10 More Things About Zumba
1. I’ve been going to Zumba once a week since late November. I have only missed it for sickness, holidays, and Neil Gaiman.
It was like meeting Santa
2. Now my friends are going to be mad at Neil Gaiman, because I often beg out of things by saying “Sorry, Thursday is Zumba night, no exceptions” and they will say “Oh, so Neil Gaiman is more important than us?” To that, the answer is no, but he was in town that night and I wanted to meet him. So there.
3. You really should make sure you pee before class. There is lots of jumping in Zumba, and if you have had a baby or two come out of your vagina, well, you know.
4. Also, bring a large bottle of water. Disregard the warning in #3 because after two or three songs you will likely feel completely dehydrated.
5. After a few weeks of feeling like I was about to die during class, I got better at it. I find that when my body is working correctly, I have a lot more fun because I can keep up and do all the steps. Okay, maybe not correctly, especially that hot Latina booty-shaking thing. I’m sure it’s very fun for the others to watch me try. I have demonstrated it for Stewart and he said it looks correct, but then he’s not a hot Latina, so what does he know?
6. If you come to Zumba week after week and you really hate it, don’t force it on yourself. Watching you stand there looking bored only brings down the morale of others in the class. I’m talking to you, shorty with the glasses. Yeah – you might have a better time in say, yoga.
7. Despite my critical nature, I made a friend in Zumba class. Her name is Margie and she is 79 years old and she does not miss a beat. While I am panting away and sweating like a pig she’s all coiffed and made up and bopping along like a 16-year-old. I hate her.
8. That being said, there are times when I am not quite jumping along with the rest of the class. See #3.
9. To get myself in the mood for class after an hour-long ride on the 101, I listen to “Single Ladies” by Beyonce. The music in class seems like it’s designed for Zumba – I haven’t done much research into the actual facts about Zumba other than my observations, so who knows? Mainly the hot instructor plays mambo and salsa songs that have what sounds like Latin gangsta-rap (does that exist?) mixed in. I’m not going to lie – the beats are hot. But I wonder if they are singing about popping a cap in someone’s ass. I can’t tell, because it’s in Spanish. There are also English gangsta-rap songs in there too, although I haven’t heard any popping caps. The one I remember has the words “Sister put your hands together!” and that doesn’t sound so bad. So maybe the Spanish one is about clapping, too. Every now and then she shakes it up and plays something I have heard before, like “Proud Mary” – that was a dance I promise you would pay to see me do – and “Conga” by Gloria Estefan. I freaking hate that song but when I’m shaking my booty to it? All stress melts away.
Oh, but guess what. Tonight I was playing “Single Ladies” and the CD skipped. I looked at it and it looks very much abused. I thought perhaps it was a bad sign but then I had my best class ever. Perhaps that simply means I need to find a different song.
10. There is no other exercise that has inspired me to use the word “booty” in a post so often.
8 Comments
Daria
I’ve been thinking about taking a Zumba class since they offer several at my ladies gym. Thanks for the inspiration – I’m for sure going to check it out now…and hopefully love it, too.
Noelle
I’m so happy you’re still going…and loving it! To bad we don’t live closer or we could Zumba together (that sounds weird). And thank you for making me laugh so loud and suddenly at the following line that the coffee shop trolls all turned and looked at me.
“But I wonder if they are singing about popping a cap in someone’s ass. I can’t tell, because it’s in Spanish.”
Now you have me wondering too!
Kelli
They offer a Sunday morning Zumba class at my gym. I’ve always thought about going but haven’t yet. Maybe I’ll give a whirl one of these weekends.
Helicia Sonney
LOVE Zumba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nicole Ellis
i always remember the music of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. great music!.’.:
Amelie Griffiths
Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine are really great, i love their music on the old days.~::
Amelia Thomas
i really miss the 80s music with Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine“~
Tumble Dryers
in the 80s, the best singer is of course Gloria Estefan. she has that unique sounding voice ;,: