Two weeks ago my neighbor and good friend asked me to join a Zumba class with her. If you are not familiar with Zumba, it is a style of intense dance-aerobic workout with pulsating Latin music. We both are approaching 50 and although we walk regularly, I wasn’t sure if we were up for the challenge. We had our first session last Tuesday and I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the outcome.
First let me tell you that I had already rehearsed in my head that I would remain in the back of the class at all cost. I don’t know how to dance and I didn’t want to mess up any of the young people that were familiar with the moves. You can imagine my shock when my friend and I were one of the youngest members of the group. There were of course some mother-daughter couples, but for the most part the class consisted of older women to down right elderly. It was a blast!
We were fortunate to have a first rate instructor who has a large following. She was very good at keeping the crowd moving with instructions easy to understand. I have never danced in my life, but with these classes the point is keeping your heart rate up and keeping your body moving, moving, moving.
The Latin songs are loud and fun, the movement is wonderful and when the instructor shouted, “It’s time to get your sexy on” we all just roared in laughter. There was some very good older ladies who consistently take the eight week Zumba course and looking at their toned bodies you were certainly able to tell. The need for water can’t be overstated. You will sweat like you have never sweat before and next week I plan on bringing two bottles.
If you are interested in a group workout, I highly recommend Zumba. You don’t have to feel embarrassed because you don’t know the moves. You just keep moving and eventually things start to click. It is a great workout, loads of fun and the results come quick. I am absolutely proud of the ladies who decided that they weren’t too old for this form of exercise and proud of myself for trying it as well.
In closing I also wanted to tell you that you will make tons of friends. My neighbor and I are fortunate enough to live close to the firehouse that hosted the class. As we walked home from Zumba , several of the ladies passed us while driving by. Everyone of them shouted “ZUMBA” out of their car windows as they drove past. It really is a very fast paced exercise routine for young and old alike. If you are looking for something new and exciting to do, try Zumba!
Kimberly enjoys studying numerology,astrology,parapsychology and experimenting with herbal remedies. She has been a canine stylist for over 10 years. She designs ladies and men’s t-shirts and recently became hooked on Zumba aerobic-dance fitness. She is an advocate for Pancreatic cancer research and the end to the torture in puppy mills. Pancreatic cancer page http://www.kimberlyinchance.blogspot.com
Puppy mill abuse http://www.holisticdogandcat.blogspot.com
