Zumba got its name from the buzzing of bees……..ZUUUuuuuuuuuuummmba! It’s Colombian Slang for “fast”. Take to the floor and shake it to an infectious routine of easy to follow steps and moves in a sociable party atmosphere. Zumba dancing transforms fitness routine into a fiesta.
I’ll admit, the thought of someone as uncoordinated as myself trying to dance alongside nearly 150 participants was initially scary but remembering the joy I felt dancing with my daughter Anjali (Chung Hua High School Student), it was fantastic!
The mixture of kicks, twirls, glides and ends provide an hour of enthusiasm and passion, offering an energetic atmosphere for everyone to get stuck in.
At the kick off event, at about 1.45pm, YB Nicole Tan graced the event. She gave a short speech saying that she rushed from Penang just to be here with us today. There was a massive traffic congestion along the PLUS highway, that was the reason why her journey was slightly delayed. I truly admire her dedication and her energy level, who showed up in her sports attire to body roll, fist pump and booty-shake. We then sang our national anthem “Negaraku” followed by a short speech by Ms Lily. At 2pm, the party began. That joy exists is in no small part to the Zumba community, from instructors to participants, welcoming each other and creating a positive, accepting and inclusive space for all to flourish in.
To me, Zumba means “connection is the energy we create when we feel, seen, heard and loved.” Zumba is all about rewarding, not punishing yourself. Zumba is for everybody- Period!
The event organised by Exhale Fitness was part of their CSR program which funds will be contributed and donated to charity. It was an atmosphere of inclusivity for people of different body size. Zumba wear is equally inclusive, featuring size small (SPICY), medium (MARVELOUS), large (LOVELY), extra large (EXTRA LOVELY) and so on, because as the tags note, “a size won’t tell you how awesome you are”.
The atmosphere in Seremban Prima was like a disco in a gym, however, my personal opinion, Zumba combines moves used in different Latin dances such as samba, mambo and salsa, as well as belly-dancing, hip-hop and martial arts, all set to a soundtrack of upbeat Latin music tempos. Therefore, the moves were more a “dance-mix” routine rather than the original choreographed Zumba fitness elements, nevertheless it provided exciting, rhythmical exercise routines that are great fun.
It was a fun little event, too bad that more people didn’t show up but I am hoping that Seremban Prima will welcome more events like this lots more.
chrisywong.com 