Comprising of elements belonging to “aerobics” is a dance form known as Zumba. This “Latin American” style of dancing is said to have originated from Colombia, and developed by dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez. The sixteen core steps are used in all or part of the choreography for Zumba. This “energetic” dance basically includes elements belonging to other styles such as hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, and mambo. Furthermore, this form of dance also serves as a form of exercise in which an individual can apparently lose about 500-1000 calories in a day. In addition, there are classes/training centres available for this form of dance all over the world. Statistically speaking, there are about 15 million people that have taken to Zumba classes across 180 countries in about 200,000 locations.
a. History/origin of Zumba:
This dance style was developed in the mid 90’s by a choreographer named Alberto Perez in Colombia. It was essentially created with the intention of combining elements of “aerobics” as well as “dance”. And thereby provide for a proper work out for the body. Furthermore, it was in 2001 that Perez along with his partners Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion released a series of videos promoting “Zumba” as a dance form. It was during this period that Perez formed a company called Zumba Fitness LLC. It is this company that has been responsible in spreading this unique style of “exercising and dancing” all over globe.
b. Costumes used in the Zumba:
The costume worn in this dance style for both male and female would include a shirt/vest, a sport track trouser/short pants, and a pair of shoes.
c. Music involved in the Zumba:
“Energetic music” belonging to salsa, flamenco, merengue etc is mainly used in this dance form which also serves as a body workout.
d. Training availability and the technique involved in the Zumba:
In terms of technique, this dance essentially uses body movements utilized in other styles such as salsa, samba, flamenco, merengue, cumbia, caipirinha, beto shuffle, belly dance, and the tango. As for those interested in learning this unique style that also combines features of “aerobics”, there are many licensed training centres/schools available all around the globe, since this “energetic” dance has over the years gradually become extremely popular with people belonging to a variety of cultures.