SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (AP) - While Paula Jacobs was battling breast cancer more than a year ago, she found the thing that really took her mind off her situation was participating in Zumba.
When she was dancing at Zumba classes at ZING Fitness in Southington her worries seemed to fade. It was just her, the music, and the people around her who came to be some of her closest friends. Zumba is a Latin-based dance fitness program.
“I just loved what I was doing,” said Jacobs, a Plainville resident who lived in Southington for 30 years and became a Zumba instructor five years ago.
Now after being cancer-free for more than a year, Jacobs has decided to start her own business. Jacobs and her two friends, Ann Klein of Southington and Kelly Roach of Burlington, plan to open their own Zumba studio in town. The three women, who hit it off at a Zumba class in 2012, found a space in a building at 1131 West St. They hope to open the studio, Z Factory, around April 4.
The women say they’re trying to create a family-like dance party. A disco ball, glow-in-the-dark walls, and loud, fun music are just a few of the things they are planning.
“I don’t like the word exercise,” said Jacobs, laughing.
“The hour is over so fast,” added Roach.
What really solidified Jacob’s love for Zumba and the decision to open a studio was an invitation by the Zumba company to fly to Miami for its national campaign “Party in Pink,” which highlights cancer survivors. Jacobs was featured in videos, photos, and marketing materials for the campaign.
“Her picture is on iTunes, it’s crazy,” said Klein.
Jacobs appears in a video with more than 40,000 views on YouTube, dancing alongside Zumba founder Alberto “Beto” Perez. Jacobs is all smiles as she dances with Perez and other cancer-survivors. The video is called “Dance ’Til You Feel Better.”
Another video called “Paula Jacobs - Breast Cancer Warrior” also on YouTube, features Jacobs’ story of overcoming cancer with the help of Zumba. Zumba corporate staff came to her home in Plainville to film and many shots in the video feature areas of Southington.
Since all three women work full-time jobs, the plan is to open in the evening Monday through Friday. They also want to have classes on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Zumba toning, Gold, and Zumba kids are a few of the classes they will offer on top of regular Zumba.
“We all have full-time jobs, but we’re passionate about this,” said Roach.
“We all have the same spirit,” said Jacobs. “It’s all happy-go-lucky.”
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Information from: Record-Journal, https://www.record-journal.com
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