Zumba flash mob set for Saturday at Hamilton Mall

Last Updated on Friday, January 18, 2013 10:45 am Written by SUZANNE MARINO Wednesday, January 16, 2013 06:09 pm

Photo by Suzanne Marino/Members of a group that will dance in a flash mob at the Hamilton Mall Saturday run through their routine Tuesday, Jan. 15 at Body in Balance Physical Therapy in Linwood. From left are Joelle Motley and Terri Watkins of Egg Harbor Township, Deanna Gatanis of Linwood and Beatrix Jerkins of Egg Harbor City.

LINWOOD – Dancers were working through their routine Tuesday evening at Body in Balance Physical Therapy in Linwood.

They are just four of an expected 30 or more Zumba dancers who will be a part of a flash mob planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hamilton Mall, according to Joelle Motley of Egg Harbor Township, a Zumba instructor at Body in Balance.

Motley said she came up with the idea of the flash mob as a means to get the community motivated to be healthy in 2013.

“Saturday is National Service Day, and I thought this would be a great way to show kids, teens, seniors or just anyone in between that this is something they can do to be healthy and have some fun at the same time,” said Motley. “It is empowering; it is showing people what they are capable of doing and how to do it.”

A little more than a year ago, Motley took the Presidential Challenge to heart and has adopted a healthy and active lifestyle. That includes teaching Zumba to kids and adults at Body in Balance.

She said she was impressed by Michelle Obama and her platform to help fight childhood obesity and hopes her dancers’ flash mob will motivate kids to get up and move and have some fun.

“None of us are models; we just go out and do our best,” she said.

Eleanor Hagan, owner of Body in Balance, said she was happy to let Motley and her students practice at the center to get ready for the big event.

Terri Watkins of Egg Harbor Township, who has been taking classes with Motley for nearly two years, said she has never done a flash mob, but she will be there Saturday. Beatrix Jerkins of Egg Harbor City started to slow down as they were finishing their routine. Asked if she was tired, Jerkins said, “Are you kidding me? I could keep doing this for another hour. I love it.”

Motley said the group is doing the flash mob routine to “Rock that Body” by the Black Eyed Peas.

“We hope a lot of people are going to stop by and watch us,” she said.