Zumba fitness movement gets Camp Bondsteel Soldiers dancing

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jordan Werme | Spc. Emilio Rivera-Maldonado gets into the dance while conducting a Zumba class at Camp Bondsteel, Oct. 6. Rivera, Coamo, Puerto Rico is a certified personal trainer and Zumba instructor, and conducts classes twice each week for members of Multinational Battle Group East.  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

10.23.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Jordan Werme 

130th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – What began accidentally in Colombia in the mid-1990s is now one of the most popular exercise activities for the soldiers of Multinational Battle Group East at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. The Zumba® dance fitness movement is in full swing.

Spc. Emilio Rivera-Maldonado, personnel service clerk, Task Force Falcon, MNBG E, has been leading Zumba classes at Bondsteel since shortly after arriving in Kosovo in July, and the twice-weekly sessions have been a hit.

“I had seventy eight people in class in Puerto Rico,” said Rivera, 39, of Coamo, Puerto Rico. “I have had close to the same number turn out here.”

After achieving his Masters of Business Administration in Puerto Rico, Rivera, a long time fitness enthusiast, received his personal training certificate from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America® in 1997. In 1996 he and his parents, Roberto Alvarez and Sandra Maldonado, opened a gym in Coamo, the “Centro de Medicina Aerobica” (Aerobic Health Center).

Initially, Rivera’s class offerings included spinning, kickboxing and step aerobics. Only later would the new dance workout classes be included.

“I heard about the new system,” said Rivera, “but didn’t know what Zumba was. When I saw what it was I made a class.” Rivera received his Zumba instructor certification in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2005 and immediately began offering the classes at his gym.

According to the official Zumba web site, the movement began in Colombia during the mid-90s when “Beto” Perez, a celebrity fitness trainer, forgot his standard music for aerobics class. In a pinch, Perez grabbed the music available to him at the time: traditional Salsa and Merengue. From this improvisation, the Zumba movement was born.

“In Zumba,” said Rivera, “you move all of your body – your arms, legs, abs – the aerobic exercise brings your heart rate up and down. Zumba is dance, and everybody likes dancing. If you hear the music and you dance, you feel comfortable and lose focus on where you are for one hour.”

Rivera’s classes at Camp Bondsteel are offered each Monday and Wednesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and run for about 90 minutes. During the class period participants will experience a wide range of music and dance, all with the Latin flair that Zumba provides. Each Zumba session includes 17 different types of music and movement ranging from Salsa to Reggaeton, Merengue to Guaguancó, and several in between.

“I feel comfortable when I dance,” said Rivera, “and I know many other people feel the same. During class you forget where you are, you focus on the music, forget the stresses of the job and get a good workout.”

Rivera has been a member of the Puerto Rico National Guard since 2006. He lives in Coamo with his wife, Sol Morales, and son, Roberto Emilio, 18.

• Date Taken: 10.23.2010
• Date Posted: 10.23.2010 04:48
• Story ID: 58662
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ