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Zumba!

10/20/2014

Hi! My name is Jayme Caruso. I am a licensed Zumba® Fitness Instructor at South Shore Dance Academy in Weymouth. If you have never taken a Zumba® class before, don't sweat it! Just have fun with it! Zumba® is an aerobic Latin-based fitness program, perfect for anyone wanting or trying to lose weight, burning anywhere from 800-1000 calories in just one hour! Zumba® is so much fun, you forget that it is in fact a workout. Zumba® isn't about knowing and learning all of the moves, as long as you keep moving, sweating & smiling is all that counts. In class you can expect loud music to keep you going & take note of visual cues. It is important to wear comfortable sneakers and clothes that you can move comfortably in. Also, Zumba® is very repetitive, if you don't get it the first or second time, you will the third! If you don't understand something, please don't hesitate to say so! I'm always willing to stay & break down a couple of steps for you. I hope to see you all on Monday nights from 7:30-8:30!

-Jayme

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Dance is NOT just for girls

10/6/2014

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This weekend, I attended a community event in Weymouth called the Great Pumpkin Give-A-Wey. It was great! I met lots of very nice people who seemed interested in signing their children up for dance lessons. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.

However, I had a couple of interactions with parents that left me feeling, well, frustrated. A little boy walked up to my stand, looked around at the information packets and candy (believe me, he was way more interested in the candy), and then his mother came running up behind him. "No, no!" she said. "Dancing is only for girls." While I tried to bite my tongue, I just couldn't. I told her no, that dancing is for both boys and girls. I then asked her "how do you think ballerinas get lifted or partnered?" She didn't respond, but I think that's probably because she had expected me to back her up and tell her son that dancing isn't intended for little boys.

I've noticed that this is becoming a growing phenomenon - boys don't want to take dance lessons because adults are telling them that it's effeminate and "just for girls." Well, it's not. And no - not all male dancers identify as being gay. And no - dancing does not "make" you gay. These are all statements that I have heard throughout my dance career. What most people don't realize is that dancing benefits girls AND boys in a number of ways, and is immensely helpful for boys who play sports. Here is a list of benefits of dance for both genders:

gross motor skill development
coordination
muscle development
musicality
posture
self-expression
balance
confidence
agility
grace
flexibility
strength and endurance
discipline
self-confidence

It is also important for people to note that a number of professional male athletes take dance lessons. Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon has been quoted as saying that "ballet is harder than anything else [he does]." He goes on to say that ballet has helped to strengthen his knees, ankles, and feet and has helped him to avoid injury. Other professional athletes have begun taking ballet as well, including pros in baseball and basketball. Also, a number of professional sports teams have begun including ballet, yoga, and pilates in their workout regimen.

If your son or a boy you know is interested in taking dance lessons but you are afraid of what other people might say, please take a moment to Google ballet and NFL players. It is our job as adults to change this stereotype and let boys know that dance is not just for girls.

-Miss Sara

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Zumba!

Dance is NOT just for girls

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