Dancing to Latin American rhythms as a form of fitness gives a new meaning to the term ‘working out.’
Zumba, an upbeat aerobic fitness program which combines salsa and merengue music with Latin dance moves, is now offered downtown for those wishing for a new type of weekend workout.
“It is important to have fun and I encourage students to do the best they can when they come to class,” said instructor Melanie Strawn.
The Zumba workout is held Saturday mornings at Dance Crazy dance studio, 888 S. Mission St., and lasts for one hour.
The class involves constant movement. Different dances and Latin American moves coincide with each song.
“I just show a few basic steps at the beginning of class because I want people to have fun and be themselves,” Strawn said. “I tell them that if they are having fun they are doing it right.”
Strawn, a 33 year-old Mount Pleasant resident, has been dancing for as long as she can remember.
“I have experience with flamenco, salsa and African dance, which are many of the dance moves used in Zumba,” she said. “It’s my background and it’s where I feel at home.”
Strawn became certified to teach Zumba in September and has been instructing since October.
“I heard about Zumba on a TV infomercial while I was on bed-rest – pregnant with twins.” Strawn said. “I did research and found out how to get involved,”
Strawn teaches Zumba at Dance Crazy three times a week and said classes are usually full, but she encourages regular participants to bring friends.
“My mom brought up the idea of going to Zumba, so we went and I really liked it,” said Sacred Heart Academy senior Alexandra Maldonado.
Maldonado and her mother attend Zumba regularly with her friend Maria Sych, also a Sacred Heart Academy senior.
The 17-year-old girls agreed that Zumba is fun and a good workout at the same time.
“We find ourselves doing Zumba moves all the time, to all kinds of music,” Sych said.
Strawn said she has never had any male participants – and would not turn them down – but wants the women that come to Zumba to let their hair down and be themselves.
“The most satisfying thing about Zumba is that (it) allows participants to take out a couple of hours a week for themselves,” she said.
Classes for Zumba at Dance Crazy are Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday at 9 a.m.
For more information on Zumba go to zumba.com, or Strawn’s personal Zumba Web site, zumba48858.homestead.com.
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