WATCH: Moving to the rhythm of Latin dance

Stuart Park was alive with the vibrant sounds of Latin music Wednesday evening as the first day of Dancing in the Park kicked off with Zumba.

“This event brings a lot of people together and is a great way to meet new people, to make friendships, and to get moving and dancing” instructor Roxana Horna told Kelowna10.

Zumba was created by a Colombian dancer to combine aerobics and Latin dance into a fun way to exercise.

Nearly 100 people gathered for the occasion as Horna cheered them on.

“It’s all about seeing the people enjoying themselves. You know the happy faces, the smiles within the whole class” she said, “That just warms my heart, and it’s so good.”

Zumba is not only good for the body, but the mind as well.

“It’s a stress reliever, you forget all about what’s going on in everyday life,” she explained “The music is so fun, the rhythms, the beats, and it just takes you to a happy place.”

People of all ages joined in the fun and were welcomed by the rest of the dancers.

“There’s Zumba for any skill levels, even if you don’t dance,” Horna explained “There’s Zumba for everybody, it’s all about progression, we show the steps and progress through the class so it’s easy to follow.”

As the event continued, different instructors led the group through songs of different paces and made sure the crowd was always having a good time.

“It’s just like a party, it’s so fun” Horna said.

Dancing in the Park will continue for the rest of July and through August and will feature a multitude of different dance styles.

Here's the rest of the 2022 schedule:

July 20: Hollywood Hits & Classics

July 27: Hot Jams (Top 40)

August 3: Jazz-Hip Hop Fusion

August 10: Middle Eastern Soul Dance

August 17: Country Line Dance

August 24: Bangara

August 31: Grand Finale Dance Party