Biola offers students the opportunity to join a variety of clubs and become involved in smaller communities on campus and Zumba club is one of these clubs that students can join. This female-only club was started by junior kinesiology major Madeline Cliffe, the president of the club, and Eden Araujo, a junior business administration major.
“It has been a dream of mine since I came to Biola, but I couldn’t start it before because I didn’t have a valid instructor’s license,” said Cliffe.
As the president of the club, Cliffe has several responsibilities. From communicating with Biola’s Office of Campus Engagement to filling out forms to finances, Cliffe makes sure that everything is running smoothly for the club. She also makes the posters and does the marketing for the Zumba club.
Zumba is a Latin-based dance exercise that is meant to give participants a fun and effective workout. It makes use of Latin dance styles or modern pop dance styles mixed with standard fitness moves. This style of workout is done to Latin pop music as well as pop from other places around the world. During its hour-long meetings, the club does warm-ups, dances, cooldowns and stretching.
Zumba also has a way of connecting people with one another, with music and ultimately with God.
“I think that moving, especially dancing, is a way to worship God because we are putting to use all the faculties that he gave to our bodies,” Cliffe said. “I just love doing Zumba with people and seeing everyone’s joy as they dance.”
Cliffe hopes to integrate more spiritual aspects, such as prayer, to the club as it continues to grow. She is also looking into organizing a co-ed event once a semester, something she did recently for Try Everything week.
If you are interested in attending the Zumba club, the group meets on Saturdays in Soubirou 202 from 4-5 p.m. No experience is necessary as it is not about proficiency or skill, but participating in a fun and well-rounded workout. To get in contact with the Zumba club, direct message @maddance_K or email [email protected]
