Zumba, a dance-driven, high-energy, fun exercise class, is gaining an enthusiastic following all over O'ahu.

Performed to pulsating Latin beats, Zumba engages and energizes participants, from tutu to keiki, dancers to dorks, avid everyday exercisers to those who have tried everything and found nothing "took."

Zumba's motto is "Ditch the workout. Join the party."

It's a challenge to sit still while observing a Zumba class. Sitting in on one at the Nu'uanu YMCA, the Latin rhythms and energetic dance moves were contagious.

The class included men and women from their 20s to their 60s, with a wide range of body types. Regardless of age or size, they put a lot of attitude, hip action and sassy, sexy moves into each pulsating number.

Zumba's choreography incorporates hip-hop, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts and even some Bollywood and belly dance moves.

DANCE DIVAS ARISE

While we may feel intimidated by the formality of ballroom dance, the discipline of hula, the drama of Argentinian tango, or the structure of salsa, we still feel driven to dance.

Especially in these trying times, there seems to be a need for joyful dance without the stress of perfecting the moves.

Zumba allows would-be dancers to get moving without having to follow in lock step or be judged by a teacher or fellow classmate.

Zumba teacher Kaipolani Wallwork-Fake, who teaches Zumba at the Windward YMCA, has coined the phrase "back row to front row," referring to the shy students who come to the first class and stand way in the back, hoping not to be noticed.

"After a while, they're out there in the front row, partying like crazy," she said. "It brings confidence to people, and we need that at this time of our lives."

WEIGHT LOSS: A BONUS

The high energy and rapid beat of the music can also offer cardio benefits, which can result in weight loss.

Sandi Cirie of Kailua lost 25 pounds simply by adding Zumba to her exercise routine, and she had a ball doing it. "I lost it in six weeks. If you like to dance, this is it," she said. "That walking stuff? That elliptical stuff? Forget it. I'll stick with Zumba."

Karen Okazaki of Punchbowl enjoys a variety of fitness activities, including spinning, circuit training and aqua aerobics. Zumba is her favorite. "It's a party! It's not like exercise; it's exercise in disguise," she said after class, as she mopped her forehead.

Penny Pence Smith of Kailua said she has danced all her life, but her knees now prevent her from pursuing formal dance. She finds Zumba fills a need.

"It blows out any ounce of stress you may have," Pence Smith said laughing, her hips swaying and hands thrown over her head.

ZUMBA'S ORIGINS

Zumba was created in the mid-1990s in Cali, Colombia, by celebrity fitness trainer Beto Perez. It was serendipity: One day he arrived in class to find he had forgotten his aerobics music, and rather than canceling class, he played his favorite salsa and merengue CDs and improvised a class to the Latin beats. It was a spectacular success.

In 1999, Perez brought Zumba to the U.S. In 2005, he established an academy for Zumba teaching and certification. By 2007, Zumba was launched on six continents.

The movement has expanded with Zumba Gold, classes for active older adults and Zumba Kids for the keiki. Next up for O'ahu is Aqua Zumba, a "pool party" workout that fuses Zumba moves with a safe, effective and challenging water-based workout.

Each teacher interjects a little of his or her own personality into the classes, adapting the choreography to their rhythms, moves, energy and experience. Maile Labasan, who teaches at the Nu'uanu YMCA, adds a hint of hula and Tahitian to her Zumba classes.

Madalene Aponte is the new Zumba trainer for Hawai'i. With 20 years of background in the fitness field, she has now decided to focus strictly on Zumba. She is also qualified to certify new Zumba instructors. "It's great for so many teachers," Aponte said. "It's a simple formula that gets adapted by each teacher. I want to encourage everyone to move in their own way in the Zumba experience."