Recently, I’ve been on a journey to attempt new issues. Through this journey, I discovered myself at a Zumba class, which allowed me to bounce with a gaggle of individuals for the primary time since I graduated highschool.
Although dancing was one thing I assumed I used to be content material to depart behind, it jogged my memory of the enjoyment that may be present in letting free and shifting to the beat of music.
Zumba is a dance-based train program that options upbeat motion and a variety of exercise depth. It targets many elements of the physique, understanding all the things out of your arms to your core. It focuses on having enjoyable whereas constructing stamina, permitting you to really feel extra versatile, sturdy and energetic in the long term.
The Zumba class I attended was on Friday, Jan. 16 from 4:30 to five:30 p.m. It was a category hosted by GroupX on the LSU UREC, and it was led by Camille Kattan, a sophomore mass communication main with a focus in journalism.
Kattan began her journey with the UREC early on, attending Zumba and Turn Up Dance lessons with GroupX throughout her first yr of faculty. However, this was not the beginning of her love of dancing.
“I’ve always liked teaching dance,” Kattan stated. “In high school, I was cheerleading captain. There was no dance team, so for me, it was so much fun teaching other people and just seeing them have fun with what I have fun.”
When I first arrived on the class, I wasn’t certain what to anticipate. Kattan was very useful, and her vitality was extremely comforting. I knew that even when I discovered the category to be tough, I’d nonetheless have a good time crammed with enjoyable and good vibes.
As the category started, I first felt very nervous. For me, dancing was by no means about letting free and having enjoyable. I used to be at all times in lessons or on groups that targeted on perfection, resulting in an expertise that was beloved and hated concurrently. It was inflexible, with little room for errors or creativity – the precise reverse of this class.
However, as the category progressed, I discovered myself focusing much less on what I regarded like and extra on feeling the actions and understanding. I discovered that the much less I cared about how effectively I executed the actions, the extra enjoyable I used to be having and the extra I felt like I used to be truly getting in a strong exercise.
Kattan stored the category feeling upbeat, calling out phrases of encouragement all through totally different segments. She ensured everybody understood what her hand indicators meant, and would pause the music to work by means of tough dance circuits. Even in case you have no dance background, it’s a good class to get in train whereas studying one thing new.
“I think Zumba is for anyone,” defined Kattan. “Any type of dance fitness is for anyone. I always try to make it accessible for everybody. Not everyone can move the same way, and that’s completely fine.”
The attendees of the category appeared to benefit from the dancing as a lot as I did. There have been moments the place everybody was laughing, and others the place we have been all targeted on maintaining with the beat. When Kattan would cease to indicate strikes, some contributors would ask her to repeat them, which she fortunately did every time.
Maria Jose Andino, a sophomore environmental engineering main, is a frequent attendee for Zumba lessons. Andino encourages others to attend the lessons, as they’re a good way to de-stress.
“It helps me for an hour forget that I have anything else to do,” Andino stated. “You’re going to enjoy it. You’re going to feel great after, and it’s honestly very fun. Everyone laughs, and you get to meet new people.”
I usually discovered myself experiencing this immersion, shedding myself within the music. Kattan is initially from Honduras, and he or she shared this a part of her id by means of her music selections. The songs we danced to have been Hispanic or Latin, bringing a tradition unfamiliar to me into my day.
Although I didn’t perceive the lyrics, I might really feel the beat and respect the songs for his or her artistry and musicality. I truthfully really feel that not understanding the lyrics enhanced my expertise, as a result of I felt myself leaning into the beat extra for steering.
“Every single move that we do is made with the purpose of following the music’s beat,” Andino stated. “It’s great because you start slow, then you go really high intensity and then pretty slow as well for a cool down, so you don’t end up feeling like you are too overwhelmed.”
Not solely was this an exquisite alternative to expertise elements of a tradition unfamiliar to me, but it surely was additionally a terrific reminder of the various neighborhood discovered at LSU. Without this neighborhood, I’d not be as educated in regards to the world, and I’m extremely grateful for the alternatives that this campus provides me day by day to be taught one thing new.
This class was extremely enjoyable and fulfilling, however lacked contributors. This expertise felt worthy of a category full of individuals. It’s a good way to let free and cease caring about what others consider you. If dancing isn’t your factor, Kattan recommends making an attempt out any of the GroupX lessons on the UREC for the same expertise.
“We have different things and instructors who are very passionate.” Kattan defined. “For me, it isn’t just about the dancing – it’s about helping other people and just making them feel free, and making this a very safe space for anybody and everybody. I think that’s honestly the whole point of the job.”
I like to recommend making an attempt out the Zumba lessons on the UREC. When class ended, I felt completely exercised and happy with the time I put into the category. Kattan is an excellent teacher who’s nice at motivating you to really feel the music and dance your coronary heart out.
“I work for my students,” stated Kattan. “I don’t work for my boss; I work for my students.”
You can attend a Zumba class on Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to eight p.m., or on Friday from 4:30 to five:30 p.m. If you want to attend a distinct GroupX class, you will discover the schedule on the UREC website.