Hi! I’m Sophie, and I’m a Zumba instructor. Since 2015, I’ve been leading Zumba classes, and one question pops up repeatedly: “How do you manage it all?!” People are often amazed by how Zumba Dance Instructors lead high-energy classes with complex rhythms, catering to participants of various ages and fitness levels. Let me give you a peek into the bustling brain of a Zumba dance instructor!
Stepping into the Zumba Zone
Of course, safety and delivering a fantastic workout experience are always top priorities for us. We want to ensure everyone enjoys themselves in a safe environment while getting a great sweat session. But there’s so much more happening behind the scenes than just those essentials. When we arrive at the studio, Zumba instructors consciously set aside our personal worries. Whether it’s a tough day at work or a minor injury, we shift our focus entirely to our participants. We put on our biggest smiles and bring the energy!
Before the music even starts, there are often participants who want to chat. We genuinely appreciate these interactions – please, keep talking to us! Some might linger a bit shyly; I call it the ‘awkward hover.’ But don’t worry, we notice you and will come over to make you feel comfortable and part of the Zumba family.
Let the Zumba Dance Unfold
As Zumba instructors, this is truly one of the best parts of our job. You might feel a little hesitant at first, but we know that in just a few weeks, you’ll be moving with confidence, maybe even like you’re ready to join Beyoncé’s dance crew! Even if you don’t believe it yet, we do! Meanwhile, others bounce right up to us, eager to share their favorite routine from last week, show off their new workout gear, or give us their entire medical history. We love your enthusiasm too – keep the conversations coming! And if you’re ever nervous about mentioning a health concern, trust me, we’ve heard it all and are there to support you.
Finding the Rhythm Together
We get into the studio, and the music setup begins (sometimes a mini-adventure in itself!). Once the tech is sorted, everyone finds their spot, ready to move. But then there’s often a lively group chatting away at the back – my ‘chatters at the back’! I love these guys. I truly believe that coming to a Zumba class is as much about the mental and social benefits as it is about the physical workout. These participants really embody that. Although, I’m always a little curious about what’s so interesting – FOMO is real!
Then the class starts, and for the next hour, our brains become a whirlwind of choreography, cueing the next moves, giving visual signals, remembering routines, communicating energy and encouragement, and keeping an eye on everyone to ensure they’re following along and having fun. I get so many questions about what goes through our minds during this process, so let’s break it down.
Zumba Instructor Brain Teasers (Answered!)
- Yes, sometimes it feels a bit like herding cats (but in the most fun way possible!).
- Yes, we are genuinely surprised (and slightly amused) when we cue a move to the left, and some participants go right.
- Yes, we do occasionally forget the exact steps and might improvise a little, often relying on a trusty single/single/double rhythm to get back on track.
- Yes, it’s happened that we get momentarily distracted if a participant goes the wrong way and end up mirroring their mistake!
- Yes, we sometimes have a ‘brain freeze’ where we momentarily blank on the next routine. But then, magically, our muscle memory kicks in, the music takes over, and we’re back in sync… smooth recovery!
- And yes, wardrobe malfunctions have definitely occurred while teaching!
Zumba instructor Sophie Vickery leading a class with salsa steps.
Zumba Evolution: From Studio to Online and Beyond
Lockdown periods brought a whole new dimension to teaching Zumba, which is a story for another time. Think about pets unexpectedly joining the class, navigating tricky tech issues, participants momentarily disappearing and reappearing (imagine that happening in a studio class!), family members doing the most random things in the background, and rearranging all your furniture to create enough space for salsa steps and merengue turns at home.
Until my next blog post… just remember that a Zumba dance instructor’s brain is always active and engaged, but most importantly, we absolutely love our participants, with all their unique quirks, dance styles, and personalities. You are what makes teaching Zumba the most rewarding job in the world.
Ready to Join the Zumba Beat?
And yes, Zumba instructors like Sophie make it look effortlessly easy, but a lot is going on behind those smiles and energetic moves! For more information about Zumba class times, both in the studio and online, please check out here. We welcome all Zumba enthusiasts, and yes Beyoncé, we’re ready to join you on a world tour – we’ve even got our own feathers and sequins ready! Please do get in touch if you have any questions.
xx
