Zumba: Getting Ferndale Movin’
(Crystal A. Proxmire)
Four years ago, Marcius Padieu was just like any of the other student at the Kulick Center. He took a Zumba class in order to stay in shape, have fun, and as a chance to indulge his inner dancer. The instructor, though, had other plans. When Zumba teacher Robin Lay saw him in the back row, swinging his arms and stepping his heart out, she pulled Padieu aside and told him he was destined to teach.
“She signed me up for a class and then asked me if I would do it,” He said.
“At first I wasn’t so sure. But I took a couple days to think about it, and I’m so glad I did.” Padieu has been teaching for three and a half years, with classes at both the Ferndale Recreation Center and at the Detroit Institute of Arts. He’s also taught classes for church groups, and employers who want to give opportunities for staff to get in shape.
“Those classes are extra nice, because the companies that have a fitness class like mine get to save money on their health insurance rates,” he added with a smile.
Padieu, whose day job is as a banker with Paramount at 22635 Woodward, says he is always looking for more opportunities to teach. “I love teaching at the Kulick Center,” he said. “It gives me a chance to meet all kinds of people, and get new people feeling good. Zumba is good for the heart, the spirit and the waistline. But what I like about it most is that it wakes you up.
‘There are days I don’t feel like going, and I think ‘oh, I’d rather just stay home and relax,’ but then I get going and after a couple minutes I feel so energized. I go home thinking ‘ok, what more can I do? Is there some cleaning, or something else that’s active?”
Jackie Rivera came from Dearborn Heights to take the class, because she’d worked out with Padieu in the past. “He’s like fire on the floor,” she said. “Just burnin’ it up.”
There are generally less than fifteen people in each class, and it’s set up to be good for people with any skill level. “It usually takes 2-4 weeks for someone to really get the hang of it,” Padieu said. According to www.zumba.com , “The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!”
Padieu puts it more simply. “It’s like exercise and dancing at the same time.”
A new six week class starts Nov. 4, and meets every Thursday at 6:00pm at the Kulick Community Center at 1201 Livernois. Although online registration is closed, those interested in taking the class can sign up in person or by phone at (248) 544-6767. More information about Ferndale Recreation Activities can be found at www.ferndalerecreation.org.
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