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Meet your Zumba® instructors...

Alison Childs (AliZumba)

Hi, my name is Alison Childs . I'm the Director and Lead Zumba Instructor for Zumba in Wellington with Alison.

I'm a qualified Fitness Trainer, Podiatrist and Biomedical Scientist. I love dance, especially Latin and Belly Dance, and I also play percussion with Wellington Batucada (a Brazilian inspired Samba band).

Combining my love of music and dance with my knowledge of biomechanics ensures that you have a fun and effective Zumba experience.

You can find out more about Zumba workshops, dance styles and Zumba music here. Check out the Zumba class timetable! If you're keen to find out the secret of Zumba's success, then come and join us in with a Zumba class and be prepared to have more fun that you ever expected!

If you have any questions about Zumba that you can't find an answer to on this website, please contact me anytime!

Swan de Avio DaSilva (ZaZaZumba)

Hi, I'm Swan de Avio DaSilva - I'm a vivacious and fun-loving world traveler with a background in visual and performing arts.

Desiring to inspire, uplift and share with you the belief that everyone is an artist, everyone can dance, and as people we are creative emotional beings who seek expression and happiness.

Having recently settled in fabulously beautiful windy Wellington, I'm finding that giving to the community through Zumba is personally fulfilling.

Alison's story...

Due to an arthritic condition I acquired about 6 years ago, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would end up as a full time Zumba Instructor. Until my mid 30s I had always been active and weight was never an issue, but eventually stress, illness and life caught up with me. Over a period of time I went from 65kg to nearly 100kg.

Although my health improved again I found that I had no energy, my joints hurt and I never felt like doing anything and never wanted to go out socially because of my weight. I knew all the ‘right’ things to do to change myself but I found that I needed help so I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting and started exercising again.

Due to my arthritis, initially I was only able to walk slowly for about 10 minutes. By establishing good eating and exercise habits I was able to lose nearly 30kg, and keep it off. As I lost weight, I gained a lot more energy, started to enjoy moving again and am now passionate about Zumba fitness.

I never thought I would be able to do any high impact activity or dance again. My first Zumba class was my Instructor training as there were no Zumba classes in Wellington at the time. Originally I planned doing a low impact version at home on my own but ended running classes at a gym. Through that I found my fitness, flexibility and ability of my joints to do high impact exercise improved.

I am currently at a healthy weight. I feel great, have lots more energy, sleep better and now I focus on fun and active things. To be able to dance and jump around is such a great feeling. The more I do the better I feel and on those lower energy days I follow the advice I give my students - listen to your body and do what feels right.