FITNESS
ZUMBA Dancing to the Beat of Passion
A
With the change of a song, the dance styles change from swing to cha cha to hip hop.
photography by IRENE YUKASH
by Irene W. Yukash crowd of women and a few adventurous men of varied ages are bunched outside of a group fitness room waiting for the previous class to clear out. A now common scenario at Zumba classes all across the nation. This is only a slight indication of great things to come when the fitness class begins. As the weights are stacked and mats put back to their cubby, people start filing into the room, taking position and anxiously waiting for the music to begin. “Zumba has the power to change peoples’ lives and lifestyles; when you’re physically empowered you’re mentally empowered,” said Iris Ivette Watkins, Zumba Instructor at Big Sky Fitness. “Zumba is for everybody, anyone can do it; whatever works for you, works for me.” In front of the class of nearly 50 people packed like sardines, Iris enters. No taller than 5’, the 21-year-old instructor sets the mood by asking “Is everybody ready?” The class explodes in cheer and applause. The music sounds and the class begins to sway back and forth, clapping hands in the air. This is only the warm up for Iris’ hour long Zumba class in Newington, where many ‘West Hartfordites’ like to let loose. “It’s the greatest class ever! I’ve been taking Zumba for the past five years,” Adelle Clark of West Hartford. “I’ve taken it in many places from New York to Miami and Iris’ class is the greatest! I’ve lost so
much weight because of her class and I’ve now become an instructor.” Born and raised in West Hartford, Clark is the manager of the California Pizza Kitchen and a mother of two little girls. She’s been taking Iris’ Zumba class for about a year and isn’t the only mom rearranging her schedule to attend these sessions. Amy Parker, a Curriculum specialist at Smith School joined the program last year. “I leave the class feeling like I’m 17 again!” she smiles. The sexy and intoxicating moves of the salsa are Iris’ favorite, but she doesn’t discriminate. With the change of a song, the dance styles change from swing to cha cha to hip hop. Iris encourages students to spice up the routines with their own moves. “How are we feeling?” Iris will shout mid routine. Each time there is an energetic response from dancers, shouting as they squat, shake and pop it. “When I look out at all of the students and see the joy in people’s hearts, it’s a feeling that I can’t explain…it’s amazing,” said Iris. “Hearing those success stories is what makes your job feel like the best job in the whole world.” “Besides being an incredible workout because you’re dripping when you’re done; its so much fun and because she’s grinning the entire time, you forget you’re killing your body in a good way,” said Holly Miller, a psychologist at the American School for the Deaf. The class then parts in two. Iris takes a side and once the next song plays, leads
her side of the dance off. While one half of the room imitates her moves, the others watch as they wait for their time to shine. Back and forth the dancers push themselves, knowing cool down is soon to come. “I just give them everything I’ve got. I lay it all out on the dance floor and try to give them as much energy as I have,” said Iris. Iris recalls her first time taking Zumba class, just four years ago. “It was a group of high energy people jumping around the room, and curiosity got me in there to see what it was all about.” Iris took guidance from Tanya Beardsley of Live, Love Dance Studio. She credits much of her success to Beardsley. Iris’ class continues with stretches in sync to the peaceful sounds of Para Amarte by Shakira. Arm, leg and back muscles are freed of tensions. One final deep breath in, arms stretched overhead. The music switches off but moods are still elevated as participants exit the room feeling refreshed and euphoric. Iris surmises, “As long as I stay true to myself then my class will always be uplifting and motivating!” n Irene Yukash is currently a CCSU student dedicated to finding enriching fitness experiences that can improve mental and physical health. yukashirw@my.ccsu.edu
november | december 2012
west hartford magazine
81