Zumba and Zumbini with Claudia

You’ve more than likely heard of Zumba by now. Perhaps, you’ve heard of Zumbini too. If you want to know more about both, Claudia is the woman to speak to. I had the pleasure of speaking with this talented woman, who is an instructor for both types of classes. Keep reading to get more information about Zumba and Zumbini with Claudia!

What exactly is Zumba?

Even if you’ve heard of Zumba, it’s possible that you don’t know too much about it. Claudia was more than happy to give us a deeper look at what Zumba classes involve.

“Zumba is a fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Zumba routines incorporate interval training — alternating fast and slow rhythms — and resistance training. In a Zumba class you don’t need to be a dancer or super coordinated; you just need to have fun and move with the music. Zumba for me is a way to keep moving, dance to the Latin rhythm (what I love), meet new people, and stay healthy.”

*Zumba classes are around 50 minutes long on average. For daycares, you can choose the amount of time per group, from around 15 to 30 minutes, but that’s flexible.

Benefits of Zumba include:

Weight loss due to the calories you burn (in a fun way because you’re dancing and it’s like a party).
You improve your memory and coordination due to following routines.
It works as an anti-stress therapy by releasing endorphins, which will make you happy.
You can meet new people with similar interests, and discover new music and rhythms.

What is Zumbini?

“The first important thing I have to say about Zumbini is that it is NOT Zumba for babies. Zumbini is a completely different class, a completely separate company, and an amazing program. It is an early childhood educational program for kids from 0 to 4 years old, with their caregivers. Zumbini is a class for the whole family, not only for Mom and Baby. Daddy, Grandma and even Nannies are welcome!”

*Zumbini classes are 45 minutes long, and run from 6 to 16 weeks according to the Season.

Benefits of Zumbini include:

It is specially designed to improve motor, cognitive, emotional, and social skills.
Music is amazing, even for babies while in the womb. It has been proven that music generates brain connections. Music also has a calming and happy effect.
Babies and younger kids will learn from older children who act as role models.
Older kids will also benefit from the socialization, the structure that they will follow, and most importantly, enjoy quality time for family bonding.

What are the appropriate ages for each class?

According to Claudia, Zumba is for everyone. She teaches Zumba Kids in many daycares, primary schools, summer camps, sport centers and residences for elders. As you can see, there is a wide range of ages, from babies to seniors.

Zumbini is for 0 to 4 year olds when in a private class, and from 3 to 5 when in a daycare setting. However, this is only a suggested age because children with special needs can be older and still benefit from the program.

Disability Friendly Classes

Claudia has been trained to modify the routines to different levels and limitations. This means, that those with different forms of disabilities can take part in both Zumba and Zumbini classes.

“For Zumba, I can do it in a residency where there are people with limited mobility, so they can profit at their own speed and capacity. As for Zumbini, I’ve taught kids with disabilities, and they love the class. They can be free with some structure, bond with their relatives and be accepted as they are. All of the programs will be great for them, even if they are older than the suggested age.”

More About the Classes

Claudia is able to communicate in French, English and Spanish. While Zumba is more about movement and instruction, (which is mostly visual learning), language barriers are also not an issue.

Her Zumbini program is offered in English and Spanish, but she has taught francophone students without any problems; learning languages is part of the program.

When it comes to where she teaches her classes, the list is longer than I expected!

“I move around Montreal and surroundings. I have taught in Montreal (Town of Mont Royal, La Salle, Longueuil, Ville St Laurent, Downtown, Anjou, West Island, etc), Laval, Vaudreuil Dorion and Ile Perrot. I’m having special events for birthday parties in many locations too. I’ll have special classes in Colombia (Bogotá), and in Miami later this year.”

Class Schedules

Classes are held on both Weekdays and Weekends.

“I’m very flexible and I try to have options for everyone. They just need to contact me and I’ll find always the best solution.”

The majority of the time, Zumba is held in the evening, but morning classes have taken place here and there. Zumba Kids classes are usually held in the mornings because of the babies schedules, but some are offered in the afternoon after naps too.

Claudia is teaching Zumba for Sports Montreal (Complex Claude Robillard), for Generation Fitness in Ile Perrot, in different daycares, in a gym in Longueuil, and is in conversation with another gym in Laval.

Zumbini classes are offered in the morning, afternoon and on weekend. Right now for Zumbini, there are 3 classes open:

At iFloat Baby Spa on Tuesdays at 11:15 AM and Saturdays at 10:15 AM
At Studio Funky Steps Vaudreuil on Fridays at 11:15 AM
More classes are also available in Laval and DDO, more information can be found online

Are you interested in one of the classes?

If you’re interested in the classes, Claudia wants you to know a couple of things. For Zumba, the most important thing is for you to relax and have fun. In her classes you can be yourself without feeling judged. You don’t need to be a professional dancer, or have any experience. Even if you’ve never danced before, you can still follow along, and have a blast.

For those thinking of bringing their kids to a Zumbini class, the most important thing to understand is that it is not Zumba; it is not a fitness class. It is simply a great opportunity to spend quality time with the babies while they learn and create memories that will last forever.

Demo classes are also offered for Zumbini. Simply register on the Official Website by searching the Montreal locations, and finding her name, Claudia Bolanos. While the demo class is no longer free due to too many previous “no shows”, Claudia offers to waive the demo fee from the full session price. Therefore, in the end, it is free. (Demo classes are not offered for Zumba for the time being. While she works for others, it depends on the location and their offers. Once Claudia has her own location, this may change, but that is a mid-term goal.)

About Claudia

As Claudia puts it, “I have danced forever!” In Venezuela, Claudia did flamenco and Arabic dancing, and she herself took Zumba classes as a student for more than 8 years.

Before coming to Canada, Claudia studied computer science and marketing. Due to the fact that she didn’t speak French, it was quite difficult for her to find a job. She then decided to change fields. She did 1.5 years in nursing (her CPR course is up to date), and she also tried her hand at event planning. It was only when she saw a job offer to be a dance teacher for kids, posted in a Mom group on Facebook, that things changed.

In 2017, here in Montreal, Claudia got got certified as an instructor and her journey began. At the beginning, she worked for someone else, but is now an independent instructor. For Zumbini, Claudia is one of the very first instructors in Montreal, as her group was the first one certified here.

“I completely love what I do, and it also gives me time to be with my kids. I’m a Mom of two. While I studied in different areas, I believe that all we learn in life is going to bring us to the place we’re at now, and all the learning is useful.”

A self-proclaimed “Nerd”, she knows three languages, and says that she loves to study. Claudia has two diplomas from her origin Country, has two more diplomas from here in Montreal, and is starting Early Childhood Education at the University of Montreal this Fall. She left everything she had, and everything she knew, to come to Montreal to start a new life, and do it with love and passion. Her resilient spirit, and Latin roots offer a uniqueness to the way she teaches, and to her classes.

“I keep improving in all areas as a person, as a Mom, and as a professional. I love to share all that I consider is good.”

When it comes to juggling being a Mom, and an instructor, she says she owes it to her dear husband who is an amazing helper, and to the fact that she is very organized.

“I think attitude helps a lot and doing all with love, honesty and passion. I know it’s not easy or fast, and I’m willing to do what it takes to be the best.”

Claudia’s Favorite Memories of Teaching

“My favorite bini baby is Cristina, my daughter. When she started going with her Dad to my classes, she didn’t walk or talk. I remember being worried because she’s living (and learning), in more than 3 languages and that could slow the ability to talk. However, class after class, she showed a different skill and she started to repeat words from the songs. Now, at 21 months old, she says many words in all three languages.

I’ve had super shy babies that after some classes are the king or queen of dancing and playing. Each class is different, and I do learn from my students a lot too. I feel I grow more and more teaching and meeting new people. I’ve created beautiful friendships with a few Moms and I’m very grateful for that. I remember one class that was fully booked and my venue was small. It was a bit crowded, but we had a lot of fun, and that is what is most important.”

For pricing or more information, you can go to the Official Zumba or Zumbini websites, however there are several ways to contact Claudia directly.

You can contact her in the following ways:

Claudia Bolanos de Cornilliac