INVIGORATING AND EMPOWERING , THE ZUMBA CLASS THAT BROUGHT HEALTHY FUN INTO MY LIFE
By Meena Yeggina
With some of the friends I made at Dave’s (Top Left in hat) class (me Bottom Right in red)
devil, you will eventually find it within yourself.” The problem was obviously me. I was mentally blocking myself with insipid excuses to avoid exercise at all costs.. And then, on one lazy summery day, I discovered Dave’s Zumba class by sheer accident. I was strolling by the Eastwood dance room after yet another boring workout. There were so many people in his class! Which could mean two things: one, the class is easy and fun, or two, it’s helping the participants. Or, if my wish came true, it’s both fun and it yields results. I tentatively walked in,late, and expecting the instructor to ask me to leave (I was very late). Instead, he didn’t care. Anonymity and stealth is always the best option for people like me, who just want to blend in during such physical activities. Then I slowly and reluctantly started, trying to move my 140-pound body to the rhythm. My love affair with Zumba began that day. The Intoxicating Inclusivity of Dave’s Zumba Indian music, mostly classical and semi-classical, were my favorites flavors. But Dave made me reinvent my objectivity to different styles of music. I didn’t know until then that Asian, Latin American or Western music could have as much meaning to me as Indian. Few of the first songs and dance routines of the class that I liked were“No” by Meghan Trainer and “Despacito”
A year ago I was a total mess, anatomically. Busy with work and home improvement, I let my health slip a little and body swell a lot. Feeling sick and wanting a way out, I renewed my membership at ClubSport Fremont (now renamed Bay Club). Like millions of women, I find working out tedious, exhausting and inconvenient, especially driving to the gym with my busy schedule. I simply wasn’t motivated enough. Yes, surely weight needs to be controlled (especially at my age), and I must put my best foot forward, but it was just too much: 20 minutes of cardio, on top of another twenty minutes of machines – ups, downs, sits, stands, pulls, push- es…. sigh! Tired of this monotonous drill, I searched for other offers within the club, in which I wouldn’t have to with- stand too much physical exertion and pain, but just enough to sweat a little. My main goal was to lose weight and simultaneously enjoy the process enough to be consistent. Finding the activity that would bring that magical blend was the main issue. Power yoga? No, too much power and too little peace. Step-Ups? No, too much choreography to remember and not worth the stress. Bollywood? Good, but dreary, repeti- tive, and topped with an uninspiring mix of music. Weight lifting? No, recall I wanted to lose weight first? After a couple of weeks of exploring, I began doubting myself. There is an Urdu saying, “when you search for the
34 www.indiaparentmagazine.org
October 2019
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