One of the largest military bases in the United States, Fort Hood, has been invaded. Not by foreign fighters or even oversize pests, but something altogether different. Zumba has invaded the huge military complex in Texas, and it appears to be getting more popular every day. Zumba combines a high-energy, aerobic workout with the catchy and almost hypnotic beat of Latin dance music - the perfect cure for the deployment blues that affects many family members at military bases all over the world.
Carolynn Torres, a Killeen resident whose husband is serving a tour in Afghanistan, had this to say about Zumba "This is how I deal with deployment, it helps me to get out of the house and to keep myself going and not think about how is he doing and if he's OK."
Zumba instructor Torres, said that the workout originated in Colombia and it brings together the sounds and movements of merengue, salsa, and other Latin dances. Other military bases around the country are picking it up as the Zumba craze is spreading!
Husbands have seen significant differences in their spouses since taking up Zumba. Torres' said of her husband "He noticed I wasn't crying anymore and missing him, so he doesn't have to worry about me."
Torres, Araujo and others have been able to meet and talk together about their deployed soldier spouses and meet other people just like them. It has helped them develop friendships they might not have had if they had been sitting at home depressed about their loved ones. Torres said "There are five of us who like to go to Starbucks. Or we'll get together at someone's house for a potluck and karaoke, and somehow we end up doing Zumba."
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