In Colorado Springs, Mark and Dorie Wexler are the “king” and “queen” of Zumba. They were trained by the original founder, Beto Perez, and they continue to be purists. The “kingdom” they reign over is Springs Salsa, which extends from west to east with two locations in Colorado Springs.
When a member enters either Springs Salsa location, she is a greeted with hugs and smiles. I think the studio walls provide an oasis from the everyday stressful world, and offer joy, fun, and jester-like entertainment. Springs Salsa also has its own sassy flair and exotic garments. Then there are also “Dorie’s rules,” but more about those later.

Everything began in 2005 when Dorie and Mark started teaching Zumba around Colorado. News of their infectious energy and ability to motivate women spread. In the fall of 2006, the first Springs Salsa location on the west side was established. Another location on the east side was added in 2009, with more classes and entertainment for kids.

Both locations offer group dance fitness classes like Zumba, Yoga Booty Ballet, and Masala Bhangra (Indian dance moves). There are additional express classes like Zumba Toning and Arms & Butt, which are quick and intense 30-minute sessions. For more fun, you can attend social get-togethers like “Salsa Social night,” which takes place at Sonterra Grill on Tejon. Show up at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings for a dance lesson followed by an open party. Thursday nights offers a Zumba Latin Dance Party at Fujiyama Restaurant on Tejon from 8:30-10 p.m. August will bring Jive & Dance Night at Jive’s Coffee Lounge in Old Colorado City where each Tuesday is a different theme to include hip-hop, salsa, Indian, and Latin.

“It’s all about the students,” says Dorie. “Our studio is a support system for women getting into shape.” Before classes start, members share success stories and testimonials. If a student is not present for class, people notice and care, Mark adds. For women who claim that they do not have enough time to pay attention to themselves, Mark says, “Who fills your cup? You have to have something to give others. It is selfish not to fill your own cup so you can give back to family and friends.”

At Springs Salsa, there is plenty of variety with which to fill your cup. If you want to add some “flavor,” there is vertical pole dancing, for example. This popular class takes place in its own studio, and combines strength training, sexy choreography, and flexibility moves. Or you might like a private salsa dance lesson for yourself or with a significant other.

Even with all the fun, there are some who have not dared to enter the studio because they hold onto false beliefs about what it means to be a member. Mark clarifies, “You do not need to know how to dance to be involved.” Springs Salsa offers a non-competitive environment where you are given the attention and tools to succeed, he adds. You also do not need to be in perfect shape before you join. Some members have lost 40 or 50 pounds as students. Dorie’s own weight loss success story inspires those around her, she says.

Mark debunks another common myth that you have to have rhythm to do salsa. Mark reassures, “Springs Salsa specializes in teaching the musicality of salsa. You learn to feel and hear the music instead of just being taught steps to memorize or follow.” Even those who admit that they have tried to get fit before with few results might want to embrace the opportunity to have a new experience at Springs Salsa. Here fun is a key component, Mark and Dorie say.

They ask students to look in the mirror while they are dancing so they see the beauty and grace of the person standing in front of it. An important “Dorie rule” is: “Come into the studio with a sassy outfit, or at least leave the big T-shirt at home. If you come in with oversized clothes, that is how you act and feel.” Put on something that allows you to celebrate who you are, she goes on to say. You can even spend some time shopping in the Zumba boutique and find a scarf or some belly dancing garb, she adds.

Mark and Dorie decree, “Thou shalt have fun,” and they mean it. There are plenty of opportunities for frivolity, but they are serious about fitness too. Springs Salsa offers personal training for individuals and small groups to help students reach the next level. This personal training option includes TRX, which is a suspension body weight training system that is functional for all fitness levels.

One personal training client of Mark’s says: “I joined Springs Salsa in February of 2010, and I couldn’t be happier. I have had several personal trainers in the past, but did not get the results I wanted. I started working out with Mark Wexler on the TRX doing personal training at Springs Salsa. I have never been this happy with all the results I’ve seen!...I told Mark what I wanted to change in my body, and a few weeks later I saw my arms, chest, and legs looking all sculpted and beautiful.”

If you do not want one-on-one training, TRX group classes offer one-hour intense “body blast” sessions set to music, which take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. You can also participate in interval circuit training for a high-octane Saturday morning workout. Perhaps you want to try Turbo Kick classes that combine martial arts and dance moves.

Springs Salsa is not only designed for members, but instructors are mentored and trained as well. They believe in finding talent and coaching people to become great leaders, Mark and Dorie say. “Putting the right faces in the right places” is another rule that Dorie lives by. Use people’s strengths and keep members happy and having fun. Help fill the students’ cups, and then clink and say “cheers” to their incredible accomplishments.

To get involved, visit the Springs Salsa west studio at 2506 W. Colorado Avenue, or the east studio at 1220 Valley St. You might also want to explore the Web site at www.springssalsa.com to learn more. You can also reach them at 719-520-1201 or 719-591-1419 if you need more information. Do not be surprised if you end up shaking your hips and dancing through the town square as a result, Dorie says. Dorie and Mark are happy to have more loyal and happy members in their kingdom.

You might want to mark your calendar for Saturday, September 11th from 9:30 to 12:00 p.m. There will be a Springs Salsa open house that day, which will include free classes and a Zumba master class.