Benjamin brings Zumba to Wellness Center

Kimberly Benjamin has a very good reason for teaching Zumba. She loves to dance.

“I’ve always had a passion for dancing,” she said, ever since she was an eight-year-old growing up in Marion. When she was first introduced to Zumba, she realized that dance fitness was her thing. “I fit right in.”

She expected to dance while taking Zumba. What she didn’t expect were the many fitness moves, including squats, jumps and movements for toning and strength included in the routines.

Now she’s teaching two Zumba classes at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., and getting some two dozen women in each of her classes to enjoy keeping physically fit.

Benjamin was certified this past February after taking “an expensive and an extensive” eight-hour Zumba master’s class at a YMCA in Birmingham. She is teaching not only the two classes in Demopolis but two in Marion, as well as filling in as an instructor at Beautiful Feet dance studio in Selma with her friend Courtney Washington.

A one-hour Zumba class is designed to burn up to 800 calories, said Benjamin. The Latin-inspired dance fitness was developed in the 1990s by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez.

“A lot of people enjoy dancing,” she continued. Zumbais a fun way to help them lose weight and become physically fit.

Benjamin uses repetitive moves in the dances she choreographs for each class. That way her students can learn them, and new students can catch on quickly.

Coming up with the routines for the classes is nothing new for Benjamin. She was the instructor and choreographer for the dance lines at both Concordia College and Wallace Community College.

She’s crammed a lot into her 29 years. In addition to a degree in English from Alabama State University, she earned a nursing degree from Wallace and now is earning a degree in psychology from ASU.

“I can’t sit still,” she admitted.

All her dance instruction is at night. For her day job she works as an administrative assistant at the Marengo County Mental Health Center. She spends her down time with her daughter, nine-year-old Nya Watters, and with her church.

And she’s not done yet. After July 4 Benjamin will begin a Zumba Gold class at Southland Nursing Home in Marion for the residents. Zumba Gold is designed for physically challenged people, especially senior citizens.

She got the idea for teaching the Zumba Gold class after her grandmother had a stroke. While she can’t get around, she would join Benjamin’s Zumba classes and move her arms to the music. Benjamin said her grandmother seems to move better after taking part in the classes.

Benjamin approached Betsy Adams, director of the Wellness Center at the hospital, about offering Zumba classes. Adams had been looking for an instructor, and within a few weeks the classes were set up.

Benjamin hopes that within a year she can open her own Zumba studio. Soon she plans to attend a two-day Zumba Jammer class, which will certify her to train other instructors.

Zumba, she said, is fun, and she encouraged everyone to give it a try.

“I think anyone will fall in love with Zumba if I’m teaching it,” she laughed.