Dance Fitness class aims to release stress

During the guidance meetings held in the McAfee Center in February, juniors and seniors were formally introduced to the new P.E. elective class: Dance Fitness.

Seeking to reduce student stress, Dance Fitness will be a one-hour dance fitness workout consisting of a warm-up, endurance cardio and cool down. According to history teacher Kim Anzalone, a certified Zumba instructor who will teach the class, it will “incorporate Zumba Latin routines as well as hip hop and other current styles of dance.”

Anzalone plans to host guest teachers along with student choreographers to lead routines and keep a “set” for about four weeks at a time.

“The class workout will be a bit over 60 minutes to include instruction [on] how to properly manage various body movements and core,” Anzalone said.

Junior Candace Chiang said the exercises Zumba provides release more tension than P.E., since she has attended many of Anzalone’s off-campus Zumba classes in the past.

“I really enjoyed it,” Chiang said. “[Anzalone] is really nice and a great [Zumba] teacher.”

As the current AP U.S. History teacher and former JV and varsity girls’ soccer coach, Anzalone has always dreamed of having this class, which she hopes will give students an outlet to relieve their academic stresses. In order for it to run, Dance Fitness will need enough signups.

“The stress level of the students was my motivation to develop and offer this class to Saratoga students,” Anzalone said. “I would just like to pass on a healthy lifestyle to improve self-image and confidence while having a totally fun time.”