Zumbalicious

This is Becky. She teaches Zumba.

She's stoked about it.

This is me. I am about to learn Zumba.

I'm nervous because I'm about to learn Zumba.

This is Becky doing Zumba.

This is me doing Zumba.

Something is not right...

I went to a BYU-sponsored Zumba class this week. Zumba is Latin-inspired aerobics, and I'm trying to make it a part of my new weekly exercise regime (interval training one day, running two days, a long run on Saturdays, and a couple days of something else [like Zumba!] to mix it up--wish me luck!). I chose to attend a Zumba class because I heard that it is fun and makes people happy. It certainly was fun! We danced to great tunes blasted over the speakers in one of the school gyms; I met a new friend; AND I burned some calories. What more could you ask for?

But learning Zumba was not easy. The only instruction I had was from Becky, who was standing on a stage on one side of the gym, but I was one of probably a hundred girls (and a couple guys!) learning from her. I didn't get any individualized attention, and it was hard to keep up. 

But I learned that I don't really need individualized attention to learn a skill. Over the course of the Zumba session, I felt myself catching on more quickly. I also noticed that other people in the class were very familiar with the dance moves, which makes me believe that the more Zumba one does, the better one gets--even without any individualized attention.

I also think that this "classroom" setting is a great complement to "regular" classroom settings. It works the body, not the brain; it's led by a peer, not a superior; it's quite loud, not quiet; and there's no grade! 

I highly recommend it. Check out all of BYU's fitness and aerobics classes!