Why ZUMBA? a bit more info on the rhythms

How long have you been going to Zumba classes? What makes you come back week by week? What inspires you? The music, the instructor, the friendly atmosphere, the way you feel after class, the way you feel for becoming fitter and leaner, all the fantastic people you meet in class, the bellydance skirts, the VIBE? Let me know whant you like the most about Zumba!!

Let me know which rhythm you like and why....

Merengue is a style of Dominican music and dance. Although the tempo of the music may be frenetic, the upper body is kept majestic and turns are slow, typically four beats/steps per complete turn. Its fast and we WOOP and CHEER to this one!!

Salsa is a popular form of social dance that originated in New York with strong influences from Latin America, particularly Cuba and Puerto Rico. In many styles of salsa dancing, as a dancer changes weight by stepping, the upper body remains level and nearly unaffected by the weight changes. Weight shifts cause the hips to move. Arm and shoulder movements are also incorporated. 123, 567 its not the easiest rhythm, BUT WE LOVE IT!!!! Its so much fun!!!

Reggaeton is a music genre which has its roots in Latin and Caribbean music. The genre was invented, shaped and made known in Puerto Rico where it got its name; most of its current artists are also from Puerto Rico. Reggaeton lyrical structure resembles hip hop lyrics. Like hip hop, most reggaeton artists recite their lyrics rapping (or vocals resembling rapping) rather than singing; however, many reggaeton artists alternate between rapping and singing. Reggaeton uses the traditional pop structure of verses, choruses and bridges. Like hip hop music, reggaeton songs have hooks that are repeated throughout the song. Latino ethnic identity has been a common theme in reggaeton, articulated musically, lyrically, and visually. WE LOVE REGGAETON!! But you have to GET DOWN and feel the burn on your thighs...if you don't you're not doing it right! BOOOM!!

Cumbia is a music genre popular throughout Latin America. The Cumbia originated in Colombia's Caribbean coastal region and Panama, from the musical and cultural fusion of Native Colombians and Panamanians, slaves brought from Africa, and the Spanish during colonial times in the old country of Pocabuy, which is located in Colombia's Momposina Depression and in the northeast of Panama, in the ancient palenques of the Congo nation.

LOVE THIS: The slave courtship rite, which featured dance prominently, was traditionally performed with music played by pairs of men and women and with male and female dancers. Women playfully waved their long skirts while holding a candle, and men danced behind the women with one hand behind their back and the other hand either holding a hat, putting it on, or taking it off. Male dancers also carried a red handkerchief which they either wrapped around their necks, waved in circles in the air, or held out for the women to hold. Until the mid-20th century, Cumbia was considered to be an inappropriate dance performed primarily by the lower social classes.

It has an oompa lazy rhythm and gives us a much needed rest during class, in a fun way. But be careful doing Cumbia if you've just had dinner.....it will all mix up and give  you a stitch! We all love the "lazy leg" and "mechete" steps in class though :-)

Belly dance or bellydance is a Western-coined name for "solo, improvised dances based on torso articulation originating from the Middle East. Belly dance takes many different forms depending on the country and region, both in costume and dance style, and new styles have evolved in the West as its popularity has spread globally. Today, Egypt is often considered the home of bellydance. Egyptian bellydance has two main styles - raqs baladi and raqs sharqi. There are also numerous folkloric and character dances that may be part of an Egyptian-style bellydancer's repertoire, as well as the modern shaabi street dance which shares some elements with raqs baladi.

Pop your hips and SHIMMY!!! We LOVE this in class!!

Bhaṅgṛā refers to several types of dance originating from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. The earliest developed of these was a folk dance conducted by Punjabis in the central northern areas of the region to celebrate the harvest, and whose general practice had ended by the Partition, 1947. In the 1950s, a new folk dance, representative of the state of Punjab and composed of glimpses of men's Punjabi dance styles, was created and eventually received the title of bhangra. Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire is always a favourite, but we have danced to many other tracks in class. LOVE THIS!! LOVE IT!!

Pop music (a term that originally derives from an abbreviation of "popular") is a genre of popular music which originated in its modern form in the 1950s, deriving from rock and roll. As a genre, pop music is very eclectic, often borrowing elements from other styles including urban, dance, rock, Latin and country; nonetheless, there are core elements which define pop. Such include generally short-to-medium length songs, written in a basic format (often the verse-chorus structure), as well as the common employment of repeated choruses, melodic tunes, and catchy hooks.

WE LOVE Robbie, or Olly Murs, or Maroon 5 at Zumba!! Its nice for you to be able to sing along!!

I shall be translating more of the Latin songs in Spanish for you as I know you all would like to know what they are about!

Swing, is a form of American music that developed in the early 1930s and became a distinctive style by 1940. Swing uses a strong rhythm section of double bass and drums as the anchor for a lead section of brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones, woodwinds including saxophones and clarinets, and sometimes stringed instruments such as violin and guitar, medium to fast tempos, and a "lilting" swing time rhythm.
OHHH I don't think we will ever forget "That Man". You guys helped me perfect the choreography of it before we did it at Zumba Nights, and it was such a HIT!....in fact....shall we do it again in class soon...rather miss it....

Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia, Brazil, and with its roots in Rio de Janeiro and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival. THIS IS FAST!! Super fast. Its not the easiest to dance, but its so much fun, and you guys are getting there with this! (As am I!)

There are several theories about the origin of the word samba. One of them claims that samba came from the word Zumba or Zamba!

I bet you didn't know all this!

The Zumba formula is a special blend and mix of these flavours and spices and if not mixed correctly the classes can lack spice! Let me know you thoughts on the music we have in class, as its one of THE MOST IMPORTANT aspects of the class.

Thank you for another fantastic week of classes! Have a great weekend and I look forward to see you again on Monday :-)

ZUMBA LOVE Ana xx