Two weeks ago, I joined the gym my sister attends. Having a workout partner is fantastic – especially one as dedicated to fitness as Kerry.
On Saturdays, however, I’m on my own. Saturday is Zumba with Juan; my favorite class with my favorite instructor. Kerry’s never been big on dance, so I’m samba-ing solo.
Zumba, for the uninitiated, is a Latin-based dance fitness class. Or, at least, it was originally. Now, classes range from the original Latin-themed (like Juan’s) to other cardio-intensive styles including Bollywood and hip-hop dance. I love all dance, so I love Zumba to bits.
I’ve also recently been listening to a podcast called Strong, Sexy, & Stylish. One episode – focusing on “stylish” – encouraged us to come up with a real-life style inspiration. The real-life part is crucial, as inspiration from celebrities often involves more than merely their clothes. For example, my love of Duchess Catherine’s classic style also draws heavily on my Anglophilia.
Shortly after listening to this episode, I went to my first Juan-led Zumba class.
First, let me just brag-ishly interject that I’m a good dancer. Yep, I said it. It’s not often that I let myself take pride in something I create or do, but honestly, I grew up with music so I can always find the beat and I’m quick to pick up new routines.
Anyway, in that first Zumba class, I found some real-life inspiration. I’m sure everyone’s eyes were drawn to this one girl – she was an amazing dancer. She was confident. She was smiling. She could shimmy her shoulders in ways my anglo saxon body can’t yet seem to bend.
She’s not the “Stylish” inspiration the Strong, Sexy, & Stylish podcast encouraged me to find (I mean, I’m sure she’s a great dresser but Zumba = athletic clothing), but she’s real-life “Strong” inspiration, which is something I think I need more. This woman was so strong and so beautiful; a combination of athletic and feminine, sculpted muscle and sexy curve. Perhaps I can work my way up to the front row beside her.
I tried a class at my gym two nights ago called “Cardio Dance Party.” I figured it’d be easy enough, and would help me ease back into getting in shape. I was SO wrong. It’s two days later and I can hardly move. Ugh.
My old gym had a class by that name – it was SO much fun (yet an impressively intense workout all the same).
teehee— My “old lady” froends and I also joined a ZUMBA class…It is called ZUMBA GOLD..( yes as in golden age–those over 50–)
ANYWAY…. I,too, am a good dancer….( Yes in my younger years I could really “cut a rug”) But now…. LOL… I can keep up…BUT even at the slightly slower paced dance moves…..I feel my age. LOL. My sister joined with me….originally..But after the first class–she dropped out…. too bad for her…I have fun…. We laugh and really enjoy ourselves….THAT is what it is all about,too— Laughing is good exercise for the soul….
Haha. I think I just don’t mind looking like a bit of an idiot. That’s key in learning new dances!
I used to go to cardio barre (hoping to start back in a few weeks when I get the post partum ok)…. It’s a ballet based workout and let’s just say I’m not a ballerina. But something about this class makes me so confident….in my mind I’m so graceful. I used to watch this one guy (who is a professional dancer) and think to myself “thats what you look like”….I mean I knew I didn’t but it’s what I visualized. My encouraging words to myself these days (as i try noy to become frusterated with losing the baby weight) come from the Regina spektor song ‘folding chair’ “I’ve got the perfect body, though sometimes I forget, I’ve got the perfect body cause my eyelashes catch my sweat”. It reminds me to love all the things my body can do, like work out and sweat my ass off, and dance like a ballerina (not to mention grow and push out two tiny humans). So my point is…I think you should go to the front of the class!!!
I think finding something you enjoy is so, so important. I resisted group exercise for a long time and I’m not really sure why, but now I’m all about park district classes.
I’m so uncoordinated that zumba just didn’t do it for me — but I can see why people enjoy it. I have several friends who swear by it. I actually really enjoy spin, and I took a kickboxing class that was fun. Right now I’m doing step aerobics, old-lady-ness be damned, it’s a good workout!
Baptiste (hot, really hot) yoga is my workout of choice. For me it truly is an amazing physical and spiritual experience. I “practice” with an instructor here in Weaverville and for the type A’s of the world, oh you know the type, she reminds me that my practice doesn’t have to be perfect. Thank you Donna. Asheville also has an amazing free community yoga center (I was envisioning what you are right now). The facility is amazing, heated floors, all the teachers volunteer it’s run solely on donations….it is so “Asheville” and I love it! Peighton takes a Zumba class t the YWCA and she loves it! Drew takes hip hop and she rocks it out….me not so much with the dancing:)
I didn’t know Pie did zumba! That’s awesome! I’m sure Drew is ridiculously adorable in hip hop! I love it!