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Are you a mom? Boost your energy levels day and night with Zumba.

By on April 2, 2017
When two become three, your life will never be the same.
Two of moms’ most precious resources: time and energy will easily be sapped away by middle-of-the-night feeding and frequent nappy change, adding more activities to your already crowded to-do list.

Wearing many hats after the arrival of a baby can cause sleep issues, mood swings triggered  by hormonal shifts and appetite woes causing you to feel tired all the time.   If your own bien-être  has taken a back seat lately,  spring is the best time of the year to start a  strength training program to put you back in form.

What Zumba did to Tokyo mom

Your Options
There is a wide choice of fitness gyms  in Japan like Yoga and Pilates that are considered to be a  favorite of many. However, Yoga and Pilates being mat-based exercises, are more about boosting strength through breathing and stretching. They practically do nothing to help build the muscles. Zumba,  labeled as a fun fitness exercise by health buffs in the United States and in Latin America, has revolutionized the way people view fitness workout.  It is now seen as an enjoyable method of staying fit by health enthusiasts all over the world. In fact, the number of men and women joining Zumba are steadily increasing.

What is Zumba?
Zumba is a fitness program  that fuses latin rhythmic beats and dynamic body and foot movements.  Doing the exercise routine with a group feels more like dancing at a party than workout. Zumba rhythms include salsa, chacha, bachata, cumbio, merengue, mambo, as well as flamenco, belly dance and hip hop beats.

Expect some foot and arm movement, a lot of forward, sideward hip thrusts, gyrating action, abdomen and back control and squats,  all happening at an interval of slow-fast rhythms.

ZUMBA
Colombian choreographer Alberto Perez who was responsible for bringing Zumba to the United States refers to it as “a middle to low cardiovascular workout that combines dance moves from all over the world”.

An example of body sculpting technique is lifting a kilo or more dumbells while doing knee bending,  hip opening, and synchronizing move with rhythm.

Today, in the United States alone, there is an estimated number of 2 million people that make up  the Zumba community and appears to be continually growing at a fast pace as seen by the increasing demand for Zumba instructors.

After its success in the U.S.A., Zumba is slowly making its way to Japan.   Currently, the number of sports, fitness and dance gyms offering  Zumba classes is gradually increasing as the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America in Japan continues to provide training and accreditation to aspiring Zumba instructors in the country.

Here’s what moms are saying about Zumba
“Latin music is contagious. Once it starts, your body naturally follows, making you lose yourself  to the beat,” says Jen Matsuoka, a 35-year-old mom who attends Zumba classes every week without fail. “One full hour of Zumba’s  mild to intensive cardio exercises is fun, enjoyable, entertaining and effective, I hardly notice that I was burning 450 kilo calories a session!” she proudly says.

“Zumba is for people who are looking for a fitness exercise that’s equally fun and effective.   The fun part is what makes you commit to the exercise program”, says  Makiko Koyama, a mother of two who has been taking Zumba classes for six months in a row. “I have never felt this light in a long time. I think Zumba works for me,” she added.”

“Zumba dance drills are designed to burn fat, gain lean muscles to give you strength,  increase the body’s metabolism, improve tone and body sculpt.  Some take lessons merely for the fun of learning choreographic steps,” says freelance Zumba instructor Aki Kojima.

“It’s a pleasant distraction from daily stress.  When I am inside a studio sweating it all out  together with all the other mums at my kid’s school, I forget all the worries and leave each session feeling energized,” says Natalie, an Australian mother of two.

“Some parents bring toddlers and they can join the Zumba class too!  We have a special Zumba and Kid’s Karate Program on Tuesdays at 4:30 pm.  Kids over 5 years old can take the Karate program while the parents take the Zumba class. The Karate program promotes discipline and respect.  It’s really a wonderful program and classes are taught by Master Soeno, son of Grand Master Kancho Soeno from Shidokan Karate. They have over 30,000 members world wide,” assures Chris Monsen, manager of NEXT Akasaka-Base, currently the only fitness gym in central
Tokyo offering Zumba classes in English.

Tips for enjoying your Zumba experience:
1) Come a few minutes before class begins and do warm ups.
2) Do a time slot that is realistic and stick to it.
3)  Look for an instructor that you can communicate with.
4)  The personality of an instructor counts in his/her ability to motivate you.  A cheerful instructor who enjoys what he/she is doing inspires confidence.
5)  Your instructor must have good listening skills and must be a
certified Zumba instructor.

Tokyo Zumba Subs Facebook Group   Join the group and get all Zumba event updates here from  instructors in Tokyo.

Zumba Circle Bailando Facebook Group   Zumba dance studio in Kichijoji

Next Akasaka
Tel.  (03)-6277-7416
English Website:      www.zumba.jpn.com
Japanese Website:  www.next-akasaka.com
How to join Zumba classes:
1)   Buy tickets at ¥3,000 each (without tax), sold in packs of four.   Tickets are valid for use up to three months  OR
2)   Join a monthly membership program for a flat rate of ¥12,000 a month (without tax) and join as many Zumba classes a week, nine Yoga classes a week, and three Thai Kick Rhythm classes.  A member can use the gym facility during open hours.  The membership includes the use of a full powder room with lockers and showers, monthly rental lockers, treadmill, free weights, and a weight machine.
Other fees:   ¥10,000 initial membership fee.   Ask for good deals.

Konami Sports Club
Gotanda  (03-3443-8711)  Sun 1:05pm  (60 mins)
http://information.konamisportsclub.jp/003930.html

Shibuya   (03-5489-3621)
Mon 2:30 pm (60 mins)
Tue  11:15 (50 mins)
Thurs 11:30 (60 mins)
http://information.konamisportsclub.jp/007871.html

Ebisu   (03-5469-1441)
Mon 11:00 am (60 mins)
http://information.konamisportsclub.jp/006023.html

Futako Tamagawa   (03-3708-9221)
Mon 11:30 am (60 mins)
Fri    11:25 am (60 mins)
http://information.konamisportsclub.jp/004461.html

Ichikawa   (047-378-8321)
Tues 12:30 (60 mins)
http://information.konamisportsclub.jp/000401.html

Yokosuka   (046-822-5101)
Thursday 6:30pm (45 mins)
Friday  11:45am (60 mins)
http://information.konamisportsclub.jp/000425.html

Atsugi   (046-295-6201)
Mon  7:15pm (60 mins)
http://information.konamisportsclub.jp/000643.html
* More branches are available on www.konamisportsclub.jp (only in Japanese)
* A variety of programs on offer. Ask for the membership plan that suits your needs.

 

About Tammy Lee