If you can move, you can zumba

What is it?

Zumba, as any self-respecting Zumba instructor will tell you, is all about the party. Choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez created the Latin-inspired workout in the '90s.

It combines hip-hop, Latin dance, aerobics, salsa and belly dancing and has become a phenomenon around the world.

The experience
As someone who has never quite mastered the art of shimmying, I am not entirely sure Zumba is for me. The instructor soon puts me at ease though; anything goes, she says, it's all about the party and having a good time. It's darn near impossible to not have fun when the music to accompany our shimmies, booty rolls and grapevines is so pleasingly cheesy.

The steps are mostly quite simple aerobics moves with a bit of jazzing up. I do have to concentrate intently to get trickier footwork right. I soon discover the best thing about Zumba is that if you get lost you can just waggle your hips and nobody will blink an eye.

My favourite part is the freestyle song where everybody can pull out their best moves. I'm also a bit in love with the gentleman in the skin-tight orange onesie who looks like he is having the best time of his life. The girls outnumber the blokes but everybody is enjoying themselves.

Worth it? RATING: 4.5/5
I have a stitch and may have over body-popped as there is a twinge in my side but I've had so much fun it doesn't matter. The instructor's enthusiasm is infectious and I leave feeling much happier.

That night I demonstrate what I learnt to my partner and I don't care that he is more amused than dazzled by my sizzling new moves.

Source Annie Stevens

Posted in 2011 best zumba , Alberto Beto Perez , latin dance , salsa circuit , salsa dance , zumba , zumba dance