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Zumba Marathon To Raise Money For Cause

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By CLOE CABRERA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2007

Updated: 12/05/2007 04:55 pm

TAMPA - Jeni Jones first learned about Zumba from a late-night infomercial.

She was inspired by the high-energy workout that combines Latin dance moves and music. She had tried other forms of exercise but always grew bored and quit.

"I've always loved to dance," says Jones, 31. "It looked like they were having so much fun getting into shape. It looked like something I would like to do."

Jones says she was morbidly obese and trapped in an abusive marriage with two young daughters. Her self-worth was at an all-time low. She was ready for a lifestyle change.

That change came two years ago, when Jones, a petty officer second class in the Navy, divorced her husband, also in the Navy, while they were stationed in Italy. She moved back to the United States with her daughters, took a Zumba workshop and became certified as an instructor.

"I was 234 pounds and 5-foot-1-inches tall," Jones says. "Zumba changed my life. I started losing weight and feeling better about myself. When someone is telling you all the time that you're worthless and you're nothing, you almost start to believe it. I found love and support through my clients."

Jones taught Zumba classes at Shapes Total Fitness and the Cuban Club. In July, she opened FlavaFitness Studio in Tampa, where she teaches Zumba to adults and children.

Saturday, she plans a Zumba marathon to raise money for a cause she feels strongly about: domestic violence.

During the marathon, Jones will perform to every song in her repertoire - more than 200. People can pledge money per song or per hour (roughly 12 to 15 songs per hour). Any amount will be accepted. There is no minimum amount to raise, and everyone is welcome to join her. Money raised will go to The Spring, which serves victims of domestic violence and their families.

About 30 women have signed up so far; men can also participate.

During the marathon, donations of household appliances, deactivated cell phones and clothing can be dropped off at Hillsborough Avenue Self Storage, 3413 W. Hillsborough Ave. The items will be donated to The Spring.

Zumba was started in Colombia by fitness trainer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in the mid-1990s.

The routine borrows footwork and body movements from salsa, meringue, cumbia and other dances and combines it with lively Latin and international music.

The exercise gained a toehold in Miami in 1999 and has spread its popularity around the country.

Jones says people like Zumba because it doesn't feel like a workout, the routine is easy to follow and you can have two left feet.

"That's the fun of it. We each have our own style and flavor we bring to it," she says. "That's why I call my studio Flava because I want a multitude of flavors."

Thanks to Zumba, Jones is down from a size 24 to a size 10.

"I don't have a goal," she says. "I believe in focusing on where you are right now and giving yourself the credit where you are right now. You love yourself right now, and you'll love yourself when you get to where you want to be. We always focus on what we have left, when we need to focus on how far we've come."

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-76567 or

ZUMBATHON

WHAT: A benefit for The Spring

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday (or whenever the songs finish)

WHERE: FlavaFitness Studio, 3744 W. Lambright Ave., Unit B, Tampa

HOW MUCH: Pledge any amount; a $10 pledge gets you a T-shirt and one class; for a $25 pledge, you can take as many classes as you like all day.

INFORMATION: (813) 777-2928;

www.zumbaflava.com

ccabrera@tampatrib.com.

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