More Adventures in Zumba Land

Every year we come to Florida, and every year we join a new gym.  I like to take Zumba classes because I can convince myself that I am dancing instead of exercising.  South Florida is a mecca for Zumba classes, so there are many good instructors at all of the local gyms. The last class I went to had a very good instructor with a very unusual appearance that frankly made me laugh to myself.

Zumba instructors typically stand in front of the mirrored dance studio with their backs to the class. Most dance instructors expose their bodies in skimpy clothes because in Zumba everyone sweats profusely.  There are even special clothes for Zumba--cargo pants with tassels on the butt pockets, shirts that say "Zumba," and colorful dance sneakers.  The whole point is to see what the instructor is doing and follow his/her lead.  So it is essential to see the feet, legs, and arms to stay with the program.  No verbal instructions are ever given.

Imagine my surprise when the instructor went to the front of the class, and with her back to us,  looked a lot like Cousin Itt of the Adams Family!  I could not see her feet which were covered by extremely baggy, low-crotch sweatpants.  Her top was a very large, baggy black hoodie sweatshirt.  Her beautiful long hair flowed down to her waist.  So, I could tell that she was moving and in which direction she was moving, but any finer movements were difficult to detect.  The funny thing is that she was a very cute and petite young woman.  I'm not sure why she was all covered up.  Body image issues?  A great desire to sweat?

Bottom line--she was a good enough instructor that the girls in front of me could follow her, so I just followed them and had a great time. Perhaps they were already familiar with her routine.  But I am still laughing a little about her resemblance to Cousin Itt.