Finally Back at Zumba (Kind Of)

By Eileen Spatz

After a seven-month absence from the gym, I finally made my triumphant return today. My hiatus was due to an unfortunate fall last November that resulted in a fractured patella (kneecap). Because of the long recovery timeline for this specific injury, I'd had to put Zumba, and all the other classes I enjoyed so much, on the back burner.

While I am not yet physically able to rejoin my beloved Zumba class (still several months off, dang it), I was able to try out Aqua Zumba today for the first time ever. Can you feel me grinning as you read this? The class was such a blast that I'm sitting here smiling as I write this several hours later.

It was my pregnant daughter who tipped me off about Aqua Zumba (we belong to the same gym), as she'd been taking the class to get some exercise during the latter phase of her pregnancy. A week or so ago, she suggested I give the class a try, since she knows how much I love Zumba. And so today, I did.

I admit that I moseyed up to the pool area feeling a bit self-conscious. I can't even remember the last time I'd put on a swimsuit, so that alone was a hurdle to overcome. I was also a tad apprehensive about my knee and whether it would hold up. I ever so cautiously made my way into the pool and waded over to a little corner where I could wait inconspicuously for class to begin.

Within moments, however, a gal approached me and started chit-chatting, and then another, and before I knew it, a swarm of friendly women were introducing themselves to me.

And then, as soon as class began, I quickly realized these gals were a hoot.

Not kidding - these women (most of a certain age) could have quite literally slayed it as their own comedy act. They kept me in stitches the entire time, even warning me that they sometimes ogle the hunky eighteen-year-old lifeguard at the outside pool (making an imaginary outline of his physique for emphasis), and will often make inappropriate comments about the men that stroll by.

Whether these gals were making fun of each other (“See that one over there? She says her name is Denise, but I call her Hollywood because she’s the only one who insists on wearing her sunglasses in an indoor pool” *eye roll), or singing along (loudly) to “Mony Mony,” while substituting “Mony” with the ringleader’s name, Toni (Toni Toni), they just had me in stitches. During one of the routines, as the instructor shimmied her shoulders a la Zumba style, the rather zoftig gal next to me enthusiastically shimmied her robust bust saying, "If ya got it, flaunt it." Oh my gosh, I can't even!

And once they knew about my knee injury, these lovely ladies took me under their wings! Like a gaggle of mother hens they looked after me, cautioning me not to jump during certain songs so I wouldn’t hurt myself.

Today, I did kinda feel like I was back in the Zumba saddle again, at least a little bit. Aqua Zumba uses much of the same music I was familiar with from all the years I'd danced my heart out on the hardwood, except the moves are tweaked for an underwater workout. It was definitely a good little workout, and a whole lot of fun. I even made some new friends, and best of all – my knee held up!

Now, maybe next time I go to Aqua Zumba, my 8-months pregnant daughter will join me … and I can be the overprotective mother hen warning her not to jump.