Photo by Kelli Weldon
Photo by Kelli Weldon
Photo by Kelli Weldon
Photo by Kelli WeldonZumba classes aim to help locals get moving
A high-energy workout timed to Latin music can be a way to relieve stress, learn new dance moves and achieve health goals at the same time, said Mary Bastos, co-owner of Corazon Latino Dance Studio.
"For us, our best reward is to see a customer happy and look fabulous," Bastos said.
With its focus on Zumba fitness, Corazon quickly outgrew its original location near the intersection of William Cannon Drive and Manchaca Road as women and men came from Austin and surrounding cities as far away as Round Rock and San Marcos to shimmy their way to better health, Bastos said.
"Zumba is a cardio class with Latin rhythm and a lot of repetition, and it's a lot of fun," Bastos said.
Bastos and business partner Fanny Gonzalez, who are both originally from Venezuela, opened the business in May 2011 with former partner Maria Fitzpatrick and moved to the current space three months later.
Gonzalez said she has more than 35 years of fitness instruction experience and has continued her education in Zumba.
"Everybody loses weight with Zumba," Gonzalez said.
The business is also rooted in a goal of doing good, Bastos said. Its first event was a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen, and it regularly offers free scheduled classes for breast cancer survivors and people with diabetes. Both diseases have affected Bastos' family.
"In our community, the Latin community, the risk is so high [for diabetes]. And we need to create awareness to move and be healthy," Bastos said.
In addition to Zumba, the studio offers cardio kickboxing, boot camp, belly dancing and ballet conditioning as well as classes for children.
While getting ready for a 30-minute abs class, Southwest Austin resident Kyla Stephens said she likes the studio's schedule of classes offered on the hour and the half hour.
"I don't have to plan my day around it. It's whenever I get some free time, I can go in and go to class," she said. "It's pretty awesome."
Zumba's beginnings
Mary Bastos, Corazon Latino Dance Studio co-owner, said she met Zumba Fitness creator Beto Perez when she lived in Miami in 2003.
Perez, a well-known fitness instructor, forgot to bring his regular music to an aerobics class he was teaching one day.
Instead, he put on a tape of salsa music during the class.
"People loved it," Bastos said.
The fitness style combines the concept of traditional aerobics with dance steps from a variety of Latin dance styles including salsa and the mambo, she said.
Class pricing
- Corazon charges $8 per class.
- Packages include six classes for $38 and 10 classes for $50.
- Membership is $69 per month for unlimited classes for one month or $60 per month with a six-month contract.
- The Corazon Card costs $85 and allows members to bring one guest to each class for one month.
Get moving
Many people tell Mary Bastos, Corazon Latino Dance Studio co-owner, that they want to lose 20 pounds before going to the gym, but she said she advises against procrastination and being self-conscious.
"I try to teach the people that exercise is not boring, and everybody can do it," she said.
More offerings
- Corazon classes include Zumba variations such as Zumba Toning, which involves body-sculpting aerobics using weights, and Zumba Sentao, which involves routines using chairs.
- The business sells apparel in its boutique and can provide personal training and nutrition services.
- Bastos, a former massage therapist, also offers massages, she said.
Corazon Latino Dance Studio, 500 W. William Cannon Drive, Ste. 400, 512-326-3000, www.corazonz.com
