Rigby Zumba instructor promoting body confidence by teaching in the dark

RIGBY-- Stand up: I’m Natalia Hepworth in Rigby, at Rigby Zumba where students are gaining more confidence in a comfortable environment.

SOT: “Once I found out it was in the dark I was sold. I’m not one to workout anywhere in front of anybody and my first class here, I felt at home,” Student Jennifer Mumby says.

VO: Zumba instructor Jodi Bozung is teaching a high intensity workout in the dark.

She wants to help students focus more on their workout and stress less on their appearance.

SOT: “I started teaching in this dance club, and my husband said totally take advantage of the dance floor lighting and lighting features that they had, and I said no way that’s weird that’s different, that’s not what Zumba’s about,” Jodi says.

VO: But…once Jodi turned the lights down and got the music going, people started coming…and now, six years later, they still come.

SOT: “People came for that comfort factor that the lights were off and no one was watching them and it was fun atmosphere, it felt like a dance party and less like exercising, but everybody still left breaking a sweat,” Jodi says.

VO: On top of the fun environment Jodi’s created, she tries to make students feel welcome in their own special way.

SOT: “She really makes a point to memorize every students name that comes, because every single one of them is important,” Student Melina Peterson says.

STAND UP: Jodi teaches three morning classes and three evening classes each week. In Rigby, I'm Natalia Hepworth, EastIdahoNews.com.