Stacy Gross is a certified Zumba® Instructor with over 18 years of dance and performance experience. In addition to the catchy Latin-inspired rhythms of Zumba®, Stacy uses her fun-loving and enthusiastic teaching style to create a positive, exciting and engaging atmosphere. Whether it’s a class of 20 or a corporate event with 600 people, Stacy will customize her routine and leave you feeling energized, happy, and confident. Graduating in 2010 with a B.A. in Communications from California Lutheran University, Stacy now resides and works in Southern California. When Stacy isn’t Zumba-ing away, she enjoys going on nature hikes, reading inspirational books, and watching movies with her friends. For more information on Zumba® With Stacy call 507.351.9230, email sgross@clunet.edu, or visit her Facebook page!
When you ask Zumba® fanatics, “What is Zumba®?” chances are that they will start their explanation off with a smile. A big smile. They’ll get this sparkle in their eye and launch into how Zumba® is the highlight of their week, how the hour-long class flies by, or how they didn’t even feel like they were working out because they were actually having fun. Are we still talking about a work out here? Absolutely!
For those of you who like a more official definition, the Zumba® web site describes this party-like experience as “an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health.” Sounds pretty great, right? It gets better. Not only does this international phenomenon feel more like a party than a workout, it also helps you burn hundreds of calories in just one session. So while you, and the 12 million other Zumba® enthusiasts around the world are shimmying and shaking away, the pounds and inches are melting off (Source: Zumba.com)!
Besides the obvious health and weight loss benefits of the Zumba® Fitness Program, this work out is energizing, liberating, and just plain fun! I have never laughed and smiled this much while working out. Ever! The thing I hear most often from my Zumba® Crew is how much they look forward to this time each week. Even when they are having a horrible day and exercising is the last thing they want to do, all of those thoughts and feelings disappear once they hear those catchy Latin rhythms. My greatest joy in teaching Zumba® is when I see people let go of whatever fear, worry, or insecurity they are holding on to, truly feel the music, and celebrate life and themselves.
Now there may be some of you reading this thinking “I can’t do Zumba®: I’m not a dancer, I’m not coordinated enough, I have two left feet, my hips don’t move like that, I would embarrass myself, I’m too this, I’m too that, yadda, yadda, yadda.” And to anyone who is feeling that way, I say: it doesn’t matter! Seriously! The only thing that matters is that you are having an absolute blast (and that you are doing the moves safely of course)!
When any of my students feel apprehensive about doing Zumba®, I tell them about a 60-something woman from Russia who would drop into my classes, which were mostly made up of college students. Most of the time, she was doing a completely different move than I was, but she always had a smile on her face. I didn’t care that she was doing her own thing, because she was enjoying herself and letting the music move her. I loved watching how liberated and free she was. She didn’t let her age or skill levels interfere with her experience; instead, she got out of her head, and danced from her heart. In my opinion, that’s what Zumba® is all about.
Regardless of where you are at on your fitness journey, Zumba® can be an excellent tool for brides-to-be. Whether you want to lose that extra cushion to fit perfectly into your dress, or just feel more sexy and confident about yourself, Zumba® puts you in touch with your body and reminds you that the more you love it, the better it will treat you. Besides using Zumba® as a means to boost your own confidence for the big day, Zumba® makes for a unique, amusing and memorable bachelorette party and provides a great way to bond with bridesmaids, mothers-in-law, and other honored guests of the wedding.
No matter how you would like to incorporate Zumba® into your life, just make sure you give it a try. I guarantee you will smile.
ZUMBA® and the Zumba Fitness logo are trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC, used under license
