Zumba is a fun way to exercise. It’s a fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dances such as cumbia, salsa, merengue, samba, soca and bachata.
Joan Kindsfather will continue to teach classes at the Rec for adults on Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. and ‘Zumba Gold’ for a slightly older group on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. These are part of the ‘Adult Fitness & Dance Drop In Classes’ where you create an account online and pick and choose which classes fit your schedule. There is also a new Zumba for children ages 7-11 that will start Jan. 31 for six weeks (from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30pm).
Kindsfather keeps the classes fresh and adds her own spin beyond the core Zumba dances.
“My background is dance and I love music so I think it’s fun to be able to sing along,” she said. “I love pulling songs off the radio to use and choreograph. So, there’s hip hop (we twerk every now and then!), country dancing, an Irish step dance, belly dance, and swing.”
“Some of the dances incorporate squats and we do some toning, cardio and moves that involve balance,” she continued. “A lot of the tango moves are balance related. You’re exercising but you’re not realizing it because you’re so involved with the music and having a good time.”
Kindsfather has developed a new Zumba program for kids. Six sessions or ‘blocks’ will focus on a particular country, its dance and culture. Each student will get a passport, which will be stamped each week for the country they will learn about.
Kindsfather explains, “It’s not a regular dance class. I do teach the kids dances, but we’ll also play games and make crafts. It’s all related to dance but also a little bit more of the culture and history.”
For example, the first class will teach cumbia, a Colombian dance where Zumba originated. Kindsfather says, “They’ll learn about Columbia and why they do this dance. It’s related to their biggest export, which is sugar cane. So, the steps are based on how they cut down sugar cane. It’s really cool.”
For full program details and to register, visit www.moorestownrec.com.
