I Survived: Zumba Sentao™
The thought of having to go to a dance style class makes me wiggle and squirm and a few years ago you couldn’t have paid me to go to one. Then one day, when I was invited to try a dance style class I came to the realization that I ask people to step out of their comfort zone every day and was being a hypocrite by not trying something that intimidated me.
Now, every time the opportunity to take a dance style class presents itself. I timidly “say yes, sign me up!”
Last night, I headed to the Kips Bay Crunch Gym to take a brand new class, Zumba Senatao™ taught by Beto Perez. In case you aren’t familiar with the background of this workout, Beto created Zumba®. I should also mention that Zumba Sentao™ utilizes a chair as part of the workout. Talk about intimidation and stepping outside of my comfort zone!
After class with Beto
Last night’s class was a preview for the program that launches at Crunch Gym in New York in February and nationwide this summer. The workout utilizes a chair to strengthen abs, upper body and glutes while using choreography to keep your heart rate up.
While I was embarrassed to notice people in the gym peaking into the windows near where I was standing throughout class, I managed to make it through to the end without physically injuring myself or anyone else. I actually was proud of myself for making through the entire class without quitting.
Some people worry about quitting races. I worry about quitting workout classes that take lots of coordination.
The workout was fun and required me to move in ways my body doesn’t know how to move. Beto and his crew were super motivating. The music was upbeat and the vibe was such that it didn’t matter what you were doing, as long as you were moving. Plus, the chair actually helped because it meant I wasn’t dancing the entire class.
Am I ready for a full hour of Zumba®? No.
Would I go back to try another Zumba Sentao™ class? Yes!
Your assignment for the weekend: Sign-up for the class or workout style that intimidates you the most and then go in there and own it!
{I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift bag at the event. All opinions and klutziness expressed are my own.}
Good for you! Zumba is on my list of intimidating workout classes…..don’t know why. I have given myself until the end of Feb to complete a Zumba class at my gym! Thanks to your post/inspiration I am going to do it sooner rather than later
PS- LOVE your workout top (pictured) can you tell me where you bought it/brand please?
If I can do it, you can do it! It’s scary, but it feels good trying something that’s so intimidating!
Thanks for the compliment! It’s from Lululemon. I think I bought it last spring.
You are braver than me!!! I want to do yoga so that is what is my plan!
Aaaah I am glad you had a positive experience! This sounds fun!
I need to do a raincheck on the intimidating class this weekend but I’ll definitely make up for later!
Good luck!!! I can’t wait to hear all about it. I hope the weather is good to you!
I am so proud of you sister!!
xxo
You’re braver than I am… I did Zumba once. Via DVD. And was with 2 friends in front of a full-wall mirror. I was able to see that I did look as ridiculous and I thought I would. But I can see where it’d be a fun workout for some folks. It’s cool you met the creator of Zumba…and cool you just sucked it up and did it! (and didn’t injure yourself or anyone else!)
Good for you! I took Zumba once, but it was at a gym in Vancouver, Wa and it was probably not on the Beto level of skill or choreography. I laughed so hard the entire time that I actually did have sore abs the next day. I basically spent the whole class jumping up and down because I couldn’t keep up with the choreography. But I jumped and laughed and it was awesome. I wish I got invited to try fun classes! As it stands, my blog doth not evoke free exercise offers…so I will have to shell out some moolah for a new class experience.
oh MAN I am so with you on classes like that!! I give you MAJOR credit for sticking it out, I’d want to bolt from the room too!! Nice work!!
Jess thanks for sharing. My yoga studio just added a few Zumba classes, which I can take as part of my unlimited monthly membership but I am nervous to try…my guess is that I’ll end up like Cameo above – jumping up and down since there’s no way I’ll keep up with the choreography but you are inspiring me to finally just try it! Thanks for the post!
Good luck! It’s fun and scary!
I think its awesome that you realized you ask people to step out of their comfort zones every day and so needed to practice this yourself in regard to trying Zumba Sentao. Good for you!!!
I love Zumba!! I’m a fitness instrutor, personal trainer and Health Coach and it has to be one of the funnest workouts I’ve ever done! (OK, outside of surfing on a good day, that is.)
Those of you who are intimidated from trying Zumba, or the girl intimidated by yoga, just remember there are SO many people in the class that feel much like you do! Don’t worry about people watching…most people are too busy watching and worrying about themselves to even notice you. The satisfaction you’ll experience is way beyond the tiny bouts of embarrassment you might feel. As bouts of embarrassment dissipate, emerges some beautiful new skill set, better coordination, new neuro pathways developed, better kinesthetic sense and an overall feeling of awesomeness for having faced your fear!!
Thanks for the article, I look forward to trying Zumba Sentao!