Communicating Culture Through a Zumba Class

Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name

Rick Kenney, Ph.D.

Proposal Track

Student

Session Format

Poster

Abstract

Zumba is a fitness exercise influenced by Latin rhythm dance such as Rumba, Merengue, and Salsa. It is one of the most popular aerobic types of exercise in the gyms worldwide (Luettgen et al., 2012). The main goal of my project is to examine different methods of communication, both verbal and nonverbal—as well as other signifiers—among Zumba participants of different nationalities, language, race, and culture.

Research of Zumba classes has shown that the health benefits of Zumba classes abound, with substantial measurable improvements in cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory, strength, and flexibility measures in individuals with overweight or diabetes mellitus type-2 (Krishnan et al, 2015). Research also showed that Zumba benefits psychological health among female hospital employees (Barene et al., 2014). “The psychology of Zumba is a heady cocktail of social proof, exercise induced endorphins and self-induced blindness” (Van Edwards, 2013).

However, many physical activities and dance classes can justifiably be said to improve physical and psychological health. Zumba also gathers a diverse people. Participants do not seem to care about race, age, language, nationality, intellect, or physical appearance. The cultural differences that are ingrained into our society seem to disappear through the joy of dancing together on Latin music.

I am examining how Zumba participants communicate interculturally. The proposed study would follow in the rich tradition of Cultural Studies, such as Clifford Geertz’s (1973) landmark essay, “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight.” I am using questionnaires, observational analyses, and structured interviews to document group interactions during Zumba classes. Participants’ demographic, physical, and cultural characteristics are being recorded through a standardized questionnaire. After two weeks of observing 8 sessions, a purposive sample of 10 Zumba participants will be interviewed using a semi-qualitative format. This focus group interview revolves around the dynamic interactions between the participants, the sense of togetherness, and the different ways of communication.

The proposal consists of two phases. In a pilot study, I participated in seven Zumba sessions and documented the number of participants, their ethnicity, their cultural background, and their primary language. I also took notes on the language spoken before, during, and after Zumba, the interaction (verbal and non-verbal) between the instructor and participants, and the interactions amongst the participants.

References

Barene, S., Krustrup, P., Jackman, S. R., Brekke, O.L., Holtermann, A. (2013). Do soccer and Zumba exercise improve fitness and indicators of health among female hospital employees? A 12-week RCT. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. [Epub ahead of print].

Geertz, C. (1973). Notes on the Balinese cockfight. In The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books.

Krishnan, S., Tokar, T. N., Boylan, M. M., Griffin, K., Feng, D., Mcmurry, L., Esperat, C., Cooper, J. A. (2015). Zumba dance improves health in overweight/obese or type-2 diabetic women. American Journal of Health Behavior, 39(1):109-120.

Luettgen, M, Foster, C., Doberstein, S., Mikat, Porcari, J. (2012). Zumba: Is the “fitness-party” a good workout? Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 11: 357-358.

Van Edwards, V. (2013). The psychology of Zumba. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-van-edwards/the-psychology-of-zumba_b_2523082.html

Keywords

intercultural communication, ethnography, participant/observation, health benefits, zumba

Award Consideration

1

Location

Concourse and Atrium

Presentation Year

2015

Start Date

11-7-2015 2:10 PM

End Date

11-7-2015 3:20 PM

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

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Nov 7th, 2:10 PM Nov 7th, 3:20 PM

Communicating Culture Through a Zumba Class

Concourse and Atrium

Zumba is a fitness exercise influenced by Latin rhythm dance such as Rumba, Merengue, and Salsa. It is one of the most popular aerobic types of exercise in the gyms worldwide (Luettgen et al., 2012). The main goal of my project is to examine different methods of communication, both verbal and nonverbal—as well as other signifiers—among Zumba participants of different nationalities, language, race, and culture.

Research of Zumba classes has shown that the health benefits of Zumba classes abound, with substantial measurable improvements in cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory, strength, and flexibility measures in individuals with overweight or diabetes mellitus type-2 (Krishnan et al, 2015). Research also showed that Zumba benefits psychological health among female hospital employees (Barene et al., 2014). “The psychology of Zumba is a heady cocktail of social proof, exercise induced endorphins and self-induced blindness” (Van Edwards, 2013).

However, many physical activities and dance classes can justifiably be said to improve physical and psychological health. Zumba also gathers a diverse people. Participants do not seem to care about race, age, language, nationality, intellect, or physical appearance. The cultural differences that are ingrained into our society seem to disappear through the joy of dancing together on Latin music.

I am examining how Zumba participants communicate interculturally. The proposed study would follow in the rich tradition of Cultural Studies, such as Clifford Geertz’s (1973) landmark essay, “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight.” I am using questionnaires, observational analyses, and structured interviews to document group interactions during Zumba classes. Participants’ demographic, physical, and cultural characteristics are being recorded through a standardized questionnaire. After two weeks of observing 8 sessions, a purposive sample of 10 Zumba participants will be interviewed using a semi-qualitative format. This focus group interview revolves around the dynamic interactions between the participants, the sense of togetherness, and the different ways of communication.

The proposal consists of two phases. In a pilot study, I participated in seven Zumba sessions and documented the number of participants, their ethnicity, their cultural background, and their primary language. I also took notes on the language spoken before, during, and after Zumba, the interaction (verbal and non-verbal) between the instructor and participants, and the interactions amongst the participants.

References

Barene, S., Krustrup, P., Jackman, S. R., Brekke, O.L., Holtermann, A. (2013). Do soccer and Zumba exercise improve fitness and indicators of health among female hospital employees? A 12-week RCT. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. [Epub ahead of print].

Geertz, C. (1973). Notes on the Balinese cockfight. In The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books.

Krishnan, S., Tokar, T. N., Boylan, M. M., Griffin, K., Feng, D., Mcmurry, L., Esperat, C., Cooper, J. A. (2015). Zumba dance improves health in overweight/obese or type-2 diabetic women. American Journal of Health Behavior, 39(1):109-120.

Luettgen, M, Foster, C., Doberstein, S., Mikat, Porcari, J. (2012). Zumba: Is the “fitness-party” a good workout? Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 11: 357-358.

Van Edwards, V. (2013). The psychology of Zumba. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-van-edwards/the-psychology-of-zumba_b_2523082.html