Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Alan Robertson | 181109-N-SL179-0014 NORFOLK, Va. (Nov. 9, 2018) - Logistic Specialist Seaman Erin...... read more read more
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For many Sailors staying in their best shape can be a bit of a challenge, but not for Logistic Specialist Seaman Apprentice Erin Williams. She has found Zumba to be her favorite way to keep up with her cardio and achieve her fitness goals.
The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) Sailor’s path to Zumba was a matter of happenstance and seizing opportunities as they presented themselves.
“My mother was asked if she would be willing to teach Zumba, which required her to get certified,” said Williams. “She then asked me to join her. I said, ‘Yeah, sure I’ll do it.’”
An enthusiastic Williams recalls the amount of excitement of beginning a new challenge and being her mother’s support in this new endeavor.
“At first it was very hard because I was not use to doing a lot of the moves,” said Williams. “Zumba consists of a lot of Latin dancing and mimicking moves. There was no way too truly prepare for it you just go and try to keep up with what they are doing.”
The early struggles were not discouraging for Williams. She accepted the challenge presented to her and continued to find new and more difficult classes until she was at the head of the class.
“It was definitely hard at first, but eventually I was able to catch on,” said Williams. “I begin to help my mom put together her playlist, dance set and even taught class with her. It was amazing that my first experience was instructing alongside my mom and it was so much fun.”
The experience that began with wanting to help her mother became a passion for Williams. In her search to become more involved in the world of Zumba she searched for different dance studios that offered classes that would present another kind of experience.
“I found this studio that offered Zumba called Bilia Dance Studio where they would turn off all the overhead lights, turn on these red lights that were positioned on a stage and some strobe lights behind the audience,” said Williams. “It created an environment where people would no longer feel self-conscious about dancing. It put all the spot light on the instructor and let the people feel free to move. I went there and became inspired by the work that these instructors put into Zumba.”
This new studio brought Williams the opportunity to become an instructor herself when she was approached by her instructor at Bilia.
“After attending several classes I was asked if I would want to become an instructor by Christina Frost [prominent Zumba instructor],” recalls Williams. “I couldn’t hold in my excitement about the opportunity to instruct there. I said, ‘Yes, yes I do.’ Christina became my mentor and helped me start to become a great Zumba instructor.”
Williams recalls that there was a very different mental aspect in leading classes as she would have to not only remember the routine that she created, but read and encourage the class to keep going when it would get tough.
“I have never been more fit than when I taught Zumba and would occasionally lift some weights,” said Williams. “Zumba is huge for cardio and burns so many calories. The more you do it, the more comfortable you become, so it becomes easier to keep your heart rate going. You learn the moves, what to expect next and how to push through the tiredness that you will experience.”
A typical Zumba class is one hour of high intensity cardio and dancing. This can be a bit much for those who are not used to that level of physical activity.
“Anytime I teach Zumba, especially to a new crowd I keep it a little slower at first and give more instruction,” said Williams. “We are dancing, but I’m not going to go all out so they can get used to the movements. When you start at full speed people get lost and frustrated, which makes it not enjoyable. As we continue going I tend to pick it up a bit over time.”
Williams said that she continues to receive new music and methods for instruction of Zumba and hopes to bring her knowledge of fitness to the Bataan by holding classes on short underways and on deployment with the hope of making new friends, and keeping the morale of the crew up while away from loved ones.
“Zumba is all about having fun, letting go and getting a workout while amongst friends,” said Williams. “Dance your heart out and smile.”
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2018 12:09 |
| Story ID: | 300229 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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