Zumba Fear No More

Zumba fitness is the current trend that brings the joy of dancing to the mainstream population. Young and old alike enjoy this type of exercise because participating in Zumba is fun, funky, easy on the joints, and by shaking your groove thing you are promoting increased cardio endurance, flexibility, range of motion, balance, and coordination. If you have a desire to try Zumba but have held back from attempting it for fear of looking and feeling awkward, you may overcome your fear by taking a step-by-step approach to getting started.

Step one: validate your goal

You overheard someone talking about Zumba or watched part of a class at the gym, and now you would like to participate. Nurture that small voice inside you that says, ‘Maybe,’ and consider the health benefits you may experience from moving your body joyfully to music. In addition to the physical benefits, participating in Zumba also offers the comfort of being a part of a social group and may lead to further interest in other activities that involve dancing.

Step two: find a class

You may already belong to a gym that offers a Zumba class or its equivalent, but if not there are many other options to explore. In the Portland area, check out these Zumba offerings:

Portland Zumba http://www.portlandzumba.com/Home_Page.php

Diva Den Studio http://www.divadenstudio.com/index.html

Dance with Joy Studios http://www.dancewithjoystudios.com/

SomaSpace http://somaspace.us/index.html

Pulsepdx http://www.pulsepdx.net/pulsepx/pulsepdx.html

Step three: stand in the back

You will be less visible and thus may feel more comfortable making mistakes. Enough said.

Step four: focus on one body part

Your Zumba instructor will be moving every part of his or her body throughout the workout, possibly all at once. Focus on your feet first so that you avoid bumping into other participants then add another body part when you feel comfortable. You can always go back to this step if you become confused or have difficulty grasping a certain dance pattern.

Step five: remember to take a deep breath when you feel overwhelmed

To the best of your ability, breathe in your nose and out your mouth throughout the workout. Breathing in this way cleans the air you take in, stimulates the diaphragm and other muscles of the trunk to support you as you move, and calms the body’s stress response so that you are better able to enjoy your life experiences.

Step six: repeat steps 1-5 as needed

By challenging old ways of thinking you make way for learning new skills and thus promote continued growth and prosperity throughout your lifetime, but it can be tough to get started. Making Zumba a part of your life may take several attempts before you feel as if it deserves a place in your fitness regimen; however, with perseverance, a sense of humor, and possibly some new workout attire to accommodate your flourishing movement skills, you may just dance your way to better health.