“Zumba is supposed to feel like a party,” said Wendy Bozzi, Zumba instructor for Fountain Hills summer school.

“That’s the kind of atmosphere I try to create.”

A new class for the summer school program, Zumba’s class size was small this year, but full of heart. Gina Woods and Lexi Markoutsis were Bozzi’s first summer school students in a program she hopes to see grow when it returns in 2014.

As for this year’s small class, however, they certainly seemed like they were having a good time.

Bozzi put on Shakira’s “Waka Waka” and her students lit up and immediately jumped into action.

“This is their favorite routine that we do,” she explained before leading the girls through three minutes of dancing, jumping, swaying and stepping.

More than just a fun musical way to get in some exercise, Bozzi’s class also focused on the history of Zumba, the purpose and benefits of warming up and cooling down, how to create their own routines, the various types of music and dance usually incorporated (Salsa, Merengue, Combia and Reggaeton) and more.

In her class breakdown, Bozzi describes Zumba as a Latin-inspired dance fitness class that incorporates Latin and international music and dance moves. She said it creates a dynamic, exhilarating and effective system, all while having fun.

Bozzi stressed that previous workout and dance experience are not required, as the class is all about learning routines through repetition and, through repetition, gaining that experience. Other benefits include increased flexibility, coordination, cardio and muscle tone.

During the school year, Bozzi is a special education teacher at McDowell Mountain Elementary School. She also runs on the chain gang during local football games, as well as volunteers at Liberty Wildlife.

Bozzi said she wanted to bring her love of Zumba to summer school because it’s fun and there’s no pressure on the students to have a dance background, or any type of background, for that matter, going in.

“I think it’s good for them to experience working out and getting exercise in a fun way,” Bozzi said.

“We crank up the music and try to have a party atmosphere. And I’m not just telling them everything they have to do. There’s a creative part where they make up their own moves and routines, too.

“I also thought that maybe if they’re doing it now, they’ll want to keep it going as they get older.”

Bozzi said she’s trying to share the enjoyment she gets out of Zumba with everybody, and that this class is one way she can do that. As for Woods and Markoutsis, Bozzi said the girls seemed to really enjoy themselves.

“Gina has some dance background and Lexi doesn’t, but what’s been fun is seeing her gaining confidence as she learns the steps,” Bozzi said.

“She starts off saying ‘This is hard,’ then two days later she’s really getting it. She came in one Monday and said she downloaded one of our songs and did the routine for her mom and I was like, ‘Yes!’ That made my day.”

So long as they leave her class feeling good, both mentally and physically, though, Bozzi said she’ll consider her first Zumba summer school class a success.

Community

For those looking to get in on the action themselves, Bozzi and her husband actually offer a free Zumba class two nights a week, which is also endorsed by the Fountain Hills Unified School District Health Department.

Classes are Tuesdays and Thursday nights at 6 p.m. in the high school gym dance room through the summer.

“This class is good for anybody who wants to have fun, work out, do a little sweating and listen to great music,” Bozzi said.

“There’s no pressure. And it’s a husband/wife class, so guys are encouraged to come check it out, too.”

No registration is necessary. Just show up and be ready to dive into Zumba.