India

Reading Time: 5 minutesZestful Zumba – Dancing Your Way To Indian-Inspired Fitness Remember Aerobics? Where do we exercise to music? Well, Zumba is similar –  a fusion of physical exercise and dance to Latino music. It is very energetic and involves simple dance steps and exercises, which anyone at any age can do. Be it your 50-year-old Mother or your 8-year-old child. Zumba has its origins in Columbia which can be traced to the 1990’s. It all began when a Fitness instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez, forgot his Aerobics music tapes at home. He got the idea to use his personal playlist, consisting of Latino tracks, and take the class with this improvisation, and the rest is history. Zumba became very popular and a customized fitness class based on Latino music was developed. He, along with two other Alberto-s – Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion, created this style of fitness and fun. Alberto Perez, Choreographer and creator of Zumba. [wikimedia commons] Zumba in India: Pioneering the Fitness Revolution Today Zumba is very popular and has a very wide reach worldwide. It was the vision of Ms.Sucheta Pal, who introduced India to Zumba in 2021, after facing many hardships both personally and professionally. She is an accredited Zumba trainer, and seeing her work, many Indian women have received training and become Zumba instructors in India.   My experience with Zumba happened at a family get-together in a sanatorium in Lonavala. People visiting there have to organize some activity in which all the visitors can participate. So my cousins organized a Zumba session and all of us had a great time doing Zumba (which was a mix of exercises and dance moves) to the music. Believe me, in that session each and every part of your body is involved. All in all it’s a fun activity to stay fit and healthy. Benefits of Zumba: Dance Your Way to Better Health Zumba consists of a full body workout in a fun manner so that you enjoy yourself plus you have the benefit of staying fit. These workouts are beneficial in the following manner: Promotes weight loss as you are burning more calories Your muscles get toned and blood circulation reaches all parts of your body. Improves co-ordination of the body Promotes de-stressing and is enjoyable Improves cardiovascular health Elevates your mood Makes you feel good about yourself – an increase in self-worth Hones your reflexes Makes you move to the rhythm of the music – increasing alertness Appropriate for all age groups Builds up the endurance of the body Best morning workout to get the oxygen flowing in your body Improves blood pressure levels Socially rewarding as you get to meet people from all walks of life in your class Adaptable as per your individual requirements Improves body balance A good way to learn dance Such benefits make it worth the while.  So you can ignore those aching body parts and continue Zumba, after all as they say “No pain, no gain”.     Zumba: More Than Just Dance – A Path to Personal Growth Zumba aims to exercise your body in a fun way, enjoy it and feel good about yourself. It is a way to build up your stamina and also mental wellness. I mean, who can beat such a cool combination? These are the small ways in which we can develop ourselves personally. A step towards our ultimate goal in life – to be a better human being to do our bit for Society, and to co-exist peacefully with fellow humans.     The World of Zumba: Personalized Fitness, New Friendships, and a Dream Career There are various Zumba teaching classes and instructors are taught how to personalize their sessions according to their students. The sessions are designed keeping in mind the weight, medical condition and medical history of each student. The instructors are trained as to which exercises are to be done and which are to be avoided in case some student has some underlying health condition. This is really a good way to have personalised steps which do not harm your body and also a good way to work on those parts of your body that need exercise the most.   Zumba, being a group activity, increases your interaction with the group members and you can form lifelong friendships. You can hang out together and help each other. It’s a good way for introverts to lessen their fear of meeting new people. You get to hear of their life experiences and learn more about life. You can analyse your life and learn how to oversee some of your actions and how you can improve your life.  Becoming a Zumba instructor means you get paid for doing something you love, Now, this is the best deal! Just imagine !! It is a fact that people have given up their mundane high-paying jobs, and turned professional Zumba instructors and are not regretting this at all. As they say, everyone has some or other hidden talent inside them, just takes the right time for it to appear. And when it does, grab it with both hands and give it your best! Conclusion: Zumba provides a dynamic path to fitness and personal growth. It’s not just about breaking a sweat but also breaking barriers and making new connections. The personalized approach ensures a safe and enjoyable workout for everyone. So, why not let the rhythm move you, and perhaps, you too can turn your passion into a fulfilling career? Zumba isn’t just a dance; it’s a lifestyle, a community, and a journey to becoming a better version of yourself. Join the Zumba revolution and let the music guide you to a healthier, happier, and more harmonious life. Author: Ms Rupal Sonpal Editorial The Medical Perspective: Helmets as a Lifesaving Measure for Head Injury Prevention 8 Commonly Asked Questions When Visiting a Psychiatrist​ Understanding the Body Language of an Interviewer An Analysis of Abortion Laws in the United States Celebrating National Doctor's Day: Prioritizing Regular Health Checkups for