Zumba, Where Ya Been All My Life? Discovering the Joy of Exercise Dancing

WHEN IS the last time you smiled all the way through an exercise class? I wanted to vary my exercise routine, and I love to dance, so after hearing about Zumba for over a year, I finally decided to try it.

I signed up for the Move It pass, which includes Zumba classes, and arrived at the on a Saturday morning, not sure what to expect. There were about 40 people in the room, mostly women, ranging in age from 20-somethings to 60-somethings. Much to my relief, not even the teacher wore matching spandex - most participants wore shorts or sweats, a tee-shirt, and tennis shoes.

The teacher was April, an exuberant young woman with a big smile. She explained that we should follow her moves as best we could, but assured us that it didn't matter at all if we couldn't. "Just move," she said, "and have fun. You'll catch on quickly!"

As soon as the music began, I was hooked. It's an irrestibly uptempo blend of Latin-inspired sounds and rhythms, including salsa, merengue, samba, and hip hop. Each song involves about four different movements that are repeated throughout the tune. Don't worry if you can't follow along right away -- you'll get it after a few repititions. Everyone is so busy watching the teacher, and focusing on their own moves, that no one will even notice or care about yours. 

The dances use your whole body -- arms, legs, hips, feet. You control the intensity of your workout. There's a cool down and stretching song at the end. 

Soul and dance legend James Brown said, "Any problem in the world can be solved by dancing." I think there's a lot of truth to this -- it's certainly impossible to think about your problems when you're dancing.

Dancing is one of the most joyous and freeing activities I know. Besides releasing tension and improving your mood, dancing provides a great aerobic workout, while also stengthening and stretching your muscles. Trying to follow the teacher's moves keeps your mind engaged too, which makes the time fly, improves body-brain coordination, and is undoubtedly good dementia prevention. 

I don't know why more men don't attend. Guys, take it from me -- women love men who dance!

Exercise dancing gives me an outlet for my love of dance, without going to a club or needing a partner. If, like me, you love to dance, and don't get enough opportunities, Zumba may be just what you've been looking for!

Move It Pass info

Kirkland's Move It pass allows you to choose from 11 different exercise classes offered at 18 different morning and evening time slots - you can attend as many as you like. The winter session runs from January 9 to March 26, and costs $96 if you live or work in Kirkland ($115 if you do not). To sign up or learn more, click here. to:

Although the website says you can't join partway through the session, you can in fact join halfway through, around Feb. 9, for half price, but you will need to do this by phone or in person.