Nolan rudolph by Freestyle Academy

Ditch the Workout and Join the Party!

Nolan Rudolph

To Zumba Teacher Eileen Do I wanted to give Zumba teacher Eileen Do my sincerest gratitude for allowing me to document her and her class. If I were a Zumba teacher, I can only imagine how difficult it might be to have distractions in the classroom, so I am more than thankful for the opportunity to take pictures of Eileenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class. She is an amazing instructor, and I can see her excitement and passion in her interactions with every participant. She is always smiling, and always an inspirational individual. 3

Table of Contents Preface ------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 7 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------- Page 9 The Experience of Zumba Compared ---------------------------------- Page 11 to Traditional Workouts Growth of Zumba and its ----------------------------------------------- Page 15 Changes Over Time Chapter 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Page 17 Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------- Page Works Cited ------------------------------------------------------------- Page Author ------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 5

Preface

I noticed that before Zumba was introduced to the YMCA, the place seemed boring and uninspired. I would always walk through the hallways where there was no music or events, while watching expressions on the people’s faces that said “I’m just here for a quick workout.” I stopped working out eventually, and come summer I decided it was time to get back into my mundane routine. As soon as I walked through the doors, I was hit by a gust of excitement as I heard uplifting music radiating through the hallways. Looking through the windows of the new dance rooms, I saw people of all races and body types jumping up and down to the beat of a latin song. A smile grew on my face as I saw a new life re-enlighten the YMCA. I’d continue down the hallway to my regular free-weight workout, and as I walked, the excitement followed me as I reached the lifting portion of the gym. Every now and then, I’d look over at the hallway and see several women laughing amongst themselves, all of them wearing huge smiles. That would automatically brighten my mood and give me the motivation needed to proceed through my next workout. Due to this abundant amount of excitement found at the YMCA, I wanted to do my Documentary Project on this type of dance class as I was curious about what exactly it is that makes this dance program so unique! 7

INTRODUCTION

As a youth and an adult, we’ve

is called Zumba, and incorporates the

timedia movement in which they make

all faced the common problem that

use of Latin Music alongside of cardio

its first 360 degree campaign. The catch

is nearly impossible to deal with in a

based dance moves presented by an

phrase, “Let it Move You”, is supposed

positive attitude. This dilemma is the

experienced trainer. Zumba is a fairly

to incorporate the love and emotional

act of losing weight. Everyone tells

new program that is slowly spreading

connection that everyone has with the

themselves that they will go for a mile

throughout the world as a great way to

program; this feeling of affection that

run everyday, or that they’ll attend

“Ditch the workout, and join the party”

stays with you long after the Zumba

the gym on a regular day basis, but

while losing the weight that you’ve tried

class is over. “Our purpose at Zumba is

the truth is that almost none of these

so long to get rid of. If you don’t believe

to change lives through health, wellness

resolutions ever come true. As a hu-

the atmospheric pleasure of this pro-

and overall happiness,” says the Zumba

man, we often stay with an activity if

gram, you can ask the other 180+ coun-

CEO, CMO and co-founder Alberto

there’s a specific routine that is created

tries who have had their lives changed

Perlman. As shown from this mans

for us, and one that you cannot miss,

by the Zumba program.

intent, the overall program is focused

or else you will fall behind. This is why

towards giving uninspired individuals

I believe that a program found at the

world are labeling Zumba as the most

a purpose to lose weight and to make a

YMCA is the most efficient way of los-

effective and largest dance-fitness com-

better person of themselves from this

ing weight while maintaining a positive

pany in the world, and according to

experience.

attitude. This inspirational program

Zlife, Zumba is launching it’s first mul-

Fitness trainers around the

Chapter One

The problem with most weight

loss programs is that the workout feels extremely time consuming and long, and when the next day comes, you aren’t looking forward to the workout. Fortunately enough, the most unique thing about Zumba is that the workout isn’t actually viewed as an exercise. People don’t usually attend Zumba to lose weight but rather for the experience that gives them the feeling of belonging to a community. When I interviewed Eileen Do, a Zumba instructor for the YMCA, she explained how entertaining the simplicity of the workout really is “because you’re dancing. It’s also a work out while dancing, so you burn off calories with all the high impact you do, and it’s just fun”. This seems to be the popular opinion found in

all Zumba dance classes, and who doesn’t

and has fun. “When I put on Traigo Una

love to burn calories while having fun?

Pena, a cha cha, my class just screams. They’re somewhere else; they’re not in

“I mean, you’re dancing for an hour… how bad can that be, right?”

But the real question at hand

is, just how much weight do you lose? Studies have shown that the amount of calories lost within an hour of Zumba averages around 450-550, if your weight is roughly 155-185 pounds. Therefore, if you dance Zumba for just one hour while keeping your diet close to 500 calories each day, you should lose 2 pounds weekly or 8 pounds a month!

Without even feeling like an

exercise , the class creates an “imaginarily perfect world” in which everyone smiles

Pittsburgh when they take my Zumba class.” says Barbara McCalister, an avid teacher in the fine art. As I visited the El Camino YMCA to take pictures of a

Zumba class, I could feel the excitement and energy booming from outside the door. Once I stepped into the classroom, it was smiling faces from wall to wall. Every now and then I would hear a quick “Wooh!” from one of the participants, as if they couldn’t contain their enjoyment! The instructor, Eileen Do, would then cheer at the end of each song and ask her students what they would like to dance to next. Sure enough, she would play the next song her class had suggested and 11

make up dance moves that perfectly accompanied the rhythm, and her class would follow right along.

Another unique thing about Zumba is how every single dance routine

revolves around Latin Music. These dance routines involve Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue, African Dance, Bollywood, and Tango. Each dance instructor has their own preference, so make sure to choose the style that best suits your personality. Salsa dancing shoulder and

“Personally, I enjoy Salsa the most. involves a lot hip, It suits my energitic personality!” arm movements

while maintaining a balanced posture with little leg motion. Cumbia dancing often contains a lot of swirls and twists in a circular pattern, often known as “the swing”. Merengue allows you to become relatively intimate with your partner as it requires you to place each other’s hands on each other’s hips while holding hands and dance in a forward to back motion, a style that is the stereotypically known as Latin dance. African dance really forces you to put your reputation aside, and just go all out in terms of arm movements, hopping, thrusts and anything you can imagine. Bollywood dance requires the endurance of your back and arms in order to produce swift movements with your body, alongside a jingle made by the dress you’ll be wearing. Lastly, the public favorite, tango dancing. Tango dancing requires a partner and a lot of endurance, as you and your companion will be twirling about along with leg movements, kicks and twists. 13

Perhaps the most interesting

Chapter Two this non-traditional aerobic music.

the United States and some to Colum-

part about Zumba is how strangely the

His class was ecstatic and pleaded that

bia, however, enthusiasts wanted more.

whole organization had begun. Sur-

there be future classes with music and

“The crazy thing was we were getting

prisingly enough the idea of Zumba

dances like the one they had done that

all these people from all around the

actually started from a mistake during

day.

country who bought these videos and

one of Alberto Parez’s dance classes.

wanted to teach it,” says Perlman. So

Alberto was a highly trained dance instructor living in Colombia, who taught different forms of hip-hop to his students. One day, he forgot to bring his ipod to class and was forced to resort to alternate methods. He made his way back to his car to find a CD tucked behind the drivers seat, one that contained many different styles of Latin music, similar to the ones that are currently found in Zumba. He brought it back to class and improvised a whole dance routine around

“I just said, ‘Class today is different’, and everybody loved it.”

After he had discovered his success with Latin culture, he moved to the United States where he teamed up with co-founder Alberto Perlman and childhood friend COO Alberto Aghion. The trio decided to launch a marketing campaign which contained CDs of Zumba fitness training in the comfort of your own home. The CDs were a complete hit with more than half a million copies being sent out all over

after Parez found that many people were interested in being trainers of Zumba, him and the two others began put together a training manual, and created Zumba workshops for those who desired to pursue this passion. Eventually they began to add in new music, choreography and new methods of teaching. Today, there are approximately 4 million Zumba venthusiasts and 25,000 instructors all of which are found in 40 different countries around the world! 15

Chapter Three

However, for anything this

ing when you come down from

hip. If these actions are performed

good, there’s always a price to pay.

jumping.. is that what really takes a

incorrectly with a flawed acetabulum

It should be relatively given that

toll on your body?”

or previously injured femur bone, it

dancing can cause pain and distress

becomes clear why hip injuries are

if done incorrectly, however Zumba

knees, because a long time ago I tore

the most common repercussions.

brings a whole new level of endur-

my ACL, so it doesn’t really get any

Lastly, back pains have always been

ance and mobility. Due to this, if you

better.”

a trouble in adult’s daily lives, and

have weak ankles, knees, hips, lower

back pains or anything such as a

are most commonly brought to their

do is a bunch of shimmies in some

torn ACL, it’s highly recommended

doctor’s attention are severe foot

aerobics class. While using your

that you are weary of the potential

aches, injury to the hip region, and

body to perform twists and excessive

dangers that could occur. Zumba is a

lower back pains. There’s no deny-

curves, it causes structural deviation

very high impact dance class, which

ing that Zumba is a high impact

in the lower spine region. Structural

means the older you are, the harder

dance routine, so there will always

deviation isn’t necessarily a bad thing

it gets. As I talked with Eileen, she

be possible consequences from the

as that’s what our spine is intended to

also informed me that the routine

feet to the knees such as the com-

do, but if it’s being done repeatedly

has also gotten progressively difficult

mon foot ache. Zumba also requires

on someone who has has previous

for her as well:

an abundant amount of turns and

back pains in the lumbar section of

twists which ultimately involves the

the spine, it could potentially affect

Nolan: “Right, and I’m guess-

Eiline: “Yes, especially on my

The 3 injured body parts that

thus the last thing you would want to

future spinal movement in a negative way. Yes, this all sounds rather agonizing. However, where there’s a will, there’s always a way. All of these disadvantages to Zumba can be diminished if you follow some simple tips and tricks. To reduce the impact of the dance moves, don’t wear running shoes, use traction shoes to allow better pivoting. Running shoes weren’t meant for lateral movements, but rather for forward movements and thus leading to many of the ankle and foot pains from Zumba. Another way of preventing future injuries is by stretching for 15 minutes before every class you take. This will help minimize the strain put on your body, and any tensions that may occur will be reduced, if not eliminated. Additionally, a large part of maintaining your well-being is by finding the right Zumba teacher for you. For example, if you are a relatively old and unfit individual, you might want to consider a trainer who focuses on sways and easy movements. Most of the young and new trainers don’t tend to yield to previously injured individuals as they focus on keeping the routine entertaining with movements that can be challenging to frail bodies. Lastly, if you are of 55 years of age or higher, it is highly recommended that you attend the Zumba Gold Classes as it is geared towards elder body types. Follow all of these tips and you will undoubtedly maintain a healthy relationship with Zumba! 19

Conclusion Due to Parez’s mistake, the excitement towards weight loss was born, and has gracefully impacted the lives of over 15 million individuals in 180 countries. Zumba has broken the routine of mundane exercises and introduced a brand new perspective on the idea of “working out”. It is no longer a chore to workout, but rather an event you look forward to. With programs that stretch from 6 to all ages above, Zumba provides classes for a large portion of the world that desires to be involved with a friendly community. I highly recommend Zumba to anyone with some extra time on their hands and the passion to become associated in a fitness activity. As they say, “Ditch the Workout, and Join the Party!”.

“It’s very rare to find a workout that suits you like Zumba.” 23

“I’m losing weight at a steady pace!” 25

“...it’s just an overall friendly community!”

“What you’re doing is great!” 28

“What you’re doing is great!”

THANK YOU

FOR READING

AUTHOR BIO

Nolan Rudolph is a very unique individual who attends Mountain View High School. Though he is extremely cool, don’t be fooled, he has feelings just like you. His favorite hobbies include Video Games, Skateboarding, Producing Music, Lacrosse and Football. Since a young age, he has always gone through life learning things the hard way. On the summer of 2012, he decided to go down an extremely large hill on a longboard and ended up losing his sense of smell. He’s still sniffing around for his true passion, but for now, he’ll be creating new melodies until his heart’s content.