The Adventures of Rosanne Araneta : So I Love Zumba!

Yep, I'm big but I can move. Yes, I have a big tummy but can you do a split?

Not all who exercise lose weight. Some have other goals, such as better flexibility, increasing body mass, heightening endurance and lengthening cardio output. I've gained weight because I have more muscles now. If you've read my other blog entries, you know that I do well on the dance sport floor so endurance is at an all time high!

Let's just say, Zumba has given me bragging rights to so many things: I'm as confident as ever with my dancing skills, I don't really care what you think about my dancing skills because only what I think matters to me--I make myself happy or sad--no one else.

I love teaching, speaking at seminars or planning events just as much as I do the Zumba programs. I really cant decide which I should let go of...but if the criteria were stress levels, Id do Zumba all day every day. It gets me (and sometimes forces me) to create new choreography, to study more about the body and the effects of exercise and to dance to express my feelings.

I love Zumba so much that I sponsored my dance instructor, Gilbert Amio, to Basic 1 training so we could speak the same language! He kept correcting me when I'd choreograph, using the Zumba Formula and we started seeing eye to eye after that.

I love the happy hormones (endorphin) that are released in my system, after dancing Zumba. That's akin to the hormones released after a great bout of SEX. At least Zumba is an hour long compared to this other endeavor (wink, wink!)

There was a time when I came late for my own class. Things hadn't gone my way the whole day. But after the warm up period, I was all smiles, hoots and whoops of joy and energy. You should try teaching (if not just dancing Zumba)!

I met so many new friends because of Zumba. Some as students, some as mentors and others as fans. These are real humble people who work so hard, using the best tool they have: their bodies. They carry as much as 8 sets of clothes, complete with underwear and socks because some of them have so many classes a day! These folks give so much of their energy to their students that it's really a wonderment when they still have (because they do) more to give when it comes to fundraisers and causes.

I just realized that I have more Zumba clothes than normal clothes. Yes, theyre expensive but owning them is a badge of accomplishment. I make enough money to buy them and show them off. It's a great way for ambulant marketing.

One tee says it all, "Give me neon or give me death!"

Even if you do not know who's in class, who's coming to class, who the first timers are, they ALL become your friends, followers, believers, eating buddies, informants, clothes models, shopping consultants, supporters, fans, stalkers and so much more!

They all become more chatty, friendly, approachable after class due to the newly released endorphin in their systems--this would be the best time to propose, to make business deals, to ask for a loan or gigantic favor. Chances are they'd happily say YES!

Know your choreo, keep things fresh, let the students know WHY they're moving certain parts this way or that way, keep the class safe, make the steps simple and easy to follow. If Zumba steps were too difficult, people wouldn't feel so successful on the first day. They wouldn't come back. Then I wouldn't have students!

I figure, I can redefine my figure at the same time Im teaching. I know what to do. You just have to get on the Zumba Toning ride with me!