Frequently Asked Questions

This is what I found online (with some editing on my part):

Zumba, a type of dance fitness that’s been around since the 1990s, is the backbone of the dance fitness craze in recent years. The choreography combines easy dance moves with bodyweight exercises to get your heart pumping. Zumba incorporates a variety of Latin-inspired moves and international music to promote a healthy heart, to tone and condition your muscle, to promote flexibility and coordination, as well as to decrease stress.  

In my experience, Zumba builds my cardio endurance, tones my legs and core muscles (such as the glutes), improves my flexibility, balance, and coordination, as well as helped me lose weight years ago. Plus, it is a great stress reliever! Nothing beats dancing away my stress! As we move on the dance floor, our body releases the feel-good hormone, endorphin, and we leave the class feeling positive and energized!

Another bonus that no one talks about is: Zumba workout helps with our brain function. Dancing improves my memory and my brain's ability to focus and adapt. Researchers from a 2003 study "looked at the effects of 11 different types of physical activity, including cycling, golf, swimming, and tennis, but found that only one of the activities studied - dance - lowered participants’ risk of dementia. According to the researchers, dancing involves both a mental effort and social interaction and that this type of stimulation helped reduce the risk of dementia."

I am certified in both regular Zumba as well as Zumba Gold (for older adults or people who want a lower intensity dance fitness class). I teach both types at the Mililani Rec Centers. I try structuring my class to be moderate to moderately high intensity. My classes will be like an interval workout as we move between high- and low-intensity routines and dance moves. I like to use uptempo music, large arm movements, and ab crunches to make you sweat. There will be a little jumping, running and turning. That being said, you will not know you are working out because it's all fun! I also create choreography to fun songs that aim to tone your body using bodyweight and fitness movements. I call these my "toning dance routines".  

I do want to mention that I often remind my students to listen to their bodies and modify their moves as needed. If you do not feel comfortable with jumping, you may do tap-outs one foot at a time. If you do not want to do running movements, you may march it out. If you do not want to turn, you may travel across the room using grapevine moves, for example. The important thing is I want you to listen to your body and don't attempt anything you are not comfortable with, especially if you have an injury or if you have arthritis. That being said, I want you to keep moving and having fun while making modifications. 

Yes, starting Feb 2024, I’m teaching Zumba Gold class every Tuesday at 10:30am. If you have arthritis, injuries, or limited mobility, we have chairs that you can use to get an awesome seated workout. Chair Zumba is actually part of Zumba Gold. You can still follow my arm and leg movements while seated.

I have made my classes accessible to all fitness/dance levels. I even have pre-teens and teenagers regularly joining my classes. My moves and cueing are easy enough to understand, so anyone, young and old, can join in the fun. That being said, please listen to your body and go at your own pace. You don't have to dance at my speed, and there are no right or wrong moves.  The important thing is, you are moving and having fun!

There are NO restrictions. Masks and vaccinations are not required. They are optional, although I would like to practice social distancing in my class. I try to keep at least one of the doors open during class. Feel free to exercise with your mask on, if you prefer. Just for your information, I am fully vaccinated and twice boosted. While I don't usually wear a mask when teaching on the stage, I may wear them while talking to students before and after class.

Traditionally, a Zumba class is mainly made up of latin rhythms. My class won't be any different. However, since I am also into Latin pop, American pop and to a smaller degree, K-pop, you can expect me to include these in my playlist. I will definitely include the 4 core Latin rhythms - meringue, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton - plus other genres like hip hop, soca, dembow, Carribean, Brazilian funk, Bhangra/Bollywood, etc. in my class over time. I believe having a variety makes a Zumba class more interesting. I also like to introduce and expose my students to other types of music and dance moves.

Please wear proper footwear (no sandals or flip-flops), and clothing that is comfortable. Don't forget to bring your water bottle, towel and a positive can-do attitude to my class! :) I look forward to seeing you! :)

I am certified to teach Zumba, Zumba Gold, Pop Pilates, Circl Mobility Training, and MixxedFit (another dance fitness format that incorporates bodyweight toning and boot camp-inspired exercises to increase caloric burn and endurance). I am now studying Chair Yoga and Senior Fitness. I hope to teach senior classes one day. I am especially interested in helping older adults on their balance, and to help them build stronger bones and muscles through resistance training, balance challenge and gentle stretching.