Zumba!

Well just a couple of days ago I accompanied my good friend to her Zumba class at our gym and could not have had a more fun time burning and toning. Zumba classes are the new craze sweeping the nation, an up-tempo dance workout, and at one point it was getting the mirrors all steamed up.

Besides the smell of sweating middle age women all dancing to African/ Latin American music; it was the female instructor who really surprised me. First glance of her combat shorts and pink vest, I wasn’t sure if she could deliver the essence of this class. But this white girl sure knew how to gyrate those hips of hers, and I struggled to keep up. Dancing to Shakira’s Waka Waka, who I am sure is somewhat of an icon for our hips don’t lie instructor was such a treat for a gay man. The song, the moves, It all came together and I could feel the essence of Shakira in the room. My personal favourite dance move was when we leant over and shook our boobs; having no boobs myself turned out to be a bit of a bonus. I’m not sure if she had planned to incorporate this move when she decided not to wear a bra to the class, but who am I to judge.

Being long limed and awkward really went in my favour... not. When my eyes were not on the instructor I could catch glimpses of myself in the mirror. I guess this class is a bit like ice skating; if your tall you will fall. Like all good sports men I got back on that horse and rode it to the sound of Zumba.

A thing that baffled me was that there was only me and two other men, and I’m pretty sure they got roped into it by their wives. I don’t know what man would not want to shake their money maker to African music in a room full of women and mirrors; maybe that’s just the gay in me. Then again I couldn’t understand why some people got their backs up at my friend’s wedding when I caught the bouquet.

Even with all this drama that occurred in the space of one hour in my life, I still would say yes to Zumba. What a crack it is, and if I have to go on my own I will, that is that. Everyone spread the word of Zumba, it’s here, it’s near and it’s proud of it.

Percy