ZES Shweta Kulkarni is a Zumba Education Specialist and a master trainer for India. Being an architect by profession, she decided to pursue her career as a Zumba Instructor in 2011 and as a Zumba Education specialist since 2015. Shweta has trained over 1200 licensed zumba instructors till date. She is also India’s only Toning ZES and teaches regular zumba fitness and toning classes in Pune.
Check out Shweta Kulkarni in conversation with WF President, Ms. Namita Nayyar on her being a Zumba Instructor, her diet & fitness routine.
Namita Nayyar:
Being an architect by profession, you decided to pursue a career as a Zumba Instructor in 2011.You have been a ZIN™ Member since Jun 2011 and love teaching Zumba classes. When was the first time you realized the need for fitness in your life.
Shweta Kulkarni:
I have been a fitness lover since childhood. I have been practicing fitness either through dancing or aerobics or my favourite is going for long outdoor runs. But the true necessity for fitness I felt was in 2006 when I delivered my kid and I had gained 30kgs extra. Post delivery, I went into depression and I would say it was my lowest energetic time of life because I couldn’t face my body in the mirror. The only thing that kept me going was my beautiful baby girl. Then I started finding out different ways to lose these extra 30kgs and finally I found out something which is fun and gives fat loss @100%. That’s when I discovered Zumba(R) fitness in 2008 in the USA. Within 1 year I lost 22 kgs and I was getting back to my original shape.
Namita Nayyar:
You are licensed to teach Zumba, Zumba® Toning, Aqua Zumba®, Zumba Gold®, Zumba® Kids & Kids Jr., Zumba® Step. You have trained 1200 licensed Zumba instructors till date. What fascinates you most about Zumba and according to you is it helpful for all irrespective of age & health status? How?
Shweta Kulkarni:
I think Zumba(R) is the perfect blend of positive energy, happiness and fitness which fascinates me as an individual. I truly love teaching and delivering Zumba(R) classes to fellow individuals and pass on my positive energy and happiness. Zumba(R) is for everybody and every body. Zumba(R) supports all three components of fitness viz. cardiovascular, muscular endurance and flexibility. Body types in every age group and health statuses have different demands and all these 3 components are an integral part to satisfy these demands. I have personally seen people of different age groups and health statuses get their desired results through Zumba(R) if done consistently.
Namita Nayyar:
You have hosted more than 30+ Zumba Fitness Events till date with 500+ Participants. Besides being a presenter of ” Folk dances of India” . Share your Zumba journey until now. One memorable moment that has stayed with you over the years
Shweta Kulkarni:
I have been a Zumba(R) instructor over 10 years by far and a Zumba(R) education specialist for 6 years. Throughout my career I have loved my job everyday, every class I have taught, every event I have hosted and performed. I feel everyday is a new beginning of discovering something new about being a fitness trainer. Some of my favorite moments are when my participants/clients mention about their fat loss and about their results after consistently attending my classes. If I recollect right now, the two of my most memorable moments are when in May 2018 I got an opportunity to lead/present a Zumba(R) song with the founder of Zumba(R) Beto Perez himself. This wasn’t a planned opportunity and as if it came out of nowhere I felt it was a destiny. In November 2019, I got an opportunity to teach Zumba(R) instructor training workshop with and before founder of Zumba(R) Beto Perez himself.
Namita Nayyar:
When was the first time you decided to go live on stage, how was the experience like?
Shweta Kulkarni:
One of the most important aspect of my job is to promote and market Zumba(R) fitness. Hosting events and presenting has been a part and parcel of my job. In 2013, I presented live on stage in a charity event. When I was right there on the stage teaching what I love everyday, I felt as if I am made for this. It was a thrilling but at the same time learning experience for me because presenting on the stage was not just about dancing but also connecting with the audience, communicating with the followers and teaching a huge mob together.
Namita Nayyar:
Share your daily exercise routine? How do you like to kick start your day?
Shweta Kulkarni:
My first act after getting up in the morning is I practice gratefulness through affirmations or meditation whatever comes to me followed by joint mobility stretches which helps my body to stay active and also give good blood circulation for the whole day. I am not an early riser but I feel my first 4 morning hours are the most productive.
My exercise routine starts with teaching a Zumba(R) class every morning followed by Suryanamaskar and full body stretching. For twice a week I practice muscular group exercises and for other two days I practice HIIT full body workout. Of course before dinner I always teach another Zumba(R) class.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you keep your body nourished? Any specific diet routine you like to stick by. 5 Food you love to eat and those you keep to minimum.
Shweta Kulkarni:
I believe nutrition aggregates to 70% fit body. My diet routine is fixed and doesn’t change on any of the weekends as well. I make sure that I eat a full meal which consists of carbs, proteins and fats in the right proportion every 2-3 hours. I believe in planning my meals sometimes weekly or daily.
My top 5 favorite foods are:
- varieties of omelets
- Italian dishes including pastas
- variety in soups
- Pan cakes
- paneer butter masala with Indian roti.
I keep all processed foods to the minimum. I believe in eating natural and freshly cooked.
Namita Nayyar:
According to you share a fitness routine a woman of 20-40 can follow at home in the present scenario? 5 stretches to kick start the day?
Shweta Kulkarni
The right fitness routine for a woman of 20-40 could be:
1. Start your day with joint mobility stretches or 3-6 suryanamaskar
2. Practice cardio exercises at home like attending a virtual Zumba(R) class or jumping jacks, skipping for at least 2-40 minutes for 4 times a week
3. Practice muscular exercises like Zumba(R) toning or combination of squats and lunges one day and another day can be upper body muscular exercises like walking planks, burpee pushups and core exercises like plank hold and variety of crunches.
4. Keep a track of your nutrition and eat a healthy combination of carbs, proteins and fats.
5 Stretches to Kick Start the Day:
1. Practicing suryanamaskar with 20-30 second hold is the best way to start your day
2. Cat and Cow stretches for back
3. Core and spine twists
4. Malasana
5. Reach up and toe touch. 
Namita Nayyar:
How can Zumba be modified for women with arthritis & back ache?
Shweta Kulkarni
Zumba(R) gold is a specialty which is low impact and low intensity for everybody who has joint pains, arthritis or with age groups 60-70+ and also for those who are beginners in Zumba(R). But still, people having all these conditions can still come to a regular Zumba(R) class as we all Zumba(R) instructors follow progressive teaching that makes it easy to follow.
Namita Nayyar:
Motivational Quote you live by?
Shweta Kulkarni
“You can have everything in life you want if you just help other people get what they want” – Zig Ziglar
Namita Nayyar:
Your future plans? Message for your fans & WF followers?
Shweta Kulkarni
I feel the value of anything you experiment is not in trying but its in the trying again after the experiment fails. My future plans are not allowing the reality interfering with my dreams. I believe reality cant see what I can see.
For now, I am launching a new program called ‘My Fitness Station’ as every body has a different destination. This program is a 5-week program which will help people to achieve the results in 5 weeks & will develop a mindset within them to carry on the same path on their own.