Zumba is a dance-based fitness programme that is hugely popular around the world.
Originating from Columbia, it is a combination of Latin dance steps, an eclectic repertoire of music from a variety of dancing styles, including samba, hip-hop, merengue, flamenco, belly dancing and reggaeton, and standard aerobics routines.
'Zumba is exercise in disguise. With its great music, energetic instructor, party-like atmosphere and Latin-inspired moves, people have so much fun that they forget they're working out,' says Madhu Kashyap, managing director of Island Dance.
'It's a really good way to get into shape, learn the basics of Latin dance, release stress and have a really good time doing it all with friends after work.'
Classes include a 10-minute warm-up and five-minute cool-down routine as part of the safe dance practices incorporated into all sessions.
'Classes twice a week help your body adapt. First-timers should try to learn with the same instructor. This enables a person to get used to the instructor's style before experimenting with other instructors to learn different moves and develop their own zumba style,' Kashyap says.