EXPERIENCE
Dance Fitness
Get Down and Get Fit
BY LISA HORNUNG
Dancing has been a way to stay in shape for
millennia. Since Jazzercise was founded by Judy
Sheppard Missett in 1969 – and Jane Fonda
released her own fitness videos in the 1980s – the
dance fitness craze hasn’t slowed much.
Susan Essing-Spiller, who teaches Jazzercise
in New Albany and Louisville, said she joined
22 years ago when she moved to the area from
New Jersey.
“I didn’t know a soul,” she said. “The only
health club they had was some racquetball
club. I came (to Jazzercize) so often, that one of
the instructors said, you really ought to teach.”
And she’s been doing it ever since.
While Jazzercise has seen its ups and downs in
popularity over the years, Essing-Spiller said its
really worked to stay on top of current exercise
trends while being a smart way to get in shape.
“I love it. I wouldn’t keep going if I didn’t.”
While Essing-Spiller has stuck with Jazzercize,
Sonny Baker got his start there 35 years ago and
branched out. “On Friday nights at Jazzercise, we
did a dance fitness class, and it turned out to be
a very popular class,” he said.
38 EXTOL SPORTS / SEPTEMBER 2017
When Baker began to teach at the Downtown
YMCA, he created a more generalized dance
fitness class.
Now, Baker’s dance fitness classes are on
Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings.
Depending on the time of year, his class size can
grow up to 80 people. While his class is considered
hip-hop, he also incorporates R&B line dancing
into the mix, which he learns from the Internet,
friends and even creates some himself.
Baker’s class, sometimes called Cardio Funk,
does the “Wobble” by V.I.C, dances to “Get Me
Bodied” by Beyonce, “Low” by Flo Rida and other
newer hip-hop, but he also mixes in Michael
Buble (one of his faves), some country, some
jazz, go-go and R&B. “I like to keep it clean and
current,” Baker said.
William Hamilton said he’s been able to keep
his weight down by dancing with Baker at the
Y for about eight years. “Now that I’m getting
closer to 30, you know that’s when it all falls
apart,” he joked. He said he’s loved learning the
dances and feels it has kept him fit. “As long as
I keep coming to Sonny (Baker), I think I’ll be
in pretty good shape.”
More and more national organizations are
getting in the hip-hop fitness craze, such as
Werq and U-Jam. A few gyms in Louisville and
Southern Indiana have started hosting U-Jam
classes to much success.
Whitney Todd and Heather Cunningham went
to high school together in New Albany and ran
into each other in a Zumba class. Their friend
LaToya Kellem invited them to a free U-Jam class.
Eventually, they both became U-Jam instructors
and teach at YMCAs in Southern Indiana.
U-Jam began in Southern California, created
by Susy C. and Matt Marks. The format is hip-hop
dance set to world music.
“U-Jam Fitness was started based on the love
of music, dance, people and community,” creator
Marks said. “By acknowledging (newcomers) and
spending time with them after class, we hope to
break the instant barrier of not feeling included.”
Todd and Cunningham said they like the way
they get to connect with their classes. “Whenever
anyone comes in here at first, they’re a little bit
scared,” Todd recently said after her class at the