Fitness Mantra: ‘Happy dance’ Zumba to get your body and mind fit

Miami-based Beto Perez, creator of the ‘Zumba Program’, Zumba Fitness, LLC., wants to introduce Indians to a form of fitness, which works both for the mind and the body — the happy dance i.e Zumba. The programme helps individuals relieve stress and cope with anxiety, even helping them to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Perez was recently in India to conduct a masterclass. Here’s what he had to say:

There are two benefits to having fun. The first is that you are more likely to stick with a workout if you enjoy it. The second is that the fun aspect delivers a benefit to mental health. We have literally thousands of Zumba fans reporting improved mental health through regular Zumba practice - you really can’t put a price on this.

A Zumba instructor who is not licensed is not a Zumba instructor! Only properly licensed instructors have completed the official training and have access to the materials to deliver a genuine Zumba class. You can find all our licensed instructors on our website, zumba.com so please check first to ensure you don’t risk training with an imposter!

One of the greatest achievements of the ‘Zumba Program’ has been the transformation of women’s lives. It’s either through improving their physical and mental well-being at a class or embarking on a career as an instructor and achieving a new level of independence. Zumba has changed literally hundreds of thousands of lives just in India.

For an hour in a Zumba class you can lose yourself in the music, surrounded by like-minded others, and really be yourself. Nobody judges you in a Zumba class and as such it acts as a wonderfully therapeutic environment.

Zumba is the ideal first step into fitness. It is a judgement-free environment where all you need to do is move a little and you are on your way. It doesn’t matter how well you perform the steps - nobody cares. All we care about is that you move your body with a smile on your face. Everyoneis welcome.