Zumbatomic: The Fun of Zumba for Kids!
Last week Fit Bottomed Mamas was all about kickstarting fitness in the New Year. This week, the focus turns to the kiddos in our first Active Kids Week!
Credit: USAG-Humphreys
When I was back home for the holidays, I hit up the Zumba Toning class that my sister-in-law regularly attends. I had a great time, even vowing to find some Zumba to attend in 2012. It turned out that my niece and nephew (4 and 6) were going to be attending a Zumba kids class the next day and Dawn, the fabulous instructor, let me sneak a peek.
The kids’ version of Zumba is called Zumbatomic and is suited for kids ranging from 4 to 12 years old. Parents aren’t allowed in the room, but Dawn let me sit in a partitioned office so I could watch the class. When you attend, you can see why parents aren’t allowed—kids that age are easily distracted! (I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that the room didn’t have mirrors.) It took Dawn several minutes to get the 10 or so kids lined up for class to start. By the time she’d gotten to the last child, the first would be out of place again. Like herding cats, I tell you.
Once class got underway, I don’t think I stopped smiling. Watching the kiddos bop around to the high-energy music was truly heartwarming. They all seemed to be having a great time and discovering how fun exercise can be. The moves are simpler than a typical Zumba class, but the vibe and overall flavor remains. The instructor was really patient with the kiddos, helping them understand the moves and leading them in the right direction when they got off track. My niece would concentrate so hard on her arms that she’d forget to move her feet (it must run in the family!), and Dawn was always great about gently reminding everyone to keep the whole body moving. Her energy and enthusiasm were sky high.
The kids were learning a routine they were planning to do for a New Year’s Day Zumbathon, so the parents were able to come in during the last five minutes of the 30-minute class to see what they’d learned. They all nailed it, of course.
Have your kids attended any fun classes like Zumbatomic? —Erin