Dance Thru Your Exercise With Zumba

A few years ago, at a racquetball tournament in Newport News, I watched a zumba class in progress. It was at the Riverside Wellness Center. The class was very full, and looked like a lot of fun. At that time the only exercise I was really participating in was racquetball, as I was never really a class person. There were many classes I tried throughout the years, but I never went more than once. I was only going  for one reason; to get the exercise. It was never anything I really enjoyed, and therefore it never peaked my interest enough to come back. All I thought about while doing the class was how much pain I was in, and how hard it was, constantly waiting for the end. They should never put clocks on the wall in the room, as that seemed to be my primary focus the entire time. I immediately turned my  nose up at the idea of another class situation due to my previous experiences. A few months ago I finally decided it was time to try some new types of exercises, and zumba was the first on the list. It kind of went along with the ballroom dance class I was taking, as it was technically dance related, and I thought I would enjoy it just as much. I went to a class that was supposed to be for beginners, however when I got there I found that not to be the case. Never the less, the instructor, Colleen, was very welcoming, and assured me that I would catch on and she would make sure to explain the steps as she went along. The first class was quite an experience, and I probably didn't get the exercise out of it that I should have, concentrating on the steps much more than the intensity of the movement. The women in the class were so nice and supportive, as well as Colleen, and they assured me that if I continued to come, it would get easier and easier. She also gave me a written handout explaining that you needed to have fun and let yourself go with the music. This really resonated with me, as my focus was so much on getting the steps down, and being technically correct. The next class I did let myself go a bit more, and the exercise just happened without my realizing it. That was all I needed. I was hooked. My daughter, Megan had also told me she was doing it on the cruise ship, and enjoyed it so much she was thinking of becoming an instructor. A couple of weeks after I started, Megan came home and wanted to start going as well. I took her to Colleen's class and she loved it, continuing to go almost everyday. She got very close with Colleen, and the regulars in the class and they lead her to other classes at other YMCA  locations that were popular. I did go to a few more classes with Megan, and really enjoyed it more and more each time, realizing the exercise benefits, and enjoying the dancing. I ended up having to stop due to a sciatica problem for a month or so, and during that time, Megan went back on the cruise ship. The relationships she made with these women, and the instructors, in the two months she was home was priceless. They wanted to keep in touch with her while she was gone, and made her CDs of the music so she would not forget them, along with other zumba gifts. She was even leading some of the dances in the classes, as she was so good at it, and always looked like she was having so much fun.

I finally started feeling better a couple of weeks ago, and have resumed playing racquetball, as well as zumba. I went to Colleen's class last week, and it took me a week to recover, however, I noticed that I picked the steps back up easily, and really got into it so much. It felt great, and I realized how much I missed it. I went back this week again, and I am really getting into the music, reaching a new level of movement. I may actually be getting good at it. The point is that I really love it. As I said before, I have never enjoyed being in an exercise class, but this is so different. I am dancing for an hour, and getting the benefits of exercise without even realizing it. I started to think about how much I always loved to go dancing when I was younger, and how alive it would make me feel. I now have that awesome feeling again in a much different setting.

Enjoying your exercise is key to being able to incorporate it into your daily routine. I hope this article will inspire you to go out and find those activities that you enjoy. There are so many benefits,and enhancements to life, that come along with participating in group activities, as well as joining a fitness center, golf course/country club, or other facility. Your life will be so much more fulfilled without you even knowing it. Take a chance, and a step towards that which you have always enjoyed, and you will enjoy it more later in life. You will not be sorry you did.

Living and Loving Zumba

If Our Grandmothers Could See Us Now

The other day I played golf with a friend of mine from the Y that I play racquetball with. We have been playing golf together now since the summer, and have really been enjoying it. She has been playing for a while, and is an athlete, so needless to say she plays very well. We usually play 9 holes and walk, to get the exercise. The weather here has been so crazy that the other day it was 70 degrees, and today is about 45 degrees. Welcome to Virginia. So enough about the weather. This friend of mine is not just any friend. Let me give you some history.

When we first met we all went out one night to say good bye to one of our fellow racquetball players who was moving. We happened to be sitting across from each other, and thru regular conversation about where are you from, and where did you grow up, we discovered that our grandmothers were best friends. They grew up in the same neighborhood, and had always kept in touch. We were both so shocked when I mentioned my maiden name and she told me who her grandmother was. She actually used to babysit for my brother, sister, and I. I always remember her big bun on her head, and how sweet she was to us, always. She also had a very deep voice. Anyway, the other day as we were walking on the golf course I thought to myself, and actually said out loud, “what would our grandmothers say if they could see us now”. It made me think what a small world we live in, and how you never know who is right next to you until you talk to them.  I also realized, once again, how much being a member of the YMCA has helped me to gain so many friends and meet so many new people that I would not have otherwise known, or come in contact with. This time it was someone connected to my family and my past, which made it extra special. We are becoming much better friends and I am so glad. I know my grandmother would be so happy to know that we got the chance to meet, and actually become good friends for some part of our lives. It seems very ironic, and  I can’t help but think that these things don’t just happen, if you know what I mean.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to enjoy your exercise. Joining a gym or fitness center will enable you to take advantage of more than just the exercise, as you can see. The social aspect of the gym is usually taken for granted, but shouldn’t be. Life is short, and you never know who, or what is around the corner.

This article is dedicated to Blanche, Ida, and Barb.  I love you all!!

My YMCA Experience

I moved to Chesapeake in 1996 as a single mom with 2 small children. In Chesapeake everyone used the Y for after school daycare. I joined the Greenbrier Y for this purpose. My kids were very happy there after school and during the summer. I picked up a flyer one day for racquetball. I had played as a kid and later as an adult but never took it seriously. I had always liked playing. I joined the racquetball league at the Greenbrier North YMCA and slowly but surely learned how to really play the game thru the players. I was instantly hooked and played almost every day. We had a great group of players who started to go out together and became great friends. This was my home away from home. I played in tournaments and started to travel to Northern VA for State and Regional events and later traveled to North Carolina for their awesome tournaments and great southern hospitality. The staff at the Y were very involved with the racquetball players and events, and took good care of us with the leagues and tournaments at the club.

I have been playing now for 15 years and I still love it.  The friends and experiences I have had thru the Y and racquetball have enriched my life in ways I never could have imagined. This is still my home away from home. I can just walk in at almost any time and get a game, as well as socialize with the regulars and the Y staff. I am now on the board and it gives me great pleasure to participate in the future of my YMCA. They are my second family and joining was one of the best choices I could have ever made for me and my family.

Please join our family and see what a difference it will make in your life.

Living and Loving Racquetball