Exercise, weight-training, aerobics, Zumba – what do these words mean to you? A way to lose eight? Help your blood-pressure? Deal with depression? Strengthen joints and bones? Does exercise of any kind just make you feel better and able to deal with whatever life throws at you?
Daily Companions, Inc. understand the importance of teaching life skills to our consumers. These skills will enable them to be gainfully employed and in some instances, to live independently or with some supervision. But DCI doesn’t stop there. We recognize that exercise, in any form, is beneficial, not just for the body, but for the mind as well. When we feel well, we can cope with problems better, and be more successful in our dealings with others.
Zumba is an exercise fitness program created by a Colombian dancer and cyclist/choreographer, Alberto Perez during the 1990’s. Working our to the beat of salsa, flamenco, and merengue music feels more like a dance party than a workout, which makes Zumba so popular. You don’t need to be a great dancer to participate in a Zumba class, you just need to like to have fun!
DCI Consumers were ready to go when their Zumba instructor, Sabrina Griffin-Elder, showed up. At the first burst of music, everyone was dancing away the stress and the calories! Sabrina held a lower impact class, designed for individuals whose balance may not be the greatest. It was enough to help all break a sweat, and get “glowing”. Everyone was laughing and calling encouragement to their peers. They agreed it was the most fun they had had all week. It didn’t feel like exercise at all! Sabrina will be teaching Zumba on Thursday mornings to our consumers, and they can’t wait!
