The Anti-Diet Dietitian
Zumba with Elena Toumaras
of
Reflexion dance & Fitness
Not only does Elena Toumaras have a great personality, but she's got some KILLER dance moves. Let's see how she has fused her positive spirit and her love of dance into one booming health and fitness career.
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Let’s say someone who has never done Zumba steps into an elevator with you and says, “What is Zumba?” How would you sell Zumba to them during that short elevator ride?
Zumba is a Latin and international dance fitness class. We take rhythms and moves from all over the world and make it one big party! Anyone can do it – the steps are very basic and we add flair to make it fun, but also to get a good workout.
What inspired you to become a Zumba instructor?
While in college, I was working the front desk at a gym part time. I had just gotten my group fitness license to be able to sub if an instructor got sick last minute. My cousin had actually read about Zumba and found the one class in Queens for us to try. After that, I was hooked! Dancing my whole life and studying exercise in college made getting my Zumba Fitness® license a no-brainer!
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What parts of the body do you work during a Zumba class?
You work every part of your body! While it’s mostly a cardio work out we definitely do not slack on the lunges and squats in my classes.
How long does a class typically last?
Classes are typically 55-60 minutes in length. We want clients to get a great workout, but not over exhaust them either.
Do you have to be an experienced dancer to participate in Zumba?
You definitely don’t have to be an experience dancer to take a Zumba class. While some people love getting a little fancy on the dance floor, all Zumba classes are beginner friendly. We also keep the choreography the same for a few weeks for our clients to learn the dances and feel more comfortable with each song.
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What is your favorite part of being a Zumba instructor?
My favorite part of being a Zumba instructor is learning so much about music and dances from around the world. Dance is the universal language and we all can connect to one another when dancing together.
What are your clients saying about Zumba?
They love it! No matter where their families come from we will discover sounds from that country in class at some point. I’m Greek American so I’ve always loved adding some Greek tunes in my classes and love bringing in some Top 40 hits as well. I love finding older salsa hit songs, and the smiles on my clients’ faces when they recognize these songs from childhood are priceless! Oh and that I kick their butts with a fun and awesome work out!
Tell the readers about Reflexion Dance and Fitness.
My cousin and I opened Reflexion Dance and Fitness in summer of 2015 to pass our passion for dance, health and fitness to the youth of New York. We want to instill confidence as well as dance technique in our students – to help them be not only amazing dancers but amazing young people. We offer so many different types of dance and fitness, as well as offer classes for adults as well (you need healthy parents too!) Our motto is to make healthy a reflex and we hope that we inspire and motivate everyone who walks through our door to do so.
