Learning To Zumba

My Zumba DVD package arrived today, and I was so excited. I'd been waiting for nearly a month after I ordered it as they'd run out of stock -seeing it on late night infomercials, been tantalized by how much fun it looked, and imagining how perfect it would be in providing a workout that incorporated cardio, toning, and fun! Fun enough that it promised to overcome my resistance to doing exercise regularly, day in and day out.

Fast forward to tonight, when, arriving home from work and feeding the cats, I put the Zumba basics DVD on. It uses an 'easy step' system to break down the dance steps into a series of moves, showing the basic step using the feet, then adding hip and upper body movements, and linking it all together to bring you to the steps involved.

The reality of it is that it's not as easy as it looks, in that I'm not 'instantly' transformed into a Latin American dancer! And boy, does it work your muscles - and show you how stiff you are.

The reality is also that I still think its very achievable (becmong a latin american dancer), and it is fun. It's going to take me a few goes through the Zumba basics DVD to get it all right, and learn these steps (I'm sure there will be people who pick it up more quickly). And the basics DVD provides a workout in and of itself. I think it will also help with flexibility and stiffness. I look forward to the day my range of motion is what it was when I used to do yoga regularly.

I think it would be handy to do this near a mirror so you can see if what you're doing looks like how the dancers are moving. One thing with the way they break it down into steps, you really have to reconnect with the flow of the movement. But I guess when  you're beginning, it doesn't matter so much about the finesse, more that you learn it. And I think it creates new neural pathways in your brain as you learn these new dance steps.

I also realize, that when the steps become more second nature, its easier to be in your body and really feel how it moves with the music (which brings finesse and rhythm).

So, that's my first day with Zumba. Back again tomorrow!