I took my first Zumba class today. I know I'm many years behind, but I wasn't really planning on ever taking a Zumba class. Because life happens, I got to the gym an hour earlier than I needed to. I thought about going to run some errands before the class that I usually take, or sitting in the common area and getting some work done, but I thought that maybe there was a different class on the schedule that I could try and then just head home earlier instead (never a bad thing).
The only option was Zumba.
I mean, I had always been slightly intrigued, but when people (who take Zumba) describe the class to me, I really can't imagine it being fun. When I watch youtube videos of it, I really can't imagine it being fun. But carpe diem, right? So, I took Zumba.
I'm not really sure how much of a workout it was (we'll see tomorrow if I'm sore or anything). My heart rate might have gone up a little bit? I'm not totally sure. But, it gave me a chance to observe and well, think some thoughts.
First, if someone wants to just try Zumba and decided to walk into a class like I did, I'd be very surprised if they didn't get overwhelmed. I think my background in dance (including some salsa training and rudimentary hip hop) really helped me out. My body awareness, coordination, and ability to pick up movements and patterns, I would assume gave me a leg up from the average person. I did fine throughout, but the class was essentially a series of varied repeated movements that changed from song to song. I'd be a little slower on the first pattern, but then it was pretty easy for me to follow the rest. It seemed like a lot of the people in class were regulars, so I assume they'd repeated the patterns many more times that I had and to the same songs no less (I knew this because some people were singing along). Even still, many people were turning the wrong way, forgetting when patterns ended, what patterns were, etc. I do give the instructor credit though. She was very good at giving cues. It really supported my ability to follow along, but I wonder for someone else who's just thrown into a situation like that for the first time, if they'd even be able to pick up on it.
I mean, when I've taken dance classes with different instructors that use a style of movement that I'm not as familiar with, it takes me a bit to catch on. I don't respond to their cues as easily, and quite frankly, I don't always pick up on them. It's like information overload at that point, where I just zero in on a certain part of their movement to master it, and forget about the rest. You know, like how dance teachers will tell you to forget about the arms (and/or head) and just concentrate on the feet for some more intricate exercises?
Anyway, I wonder how people who don't have the breadth of music/movement-type experiences as I do take in their first (or any) Zumba class?
Well, maybe they're not like me and don't realize that they were a half-count behind, or flexed their foot when it was supposed to be pointed? Maybe they don't get frustrated that they didn't do their rib isolation just so to get that hip hop vibe (me doing hip hop is no bueno).
Everyone in the room (not really moving as one) looked like they were having a grand 'ole time. Literally, there were people high five-ing each other between songs. There were different types of people taking the class as well and that was pretty lovely. Definitely people who, at face value, I wouldn't have expected to take a Zumba class.
I'm sure I was probably one of the more self-conscious people in the room. I was judging every movement that I was making. Critiquing each roll of the hip, shoulder, and wrist. I envy those who were able to let go, be in the moment, and just do their thing (that slightly resembled what the instructor was doing...).
That's not to say that it was a completely horrible experience for me. I enjoyed watching everyone else in the room. Their positive energy warmed my heart. I sort of got my salsa fix (I'd really been thinking about how much I missed taking classes and/or dancing). I moved my body to music, which is always good for the soul.
But will I take another Zumba class in the future? ...I'm not so sure.
