The Fortune-Grand Bank area classes, led by Rosalind Boland, are planning a ‘zumbathon’ for Saturday. All women on the Burin Peninsula are invited to come along to support the cause.
October is ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’.
Zumba, a Latin-based dance-fitness program, has spread across the globe in recent years.
Last summer, Wanda Butler from Goodlife Fitness in St John’s was planning to be in the area and looking to host a class. Ms. Boland was among the participants and saw an opportunity to bring the program to her area.
She completed a rigorous weekend training program in St. John’s and the group held its first session this time last year. Classes are held in Grand Bank Tuesday evenings, and in Fortune Thursday evenings.
Similar classes are hosted in the Marystown-Burin and Lamaline areas.
Sherisse Moriarty has been among the regulars who show up and rarely misses a class.
“It’s supposed to be relatively easy to follow along and the main thing is to get moving and have fun. Like any exercise the more effort you put in the more calories you burn.
“We dance to some Latin songs that incorporate dance moves like the ‘merengue’ and ‘salsa’, but we also dance to some contemporary songs by artists like Jennifer Lopez, Rhianna and Maroon 5 to name a small few.”
“It’s supposed to be relatively easy to follow along and the main thing is to get moving and have fun. Like any exercise the more effort you put in the more calories you burn.” - – Sherisse Moriarty
Saturday’s event is scheduled for Lake Academy in Fortune with registration from 10-11 a.m. There is a $5 fee to register, though donations of any amount will be accepted.
For the following three hours, Ms. Boland and guest instructors from the Marystown and Lamaline zumba classes will lead the participants in several different dances.
In addition to a candle lighting ceremony, the group will also hear from a couple of cancer survivors who have been invited along to come in and tell their stories.
Mrs. Moriarty explained people are free to participate in the dancing as they see fit.
“They can stay for a half hour. They can dance the full three hours. They can dance for a bit and take a break or get refreshments and then go back on the floor – it’s really up to the individual.
“If somebody doesn’t want to dance, they can come make a donation to breast cancer and leave. If somebody thinks they might like zumba, but they’re not sure, they can pop in and check it out.”
pherridge@southerngazette.ca
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