Countries join to dance in "Zumba Nation"

Published March 3, 2012
By Senior Airman Lynsie Nichols
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- In celebration of International Women's Day, Kyrgyz and American citizens gathered for a Women's Club meeting March 2 at Bayalinov Children's Library in Bishkek to communicate through dance.

The Women's Club meets weekly to discuss a wide range of topics -- this week's topic was fitness and exercise.

"Dance is a common language throughout the world, a way to let loose and a great way to stay in shape," said Aigul Ryskalora, a student and part-time teacher at the English Academy in Bishkek.

This meeting was different from previous ones. Instead of having group discussions, Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas demonstrated dances from their Zumba class and encouraged the Kyrgyz women to participate.

Zumba is a Latin inspired fitness program that combines dance and aerobic elements. The choreography incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, meringue, mambo, martial arts and some Bollywood and belly dance moves. Squats and lunges are also included.

Tech. Sgt. Janet Evans, Staff Sgt. Theresa Mathis and Staff Sgt. Christine-Ashley Kaneshiro, all from the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron and deployed here from Hurlburt Field, Fla., participated in the event.

"I knew that (Kaneshiro) was a Zumba instructor at our home base so I begged her to teach it here," Evans said. "It started out really small, and then it became really popular."

Mathis had a great time during her visit.

"Even with the cultural differences, (the Kyrgyz girls) were very similar to us as far as wanting to interact and do the same things," Mathis said. "Everything is international, but translates into the same thing."