Like this:
Hi there! Have you heard of Bokwa? If not, then let me fill you in. Bokwa could be the new Zumba! That’s right people, brace yourselves. We’ve got a new dance fitness craze on our hands!
Recently I had the opportunity to attend a master class with Bokwa’s creator Paul Mavi at Z Club NY. If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time you know two things about me: 1.) I will try almost any new workout that comes my way; and 2.) I love Zumba and other dance fitness workouts. So when I hear there is a new dance fitness workout, you can imagine my excitement level!
First of all, let me tell you Bokwa has a cool and funky name and it’s a fitness class based on dancing but that is pretty much where the similarities between Bokwa and Zumba end. Bokwa participants do not follow random dance moves created by the instructor but rather follow a pattern of letters and numbers that participants “draw” with their steps. So for instance a C would mean the participant steps to the right, then left, forward and to the right again to create a C shape on the floor. Other common shapes are L, 3, J and K.
Once you have the basic shape down, you can feel free to add your own style to the moves. You own the choreography and you can add whatever flair you want to the moves. Of course you can always follow the instructor’s example but there is no rule that you have to do it exactly like them!
Bokwa uses popular music from today’s top hits. The class was not based on Latin dances and the music selection was made up of songs you might hear on the radio or in a nightclub.
Thoughts: Bokwa was a lot of fun. The instructors’ energy was amazing and I burned a ton of calories in this class! I would definitely do another class if I had the opportunity. I enjoyed the music a lot and the steps were different and a fresh new take on dance fitness. I think this class is perfectly suited for participants who think they can’t do a dance class because they have two left feet or are not coordinated. It’s really easy to follow and you can add in your own style. There are also options for high and low-intensity.
If you are a hardcore Zumba or dance fan that loves choreography, this class may not be for you. It’s not traditional in the sense that you will see a lot of dance moves you know and if you are looking for choreo, this is probably not the place. That being said, you can still have fun and it is a great class to change up your routine!
I uploaded these videos from YouTube so you can check out what Bokwa is all about!
Readers, have you ever heard of Bokwa? Would you give it a try?
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
<script async src=”//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js”></script>
<!– Footer Ad –>
<ins class=”adsbygoogle”
style=”display:block”
data-ad-client=”ca-pub-0335871018930218″
data-ad-slot=”5007850225″
data-ad-format=”auto”></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
December 4, 2013Never heard of it! I’m still working up the courage to try Zumba so don’t think I’ll be trying this for a while ๐
FitBritt
December 6, 2013If I lived near you I would drag you to Zumba!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
December 4, 2013Never heard of it! I’m still working up the courage to try Zumba so don’t think I’ll be trying this for a while ๐
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
December 4, 2013Never heard of it! I’m still working up the courage to try Zumba so don’t think I’ll be trying this for a while ๐
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
December 4, 2013Never heard of it! I’m still working up the courage to try Zumba so don’t think I’ll be trying this for a while ๐
Kimberly
December 4, 2013You always find the best classes! This looks like so much fun! I would definitely try it.
FitBritt
December 6, 2013It is definitely one I would do again!
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady
December 4, 2013I read about it a few months ago on a fellow fitness instructors blog. I like the concept but I’m not a dancer so it doesn’t appeal to me. I love how cardio dance classes inspire the world in droves though so when I saw you were attending, I was very interested to hear your review. I’m always up for programs that will get people moving their bodies!
FitBritt
December 6, 2013Me too! I think as long as you can interest people to move then it is a good thing!
Nicole
December 4, 2013Nope, I’ve never heard of bokwa before! I definitely like more of a choreographed dance workout, but I’d still give it a try if I went with a friend who didn’t mind looking like a dancin’ fool with me! ๐
FitBritt
December 6, 2013The good thing about Bokwa is that you can put your own style in it so you do what feels natural!
Lauren @ Sweat The Sweet Stuff
December 4, 2013I’ve briefly heard of it but didn’t really know what it entailed. That’s good that you say you don’t need to be a good dancer cause I thought it sounded confusing. I’m used to choreo though from dance back in the day. I would probably try it!
FitBritt
December 6, 2013Once you start it is pretty easy to catch on and the music is really motivating!
Paige@FitNotFad
December 4, 2013You always put up awesome workouts that I’ve never heard of before! This looks awesome but is completely new to me. I think I need to branch out more!
FitBritt
December 6, 2013This is a brand new one and I only heard of it recently!
Sunnie@ModernGirlNutrition
December 5, 2013Oooh thanks for posting this!!! Love finding new classes ๐
FitBritt
December 6, 2013Me too! ๐
thedoseofreality
December 5, 2013It sounds like so much fun! I have absolutely NO coordination in any way, shape or form, so I am not sure if I could do it! ;)-Ashley
FitBritt
December 6, 2013What I liked about Bokwa that was different from Zumba was that you didn’t actually need a ton of coordination. The patterns were pretty basic and we repeated them a lot!
Cailee Joy @ http://www.hellohealthyeating.com
December 5, 2013Wow!! THis sounds like such fun!! And congrats on a great workout! Also, I love your workout outfit …so cute!!
FitBritt
December 6, 2013Thanks Cailee! It is one of my favs-the colors make me happy! ๐
Melanie @ HappyBeingHealthy
December 5, 2013I’ve never heard of Bokwa, but it looks like so much fun! I’m not extremely coordinated though, so I’m sure it wouldn’t look pretty. ๐
FitBritt
December 6, 2013The good thing is that no one is watching you and it’s all about just moving to the music!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
December 5, 2013I am so late to the ZUMBA party… I should just skip it all together and go for the Bokwa!!!! I have a feeling if I went to a class though, I would just start making up my own moves and GO FOR IT! Hey, they’re no harm in that, right?!?!
FitBritt
December 6, 2013I actually think that would be encouraged! ๐
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
December 6, 2013I’ve never heard of Bokwa but it looks like fun! I like that they use recent hits for the music too.
FitBritt
December 6, 2013I know! I get so excited when a song I really like comes on!
Tara
December 6, 2013I never heard of this but it looks fun! I am one of those people with two left feet and just starting to get the hang of Zumba. ๐
FitBritt
December 6, 2013I actually think this is a bit easier than Zumba because the patterns are pretty basic and it is very repetitive.
Mahealani @ Spending Time With Salad
December 6, 2013Hey, I found your blog through The Fitnessista!
I was HORRIBLE at Zumba. As I am at almost all latin inspired dances. It clashes with my Hawai’ian moves. ๐
I think I would try this though!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama
December 6, 2013I have definitely heard of this one but I haven’t tried the class yet. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, it looks like a nice sweaty dancing good time ๐
Carla
December 7, 2013I’d read about this somewhere but after hearing you talk about it and seeing the videos I have a much better opinion of this. I don’t see it coming to my small town any time soon though. LOL!
Catherine Gacad
December 8, 2013i’ve never heard of this! i love zumba so this sounds like it’s right up my alley!
Mykele
December 16, 2013Thank you for sharing this with us! Always great to know of the new workouts!
What happened to your Zumba workout?