Zumba Latina with Maria Luisa "Z Squad"

Dancing have always been a huge part of my life. I’m half Spanish so Latino rhythms brings me back to my roots. In my twenties I was in a Flamenco group and we performed a bit here and there in Norway, I loved it.

Then I had a hip replacement Oct 2013, and I never thought I would be able to dance properly again, because of an extreme stiffness around my hips and lower back, and a lot of pain in my back!
Then July 2014 I did my first Zumba class and I was hooked from the first move, and that’s when my new Zumba journey started.

It was hard though, there was times I was in so much discomfort that I had to literally drag myself up those stairs with the help of the banister, to get to class one step at the time.....but I knew this is doing me good and it was all just muscular...so I kept going!

All I can say is that my back pain was gone in 3 months, my stiffness around my hips took a bit longer and its now just a distant memory. I’m sometimes amazed of what my body can do now, I feel so grateful that I never gave up when I was feeling so sore!

Zumba is amazing for mind body and the soul. It helped me through my separation, it was my safe haven when I needed an outlet for all the emotions coming forth.

That`s why I became a Zumba Fitness Instructor, I see the amazing benefits it has physically, mentally and even spiritually! And the community spirit the joy and love from the students is a huge bonus every time I teach....Best job there is!!

I became a Licensed Zumba Instructor with the Zumba Instructor network ZIN™ July 2015