It came as a great surprise when I realized 1/2 of each of my Zumba classes is made up of women over 60 (I have several students in their 80's). I did hunt around my facility so I could find the defibrillator in a hurry - just in case. Teens on summer break make up a small section, then men and women of varying degrees of weight and fitness make up the remaining group. It is incredibly fun to dance together!
Why is there such an inter-generational appeal to Zumba? Most of the music is in a language other than English, the instructor does not teach the steps (you just have to try to catch up and copy on your own), and you sweat - really sweat!
One of the big appeals is that we all feel a little silly wiggling our hips and shaking our booties. When we feel silly together, the barriers break down and friendships are made quickly regardless of the difference in our ages. Laughing together builds great comaraderie. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to get my students to leave after class; they all want to hang around and chat.
Zumba makes you think. You can't just lose yourself in the moment like you can when you walk or jog. Both your left brain and right brain must be working at the same time (which is fabulous for staving off dementia). When you are trying to figure out what move comes next, you forget how hard your body is working.
It is a great workout! Your entire body moves. You sweat. You stretch. You jump. You wiggle. But you only move as much as your body can. You are free to march in place if the instructor is doing something that your body doesn't want to do (or can't do). Or, you can take the dance to a level higher than the instructor is taking it. Any fitness level can enjoy, and be challenged by, Zumba.
We can't ignore the fact that is pretty wonderful to burn all those calories and lose weight while we are laughing. Even though weight loss and fitness might be the first reason you check out a Zumba class, you'll stay for the fun and friendship you find there.
By the way, if you are in the Sacramento area, my Zumba classes are free.
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