FIT FOR A CAUSE: Relay team invites supporters to get purple and fit

Published 6:45 am Sunday, October 7, 2018

Supporters of Relay for Life will be shaking it to the streets Thursday, Oct. 11, in downtown Athens.

The city of Athens Relay for Life Team will host Purple and Fit: Zumba from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on The Square, with local instructors Dagan Breakfield and Brittany Powell. The event will be on Marion Street in front of the Limestone County Courthouse.

“Dagan and Brittany wanted to support our efforts with Relay for Life with a Zumba class, and being active is an important component of preventing cancer,” said City of Athens Relay for Life Team Captain Holly Hollman.

According to the American Cancer Society, being active helps reduce your cancer risk by helping with weight control, improving your hormone levels and improving the way your immune system works.

“The latest recommendations for adults call for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity (activity) or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread throughout the week,” according to the American Cancer Society’s website on diet and activity.

Those who love Zumba or who are interested in learning more about Zumba can register for Purple and Fit online at Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/2DXtonR. Cost to register online is $8. Participants can also sign up at the event for $10. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life.

In addition to Zumba, HealthSource of Athens will provide massages for $1 per minute and donate those proceeds to Relay for Life.

“The Relay for Life campaign year is kicking off, so we will also have some Relay for Life swag for sale, such as garden flags and sun catchers made by a local artist,” Hollman said.

About the instructors

• Dagan Breakfield became Zumba certified in 2011. She taught regularly at the Athens Wellness Center until 2014, and occasionally still substitute teaches Zumba classes there. Since October 2017, she has been teaching Firefly, a trampoline rebounding class, at Studio B in Athens.

• Brittany Powell began taking Breakfield’s Zumba classes in 2012 and fell in love with the activity, she said. She became certified to teach Zumba in 2014. She now teaches five classes a week at Athens Wellness Center, including Zumba, Strong by Zumba and Power30.