SAMBA!

Samba is a popular Brazilian rhythm and dance, with origins in Africa. In Zumba Fitness, Samba is a great dance to do because it keeps the heart rate up. Samba is tricky for some people to learn, so I wanted to put up some how-to video links that might help you with samba-ing.

In Zumba class, I am more interested in having students work their bodies rather than do a precise step. Everyone has a different way of doing the samba, so don’t worry too much about form. I personally am better at doing a slow samba than a fast one, and my form is probably questionable. However, it’s a fun dance and definitely makes me feel as though I am getting a workout.

Here are a few video links that might help you learn to do the samba. Some people feel that the information given in some of these videos is not accurate (for ex., whether using heels is a “male” samba). But it’s useful to watch different people demonstrate how to samba. Something might “click” for you in one of the videos more than another. Happy samba-ing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbB2TNhhDpQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVmSiLyJXaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W551R1h_LKA

Caiprihina: The drink & the dance

One of the songs we'll be doing this fall in my class is Caiprihina. Caiprihina is the "national cocktail" of Brazil. Any nation that has a national cocktail is COOL, dontcha think? Caiprihina is a delish drink, but watch those empty calories, people!

Below is a link to the official Zumba video for Caiprihina. Check out Beto's glow-y white shoes. (Beto Perez is the creator of Zumba.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_2X59Cycrc

Zumba Playlist - Oct./Nov.

One of the best features of Zumba is the music! Here is some of the music that I am using in my classes in October and November. Some of the music is available via iTunes. Other songs are proprietary and only available to members of the Zumba Instructor's Network (ZIN). Some Zumba remixes are also sold on iTunes. Search iTunes or amazon for downloads if you are interested in the music. Zumba fitness has entire albums on iTunes or you can search for individual songs. You can also buy Zumba cds from zumba.com

The Girl from Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto

I like It - Enrique Inglesias featuring Pitbull

Sway (pop) - Pussycat Dolls

After Party (pop) - Ozomatli

Do you Dig it? - Zumba Fitness

Pusha Pusha (Axe) - Axe Bahia

Fire Burning - Sean Kingston

Caipirinha - Zumba Fitness

Xibom Bom Bom - As Meninas

I know you want me - Pitbull

Salome - Zumba Fitness

Let me Think about it - Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand

Mil Horas (cumbia) - Zumba Fitness remix

Mueve, Mueve - Sandy & Papo

Temptation - Arash

Rompe (Radio Edit) - Daddy Yankee

Jai Ho - Pussycat Dolls

Que le Den Bam Bam - Salsa Fever

Jump in the Line - Harry Belafonte

Boro Boro - Arash

Beautiful - Cristina Aguilera

Vida Loca - Zumba Fitness

Shoes for Zumba

Regular running shoes can be problematic for Zumba class, as they often have treads that “stick” to the floor when turning. It can be hard on your knees to wear “sticky” shoes. The best shoes for Zumba are those with little tread. Good shoes to wear also have a “pivot point,” a circle on the sole that allows for twisting and turning the foot. “Cross-training” shoes are better than running shoes. Zumba.com also sells shoes that are made for Zumba.

Shoes are very individual, so you may have to experiment with different brands to find a shoe that works for your foot. Some shoes with pivot points don’t have much cushioning, so you need to try different brands. It’s also possible to add an insert to any shoe for more cushioning.

Make sure you leave enough room in the toe box, so that your big toe in particular does not get injured by banging into the shoe repeatedly. I speak from experience, here.

CARPET: If you are working out on carpet, you should cover part of shoe with packing tape or buy shoe slip-ons. You can also put knee-hi stockings on over your shoes. Ugly, but effective. Always pick up your feet when doing Zumba on carpet.

Here are some common shoes that people wear for Zumba:

Nike: Shox, Musique, or Hurache

Reebok: Zigs

Ryka: Studio, Sync

Dance shoes: Capezio or Bloch (these run small, so you may have to size up). You can buy dance shoes at Brava Bodywear and other dance stores.

Some shoes made for cheerleading have pivot points.