BAYFashion Nov 2011
l Zumba! a e
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by Joan Currie
Zumba is the dance and fitness phenomenon that is sweeping the globe. To date it boasts more than twelve million followers in 125 countries. Colombian-born Alberto Perez, or Beto, as he is known to his devotees, is the dancer, choreographer, and dynamic face of the Zumba brand. Beto told the Today show in August 2011 that the Zumba program was created in the 1990s when he was teaching aerobics classes. “ One day I needed to teach a class but I forgot my music. I only had in my bag one tape with different kinds of music. I had reggaeton, American music, Indian music, flamenco, international music, and I started to improvise for one hour,” Beto said. The students liked the combination of the different rhythms and dance moves. He could not have predicted that that lucky accident would be the start of an unparalleled Zumba fitness empire, that not only promotes Zumba classes but DVDs, music CDs, a video game, clothing, and accessories. “Zumba” is not a real word per se - it was developed to be the identifying brand name for Zumba fitness’ dance programs and products. There are more than a thousand Zumba classes within fifty miles of San Francisco. The classes typically last for one hour and include basic dance steps and aerobic movements. Check out any YouTube Zumba video and you will see how easy it is to follow the steps. The choreography not only incorporates the urban reggaeton style, but borrows from other dance genres as well: hip-hop, martial arts, Latin dances (merengue, chacha, mambo, samba, salsa), Bollywood, and belly dance. According to the Zumba Fitness website (www. Zumba. com), there are 6 types of Zumba Classes in addition to the basic one. Each class has a slightly different focus but uses the same dynamic music selections. Before beginning a new exercise program, it is important to consult with your doctor if you have any musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, reproductive, auditory, or any other concerns to determine if Zumba is the right class for you. Expect loud music.
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