So, just over a month ago I got licensed as a Zumba Instructor! Now, I get paid to work out! How great is that?!?! :-)
Yesterday was my first class. I was subbing for a woman who normally teaches NIA. NIA and Zumba are so not the same! I've never taken a NIA class before, but let's just say that people showed up shoeless. From my observations, NIA is more free spirited dance. Oh well, needless to say when the people showed up to take their NIA class they were a bit surprised to find out they'd be taking Zumba instead. One comment I got was "Zumba's a bit more high energy, isn't it?"
So, want to know how it went? Well, let's start with the fact that there were 3 people in my class. I'm not complaining. It was a good way to start out. Not too overwhelming! Of the 3 people, only 1 was not a senior citizen. My 2 seniors were a male and a female. When the senior woman found out that we were going to be doing Zumba she asked if it was okay if she stopped if necessary. My response, "Of course! I don't want you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. Just march if you need to." None of them had ever taken Zumba, but they all seemed (semi) excited about opportunity.
As I was doing my warm up, I started wishing I was a Zumba Gold instructor. I kept things a bit simpler than I will in my next class. When I was doing moves that I would normally speed up after a few half-time rounds, I kept them half-time. I also broke down a few moves that I normally would just go into. I feel like that was the best way to keep them safe and having a good time.
The man in my class was super cute! He started singing along with the songs. When I did my Calypso, he said he's been watching the calypso long before I was born and was grinning from ear to ear! After one "hip shaking" song he said "It would be easier for me to shake my hips if I had hips!" He was AWESOME!
The women in my class did really well also. The senior woman didn't stop at all! I was very proud of her. The other woman kept right with me and was smiling the entire time also. After the class everyone thanked me and started talking about when Zumba was offered at that facility. The 2 seniors agreed that the times they were offered was too late (6:30), but they'd come to an earlier class if there was one!
Overall, I'd call that a success! I can't wait to be on a regular schedule somewhere!
I feel an appropriate ending to this blog would be to quote my daughter's favorite part of my Zumba songs, "1...2...3...ZUMBA!" (this is the part she always sings along to).
