Zumba!

My 1st. ZUmba Virtual Class as an instructor

R-L: Jennifer R, Me, Dena and Mariel A.

Zumba!

“Zumba is this morning, so I’m not going to church.”

“I have Zumba that day so, no.” 

These are variations of responses my sister gave me when asked to do something with me, church, hangout or coffee. Zumba was all she talked about. All I saw her wear was workout clothes as she came from Zumba or was on her way to Zumba. I thought she was cray-cray.

I loved to workout but had not considered Zumba as a form of exercise. My workouts consisted of kick boxing, walking 3 miles or a 20- minute full body workout I had found on Pinterest. The Pinterest workout was intense and consisted of sit ups, high knees, push-ups, etc. to complete a 20-minute routine. These workouts fit perfectly in my schedule at 5:45 am before I went to work. I saw results and didn’t need to pay anyone to get in shape.

A Seed is Planted

My first Zumba experience was with my sister. It was a Zumbathon. A Zumbathon is a charity fundraiser. You pay about $30 to enjoy a 90- minute Zumba class and have an opportunity to mingle with vendors selling various products and services, who were often independent business owners. My strategy was to attend the event so my sister would quit asking me to go to Zumba with her.

We got to the event and I was ready! The music was playing loud in the background and made you move. The instructor, Liza*, a beautiful, Venezuelan woman explained she would give us non-verbal cues for instruction.  She would not be talking.  She encouraged us to have fun and to watch her.

As the music began, Liza clapped her hands to the beat and marched in place to get the crowd on beat and to feel the rhythm. After the intro, the choreography started! OMG! I was immediately caught off guard. “What’s up here?!”, I thought.  I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew I liked it! The competitor in me said, Just go for it. “Don’t stop and don’t look like you don’t know what’s going on,” said my brain. As Liza jammed on stage facing all 50 of the attendees of all shapes, sizes, and hues, I started feeling her energy. Most moves were repetitive which made it easy to catch on.  

I loved the event! I enjoyed the loud music, dancing and most of all the energy in the room. I didn’t know it at the time, but that experience planted a seed for a season coming in my future.

The Seed grows

In 2015, my husband and I moved to Columbus. Once I got settled, I began to seek more ways to provide self-care. After working since the age of 16, this was the first time I had an opportunity to exhale and take a break from working full time. I took time to get to know the city, volunteer and rest. Exercise was the only missing puzzle piece, or so I thought.

I decided to seek out a Zumba class. I researched Facebook to see Liza’s connections in Columbus. That is how I found Jennifer Rubenkoenig and Century Body.

The studio was about 20 minutes from home. When I walked in the studio, I felt the steam and energy. I heard the thumping music and whooping of the attendees in the class behind closed doors. In the lobby there was a person at a desk checking people in. “Hello,” I said. “I’m new and want to take a class.” The lady welcomed me with a genuine smile. My first class was free. This class was high energy with various levels of intensity. I made some mistakes but, stayed and laughed my way through. When class was over, I knew I wanted to come back.

Later that night, I got a Facebook message from the lady at the desk. I thought it was odd. I wasn’t big on getting messages via Facebook at that time. Opening the message, I learned she was the owner of the studio, Jennifer Rubenkoenig. She just wanted to drop a note and thank me for coming. My background in hospitality loved feeling this level of customer service I loved to give to my clients. Soon after, I purchased a membership.

Six years later, I continue to be a member of the Century Body family. This diverse community goes beyond being Facebook friends. The students and staff go out to dinner, talk before and after class, share in sickness, joys and laughter. When I miss a class or other studio activities, I am disappointed.

Community Happens

Community service is one of the bright lights of Century Body. Each year, we collectively raise money for back to school supplies for a local school and funds to provide gifts for an Adopt a Family program to help less fortunate families celebrate Christmas. Thousands of dollars have been raised to support these endeavors annually.

After being encouraged by Jennifer, I received my Basic Zumba license to teach Zumba and have co-taught classes at Century Body. It was strange at first but, with the encouragement of other instructors, I grew confident and simply had fun.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, Century Body worked hard to make sure the students remained connected. Jennifer understood mental health was as important as physical health. Classes were offered on Zoom so we would have a chance to see each other while getting in a good workout at home. I don’t know how I would have gotten through those dark months of 2020 without the classes and connection of Century Body.

As I reflect on my arrival to Columbus, the missing link to my life was more than an exercise class.

So, if you find yourself considering an exercise class, check out a Zumba offering. You may find light in a community beyond the dance floor that your soul is looking for.

*Liza is not the real name of the instructor mentioned.