Jenifir K. Sharma, excelled in studies and was not “aware” of her skills as a sprinter. “It was during a training in school that my sports teachers identified my running skills. I was chosen for sports and trained. Besides this I was also fascinated with dance. Hence, it came as no surprise when I chose to become a certified zumba instructor as the form is a beautiful amalgamation of sports and dance,” starts Jenifir. Aqua zumba includes Latin-American rhythms and dances, which are modified and adapted to aquatic environment without losing basic identity and flavour, she adds.
Born and brought up in New Delhi, it was marriage and a career in IT that brought Jenifir to Bengaluru. “Those days a career in sports was not an option, but just a hobby. Hence, I plunged into my job and was passionate about being in HR. Now I use all my talents in my zumba training,” beams the instructor.
She “browsed the net” and registered herself for an instructor training programme, where she was directed to one of the centres. They help you kick start your classes by providing brochures and material to launch your classes.”
What started off as a passion soon became a hobby and Jenifir soon quit her job to become a full-time zumba instructor and now conducts 12 classes a day!
Though she started off with zumba, she went on to train herself in kids’ zumba and then aqua zumba. “I like to challenge myself. As I am terrified of water, I wanted to train myself in Aqua Zumba. The best part is you can learn it even if you are not a swimmer. This style also healed my knee pain as it’s a low intensity exercise.”
Then she adds that one has to take care while exercising in water as you do not know how much you are exerting yourself or sweating. She has to remind students to keep sipping on water throughout the workout, she adds.
Jenifir, a mother of two, says that she was on the heavier side and Zumba has helped her lose weight. “But, I dissuade students who want to join classes only to lose weight. Sports teaches you more than just being fit. It teaches you to enjoy yourself, let go of your inhibitions, and also to work in a team. Weight loss is just one aspect of exercising.”
“The best part about aqua zumba is that anyone can do it -- people with arthritis or even pregnant women as it’s a low-impact exercise.”
She adds that she does not follow hard and fast rules and sometimes gives her students the option of adding in a few aqua zumba classes with the regular zumba classes. “The style is flexible and that’s what I like to offer my students,” adds Jenifir.
For more you can log on to http://Jennifer5.zumba.com
