By Shelby Hancock |Staff Writer|

Stress relief can come in many different forms, one of which is exercise.

Exams, papers, projects, and lectures at school are stressful.

The Recreation Center on campus at CSUSB offers many exercise options to alleviate the side effects of being a student.

Exercise is recommended in order to maintain a heathy lifestyle, not only to reduce stress.

According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise has many positive effects, a few of which include improving ones mood and boosting energy.

Being active also reduces stress and anxiety, boosts memory, and builds intelligence, according to Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne.

The Rec. Center offers a variety of classes, available at different times to accommodate different schedules.

One of the classes offered by the Rec. Center is Zumba.

Zumba is a fitness program with dance and aerobic exercise routines performed to popular music.

Zumba has become very popular, not only in America but in other countries too.

“Over 15 million people are taking a Zumba class around the world,” according to Zumba.

Since its beginnings in the 1990’s, the Zumba program has become the worlds largest and most successful dance-fitness program according to Zumba expert Dolores Mitchell.

During the 60-minute class it is expected that you can burn up to 550 calories according to the Rec. Center.

The class is instructed by Michelle Ruvalcaba, a junior Liberal Studies major, who is on her second quarter of teaching Zumba.

Ruvalcaba started Zumba in hopes of loosing weight but ended up liking it so much she started teaching it.

“Its like exercise in disguise and people don’t realize how fast the hour passes by,” said Ruvalcaba.

On average about 15 students, males and females, attend each session although it’s mostly female dominated.

“Each session differs in attendance depending on the day and the time,” according to Ruvalcaba.

“If you are looking to have a great time and also burn off some calories through cardio, toning and strength training this is the perfect class for you,” according to the Rec. Center.

Dance background makes the class more enjoyable but is not necessary.

The class incorporates different types of music with different tempos and speeds, working your entire body.

Moving multiple parts of your body at once requires some coordination, but the class is fun regardless of how you look doing it.

“Zumba is liberating,” according to Senior Business major Rebecca Frey.

“I’d rather do an hour Zumba class than run for 15 minutes, it’s a great way to get your mind off of school and life, and also relieve stress,” according to Frey.

The class is offered eight times through out the school week with two different instructors.

“As long as you are actually trying to keep up and really putting everything into it you’re going to get a lot out of it,” according to CSUSB staff Kristal Gama who attends the class at least once a week.

With the Rec. Center located on campus, students are able to take group exercises classes to help combat the stress associated with being a college student.