UTSC Dances to Beat of a New Drum

Photo courtesy: Jessica Lee

With the various dance classes offered at the UTSC Athletics and Recreation Centre, it may be hard to settle on just one.  One option is Zumba, a high-energy workout combined with Latin and international music. UTSC’s Zumba instructor, Andrina Stan, is a fourth-year psychology specialist, who uses her spare time after school to infect other students with her passion for Zumba. The Underground had the opportunity to catch up with Stan and find out what this specific exercise has to offer to UTSC students.

UG: First of all, how did you become a Zumba fitness instructor?

AS: It was an accident for me.  A year ago, I stepped into Heidi Calder, the Athletics and Recreation Interim Co-director’s office to propose a women’s-only dance club. She then asked me if I have ever tried a Zumba class. I had never heard of Zumba at the time, so I tried one class and completely fell in love with it. From then on, I went for my certification and started teaching Zumba.

UG: Where and when are you classes held?

AS: Classes are held every Monday at the UTSC Athletics and Recreation Centre from 6-7 p.m.  It’s for free!

UG: Does Zumba promote a healthy lifestyle for students?

AS: Zumba is a very fun sport. Students who are thinking about starting a healthy lifestyle should try Zumba because it is very easy to fall in love with it. The music is very inspiring and upbeat. Fitness programs like Zumba also benefit the brain much more than students realize.

UG: What type of music does Zumba involve?

AS: It is a variation of Latin rhythms. People often have a misconception that Zumba is a salsa class, in fact, it is more like a clashing together of different Latin music styles. Some rhythms that we play include merengue, salsa, belly dance and African beats.

UG: Do you need to have a good musical sense to take this class?

AS: No, most of the steps in Zumba are very basic. It is a workout for everybody, regardless of your age, race or ethnicity.

UG: How have students been responding to this class?  Do they come back for more?

AS: Yes, a lot of them do. Since the energy of the class is often extremely high, students enjoy themselves a lot and carry a happy mood with them throughout the day.

This article was originally published in the Underground (University of Toronto Scarborough Campus's official student news magazine) on Oct. 7, 2010.

Steer Clear of the Winter Blues

Photo Courtesy: angel sea.

Summer is over. With all the beach volleyball matches, late night parties and outdoor concerts, it is understandable that many students would cringe when they think of the beginning of school and chilly weather after four months in the sun. Endless assignments, morning classes and piles of readings to be done might sound bad already, but added to this stressful schedule is the upcoming winter chill. Cloudy days, dry weather and gusts of wind do not make it any better to get to classes or go home after school. Forget about having fun. But do students really have to stay grounded throughout the school term because of dropping temperatures? Are there alternatives to watching television at home or stalking people on Facebook when we want a break from studying in the winter?

Don't worry, your peers on campus have suggestions for ways to combat the cold weather blues. Ramona Seupersad, the Fitness Program Assistant in the Athletics and Recreation Department mentions tons of programmes available at UTSC's Recreation Centre. “There's dancing, pilates, yoga, karate and a brand new class called Women on Weights. There is definitely something for everyone,” she says. She encourages students to make good use of the school's facilities and apply for these classes. She explains how “summer times are nice where you could walk around in the sun, but winter isn't that bad either, where you could go skating or skiing.”

First year student John D. agrees with Seupersad, he is determined to use the gym facilities and athletic services on campus during his first fall and winter semesters at UTSC. He has also been checking out different student club booths at the meeting place and is looking forward to joining their events which will be held throughout the school year.

Fourth year Psychology and English student Sahar Montazeri gives us two words for getting through this winter season, “Be positive.” For her, even going to the mall could turn out to be a fun and exciting day. Sometimes the best way to overcome something you dread is to change your perspective of looking at it. “I try to make the best out of winter times,” says first year student Luzianne Reid. “It is always interesting to see what is going on in the university itself.”

In the chilly weather, the coffee shop is first year English major Arianna Hussaini's favorite place to hang out. “If you're not really an outdoor person, the best thing to do is to go somewhere indoors with a bunch of friends,” she says. “Coffee shops are the most comfortable places where you could sit with your classmates and talk. Nobody likes being alone in the winter.”

Fourth year Economics student Peter Lin agrees that we have to hang out with friends even more when the weather gets cold. “I don't suffer from cold weather blues,” he says determinedly. This is probably the attitude we should all have when the leaves start falling from trees and the birds are migrating to the south. Let's face it. It is going to get colder whether we like it or not. So why not embrace it and rediscover the joys of fireplaces, hot winter meals, woolen mittens and oh did I mention Christmas. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

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