Zumba for E'rebody

     Good evening, Family...  I KNOW all must be well with you, because I haven't heard from anyone...  so, we are now into another new month.  I am thinking some of us do not have a membership to a gym or may not have access to exercise equipment.  Well, you still have to get up and MOVE.  So, October's CHALLENGE--Get up off your "rusty, dusty" and start moving.  Now, is a great time to get some activity outside.  It is still daylight at 7 p.m.  The weather is great--not too hot and not too cold.  Come on, take this month to WORK IT, outside...  I want you to commit to 30 minutes of walking, running, skipping, jumping, playing basketball, racquetball, volleyball, swimming--whatever floats your boat--3 days a week,for at least 30 minutes for the MONTH OF OCTOBER...  Now, if it gets good to you and you WANT or NEED to do more, DO YOU...  But I need my Family and Friends to get up and MOVE!!!

     Many of my Facebook Friends and Twitter Followers know that I get most of my cardio in by doing Zumba at least 4 days a week.  I would love to do more, but when my knee talks (when it hurts), I LISTEN (I take a day or two off).   I decided to research this Zumba thing that has my feet going numb about 45 minutes into a session, has my make-up running down my face so I look like a raccoon, and has me wearing a doo-rag on my head to catch the perspiration so it doesn't blind me as it drips down my face.  I learned alot. 

    First, kudos to Alberto "Beto" Perez the aerobics instructor who forgot his typical "aerobics" music one day for his exercise class and had to improvise.  His improv was to use the music from the tapes he had in his backpack that consisted of salsa and merengue music.  The music he grew up with.    That day the ZUMBA FITNESS PARTY was born. 

      There are various levels of ZUMBA instructors.  There is a certification process that has to be maintained by the ZUMBA instructors.   A certified Zumba instructor receives training from classes sponsored by the Zumba Academy. This Latin-dance-inspired fitness program holds instructor training classes across the U.S.  Zumba offers instructor certification at a basic and advanced level.  It's a freakin' LIFESTYLE!!!
      So here is a breakdown of the TYPES of ZUMBA classes as described by ZUMBA FITNESS on www.Zumba.com:

• Zumba® Fitness--classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. Before participants know it, they’re getting fit and their energy levels are soaring! There’s no other fitness class like a Zumba Fitness-Party. It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating, often building a deep-rooted community among returning students
• Zumba Gold--takes the Zumba formula and modifies the moves and pacing to suit the needs of the active older participant, as well as those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle. What stays the same are all the elements the Zumba Fitness-Party
• Zumba Toning--combines targeted body-sculpting exercises and high-energy cardio work with Latin-infused Zumba moves to create a calorie-torching, strength-training dance fitness-party.
• Zumba Aqua--Aqua Zumba blends it all together into a safe, challenging, water-based workout that’s cardio-conditioning and body-toning
• Zumbatonic--rounds out family fitness goals by giving parents a great reason to head to the gym – for themselves, for their kids, for a totally fun family experience.
• Zumba in the Circuit--30 minutes of high-octane, Latin-inspired dance-fitness moves combined with circuit training, a series of strength exercises at timed intervals
• Zumba-Gold Training--the exhilarating experience of a Zumba Fitness-Party with the benefits of safe-and-effective strength training. It’s an easy-to-follow, health-boosting dance-fitness program for baby boomers as well as beginners. Through dynamic lightweight resistance training and exciting international rhythms, Zumba Gold-Toning classes help participants build muscle strength, increase bone density, and improve mobility, posture and coordination.
• Zumba Sentao--takes the thrill of the fitness-party and partners it with explosive, chair-based choreography to strengthen, balance and stabilize your core, and step up your cardio work in a whole new way. Grab a chair, feel the beat and learn how to use your own body weight to enhance muscle strength, improve definition and endurance, and tone your physique.

     Zumba classes can be found everywhere.  I have tried ZUMBA under 3 different instructors over the last 6 months.  There are variations of the above listed exercise-dances, but the intent is still the same.  Move IT and Lose IT!!!  How are you moving, today???   SMOOCHES...