Three years ago, Christine Taylor’s dress size was 16-18. Now, thanks to the Zumba classes she takes three times a week, the artist wears size 12-14.
The exercise, which combines dance and aerobics moves, was invented by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez in the 1990s. Its popularity has since spread across the world.
Ms. Poole learned about Zumba in 2005 during a trip to Mexico. She later took a class here, and eventually travelled to the United States to get certified as an instructor.
“I see a lot of people are getting it now,” she said. “I hope it spreads all over the island.”
For about an hour on Monday, the women followed Ms. Poole’s dance cues. They lifted limbs, hopped, gyrated and even yelled as they worked out to Latin and African beats.
“I love dance and I wanted fitness and dance combined,” Ms. Taylor said after the workout as she wiped sweat off her face with a towel. “From the first class, I knew that was it. I was hooked.”
Ms. Taylor takes the class three times a week.
Happiness
Zumba offers participants more than just weight loss, according to Ms. Poole.
“For me, it is just the happiness it brings to me,” she said. “This is the perfect thing for you if you are stressed out. You are not going to develop muscles or anything: It is something that de-stresses you.”
Class member Maxine Stewart agreed.
“First of all, it energises,” she said. “I feel on top of my game and I feel like I’m in a dance party while I’m working out.”
Learning the moves was easy for Ms. Stewart, who began taking Zumba classes two years ago.
“I’d like to think I have a natural rhythm in my body and soul, so even though I didn’t get all the steps the first time, I felt the music and everything just flowed,” she said.
For Christianne Matos, learning the steps took a bit longer. “But after the third class, you pick the moves,” she said.
On Monday, Ms. Matos barely missed a move, and she appeared to be among the most energetic participants.
“This is good cardio, good for weight loss, but you have to be consistent,” she said. “It is so much fun, and it is also good for your memory.”
Other classes
Apart from Ms. Poole’s classes, Zumba is offered in other locations as well.
At the Save the Seed Energy Centre, for example, Doneisha Maduro-Findlay recently became certified to offer the exercise.
Poise Gym at Pockwood Pond also has offered classes in the past, said owner Charlene Hodge.
“It was an excellent programme for us,” she said. “We used to get a lot of people. It is an excellent cardio workout, and it offers total body fitness.
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