‘To inspire people out of comfort zone is my greatest achievement’
dubai — Dubai resident and Filipina expat Shulamite Berte-Dela Cruz describes the 30X30 Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) as a citywide party and she wants everyone to join in the revelry.
Shulamite is literally at the forefront of the DFC as a Zumba instructor. She goes by the name ZIN Shula (ZIN is a member of the Zumba Instructor Network). Last year she led hundreds of Zumba aficionados at the Dubai Duty Free and this year she was at the kick-off event of the DFC at the Dubai Festival City.
She told Khaleej Times: “The reason why I accepted the fitness challenge and I’m teaching Zumba is because I want to share my talent and passion that God has given me. Plus it’s a great opportunity to be a fitness ambassador to connect with different types of people and promote health and fitness.”
For her, “Zumba is a workout disguised as a dance party. It’s an effective aerobic exercise with upbeat and Latin-inspired music. And like other aerobic exercises, Zumba can boost your heart rate and increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the body.
“Through Zumba classes, I have met a lot of people and their experiences on how they cope up with their stress and personal problems. Many of them told me that their lives have changed after they started doing Zumba and attended my classes. I’m so grateful and blessed for this talent, for in my own little way, I have inspired people,” she added.
With every choreography incorporating hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue and mambo; and every move involving squats and lunges, Shula shared: “I’m feeling good because I’m sharing my passion with everyone. The smile on their faces, screaming and shouting while dancing; their laughter and happiness in every class are my rewards.”
“To inspire people by getting them out of their comfort zone is the greatest achievement for me. Their happiness is my happiness,” she pointed out.
As for her personal routine, she said: “I do Zumba fitness as my cardio exercise for 2-3 classes a day followed by core training and toning. I’m mindful of my food intake during this 30-day challenge. I always keep myself hydrated and my diet is supported with food supplements to sustain my energy in every workout.”
She added: “My target this year is to get more quality exercise to maintain my physique and inspire more people to achieve their fitness goals.” She shared her fitness tips: “Start by setting up your mind and that is to live a healthy lifestyle. You need to have a purpose, target and result. For starters, come in comfortable fitness attire; wear sneakers that support dance movement. You have to do a lot of side-to-side movements and pivots and more front-to-back movements.”
Be active, focused and get motivated. Challenge yourself because nothing is impossible when you believe you can do it.”
I’m mindful of my food intake during this 30-day challenge. I always keep myself hydrated and my diet is supported with food supplements to sustain my energy in every workout.”
Shulamite Berte-Dela Cruz,
Filipino expat