Hokuryu Town Zumba Class "Zumba Circle Luana" Enjoy dancing under the guidance of fitness instructor Natsumi Sengoku (Nuts)!

Monday, October 12, 2020

We would like to introduce the Zumba class "Zumba Circle Luana," one of the club activities of the Hokuryu Town Cultural Federation, which is held every Wednesday (from 5:15pm) in the martial arts room of the Hokuryu Town Rural Environment Improvement Center (gymnasium).

Have fun dancing at Zumba

Enjoy dancing to Latin rhythms under the guidance of fitness instructor Natsumi Sengoku!

Zumba, which means "celebration" in Spanish, is a Latin dance fitness program that combines various dance styles. It's a fun exercise that gets you moving along to rhythmic music.

Zumba Gold / Karada Bar® / Zumba

The classes in Hokuryu Town are divided into three classes: Zumba Gold (slow tempo class), Karada Bar® (stretching using equipment), and Zumba (high tempo class), and each lesson lasts about an hour.

That day, 14 people from within and outside the town participated (Zumba Gold: 6 people, Zumba: 8 people).

Zumba Gold (Slow Tempo Class)

Stretching with Karada Bar®

The Karada Bar® Program uses the Karada Bar® equipment and incorporates five elements: muscle strength, balance, coordination, stretching, and relaxation. The program is promoted by the Japan Karada Work Association (Gifu Prefecture), a general incorporated association.

Zumba (High Tempo Class)

This is a light and energetic dance exercise that follows a fast-paced rhythm.

Fitness instructor Natsumi Sengoku's story

After the three-class, three-hour lesson, we spoke with Instructor Sengoku.

A farmer's wife became a fitness instructor four years ago!

Natsumi Sengoku is 47 years old and was born in Shintotsukawa, Hokkaido, and currently lives in Shintotsukawa. She married a farming family and worked in agriculture while raising two children. As her children grew older, she started going to the gym to exercise for her own health.

After being encouraged by her aerobics teacher to become an instructor, she began studying fitness and continues to pursue various qualifications to this day. She finally obtained her instructor qualification at the age of 43.

Hokuryu Town "Zumba Circle Luana" launched

When I first started working as an instructor, I had the opportunity to hold a lesson in Hokuryu Town.

Initially, we only offered Zumba (high tempo class), but we have since increased the number of Karada Bar® classes and also opened Zumba Gold (slow tempo) a class for beginners.

The "Karada Bar®" exercise is a program that uses a wooden bar to move the body. It is suitable for both men and women and is popular as an exercise that also improves physical flexibility.

This is my fourth year of lessons in Hokuryu. Until now, the number of participants was small, and honestly, there was a time when I thought about quitting. However, the members in Hokuryu are all warm and kind, so they have encouraged me every time, and I have been able to continue until now. I am happy that now many people are participating.

Zumba is fun with music

My parents were ballroom dance instructors, so growing up in that environment, the first time I heard the Latin music of Zumba, the rhythmic sounds just flowed through my body.

Zumba uses "visual cueing," which uses gestures to communicate the next move, rather than "verbal cueing," so it's great that you can enjoy fitness while enjoying the music. I was really moved by the fact that music is so important and that you can exercise while feeling the music.

Value communication during face-to-face instruction!

I believe in face-to-face instruction in Zumba. Rather than having both the instructor and participants facing a mirror, I, as the instructor, face the participants face-to-face, and I want to create an exercise that is fun and values communication.

18 regular lessons

During this COVID-19 pandemic, I am also offering online lessons and am currently in charge of 18 regular lessons.

Based in Sunagawa City, we offer lessons at Takikawa Sports Club Sante (6 branches), lesson classes for participating in cultural festivals, Q-REN body maintenance pelvic exercises (body maintenance), kids' dance, gyms in Iwamizawa, and more.

I would also like to work on fitness for seniors.

At the "Exercise Lesson to Reduce Back and Shoulder Pain (Complete in 3 Sessions)" held in Shintotsukawa Town, several 85-year-olds participated, and I was surprised to see them exercising together with everyone else. In general, most seniors suffer from pain somewhere in their body and have declining physical functions. I feel that I need to continue to study and devote myself to senior fitness so that seniors can continue to live healthy lives.

One new song every week

In my daily life, I listen to music no matter what I do, and I always incorporate music into my body. I also think about choreography to go with the music. Everyone looks forward to it, so I try to incorporate at least one new song every week.

Mental strength cultivated on the farm

The tenacity he developed as a farmer is still with him today. He continues to work hard and maintains a high level of professionalism.

Aspiring to become a personal fitness trainer

"My goal for the future is to obtain a personal fitness trainer qualification. I am studying every day," said Natsumi Sengoku with a big smile.

Natsumi Sengoku's qualifications

・AFAA Certified Fitness Instructor (PC.FDEC) ・ZUMBA (ZUMBA GOLD/ZUMBA Kids, Senior Fitness, Kids Fitness)
・Q-REN Body Maintenance Pelvic Exercises (Body Maintenance Techniques)
・Japan Body Work® Association Body Bar® Level 1 Certified

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for this wonderful Zumba class, which moves the body to music and leads to health in both mind and body with the ultimate fun power...
　

Other photos

◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi