'I want everyone to be healthy, to feel alive'

Eliana Ceballos remembers how she felt when she took her first Zumba class. She was living in Utah, her 24-year-old husband was battling cancer and life seemed overwhelming.

An hour of dancing and exercising changed her outlook.

"I simply loved it," Ceballos recalls. "Oh, my God! This is freedom. This is a good place for me to cope."

Now, as the owner of Fit Fiesta Studio in Colleyville, Ceballos tries to share that same uplifting spirit in all of her fitness classes. The classes include a strong schedule of Zumba, as well as yoga.

"I want to give back to people the same thing that was given to me," she says. "I want everyone to be healthy, to feel alive."

Her studio also holds sessions inside Gymnastics Plus in Southlake.

Ceballos was hooked after that first experience. She started with three classes a week and then decided she wanted to be Zumba certified.

After she became an instructor, Ceballos started teaching free classes. Her enthusiasm and energy, combined with a great smile and winning charisma, soon had her teaching packed gyms of more than 50 students.

But there was no happy ending for Ceballos in Utah. Her husband eventually lost his battle with cancer. Ceballos moved to Texas to be with her sister and start a Zumba studio. She struggled at first and had a difficult time finding the right size space for the right rent.

Three years ago, Ceballos started teaching at Gymnastics Plus in Southlake, using space when it wasn't needed for gymnastics classes. Once again, Ceballos' positive approach started attracting large crowds.

"It was great as we started to get a following," Ceballos said. "That was our first real Zumba home, but eventually we wanted to expand."

About a year ago, Ceballos opened up the Fit Fiesta Studio in Colleyville. She kept her classes going in Southlake because they were doing so well. The Colleyville program quickly became a success, drawing students from nearby cities such as Euless, Bedford, Grapevine and North Richland Hills.

Ceballos believes that part of her success is simply the intrinsic fun of Zumba.

The fitness program with a Latin flavor combines dance and aerobic movements with a variety of upbeat music.

The choreography incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, mambo, martial arts, calisthenics and belly dancing moves.

"It is so basic that anyone can do it," she says. "It is very easy, but it is very high energy and a lot of fun. It is addicting."

Ceballos approach adds to the spirit of the workouts.

"When I teach a class, I give 100 percent to the dances and moves," she says. "I want everyone to feel the energy, to feel like they can conquer anything. I want them to feel free to be themselves, to be silly if they want."

Ceballos is proud of the fact that students hate to miss her classes. Student testimonials about how Zumba has improved their health warm her heart. The students bond and become family. She said they often tell her their time in Zumba class is the only time of the day they truly consider their own.

"Fit Fiesta has blessed my life," Ceballos said. "People come here and become friends. They feel a peace of mind, forget about the problems and struggles outside the building for a while. They lose some pounds, get healthier, get more energy and really have a better life."

Fit facts

• A $60 monthly membership allows students to participate in as many Fit Fiesta classes as they want.
• The studio has a variety of yoga classes and recently added a belly dancing class Monday nights. Ceballos doesn't teach any Fit Fiesta yoga classes, but she tries to participate in as many as she can as a student.
• "I want all my students to have a higher energy level that Zumba gives them, but it is important for us to be able to relax and meditate also," she said.
• Fit Fiesta offers several types of Zumba classes. Zumbatomic is designed exclusive for kids age four through 12. Zumba toning combines high-energy cardio work and Latin-infused moves with a toning stick, allowing students to work on sculpting their bodies.
• "The toning really works," Ceballos laughs, showing off her biceps. "I love showing off my muscles."

Fit Fiesta Studio

Colleyville Fit Fiesta Studio

1009 Cheek Sparger Road Ste. 120, www.fitfiestastudio.com, 817-980-8595

Classes also at: Southlake, Gymnastics Plus 1219 Brumlow Ave.