FULL-BEING WORKOUT
Willa Willis-Jacobs shares her passion for Zumba with West County
28 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM FEBRUARY 2019
By Matt Larson
Willa Willis-Jacobs
Since taking the dance-aerobic scene by storm in the 1990s,
chances are that when you hear the word “Zumba”, you’ve
already made up your mind about whether you like it or not,
despite the fact that you’ve never even tried it and hardly
know what it is. But that’s only the case for some people.
For many of us, Zumba class is the funnest, healthiest, most
invigorating part of the day.
“Zumba is for everybody,” said Richmond’s Main Street
Zumba Instructor Willa Willis-Jacobs. She describes it as,
basically, a dance and fitness party inspired by Latin music …
not your cup o’ tea?
“Don’ say, ‘I can’t.’ Just try it!” she said. “If you say, ‘I have
two left feet, I’ve never moved like that!—believe me, when
you come in my class I make it so that you will enjoy it, you
will like it, and you will come back.”
Born in Oakland, raised in Berkeley, and with a degree in
Physical Education from San Francisco State, Willa was first
introduced to Zumba in 2008 by her daughter-in-law, Gina
Grant, who ultimately trained her as well, alongside Zumba
Creator Beto Perez.
An expert dancer capable of any style from ballet to West
African, Willa’s been teaching since she was just 17 years old.
Her Zumba instructing career has spanned nearly 10 years at
locations all over the bay, including Richmond, UC Berkeley,
San Francisco, Australia! So the bay, and beyond, let’s say. She’s
danced her way all over the world, even traveling to Senegal
to fully round her passion of West African dance. But when it
comes to her Zumba class, it’s really all about the music.
“I always make sure that my music is on point,” she said. “If
you don’t have good music you can’t groove to it. It has to
move your soul, your feet, your energy—it has to make you
feel good.” Much of Zumba’s music selections hail from Latin
roots. You may also hear the musical stylings of international
recording artist Dahrio Wonder, who also happens to be her
son.
Zumba provides you with a full-being workout: mind,
body, and spirit alike. Willa may engage her students in
some advanced techniques from time to time, but only after
carefully assessing that that particular class can handle such
an endeavor. For the most part the goal is to have fun while
you’re exercising, without stress or that self-torture feeling.
“I can make it as advanced and difficult as I want, but with
Zumba you’re not supposed to,” she explained. “It’s not like a
level 1, 2 and 3 Zumba. Zumba is for all.” It’s really up to her
students how the class will go that day, and Willa is constantly
adapting her moves, ensuring that everyone participating has
the best time possible.
In Richmond, under the umbrella of Richmond Main
Street, Main Street Zumba is held every Thursday, 6-7pm at
the BBK Center, 310 9th St., Richmond. At $5-8 per class,
good luck finding a reason not to go! No one will be turned
away for lack of funds, but if you’re able to pay they do ask
you bring cash only. Wear comfy, loose-fitting clothes; shoes
optional. Bring a water bottle and a towel if you want, and
stay open to having an amazing time! For more information
visit richmondmainstreet.org/fitness-classes or call (510) 236-
4049.
On the fence? Still unsure if you’re going to try it or not?
Well, hate to break it to you but that’s all the more reason
that you have to try it. ’Tis the new year, after all! And trust
that you’re in good hands with Willa at the helm. “I can
make sure that people are having fun,” she said. “And when
I look around and see that they’re laughing, smiling, moving,
grooving—that’s what makes me feel good about what I do.”
From high-energy Zumba to low-impact aerobics, Senior
Centers offers fitness options for individuals at every level.