'Connie has been a blessing:’ Retiring Zumba teacher brought joy to Huntington YMCA

Akerley started teaching group fitness classes in 2004 and Zumba in 2007. Her class moved locations several times and many of her students have followed her to each new spot.

Her last class was Wednesday morning, as she is retiring now due to health issues. 

'Connie has been a blessing'

Suzanne Sloane, 75, Teresa Coleman, 65, and Corla Rankin, 74, all of Huntington, have attended Akerley’s Zumba classes since the beginning. They are sad to see her go.

“Connie has been a blessing to me,” said Rankin, who followed Akerley's class to all its locations over the years.

Coleman first came to Zumba when a friend suggested it. She remembers dealing with the stress of being a caregiver for her elderly parents and also wanting to lose weight for an upcoming 40th birthday.

“I love her style, her consistency, and her spirit,” Coleman said. “But anytime we're going through something, she knows.”

When her mom died three years ago, Akerley made up a special routine and song to honor her. Coleman, who still takes care of her 96-year-old father, said she didn’t know until she showed up to class and it made her cry.

“She's just wonderful. The music is always rotated. We have a Halloween party. We have Christmas music. We’ve all been together so long, it’s our happy place,” Sloane said.

The class is open to everyone and the attendees want readers to know they are welcome to join.

“We don't judge. And if we catch somebody judging, we will get on them about it,” Coleman said.

It might take awhile for newcomers to get the hang of the dance routines, but Sloane says it's a good time regardless.

"It's fun. It's good cardio. It's a good social activity. You just can't beat it,” Sloane said.

Akerley says there is no “wrong way” to do Zumba; she says you don’t even have to follow the instructor’s moves if you don’t want to. It’s about showing up with a smile and having fun.

Retiring from teaching the class is "bittersweet," she said.

“It was a tough decision ... because we've been together for so long, and they've gotten used to me. And I've put them through a lot over the years with the workouts and the happy songs and the music and the camaraderie, so it's been tough, but I'm passing the baton to another instructor,” Akerley said.

Akerely's friend, student will now teach the classes

Angela Copley, 48, is taking over the class. She considers Akerley a mentor and a friend.

"I've been taking her classes for a long time until she kept encouraging me to be an instructor," which Copley did in 2014, she said.

Copley is originally from Peru but has lived in Huntington for over 20 years. She licensed in both Zumba Basic and Zumba Gold.

“She's the queen. It's hard to fill her shoes. I don't think I'm going to say I'm going to replace her, because she's irreplaceable. I'm just going to be here because she's my longtime friend,” Copley said. “I'm stepping in to help her to continue her legacy. It’s a tough one, I’m nervous. It’s an honor to be asked to take over this class.”