Aqua Zumba® Express with Maria Teresa Stone is a 23-minute video that introduces her and showcases the international dance and rhythms of this fitness format. A special collaboration between Fitmotivation and Zumba®, this video allows instructors to observe and/or experience the fun dance energy of Aqua Zumba®. This is the third special collab video between Fitmotivation and Zumba®. Popular Zumba Education Specialist (ZES), Richard Gormley, showcased two special Aqua Zumba® videos in 2025, Aqua Zumba® Explore and Aqua Zumba® Pool Party.
Fitmotivation is grateful to add yet another Zumba® superstar to the platform. In addition to Richard, Kelly Bullard, ZES, filmed four videos videos in 2024. And now we are excited to introduce Maria Teresa Stone, along with her passion, energy, knowledge and outstanding teaching skills. A recognized fitness educator and presenter originally from Mexico and now based in New Zealand, Maria Teresa started teaching group fitness classes as a teenager in 1996, later specializing in aqua fitness.
In 2009, she played a key role in launching Zumba® in New Zealand and Australia and has since trained thousands of instructors throughout the Australasia-Pacific region. In recognition of her contribution to the fitness industry, she was inducted into the Fitness Australia (now AusActive) Roll of Honor in 2016.
Now the lead trainer for the Aqua Zumba® program, Maria Teresa helps grow the program worldwide, training new Aqua Zumba® Education Specialists, while supporting Aqua Zumba® instructors with continuing education.
Below, Maria introduces herself and talks more about her fitness background. Then read on for more information on this express video.
Zumba® became a phenomenon in fitness studios in the mid-2000’s. Aqua Zumba® officially made its worldwide at the Aquatic Exercise Association’s (AEA) International Aquatic fitness Conference (IAFC) in 2009. At the time, I served as AEA’s marketing coordinator and was also a staff member and presenter at that conference. Additionally, I was an author for AEA’s AKWA magazine and had the honor of interviewing Zumba® creator, Beto Perez about the big debut.
The 2009 conference debut was a bit bumpy. Most of the aquatic fitness instructors attending the conference were unfamiliar with Zumba® and equally unfamiliar with Latin dance steps. The takeaway was that the program had lots of promise, but that the dance steps needed to be modified to accommodate the aquatic properties. And that is exactly what the Blue Team did, transforming it into the popular water fitness format that is now offered in pools across the globe.
In Aqua Zumba® Express, I asked Maria Teresa to something that would mortify every Zumba instructor. I asked her to use verbal cueing, instead of adhering to strict protocols of teaching Zumba with non-verbal cueing. The problem with non-verbal cueing for Poolfit subscribers is that many cannot easily view the exercise action on their screen due to sun glare and smaller mobile screens. Likewise, I felt that Fitmotivation subscribers who rely on verbal cueing to teach their classes, would get more benefit from the content. Consequently, I asked Maria Teresa to include more verbal cueing than what would normally be offered in Zumba programming. So if you are a Zumba® instructor, don’t be criticizing her!
Aqua Zumba® Express Summary
This 23-minute dance fitness format includes three segments, each featuring two songs. In Zumba programming, the movement is taught to the structure of the music (verse, bridge, chorus, etc.) All music used in this video has been provided by and used with permission from Zumba Fitness, LLC. It can be sourced from All Approved Music/PPC/PPLA Free and is available to members of the Zumba Instructor Network.
Below are the songs used, the styles and the author.
Song #1: Puesta Pa Mi | Style - Pop (song by Michi Sanz)
Song #2: Tu Boca | Style - Soca (song by Zeta)
Song #3: Bailalo | Style - Salsa (song by Pipo Daniel)
Song #4: Diva | Style - Brazilian Funk (song by Yoon Da Hye)
Song #5: Ella me Copia | Style - Techno Bachata/Rumba Flamenca (song by Zumba® Fitness)
Song #6: Tequila Talk | Style - Afrobeats (song by Tony Range)
Fitmotivation extends a big thank you to Maria Teresa and to Zumba Fitness, LLC for sharing the magic, moves and music of Aqua Zumba®. If you want to know more about Zumba®, check out the Zumba website.
Stay tuned, Maria Teresa will be back this summer with three regular aquatic fitness videos, Water Combat, Deep Wall Intervals and Aqua Balance & Brain Flow.
