Enthusiastic smiles, sweaty faces and upbeat music filled the Southwestern College dance room as students engaged in African Zumba, a class recently added to the college’s class catalog.
Akayaa Atule said the idea for this class came from Donna Arnold, dean of the School of Arts and Communication.
“It is a great opportunity to diversify course offerings and to respond to the community and student’s needs,” said Arnold Atule said they took the idea to Terry Davis, dean of Exercise Science and Athletics.
“He liked the idea and said it was a good thing to have here at Southwestern College,” Atule said.
With 18 students enrolled the African Zumba class is offered at 7 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Atule said the class provides an opportunity for non-dancers to participate in a group aerobic class. Its overall purpose is to help students follow a regular physical exercise routine that improves their health.
Culinary Arts major Jeanette Guzman said she enjoys the class and recommends it to women and men alike.
“You get to shake your butt while losing some weight,” said the 20-year-old. “It’s really fun and seriously, you do sweat a lot.”
Students stretch at the beginning of class to slow, relaxing music in order to increase their heart rate before starting a more intense workout. Fitness training within the class involves rapid full-body movements followed by easier, basic movements so that students can receive a more effective session.
Ghanaian and other African music guides the dances of West Africa that are incorporated into the class. Atule said she also wants to introduce and teach her students about Africa and the meaning of the music and movements involved. One of the many songs they exercise with is called “Don’t Wait Too Long,” and the instructor tells her students that they need to “shake it” because it reflects the song.
One of the movements included in the course begins by moving both arms to the right and reaching down as if picking a plant out of the ground then quickly moving both arms to the left side and dropping the plant as if planting it back into the earth once again.
Atule said being asked to teach the class was a wonderful blessing. She said one of her goals is to hopefully add more sections of the class in the future.
“I want more students to come, more students to get involved,” she said. “They will have fun, exercise and learn about Africa. It is something different and something they should try.”
“Even though we fell short I think the positive was we really connected as a whole team,” she said. “Even though we were freshman we came out there with fire and dominated the league. I really think next year is gonna be a great year.”