Diverse Dance Classes at the SRC Offer Fresh Take on Fitness

29 Apr Diverse Dance Classes at the SRC Offer Fresh Take on Fitness

• The Student Recreation Center’s group dance sessions introduce new dance styles for the Spring 2025 lineup.
• The classes offer students a unique opportunity to connect with diverse cultures while adding movement and creativity to their routine.

 

Cal State Fullerton students and enrolled Student Recreation Center (SRC) members can now experience exciting new ways to move and express themselves through the art of dance with the SRC’s high in-demand group dance sessions. 

Since fall 2024, the SRC has enhanced its group fitness offerings by adding a variety of standout dance styles to the lineup. 

The studio now features popular formats such as Zumba, 714 dance and ballet, with Bollywood and K-Pop featured for the first time in fall 2024. These dance forms aren’t just about fitness, they’re about rhythm and self-expression. 

“The classes are not only about increasing the amount of people engaging with the dance program here at Titan Rec,” shared ASI’s SRC Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, Madison Lowery. “The classes are also about really diversifying the type of people who come to the SRC and are interested in these particular styles of dance.” 

Each class is led by skilled student dance instructors, providing a dynamic and engaging way for students to incorporate dance into their daily workouts. 

Celebrating Diversity at the SRC 

Within Zumba, students are offered a blend of Latin dance moves, creating a full-body workout. 

Ballet incorporates the classy and poised French and renaissance styles it originated from. Meanwhile, 714 dance emphasizes high-intensity cardio movement featuring street style influence. 

“Ballet is demanding not only physically but also mentally,” said Christian, a CSUF alumnus and SRC ballet instructor. “It requires a certain in-the-moment mindset.” 

By incorporating these culturally specific and diverse styles, the SRC can adapt to its diverse population, be more inclusive and help give students a taste of home at ASI.

Move, Connect, Thrive

Group workout classes at the SRC have quickly become a go-to for Titans looking to break a sweat between classes or dive deeper into Titan Rec. 

Beginning last summer, the SRC has seen heightened enrollment, making the dance classes an exciting addition for students looking to stay active. 

“Since fall 2024, the SRC has recorded over 175,000 student visits just this semester alone,” emphasized Lowery. 

Beyond fitness, group classes are all about community, helping students expand their fitness options, build friendships and find a sense of belonging. 

“The overarching goal of the SRC in implementing these classes is not only to become a place where students can push their limits and take challenging courses, but also to offer just as many opportunities and present them with equal value,” shared Lowery. 

With a diverse student body- 50.2% Hispanic or Latino and 21.8% Asian, the SRC’s classes create inclusive fitness spaces that reflect CSUF’s vibrant community. 

Expanding Wellness: A Commitment to Well-Being 

Incorporating wellness into students’ everyday lives is not a new feat for ASI as they have previously implemented a number of new ways for students to pursue healthy living. In the fall of 2024, ASI introduced the ‘Yes to Wellness’ series to further emphasize the importance of Titan wellness.  

Developed in collaboration with campus organizations like Titan Well, International Students and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the series was designed with a clear goal in mind. 

“The overall goal of ‘Yes to Wellness’ was to show students that wellness is about making small, intentional changes to improve their daily routines,” emphasized Lowery. “We acknowledge that we have a unique student body in that we are a commuter school, and we knew that we needed to come up with offerings that were time-effective and efficient.” 

Paired with the dance classes, Titans were encouraged to embrace spaces that celebrate individuality and physical health. 

“We’re at a point now with fitness where exercise and wellness are so deeply intertwined,” shared Lowery. “It’s almost redundant to say exercise and wellness because exercise is wellness.”

 

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Now, as part of ASI’s commitment to student well-being, ASI has officially passed its ASI Student Wellness Initiatives (ASWI) as of March 2025. With this, students can look forward to an SRC expansion and updates to the weight room, cardio room, dance studio and intramural fields. 

ASWI will expand on the work of Yes to Wellness by emphasizing holistic health across various dimensions of wellness like physical, emotional, spiritual, social, financial, intellectual, occupational and environmental health.   

From the ‘Yes to Wellness’ discussions on healthy cuisine, mindfulness-based movement sessions and wellness exercises to the growing impact of ASWI, its clear that Titan wellness is more than just working out. It’s about creating a campus environment where students can explore different avenues of wellness free of restriction. 

A Cultural and Wellness Hub

The daily dance courses are also a vital addition to CSUF’s multicultural resources, alongside spaces like the Latinx Resource Center and the Asian Pacific American Resource Center, contributing to a campus culture that values inclusivity and well-being. 

“Many students gain their confidence to dance boldly; students’ willingness to try new things increases with each class.” shared ASI’s Bollywood dance instructor and CSUF student Charvi Dwara, who taught during the Fall 2024 semester. “Attendees who make the time and effort to dance improve their individual confidence, energy and happiness.” 

The SRC’s dance sessions serve as a crucial tool to promote cultural awareness and personal growth, offering students a space to express themselves on campus. 

 A Supportive Environment for Fitness  

Madison Lowery plays a crucial role in the program as the Student Recreation Center Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, collaborating with student instructors to hire seasoned instructors and enhance the SRC’s dance session schedule. 

“There is a really strong sense of community in these classes,” emphasized Lowery. “Students leave these sessions with the belief that they have the capability to regulate anxiety and take back control over their body and mind after existing in such a high-demand environment.” 

This sense of belonging extends beyond the dance sessions, making students feel more at ease and supported in their fitness journeys, while also better equipping them to handle challenges outside of the classroom. 

Wellness and Community Building for Titans 

In addition to promoting student health, the dance classes have also created opportunities for students to connect with campus resources and shared spaces. 

“Having this resource on campus gives students in need the wellness aspect of dance.” shared Dwara. “Movement with music allows people to find inner peace; the classes are an important staple to the campus because they grant students stress relief and the chance to connect.” 

For many students, the impact of these classes goes beyond stress relief—it also nurtures personal growth and creative expression.

“Having this space on campus is very important to me.” expressed CSUF first-year student Sky Baer. “It provides me with a space to continue my training and express my artistry.” 

SRC dance classes serve as a vital outlet for well-being, connection, and self-expression—enriching both the individual and the campus community as a whole

Want to learn more about the SRC’s group fitness classes? Follow Titan Recreation on Instagram and check out the ‘Recreation’ Webpage on ASI’s website!