Zumba For Kids!

From newstimes.com:

Kids can Zumba, too
Brookfield (Wisconsin) dance studio offers class specifically designed for children
By Sandra Diamond Fox

"Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay

Come Mr. DJ, won't you turn the music up?

It goes 1 by 1, even 2 by 2.

Everybody in the floor let me show you how we do."

On a recent Friday afternoon at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Old State Road in Brookfield, about half a dozen boys and girls were moving their arms and legs to the beat of "Pon de Replay," the hit hip-hop song by artist Rihanna.

The students were taking ZumbAtomic, the new Zumba class for kids ages 7 and up.

ZumbAtomic has the same elements as adult Zumba, which combines Latin dance moves with aerobics, said Lynda Muir, 44, of Brookfield, a certified Zumba instructor and overseer of the studio's fitness classes. The only difference is that it has been specially designed with young people in mind.
Each song during the 45-minute class is limited to only three or four easy-to-follow dance moves. Prior to each new song, "we take a minute to go over the steps we'll be doing to make sure everyone understands them," said ZumbAtomic instructor Kiersten Lynch, 15, who is teaching the class.
Students learn steps from salsa, samba, cha cha, and swing dances. The class also incorporates tap dancing and drum moves, as well as moves from "The Hand Jive" and "The Shuffle"

"If you like to dance, this is a great class to take," said student Adriana Mercaldo, 9, of Brookfield, who also studies tap, lyrical and jazz dance.
Adriana said she finds the most challenging part of the class to be "learning the steps and trying to get them right."

"This class is a lot of fun. You can jump around and be with your friends," said 11-year-old Patrick Rynkiewicz of New Milford, who also takes karate and skiing. "Whenever my face turns red, I know I've worked up a sweat."
"A class like this provides kids with a great way to develop coordination. It keeps them healthy and teaches them responsibility, because they have to follow the teacher and be sure to arrive on time," said Patrick's father, Sal Rynkiewicz.

"One of the best benefits of the class is getting Patrick away from the computer," he added.

Aside from "Pon De Replay," other popular songs played in ZumbAtomic include "Say Hey" by Michael Franti, "Who let the dogs out" by Baha Men; "Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid; and "Candyman" by Christina Aguilera.

Zane Lynch, 12, said he likes ZumbAtomic because he is able to do the moves by himself.

"This is my third class, and I've already noticed I don't get tired as easily in my gym class at school. I can do sprints easier," he said. "This class really builds up my endurance. The more I do it, the easier it gets."

Unlike aerobics classes, which tend to be dominated by females,
"ZumbAtomic has attracted both boys and girls equally because of the hip-hop element to it. It provides a great cardiovascular workout, and the kids get so into it. I try to incorporate a new move with each class," said Kiersten, a Newtown resident.

Eventually, Kiersten said, she plans to "get the kids involved in doing some of the choreography for each song, so they'll feel like they're part of the routine."

The ZumbAtomic program was launched in September at the Zumba Convention 2009 in Orlando, Fla.

Kiersten said she knew the class would be a hit "after watching so many kids see their parents taking Zumba and hearing them say that it looks like fun."

"Just like the adults," Muir said, "the kids can shake it too."