CU graduate, Kassi Neff teaches a Zumba class in the recreation center Wednesday afternoon. (CU Independent/Lee Pruitt)
It might seem silly at first when the music starts: Jumping up and down, swinging your hips and shaking your butt. But at the Rec Center’s new dance class called “Zumba,” everyone just forgets about who’s watching and lets go.
Combining dance with aerobics, Zumba is a fun and exhilarating way to get fit. It uses a combination of dances including salsa, tango, merengue, samba, reggaetón, cumbia and others from cultures across the world.
Kassi Neff, the class instructor, graduated from CU in 2006 with a Spanish degree. Neff has been teaching Zumba for three months and aerobics for eight years. The 26-year-old spent a year in Chile learning different Latin dances. During her stay she heard about Zumba, and after going to one class she was hooked.
“It’s a fun way to work out, it makes you feel good,” Neff said. “Zumba is for everyone, even if you are fresh, brand new into dance just have a blast, no one’s judging.”
Anne Blichfeld, a 22-year-old senior is majoring in marketing and Wednesday’s class was her second time doing Zumba.
“It’s supposed to be fun, don’t worry about being embarrassed,” Blichfeld said. “The more you forget the more fun you have.”
When trying something new it’s always a good idea to bring a friend.
Blichfeld convinced her friend Allison Hoffmann to join her. Hoffman, a 21-year-old senior communication major. Hoffmann said the class was a lot of fun and would definitely do it again.
“You don’t even know you’re working out!” Hoffmann said.
Both girls try to work out a couple times a week and do hip-hop for their sorority, Delta Gamma.
Although there is a little bit of coordination involved in Zumba, if anyone forgets the steps they can just make up their own moves. The music is loud, energetic and involves a variety of beats ranging from music of Bollywood to the latest hits from Beyonce.
Freshman Genevieve Dabrowski is majoring in environmental studies and Chinese. The 18-year-old has been doing Zumba for about a year now, starting in her hometown of Colorado Springs, and continues to go to the classes offered on campus.
Zumba is perfect for people like Dabrowski who are open to trying all kinds of physical activities. Dabrowski said she enjoys a variety of work out activities including running, weight lifting, hip-hop dancing and yoga.
“I like the music, it makes it easier to work out with fun music,” Dabrowski explains.
Dabrowski said Neff does a great job in teaching Zumba, and added she is a good motivator for her participants.
“I like the teacher, she’s really nice and always smiling,” Dabrowski said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Amanda Dovel at Amanda.dovel@Colorado.edu.
