Warmer days: One more reason to Zumba with Carol!

"...Some instructors exercise to music but Carol embodies the energy of the music to show us how to dance our way to fitness..." Kathryn Wenham, Carol's Zumba student (photo: Carol Araya)

The days are warming up, and with it comes the need to get active and loose the Winter extra weight. The chills are nearly over and many starve for the heat and excitement of the outdoors, together with the fun of a good workout to the rhythms of the Zumba.

Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Samba and a whole list of new cadences set the atmosphere for this cardio workout, which is known for the motivation given to the participants and for its ability to burn calories and stay fit in a friendly and fun environment.  The results will depend a lot on many factors such as age, genre, fitness level and most important: how hard/ intense you choose to dance.

In Brisbane, there are many venues offering the Zumba lessons to gym members or health clubs members. However, one of the most popular options is going directly to a certified Zumba instructor, who holds classes in parks, private settings or public locations.

Carol Araya, a Chilean licensed Zumba instructor in Brisbane, knows for a fact that in Zumba there is not "right" or "wrong": as long as you are moving, you are doing great. “I want you to have fun, to enjoy yourself and forget about everything but to move your body and shaaaake it! I will make you feel like in a real Carnival !!!”

Carol has nine years’ experience teaching different styles of dace to people from different backgrounds, but teaching Zumba is one of her biggest achievements and passions: “I feel so lucky to have this fitness program that allows me to put together my passion for dance, teaching, fitness and living life with a positive attitude… Thanks to Zumba I can share my culture and happy spirit with you”

And that is exactly what motivates a lot of people to attend her classes in South Brisbane, Southbank, West End, Highgate Hill, and Brisbane CBD Area: a workout that feels like a celebration: "I try to make every class a fiesta for my students! I want you to walk out with a big smile in your face, feeling in a real Latin party where there is no right or wrong, it does not matter anything but to dance, scream, sweat, shimmy, jump, shake your body, and the most important thing: Have lots of fun!!”

For Carol’s students, the Zumba party not only seems to be the way to stay fit, but also and alternative stimulate your mind like Angeles Lagos indicated on review: “Since I started dancing with Carol I have noticed I am more of a happy person. I get teased at home because for the next 24 hrs after a lesson I seem to sing and dance alone through the house. I do it at work too …but shh! So don’t be afraid! Come and try this class! Be prepared though… you will probably find it addictive – as most people do! And… chiquillas, si necesitan un poco de casa, una fiesta en casa, un buen rato entretenido con o sin las amigas, vengan! Lo van a pasar a todo cachete!”

By Janeth Taborda