Maria teaches Urban Latin Dance in Seattle

Maria Rico

Urban Latin Dance

The first thing you should know about me is that dancing is my passion and musica latina is in my blood. I was born and raised in a small town in Colombia. All my life I have been surrounded by physical fitness activities, starting when I was 7 years old when I first started dancing to traditional Colombian rhythms. At the Universidad del Tolima, I studied Sports and Physical Education while working part time leading cardio-rumba (cardio party) exercise classes. I also have some background training in Colombian folkloric dance.

In 2007, I decided to embark on one of my biggest challenges ever: leaving my country and moving to the United States, where I would be faced with learning a new language and culture. When I took a Zumba class in the US for the first time, I felt I was back home at a Colombian party having fun, plus I was getting the benefits of exercising. At that moment I decided that I wanted to share this feeling with other people.

I have been a certified Zumba instructor since 2013, with Dance certifications accomplished both here in Seattle as well as in Bogota, Colombia. I have experienced firsthand the positive impact fitness activities can have on people’s lives, mentally and physically! As a Dance  instructor, I want to share my passion for dancing and motivate people to reach their full potential, while respecting that every person is unique and has different goals and levels of expertise. I think being fit is not just the way your body looks. True fitness is the healthy balance between your mind and body, a connection that defines you as a person. That said, no matter the intensity of your workout, always give 100%.


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