ZUMBA

As I've said in a previous blog post, when you're traveling (especially when trying to live in a new place) you have to try new things. This also involves saying yes to things maybe you wouldn't (within reason). So, needless to say, when one of the nurses I've been shadowing asks me if I want to join her at Zumba, I consent. I believe it is also needless to say that there will be no pictures in this post. Not that I have anything against Zumba, but some forms of exercise (i.e. hiking... mostly hiking) are more attractive to me than others. 

So we arrive at the facility and of course I didn't pack any sweat pants or anything Zumba appropriate really... just jeans (which surprisingly weren't too bad). The people running the program were really nice and attempted to explain to me how Zumba works. In actuality it is my complete understanding of Zumba that has caused my aversion to the activity, but it was nice that at least they didn't expect me to be able to follow a whole lot at the beginning. 

Then the program started and everyone found their spots and began following the instructor. I don't know if many of you have experienced Zumba before, but it is kind of like hip hop meets grade 8 dance (I'm sorry if I am offending anyone but this is the impression that emerged in my mind from about the beginning). At the beginning it's actually pretty easy. The music is up beat, the instructor's steps are fairly simple and easy to follow and overall your not really working up a sweat. 

Of course, after a few songs it starts to get more difficult and you have to concentrate a little harder to follow along. But at this point, while I wasn't always able to quite follow, I still haven't worked up a sweat and start to look around at the rest of the room. Part of this was due to the fact that the woman in front of me started to stand increasingly out of line and block my view of the instructor. It is at this point that I look at her and become seriously concerned because she looks like she's dying. While she's following along she seems to have partially lost control of her body and is almost flailing along. Her head is sticking out slightly, her mouth is open and her tongue is almost hanging out. I wanted to go up to her and ask, "Are you okay?" but I had to do a side step followed by a swivel-ly movement. Someone get the D-fib machine, this lady's DYING over here! After I recover from my shock, I can't help but laugh. In a shoddy attempt to conceal my cruel sense of humour naturally loose all ability to follow any steps from the instructor as all of my brain energy is being re-directed to attempt to divert my attention from the zombie doing Zumba in front of me. 

Once I gain control, it is at this point that the steps become increasingly more difficult. In fact, they are no longer steps, but hips swings and turns and I don't even know! Take the mix I mentioned above and add salsa dancing. My body doesn't move like this! My hips especially cannot move like this! Steps I'm okay with. Jumping I can do. Latin motion? I'm Irish! There's a reason why our traditional dance involves no body movement from the waist up! 

I'm floundering to find some kind of movement or step that could replace these movements and not look like I'm not doing anything really at all. I can't follow anything at this point! I'm behind, going in the wrong direction and just plain probably looking like Zumba Zombie in front of me. Of course, then I think about this and look at Zumba Zombie and just loose it. There was no hope from then on. At last it finally finishes and I'm able to go home. 

In conclusion, I don't want to make too much fun of Zumba Zombie. She knew all the steps and hey, if it gets her an hour of aerobics a couple of days a week, good for her! I have to admit, Zumba is much more fun than other forms of exercise, such as jogging, sit-ups - you get the picture - and if you can't follow along, at least you'll get some exercise while laughing at yourself.

Cheers!