When Sucheta Pal, the Zumba Education Specialist from India, stumbled upon the dance-inspired fitness form while in US, she was immediately smitten. For an engineering graduate with a corporate job, Sucheta knew the significance of Zumba as a fitness form and how it was becoming a rage all over the world.
After spending three years in the US and training many there, she decided to take it back home with her. And, today if Zumba is a fad in our country, it obviously has a lot to do with her determination, passion and perseverance.
“Zumba is a rage in all other metro cities, be it Mumbai, Chennai or Hyderabad. People who attended Zumba classes are spreading the word to their relatives and friends. People from small towns are waking up to it. I have licenced over 2,000 trainers in the country,” says Sucheta.
But, what makes Zumba more enticing and effective? “The fact that it is fun makes the regime popular. Most people hate it to slave away in gymnasiums. That’s when Zumba comes to the picture. For this, there is no age bar and everyone right from kids to those in their sixties can learn and practice Zumba and it is really good for health,” says Sucheta quoting instances where people got cured of arthritis after practicing this. She adds that Zumba can make you happy and feel good too.
She adds: “Zumba branches out. There is Aqua Zumba, a perfect way to cool down and burn calories. Then there is Zumba Toning, Zumba Sentao and Zumba kids too. The highlight of Zumba is that it is bright and happy,” says Sucheta.
Sucheta who has been conducting workshops, classes and training sessions all over the world feels that one needs to market this fitness regimen more to attract more people to it. And, today’s lifestyle is only making the call louder. “Being in the corporate sector for a long time, I know how bad all this junk lifestyle is affecting health. It is in this context that Zumba assumes importance. I get calls from all over the country, even from places like Ranchi call me up and enquire about the classes. I think this Zumba is here to stay,” says Sucheta.