How This Freelance Zumba Instructor Has Made Kochi Her Home And Her Training Ground
- 14 Nov 2016
- Rheanna Mathews
- Features
If you’ve decided you need Zumba in your life, if you’re looking for a fitness instructor that imbues you with confidence, if you’re looking for someone to inspire you with their drive and their passion for fitness, then Shweta Singh is the one you’re looking for. Speaking to someone over the phone doesn’t necessarily tell you a lot about them, but one thing was clear. She knows what she’s talking about and you feel that if you ever decide to take up Zumba, then you couldn’t possibly go wrong with her. Also, that she has an adorable little son. The original Zumba instructor in the city, she divides her time between a number of fitness centres in the city.
What made you choose fitness as a career?
I started my fitness career pretty late. After pregnancy I’d put on a lot of weight. I was otherwise blessed with a thin body, but after delivery I was almost 16 kg overweight and that just refused to go. So that’s the first time I went to a gym and I started attending classes and I got so inspired that I made it my career. And now, I kind of do freelancing. I take classes at various places. It’s a transferable job.
What response have you received?
When I first came to Kochi, in 2012, I was the only Zumba instructor here. I kind of introduced Zumba to the city. And now it’s become this huge phenomenon here.
The music that Zumba instructors use seems to be subjective. What kind do you use?
The rule in Zumba is that you use 70% of Zumba music which is very very latin and 30% of international music. I pretty much follow the rule and I include a little bit of Bollywood because people like that. Zumba music itself has a lot of variety because the music is so different and it has various rhythms, but to add a little more flavor to class, I do add different kinds of music including Bollywood and Tollywood music as well.
What is your opinion of diets and dance fitness?
When it comes to dance fitness, or any workout in fact, I do suggest that people not do it on an empty stomach so that while they’re working out they don’t feel nauseous or dizzy. Also, they should refrain from eating for at least 45 minutes after a workout. Diet is not necessary to dance fitness, but I do think it is important that people follow a healthy diet and lifestyle. People should eat healthy food, but as long as they’re working out, I think they can get away with eating anything. It’s the workout that’s important to focus on.
What impact have you seen your classes have on your students?
My students, compared to when they started, they have much more stamina. I find them to be more energetic and confident as well. When people come to class, they’re very hesitant, they don’t think they can dance, they think they have two left feet and dancing with so many people, when there are so many others watching you, a lot of them are very conscious about that. But once they start classes, they start to grow into it and their inhibitions start to fade away and they turn out to be more comfortable in their own skin and more confident than before.
What do you think makes your classes special?
I guess I could say that I’m one of the more experienced Zumba instructors in Kochi, so my students benefit from that. Plus the biggest factor is that I’m a fitness instructor by profession, not just a Zumba instructor, so I guess my classes are more than just dancing. It’s more a workout. There’s more toning than when you’re just dancing on the beach. This is one reason why my classes totally stand out. Because of my fitness background, I know where to put a dance step and where to introduce toning in the form of squats, lunges and even aspects of kickboxing. I use a combination of everything to make it interesting as well as effective.
Words by Rheanna Mathews
Photographs from Shweta Singh
