Zumba: An Unlikely Peace Corps Project

What's that noise echoing around town? It's ZUMBAAAA!

Before I joined Peace Corps I had a vision of what my life would be like. -  I would live in a mud hut. I wouldn't have running water. I would be living in an isolated, sparsely-populated village where wifi access wouldn't definitely not be an option. With that in mind, I thought that my projects might include building an electricity grid, setting up a water system or even helping out at the local hospital with basic triage. I didn't imagine that I would be leading a class... for Zumba! But I am surely glad that I am.

What started off as an idea from some brief conversations with local youth and some support from friends back home, slowly turned into a regular group that has been meeting for over a year now. We are a rather small group, yet consistent. No less than 4, no more than 8. Through this class I am noticing several things. First, the girls feel comfortable around me. This took a bit of time. In the beginning, I noticed that there was a good mix of boys and girls. Once the boys realized that they would have to use their hips, they quickly got embarrased and would sit down and just watch. I could see that they wanted to participate, as they would get up for another song and dance again, only to sit back down when any hip action made its way into the routine. I asked why they weren't willing to try the routines, they said that they simply don't have hips. "Only girls have hips." to which I replied "Really? Well, I wonder what all those football players use to kick the ball, then." They were still not convinced. But it was of no concern to me. If the girls want to continue, I would be there.

We insist on having fun!

Zumba is not something that many people have a chance to do here in Albania, yet it is accessible for those with the motivation. We use Youtube videos to learn routines, practicing with videos projected on the wall. We simply follow along. We learn together (and make mistakes together). It's not about being perfect, it is about having fun, exercising, and doing something positive together.

We use music from several influences - latin (salsa, merengue, tango, reggaeton & cumbia), latin pop, hip-hop, pop, middle-eastern influence, and more). I like to pick videos that use people of different ethnicities, ages, body types, using both men and women. As the students learn with these diverse people through their videos, they get to share a sort-of bond with people of all backgrounds.

Gummi time at Kampi Pa Emer (summer camp)!

After 9 months of dancing with these youth, they asked me if I could teach the younger kids to dance. They also volunteered to help teach the classes with me! I didn't realize at the time, but this might just turn into something sustainable. Again, I don't teach the classes so much as learn the routines alongside them. Thus they are just as skilled as I am. The little kids Zumba has really taken off, bringing up to 25 kids at a time. Imagine for a moment the 25 little kids ages 4 - 10 wiggling to "Uptown Funk" or shaking to Moves Like Jagger. Adorable! They love to move, dance, and just act silly. Some of these kids have very little at home and really take to activities like this that let them just be kids. This has only been possible with the help and coordination of the older kids. Thus real community impact is starting to happen.

Me with an adorable lil Zumba princess

As of yet, we just make due with what clothes we have, but I would love to see some actual workout t-shirts or fun arm-bands, hip bands or something to make it more "Zumba-ey." Maybe a magic donor will arrive one day... Who knows? Maybe a flash mob in front of the Municipality will actually happen come spring time. :-) Yeah, this is Peace Corps. And yes, it is pretty frickin' awesome.

What I Discovered About Fitness In Peace Corps... ("Wait, Weight, Don't Tell Me!")

Staying fit in Peace Corps can at times be interesting (read: a challenge). I didn't know what to expect in regards to exercise, and I am still learning. It has been a hard road long before Peace Corps. Here’s why:

My gym days in 'Merica :-P

I wasn't the fittest kid growing up, in fact I was what you would call chubby. I didn't know anything about sports, exercise, or nutrition. I had a basic understanding of group sports and calisthenics from middle school and high school PE class, but nothing that would really motivate me to continue. Throughout my 20's, I learned little by little about all these things. Since I didn't play organized sports as a kid, I never learned the basics and had to learn all the do's and don'ts on my own. I suppose that my journey into fitness started during my Senior year of High School. I had been wanting to play football since Junior year, but after several discussions with the football coach, I soon realized that I should have started looooong ago. Of course, this may not be news to most people - but I was not aware, and thus had too late a start. I was kinda screwed straight from the gate. Although football was out of the question, he did suggest that I sign up for his weight training class; and that I did. At the age of 18, I began lifting weights. Though this commitment, I discovered a new passion.

Cut to me 14 years later, joining the Peace Corps. I knew things would be different. I had lots of questions: Will there be any fitness centers or gyms where I’m going? Will I be able to run outside safely? Will I lose my motivation?  How would I adapt?

Well, there is a gym in my town. Although the folks there are very friendly and try to maintain the equipment, it is more often than not in varying stages of disrepair, unfortunately. Better than nothing, right? I'm sure there are Peace Corps places where there isn't a gym for hours away, so I am so grateful. I have been working out there for the last 7 months or so. I am grateful that it exists, but must admit that it isn’t all roses. With very young kids running around, playing with the weights and equipment, (sometimes nearly injuring themselves!) I find it hard to maintain my desire to keep going back. It's hard to be around. I’ve even come in when a guy was smoking a cigarette while doing bicep curls! It’s the contrast you see here so frequently. I could go on, but I like to focus on solutions rather than problems. It's not my place to judge. But since it has been the only gym in town, I found myself going back. Adapt right?

My community gym

Running by the village of Togëz

Having been recently motivated by lack of money to actually afford the gym (more on volunteer "wages" later), I have taken to a habit I usually avoid – running outdoors (especially when it is cold). I’m a gym rat through and through (or gym bunny, which I guess sounds cuter LOL). But okaaaay. Whatev. I found out a few things: 1. It’s not so bad, if you don’t mind a little cold and a lot of onlookers along the way (the villagers don’t see jogging Americans coming through very often. hehe 2. I get to say hello to pretty much all the shop-owners along the way. 3. People get to see “the American” running – who knows? Maybe one day they will join me. :-)
 
My friend Arbi and I have written an outline plan to build a little mini-gym right here at the house. Sweet! Sure it will be basic, but we can make it work. A bench, some cement bricks for box jumps, a bar for pull-ups, parallel bars for dips, a set of free-weight dumbbells and barbells, and a couple gym mats – done! Oh, and of course, a clock. What I discovered about life in Peace Corps is that there are #NoExcuses for missing a workout.

Me and my buddy Arbi after a killer workout