Let’s Move Marianas starts free Zumba workouts

The Let’s Move Marianas Alliance is hosting free Zumba classes at the Garapan Central Park this May and June.

Classes are from 6:30pm to 7:30pm Mondays through Wednesdays for the month of May. This will be extended in June—from Monday through Thursdays—at the same time period.

Zumba class coordinator Ernie Molina, who is a dialysis technician at the Commonwealth Health Center, said the program is developed through the Division of Public Health and is handled by Let’s Move Marianas Alliance head Amber Mendiola.

Joseph Caranto, a certified Zumba instructor under the Zumba Instructor Network, leads the Zumba classes. Caranto said he has been certified since November 2012.

According to Molina, Caranto is also certified for basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Molina noted that 81 participants joined the first day of Zumba classes, while more than 60 joined the second day.

Caranto said there are usually 10 dance routines for workouts and one for relaxation and stress reduction.

“We usually do the warm-up first for about eight minutes, then within the hour we usually have 11 music, 10 of which are the basic workouts and the last is for cooling down,” Caranto said.

The program was planned two weeks before the actual start of the program.

“We spoke to the DPH director Margaret Aldan and Mendiola to help in disseminating information about this program,” Molina said.

Division of Parks and Recreation director Eli Cabrera said he blocked “some days in May and several days for the whole month of June for them to use [the Garapan Central Park].”

“We will maintain the area and we do cleaning from Monday to Friday but we encourage those attending to please pick up their trash before leaving,” he said.

Tess Pineda, 41, said she joined the Zumba classes for her health. “I joined because my blood pressure started going up and I wanted to lose weight,” she said.

Guadalupe Sabino, 75, said she wants to stay healthy even at her age.

“I want to be healthy, have fun, and stay fit and you know you age faster when you think of your age, but if you think younger and know you can do it, then do it,” she said.

Sabino is the oldest member of the class. She is a retired teacher, a former ballroom dancer, and was an athlete in the Philippines.

Molina said they will seek to sustain the classes with Let’s Move Marianas.

“We will be continuing this if more of the public continues to join and also I encourage the public to attend because we believe prevention is cheaper than the cure,” Molina said.