Zumba takes to the Irish pub

I was browsing Zumba.com, looking for my next class to visit, when I spotted an evening Zumba class in an Irish Pub in Penn Yan. It seemed like an equally bizarre venue, since I'm teaching my morning class in a winery. I was definitely imagining the Happy Hour party with a Zumba event in the middle and people swilling Guinness' on the side.

Fortunately, I was wrong.

It's a great space for a class. Good wood floors, spacious dance floor, a slightly raised platform in the front, even disco lights so the fluorescent lights don't have to stay on.

Kayla Luppino is teaching there M-W-F and Saturdays from 7 - 7:30, as she launches her Zumba career. She's fabulous dancer, energetic, brings the party to the pub. She is obviously a dancer by heart, her enthusiasm is contagious. And the walk in price is just $3. Easy!

A great surprise was a bonus toning class afterward by Danelle Bell, a recent arrival from Memphis, Missouri. She just left her eight classes in Missouri and is finding her niche here. I'd travel far to take another toning class from her. I've been somewhat hesitant about getting my toning certification, thinking it would be too hard or too demanding a class for me to teach. Now I'm hooked, definitely. She was easy to follow, used great music, and I really need to add it to my own workout. So that's the next training for me when Zumba offers its next toning certification in my area.

The class in Penn Yan was another reminder about why it's so much fun trying other instructor's classes. You never know what you'll find --- it's still all Zumba, just with our own style. I'll hear a song I like, or see a routine with a new move, or, this time, try a little toning. It keeps adding to my repertoire and enhances what I do in my own classes.

I love the Zumba network. Instant community wherever I go, always a party, lots of new friends. Hope to see you on the road somewhere soon!

Here's a video of Kayla, followed by Danelle.

The Zumba sisters of Hammondsport

I met Delia Lopez-Stull in the parking lot at WalMart in Watkins Glen over a year ago and I've been trying to get organized enough to get over to try her class ever since. It's about a 20 to 25 minute drive but somehow I got into my head that it was 50 minutes, and since they teach at 8 a.m.... well, my attending the morning class seemed unlikely.

When I met Delia last summer, she had just taught a Zumba class and had raced over to shop in Watkins, still wearing her Zumba workout clothes --- a great marketing device and a great way to meet friends. Of course, I accosted her with my usual 20 questions.

The Hammondsport Zumba sisters: Evelyn (L) and Delia (R)

Delia and her sister Evelyn are originally from Puerto Rico, by way of NYC --- Delia retired from a career there before moving to live full time in Hammondsport and starting her new Zumba career. Evelyn moved there three years ago.

Having sisters teach together sounded intriguing --- I find having two instructors often enhances a class; two styles, two levels of impact. I wasn't disappointed in the experience.

While one sister leads, the other sister either moves to the middle of the pack or to the back so when you're turning, there's someone leading from both sides of the room. It's really helpful in a room without mirrors and when you are new to the routines.

They said their afternoon and evening classes are packed and the morning class is smaller. That's the opposite of what is happening in our area. Interesting.

They did some of the 'traditional' Zumba songs and routines but modified them to suit their own styles and likes, making songs easier to follow or more fun. And they had a lot of fine beats, a lot of enthusiasm. They are definitely keeping the party in Zumba. If it feels like an exercise class or I want to look at my watch, it's not working for me....

Next time I want to visit their class after school, held on the school grounds where Evelyn says sometimes her 12-year-old son leads a song by popular demand. Love getting that age generation involved. Why wait?

You can catch their classes Mondays and Thursdays, with a toning class on Saturday. You won't be disappointed.

Brenda brings Zumba to Watkins Glen

Always perfect form!

Brenda Fitch has been an aerobics/fitness instructor and trainer in Watkins Glen, NY for decades and like many fitness instructors, made the leap to Zumba. And she's loving it.

I first met Brenda right after she had gotten her certification and I brought her songs and routines from California and Mexico. And Brenda shoved me up in front of the class and made me lead some routines, helping me get my confidence to believe I wasn't too old or too anything to be able to do this.

Last year Brenda was on the road teaching five days a week in three different communities --- in addition to working full time. Then she dropped to four days a week so she could go back to school. Seriously high energy person!

You can tell that she has a lifetime of fitness experience when she teaches --- she is responsive to different individual's level of fitness, constantly showing Zumba students how to modify routines. And if there is a glitch in the music or the system, she just moves right on and the class still gets a great workout, has fun.

You can catch Brenda and her routines at the Watkins Glen Community Center on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30, the Hector Firehouse on Tuesdays at 5:30, and Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. at Exercise Enterprise, back in Watkins Glen. She still shoves me up to the front to lead a few songs when I'm in town and we have a blast! Hope to see y'all there!

Taking Beach Zumba to the Hector Wine Company

We started our seasonal Beach Zumba class today at the Hector Wine Company with plans to move down to the beach on the east side of Seneca Lake, New York,  as soon as the weather consistently cooperates.

Our first Beach Zumba class at the Hector Wine Co.

Somehow this morning's group --- the Hearty Hector Warrior Women --- would normally be categorized as Zumba Gold candidates because of their ages --- many in the 60s and 70s.

But this group is not the 'On Golden Pond' crowd. They have spent a lifetime of walking, doing yoga, working in their gardens, and boy oh boy, has it paid off. Physically fit, able to move, dance, follow routines and still remember to HAVE FUN! Because that's the Zumba deal for me. Dance, have fun, get or stay physically fit, have a few laughs. What more could we ask for?

Setting up class at the wine bar

The Hector Wine Company, located on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail,  is perfect --- lots of room, good floor, lots of natural light. And a bonus --- the wonderfully friendly Luna, a huge Great Pyrenees/Irish Wolfhound is delighted to keep us company while we work out.

We'll meet back up at HWC on Friday morning for another workout and keep checking the weather until it's time for Beach Zumba to head down to the beach.