1. Everyone can dance, even if it's just a step-tap. 

It is RARE that someone new to Zumba doesn't mention how uncoordinated they are or how they can't dance.  Not everyone is has the gift of rhythm but damn near everyone can step tap and that, my friend, can get you through a Zumba class. 

2. When you dance, you forget. 

I'm for real about this! I have been teaching Zumba for almost 10 years and in those 10 years have experienced some depressing shit. I can't count the number of times I was consumed with stress and dreaded showing up to teach my class BUT once I started, for THAT hour I forgot about problems and walked away feeling better about life. 

3. Smiling is necessary AND contagious.

How could you even do Zumba WITHOUT smiling? It's the perfect combination... music, dance, and people. That combination makes me smile and when I smile, most importantly the CLASS smiles

I'm not going to lie, not everyone smiles during Zumba. Some people frown and scowl but I'm convinced it isn't because they're not having fun. I mean sometimes it's hard to concentrate AND smile.  No worries friends, I ain't mad at ya.  If you're in my class and you keep coming back, I'm going to assume you're smiling on the inside!

4. While smiling is necessary, WORDS are not.

I find it difficult to be on a stage speaking to a crowd but am happy to SHOW you how to do something. Because the Zumba format places emphasis on using visual cues, ANYONE can follow, regardless the language they speak. This, in turn, allows me to teach without speaking. The less I speak on stage, the smoother things go. 

5. No one is focused on you. 

Everyone is too worried about what they are doing;  they don't have time to worry about you. So, feel free to shake that ass because no one is judging. That is all. 

6.  Zumba is a confidence booster.

Many people show up for my classes nervous and self-conscious. They shyly and quietly stand in the back row as far away from the mirrors as possible. After a few classes, the moves come a little easier and they start to feel the music. They slowly migrate to the front of class. They hoot and holler on cue, they shimmy and shake and they OWN the dance floor. They feel good, they look good and they did something they didn't think they could do. 

7.  Faking it is making it...usually. 

It's a guarantee that I'll forget a song or some moves EVERY single time I teach a class. Sometimes a song comes on and it's like I've never heard it before. Other times I get distracted thinking about something else and forget what I'm doing. I am not very good at faking it but when I do, it feels GOOD.  Worst case scenario, I can default to my girls in the front row cause they always know my routines better than I do. 

8.  Zumba friends are some of the BEST friends.

There is no community like the Zumba community. These folks will show up en masse for a special event or fundraiser. Zumba friends LOVE to see each other and I've met some of my closet friends at Zumba. I cannot explain it but am guessing it might have something to do with the fact that when you sing and dance and let your inhibitions go with a group of people, ya just bond!

9. The better you look, the better you dance.

I don't mean in comparison to ANYONE else. It's all about you. It doesn't matter what shape or size you are (see #5). Go ahead and get yourself a new pair of funky leggings, some fresh kicks, throw some lipgloss on and bring your fly self to Zumba® because when you LOOK good, your gonna FEEL good (see #6). And you know that makes you dance better. 

10. Zumba is LEGIT.

I did my Zumba® certification 9 years ago. I remember I came home super pumped and told my husband, Keith, all about it. First thing he said was, "People aren't really going to pay for that are they?" Keith told me it would never last, that it was just a trend. I was like... you don't even KNOW.  Fast forward to 2019, we own a Let's Do This Fitness where we BOTH teach Zumba. 

I'd love for you to join my class.  I'm located in the Denver Metro area, Check out my schedule here.