If you follow my blog with any
degree of regularity, you already know I’m all about “the middle”—finding that
elusive balance between too much and too little, the right and the left, the
ridiculous and the sublime. So when I discovered Zumba Gold at my local gym
(KeyHealth Institute), I was excited. At last I had found an indoor activity
that struck a perfect chord between insanity and inertia.
It took me a while to hop on the
Zumba Gold bandwagon. Last winter, I started with a regular Zumba class when
the thumping beat of the Latin music caught my attention. I peeked through the
window at a class in session, and while it looked a little fast and tricky, I
figured I could pick it up in short time. Wrong. After the third session, I was
still at least two beats behind everyone else in the class and still zigging
when everyone else was zagging. Worse, at the end of the class, I was sweating
like a farm hand in August and gasping for air. I was also popping Aleve
tablets to relieve my aching knees and back. Disappointed and irritated at having to admit
defeat, I resorted to the drudgery of the elliptical to get my winter aerobic
fix.
Then this winter, some ladies in my
Pilates class insisted I join them in Zumba Gold. I made excuses because I’d tried Zumba Gold once. Quite frankly, not a lot of pep there. I’d felt like I was
marching in a parade--a very slow parade. But one day after suffering through another
mind-numbing session on the elliptical, I peeked in on the current Zumba Gold
class. Something had changed. There was a lot of quick-stepping, high-kicking,
hip-swaying, and arm-flinging. There was also a lot of laughing and shouting.
In no way did it resemble the Zumba Gold class I’d previously attended or any I’d
viewed on YouTube. So I joined in.
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| Our fearless and creative leader, Sheri. |
Two months later, I can’t wait for
Tuesday and Thursday mornings. It’s hard to describe the attitude adjustment these
classes provide. Let’s just say that anytime you “dance like there’s no one
watching,” you’re naturally going to feel better. But most of the credit goes
to our instructor Sheri Chenevert, who choreographs all sorts of fun and
do-able steps and movements, and to the lively ladies who make up the class. With
some ex-dancers and ex-cheerleaders in the mix, things can really get hoppin’.
Literally.
My videos don't do these ladies justice, but you can get the idea that they can "bust some moves"!
Have a favorite exercise you'd like to share?
My videos don't do these ladies justice, but you can get the idea that they can "bust some moves"!
Have a favorite exercise you'd like to share?
Have done a little Zumba Gold-ing myself, Dee Dee! I even have a coin belt (that I use to get the dogs all worked up; must be something in that fake coin jingle!) Don't have one of the 3-tier red skirts, though. :) I also like line-dancing at our local senior center. There's something about the mix of upbeat music and choreographed steps that makes me feel I can do anything! Go ladies!!
ReplyDeleteNatine, the red apron/skirt was a seasonal embellishment--we were having a "party" right that particular session. Learning to line dance is on my bucket list!
DeleteLooks like the gang is having fun! Might be just the thing for someone with two new knees to give a try!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend it for you, Shel. I think you would have a blast. And congrats on the new knees!
DeleteYour journey to Zumba Gold is very compelling. I've always hated aerobics classes. I even hate yoga. I know they do me good, but at best I'm enduring it, and at worst, I feel like I'm in hell. But you and Lisa make a good case for Zumba. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteSonia, I'm with you on the yoga. Some people find it very relaxing, but I found it hard to relax when my head is aligned with my ankles and my body is twisted like a pretzel. I think you'd like Zumba since you like dancing so much, but I'd recommend the regular Zumba for you. You're youthful and fit enough to handle it! :-)
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