Salsa is not just the dance at Rec Sports!

Salsa doesn't just refer to the sauce at VCU Recreational Sports.

Salsa is an informal style of dance involving a partner which has roots in the Caribbean. It involves numerous styles of dancing originating from a mixture of Mambo, Danzon, Guaguanco, Cuban Son and other typical Cuban dance forms.

Chenae Nelson, a 19-year-old exercise science major and junior at VCU, named using the different moves on the dance floor instead of practicing them individually as her favorite part of the class.

“It felt cool to actually dance with a partner … when the mommies and poppies dance together,” Chenae said.

Chenae was drawn to the class by the idea of learning a new dance. Chenae said she had never tried salsa dancing before, but afterwards related that was an opportunity to learn something that you may not have the opportunity to otherwise..

“[You] broaden your knowledge of dance and it’s exercise too,” Chenae said.

For Carlan Burke, a 20-year-old exercise science major and also a junior at VCU, it was his first time participating in the salsa group exercise class, but he said he welcomed the chance to try something new.

“I was learning something outside of my usual box,” Carlan said.

Carlan related the hardest part for him was getting into the groove of the dance steps due to his lack of experience, but that for those looking for something outside of the norm it’s a great choice.

“Prepare to learn something different,” Carlan said.

Recreational Sports offers salsa group exercise classes Sundays from 8:00pm to 9:00pm, and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00pm to 10:00pm during Session II, which runs until December 5th. All classes are free to enrolled VCU students and Recreational Sports members.

You can view the schedule for this session’s other group exercise classes by clicking here.

Come shake your boombsey at Rec Sports!

Recreational Sports patrons worked on their boombsey at the Kukuwa master dance class held at the Siegel Center.

Boombsey being their backsides, according to Kukuwa Nuamah.

Kukuwa, the instructor and creator of the Kukuwa Dance Workout, said the program is a total body workout that combines African, Caribbean and Latin dance into one.

“Nothing is left out,” Kukuwa said.

Kukuwa said she created the style 27 years ago, but it was not until 10 years ago that it became popular. Six years ago she created certifications to train others to teach the program, because the numbers of those interested began to become too overwhelming to handle herself.

Now she owns a business that includes workout clothing and DVDs that have been featured in 'O,' Oprah Winfrey's magazine.

Originally from Ghana, Kukuwa said she created the exercises to move the entire body and work everything from the abs and ribcage to the neck. As a cultural dancer, Kukuwa said she puts Ghana into what she teaches.

Kukuwa said she choreographed the entire dance to music and uses the music to facilitate changes among the different styles of dance.

Pamela Greiss, a 20-year-old biology student and first timer participating in the master class, said her favorite part was the routine dance, where the class participants formed two lines and circle around the classroom.

“Everyone was doing it in sync,” Pamela said.

Pamela said the class was fast paced and required you to keep up with the beat of the music.

“It really works out your abs,” Pamela said.

Erica Jackson, a freshman psychology major, said the instructor’s energy was infectious and caused the class to be high energy.

“It’s just like a big party,” Erica said.

Erica said the class is a positive environment for someone looking to burn large amounts of calories, get a heavy cardio workout or just have a lot of fun.

“You can have fun and be yourself,” Erica said.

Kukuwa will return to VCU on November 23, 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. for a certification workshop. Details on how to be certified to teach Kukuwa Dance Workout and Latin, African and Caribbean Dance can be found here.

Bill Tatu Profile

Bill Tatu is a physical therapist working in Cancer Rehabilitation at the VCU Medical Center, providing services for individuals to maintain and restore strength and functional ability.

Bill trained and served in the Army for 20 years before working at VCU Medical Center as a physical therapist and has worked as a part of the MCV Health System for 11 and a half years.

Bill said he first noticed problems with his right hip while serving in the Army, but it worsened over the years and became unbearable during the last six months of 2007. Bill said it was similar to falling off of a cliff how suddenly the pain increased; almost any type of activity would cause intense pain.

“Everything hurt ... coughing hurt,” Bill said.

The only solution was to undergo a total hip replacement which took place in January of 2008. To help prepare for surgery, Bill took up swimming, which played a major part in his recovery from surgery.

Bill said three weeks after the hip replacement, he was back swimming a mile at the MCV Campus Recreation and Aquatic Center, even though he was still on crutches to get around. After about eight weeks he was able to use the other fitness equipment such as the elliptical trainer and stair climber.

“I felt normal at five weeks,” Bill said, “the pain was totally gone.”

Bill said he knew what to expect from the recovery due to his experience as a physical therapist. What did surprise him, he said, was how good he felt after consistent swimming sessions. While prior to surgery he preferred going on long runs, he has found that long swimming sessions don’t generate aches and pains the way running did.

“I'm much stronger than I was before,” Bill said.

Bill said he chose to workout at VCU Recreational Sports facilities instead of other local options because of the proximity to his job and the excellent facilities. The close proximity allows him to workout around his work schedule and he finds that very convenient.

“You wouldn't be able to do that if you were somewhere else,” Bill said.

Curt Dozier Employee Profile

Curt Dozier is a 20-year-old broadcast journalism major who is currently a junior at VCU. Curt has worked for VCU Recreational Sports for about 18 months, usually working at the Siegel Center as a Facility Supervisor.

Curt said he wanted to apply for a job with Rec Sports after witnessing how Rec Sports employees seemed to all know each other. Curt said everyone worked well together and he wanted to be a part of that kind of fellowship.

“It looked like all the employees enjoyed their job,” Curt said.

In addition, Curt said it made sense to get a job at the same place that he was always working out.
Curt said his favorite part of working at Rec Sports is interacting and getting to know the different people that use the Rec Sports facilities.

When he's not working out or just plain working at Rec Sports, Curt enjoys playing basketball, running and listening to music.

As far as plans after Rec Sports, Curt said that he plans to let the winds take him where they may, but one goal he has is to do some traveling.

“I want to see the world,” Curt said.

Always remember the five D's of dodgeball!

Recreational Sports patrons try their best to follow the five D's of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge, at Medic during Friday Night Line Up at the Siegel Center.

What separates Medic from normal games of dodgeball is the inclusion of its namesake, the medic. The medic has the ability to bring teammates back into the game by tagging them after they get out

Casey Coble, a junior studying psychology, said his favorite part of the game was catching unsuspecting players with a well aimed throw.

“I search for people who aren't looking and I make them pay by hitting them in the face,” Casey said.

Casey said his strategy for ensuring another win for his team was to protect the medic and try to stay close to the middle line of the court.

“It's a lot easier the closer you are when throwing,” he said.

Steven Aliyetti, a sophomore studying forensic science, said the key to winning was being aggressive and not making sloppy mistakes.

Steven said his favorite part of the game was catching hard throws because all the players notice a hard catch and acknowledge it with yelling and clapping.

“It's awesome to get a one hander,” Steven said.

Medic is held Fridays from 2:00 – 4:30 pm in the Siegel Center Activity Center as part of the Friday Night Line Up. Soccer runs from 4:30 – 7, and Volleyball from 7:00 – 8:45.

Kick off your workout with Turbo Kick

If you're looking for a full-body workout, look no further than Turbo Kick classes held at Siegel Center.

Turbo Kick uses punches, kicks and other routines set to dance to provide an action-packed, fun and effective cardiovascular workout for beginner to advanced levels.

Candace Dillon, a second year biology graduate student who has taken the class multiple times during the past year, said she enjoyed how the class involved all parts of the body.

“It's a total body workout and it's fun,” Dillon said.

Dillon said the class is good for a first timer because the instructor shows the participants exactly what to do when in the class.

Bonita Johnson, a sophomore studying radiation science who was taking the class for the first time, said she was attracted to the class because it caught her eye when she entered the gym.

Johnson said her favorite part of the class was the stretching.

“I didn't know you could stretch out the hip,” Johnson said.

Turbo Kick classes are held on.....through October 15. Check out our full schedule of free Group Exercise Classes for Session I http://www.recsports.vcu.edu/fitness/group_exercise.php. Session II begins after Reading Days.

Anne Zielinski Employee Profile

Anne Zielinski is the assistant director of Recreational Sports and is in charge of student development and sports clubs. She received her bachelor's in sports marketing from University of Connecticut in 1998 and her master’s in recreational sports administration from Indiana University in 2000. After graduation, she worked at Ball State University for two years before moving to VCU in 2002.

As the assistant director of student development, Anne manages the student workers in all of the recreational facilities on both campuses.

Anne said she always worked out, but still had weight fluctuations, in some cases losing, then regaining 60 pounds. After learning her stepmother was joining the Weight Watchers program, Anne found motivation to join the group herself.

“There was no way she was going to look better and I wasn’t,” she said.

Anne said for her workout program, she usually does 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, followed by light lifting. By sticking to this program almost every day, Anne has lost 90 pounds.

Anne said in addition to Weight Watchers and working out, she cut down on how much she ate and tried to make healthier choices when preparing food.

“I started to make vegetables my friend,” she said.

Anne said she also rediscovered her love of running. A three-time finisher of the Richmond Marathon and numerous other races, Anne said nothing takes the pounds off like running.

“I’ve found that running is the best exercise for me. When I couldn’t run, I walked, which is also more effective for me than using an elliptical trainer. Walking uses all of your muscles and balance, where the elliptical trainer maintains you in one position.”

As a result of her weight loss, Anne said that it has been easier for her to shop for clothes, she has not had any debilitating back pain since January and she feels that people’s perception of her have changed for the better. “It’s much better with 90 pounds off my back,” she said.

Anne said even if people are capable of living their lives at their current weight, if they feel they could stand to shed some pounds, it will improve their overall standard of living.

“It’s the rest of your life. It can be so much better,” she said.

If you have any questions about Anne’s weight loss journey, please contact her at azielinski@vcu.edu.