Salsa is one hot workout
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Andrew Arana (center) teaches some basic steps to his salsa aerobics class at the Baptist Heathplex in Clinton.
Need a little spice in your aerobics workout? Try some salsa. Every Tuesday and Thursday at the Baptist Healthplex in Clinton, mostly women and a few men are breaking out of their shells and getting fit with salsa aerobics.
One of those men is Lt. Jeffery Scott, 41, spokesman for the Jackson Police Department. He's been taking the class for nine months and already his health has taken a turn for the better.
"Three months ago my blood pressure was within stroke range," Scott said. "At a checkup two weeks ago, it was 120/80. Perfect."
Scott has also shed 20 pounds with plans to lose more.
The class consists of all ages, and it attracts quite a few onlookers as house music and Latin music blare from the glass-walled room. Enthusiasm exudes from the smiling faces of participants as they work up a sweat while counting dance steps.
Watching it all can be intimidating.
"I would sit there and look in the class for about a month. I was scared to go in," Scott said. Today, he feels guilty if he misses.
Mississippi College student Andrew Arana, 24, has taught the class for three years. The atmosphere is highly energetic, but Arana strives to make it motivating and comfortable.
"I love to teach and watch individuals learn, and that's what sparked the interest of a lot of folks," Arana said. "If you can count and step at the same time, then you can get the steps."
The same dance steps are taught at each session to ensure no one is left behind.
"No one is gonna dance around a group of folks you don't know unless the atmosphere is comfortable," Arana said.
Alisa Taylor of Clinton took dance as a child and, after having a baby in January at Baptist Medical Center, was offered a free membership to the healthplex.
She particularly took note of what is missing in the class - the elitism of fitness buffs.
"That's just not in this class," Taylor said, who has lost about five pounds so far.
Dr. Joyce Hyde, 42, a dentist of Clinton, is another fan. The music lured her into trying the class.
"I like to exercise in a class format," said Hyde, who's seen a 4 percent reduction in body fat through weightlifting and salsa. "It's addictive - keeps you coming back."
Scott is relieved to have found an exercise regimen that not only works, but is enjoyable.
In the past, he tried running and lifting weights, but quit both. Nothing was consistent.
"You're physically fit when you come out of the academy, but after a few years on the street and a few years of free chicken and doughnuts, you tend to put on weight," Scott said. "It breaks tradition. You have normal cycling, track, treadmill but after a while those get boring. I don't like the treadmill. I don't like going to the track, and it was just something different," Scott said.
Salsa aerobics has also become a great stress reliever from his job, Scott said.
The police officer has become such a prized pupil, there's talk he may one day lead the class.
For Arana, a native of Honduras, teaching salsa aerobics is a hobby.
After coming to the United States, his family eventually moved to New Orleans where he learned the dance. Then they moved to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
As a student, he taught salsa to other students for a whopping $2 per class. Later on, he inquired about teaching a class at the healthplex. The first class had about 80 people, and its popularity keeps growing.
"When I started, Dancing With the Stars didn't even exist," Arana said. "I definitely want to pass salsa lessons on to others to take over."
His major at MC is foreign language and international trade with a focus in management. He speaks Spanish, English, Portuguese and Italian.
He's lined up a summer internship as a Latin American trade specialist and will graduate in December.
With all that going on, it's likely his career will one day take him around the world, but his immediate plans are to stay put.
He teaches private salsa dance lessons to individuals and couples. Summer salsa aerobics classes at the healthplex will go to one day a week in June and resume to two days in August.
The class is free to members of the healthplex. Others interested can pay a $15 door fee to use the facility and attend the class.
Scott won't rule out taking over if Arana ever leaves.
"It's a challenge. I've been in law enforcement, military, always been athletic, and this is probably one of the hardest things I've ever done as far as aerobics activity," he said.
The workout can be grueling. Participants certainly feel the burn from the routines that mostly work the abdomen, hips, thighs and legs, Arana said. Those with pre-existing knee conditions should consult a doctor before trying the class.
Participants stress to those interested in trying salsa aerobics to take the plunge and not worry about being embarrassed or intimidated.
"It's the only aerobics class I've ever taken where I look at the clock to see how much longer I get to be in the class instead of (wondering) 'when is it over, ' " Taylor said.
