have a giant Zumba party and dance the night away, or dance the wars away or dance our suffering away, dance our loneliness away. Of course I know this is not going to happen but I can at least dream.
I love the choices of music too. It is world music. They do throw in some Pit Bull and Lil’ Wayne but I’m too busy woo hooing and trying to keep up with the steps to listen to obscene lyrics, and I probably wouldn’t even know what they mean anyway.
Back to the music, it is a primeval desire of humans t0 “move to the groove”. It has been going on since we first walked upright and is not likely to end any time soon. Babies dance and grannies dance. It is a truly liberating feeling to move to a beat even if you are like me and can not keep the correct steps. To do this with a group of people is even better and best of all I can’t hear my teenagers laughing at me because the music is too loud.
What the world needs now is more Zumba. Seriously though, we can all use this kind of exercise which though a fun time, is a real cardio workout. The machine I punch my numbers into at the YMCA says I burn 500 calories for a one hour class. All the classes I have been to are very full, including one class which had to turn people away because of fire codes. Last Saturday the girls and I went to a class that was so into it, that the mirrors were literally steaming up by the end of the class. Today my glasses started fogging up so I just took them off and danced like I could see. I don’t think anyone notices since I always seem to be just behind the entire class. Who cares though I’m having fun and I do think that is the point.
When was the last time you HAD FUN? Do we even do this anymore, fun that is? Another reason I think Zumba is so popular is that it is simply a joyful activity and frankly I think we could all use a bit more joy in our lives. Oh and this is not an ad for Zumba just my reflections. Perhaps I will never get my arms in sinc with my legs but at least now I know when the teaching is holding up two fingers it does not mean peace out and I should not copy her, it means two more in the set.
For more info check out http://www.zumba.com/about/
