What motivated you to become a Zumba instructor?
I have three kids and was very overweight. I decided to join a gym and worked my way through the range of classes they offered. The only one I actually enjoyed was Zumba. With Zumba I felt free. It was fun and I didn’t feel as though I was exercising at all. As an added bonus, I was losing weight. Through the classes I met a lot of beautiful people and made lots of friends which helped me to build up my confidence. When I first started Zumba I would always position myself at the back of the class, eventually as my confidence grew I moved up to the front of the class. My instructor asked me one day if I was a dancer. I said most definitely not! She told me that I had the right rhythm and confidence to be an instructor and should consider becoming qualified. I thought about what she had said for a few months and with my new found courage and confidence decided to do the instructor training.
What benefits are there for those that participate in your class?
For me, Zumba is like a therapy that you don’t have to pay extreme money for. For that one hour of Zumba you can escape. You can stop worrying about what might have gone wrong in your day, you can put a pin in your to do list and you can just enjoy the moment. Zumba is a place of no judgements. It doesn’t matter what size you are, what your weight is, how old you are or how coordinated you are, it is a community or “familia” as we like to call it. It’s a class that doesn’t need any prior experience or skills and is perfect for those who want to exercise but don’t like a gym or competitive sporting environment. Zumba offers the opportunity for friendships and for some individuals who may be feeling isolated a true sense of belonging. My classes also welcome kids to attend free of charge with their parents so offers a great low-cost opportunity for families to enjoy and participate in exercise together.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Seeing all my amazing students feeling better about themselves, building their confidence, self-esteem, getting healthy, being active and letting loose and having fun.
What do you like about being involved in Taylors Hill Neighbourhood House?
I love being able to give back to my local community and appreciate the opportunity to work locally. With the Neighborhood House I feel like I am giving back as much as I am receiving. I love being involved in a Centre that benefits everyone – kids, adults and families. It is a safe haven and it makes me feel proud to be a part of it all.
Want to join the Zumba party with Niki at Taylors Hill? Book today for Term 2 classes
Zumba Monday https://meltonlearning.com.au/event/zumba-term-2-2019-monday-class-taylors-hill-neighbourhood-house/2019-04-29/
Zumba Thursday https://meltonlearning.com.au/event/zumba-term-2-2019-taylors-hill-neighbourhood-house-2/2019-05-02/
Kids Zumba https://meltonlearning.com.au/event/zumba-kids-term-2-2019/2019-05-01/