Inarrabri

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08 | iNarrabri Magazine
photos: supplied
Feature Interview
donna bower
zumba
with the lights off, nobody
watching and the music pumping,
zumba is the exercise in disguise...
Interview by Craig Jollow
What exactly is Zumba and for how long has
the Zumba craze been with us?
The Zumba Program is a latin-inspired, dance
fitness class that incorporates Latin and interna-
tional music and dance movements creating
a dynamic, exciting, exhilarating and effective
fitness program.
Approximately 15 million people take weekly
Zumba classes in over 200,000 locations across
180 countries
The Zumba program is “exercise in disguise”,
participants have a blast and don’t realise
they’re exercising, they have so much fun and
want to do it everyday – it’s very addictive!
Although I have only been teaching in Narrabri
for one year, Zumba started in 2001 when
Beto Perez – the genius behind Zumba, was
teaching a group fitness class in his home town
of Cali, Colombia. He had arrived to teach his
aerobics class and realised he had left his music
behind, so he found some of his personal salsa
& merengue TAPES in his backpack, popped
them in the sound system and away he went!!
How do you cater for the less mobile / agile
participants?
Zumba is for anyone and everyone! As well
as the original Zumba Fitness Class, there
are many other speciality programs that I am
certified in. These specifically target people at
different ages and varying degrees of fitness
and health.
Zumba Gold is for beginner or active older
adults who are looking for a modified Zumba
class that recreates the original moves you love
at a lower-intensity.
There is also Zumba Toning - The challenge of
adding resistance by using Zumba Toning Sticks
(or light weights), helps you focus on specific
muscle groups, so you (and your muscles) stay
engaged!
Zumba Kids & Zumba Kids Jr classes feature
kid-friendly routines based on original Zumba
choreography. We break down the steps; add
games, activities and cultural exploration ele-
ments into the class structure.
What are the main benefits of undertaking
these classes?
Zumba provides a great core workout, involves
high caloric expenditure, and we run specific
programs that target sculpting the body.
Common benefits include weight loss, toning
and high calorie burning.
Feedback from participants often includes the
following benefits as well... Zumba is great for;
making friends, becoming part of a community,
improved co-ordination, increased confidence,
SWEATING!, it's customisable, classes are
worldwide, there’s no membership, it's ad-
dictive, great stress relief, increased serotonin
levels - always leaving happy, support from
others in the class and it clears the mind.
It's also less intimidating in that we run our
classes in the School Hall with the lights off!
Is there a favourite Zumba song?
Sooooo many! We love the traditional Latin
flavours but do love rocking the Top 40 chart
songs too like Juicy Wiggle, Uptown Funk, Five
More Hours and anything from Mr Zumba
himself - PITBULL!