I know, I know, it seems like all I talk about these days is Zumba. How I dress for it, how much I love it, how great it is. Whatever, old news, right?
Well, did you ever know how dangerous Zumba can be?
It’s risky to shake it as hard as I do, sometimes.
Let me explain.
Certain instructors like to split the room in half and work the room in a dance-off. A battle of epic, Step Up proportions. And these are excellent times. On Monday, I visited Women’s Only Workout in Chapel Hill for the first time (membership is a perk from the Healthiest You Challenge). I figured I’d tour it and try a Zumba class. Only my fellow participants weren’t exactly as hyped up as I’m used to. While I was hooting and hollering, they were sort of silent coyotes, dancing without words. So, when the room was split up, the instructor called me out.
Instructor: “Who do you Zumba with? Like, who taught you?”
Me: “Oh, goodness, like… any and every instructor, really.”
Instructor: “Well, class, you gotta Zumba like THIS GIRL! Get into it, let’s hear some noise!”
Me – “Challenge ACCEPTED.”
That was a challenge, right? So I decided to REALLY bring it.
The side vs. side dance-off began simply enough, lots of shaking and shimmying.
Then, we took it to the next level. We’re talking booty-popping, locking, and dropping. So I decided to top it off with a grand finale, guaranteed to garner cheers and joy from my fellow Zumb-ers.
After shaking my way to the center, I thrust my hand in the air (like so):
You know what’s coming
Then, in an epic gesture, I dropped it low and SMACKED the floor. Like this:
MAKE THAT FLOOR WISH IT WAS NEVER LAID!
And, the moment I spanked the living daylights out of that floor, I felt it. Right in my hand, a searing pain that one might expect to get had they slapped a brick wall for sassing them, or had their hands rapped with rulers for being snarky in school. So, I continued to dance as the crowd roared with laughter and cheering and claps. But what I WANTED to do was this:
MOTHER OF ALL THINGS HOLY THAT HURT!
The result?
Hand bruises are no jokes, y’all.
What did we learn from today’s lesson, friends?
Winning a Zumba dance off is worth any and all pain.
I don’t regret a thing.
Food, Sweat, and Beers 
Just when I think I can’t possibly like you and your blog any more than I already do, you go and win a Zum-Off and get a hand bruise to prove it. Jordan, you are the $h*!.
Why thank you, thank you! It’s all about the scars and stories, eh?
Ouchies! I wish I could’ve been there to watch you throw down. I imagine a scenario much like in the music video for “My Way” by Usher. Haha!
Now I’ll need to go watch that and imagine myself replacing Usher. Not like I don’t do that with every video he’s in…
That’s an impressive Zumba injury! I especially love the dramatic re-enactment. 🙂
Well, without it, no one would understand the exact progression of events. All about historical accuracy, right?
Aaahhhahaha – I ❤ this. Why didn't you film this, dangit!?!?!?
I just never expected how fabulous I was going to be that day. Sometimes, it sneaks up on you.
Hilarious!!!!!! Hope your hand gets better! Sometimes with great enthusiasm causes great pain! Way to push your class to the next level.
That sounds like something from Spiderman. If Spiderman did Zumba… I wish Spiderman did Zumba.
Hand bruise = the sign of a damn good zumba moment!
See, it’s just math.
Hahahaha. I can pretty mch picture this and it is marvelous. The bruise, not so much. But I definitely think it was worth the glory! 🙂
At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about, right?
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