Brilliant Body PDX – Northeast

I recently moved to Portland and in the muddle of moving across the country, not having a job, getting a new job, being stressed about my new job, and not having friends to motivate me to workout, and oh yeah, and a very soggy Portland winter, I found myself turning into a couch blob. And the «blob» feeling wasn’t just my body, it was my mind and heart too. Finally in February I had enough. Being a former athlete, I have spent enough time in gyms (done with that), and I knew I was looking for something more — community, fun, and a damn good workout. BB PDX is 110% of everything I was looking for.
(1) Community: is at the core of BB PDX, and influences every aspect of class. Rebecca Kane (owner/​instructor) personifies a judgment free, welcoming, and inspiring community, and you’ll feel it as soon as you walk in the door. It’s real folks and it’s awesome.
(2) Fun: You get to cut loose, move to fun music, cheer and laugh! There is literally nothing better after a stressful day. My heart feels lighter after each class and the positive ripple effect has affected me in so many unexpected ways.
(3) The Workout: You get out what you put in. And it’s easy to put in 100% because it’s fun. I feel the burn by 10 minutes into the 60 minute class. Rebecca helps by reminding folks to match her intensity, by making eye contact with folks and always smiling, and by saying fun inspiring things throughout class.
After 2 months working out with BB PDX, I am hooked! I am super excited to experience all the positive things that will come from being part of this awesome community.

Looking for a Zumba class? Well this is much more than a Zumba class. It’s more like a Zumba community. Classes are fun and definitely a workout. The instructor Rebecca totally rocks. Michelle a co-​instructor rocks as well. Come to class and feel welcomed and unthreatened. No judgement. No negativeness. Only friendly real fun and DANCE! This is the place for all that and more. Plus — ya gotta check out the new location on MLK and Shaver. Parking available.

This place is my jam. It’s not just a class, it’s a community. I’ve met some great friends here and start having withdrawals when I can’t make it 3xs a week. Rebecca and Michelle are amazing, and they both have really great stories about how this practice has changed their lives. Once you start meeting folks, you learn almost everyone coming has had a transformational experience with Zumba and this class that keeps them coming back. If you’re looking for more than a class, but a supportive, positive life change all while shaking your bum, they’ve got you covered.

This is the most fun you can have getting exercise! The teacher/​leader Rebecca is so full of positive energy, you can’t help but dance along with high energy that you didn’t know you had until that very moment. The space is wonderful too, lovely restored ballroom with nice wood floor. What I love most is that Rebecca is very authentically nice and enthusiastic, and the people that go there are not snobby, but a nice supportive community that welcomes everyone. It is just a really fun time.

This is just one of those special communities. The energy and love is off the charts, and how many workouts are also fun?! How many workouts do you MISS when you can’t go?
Everyone is always a ray of sunshine, and so happy you made it to class. I just can’t say enough! You will not be disappointed if you come dance with us!

This place is my zen. My booty shaking, throw your hands in the air like you just don’t care zen. I have to do Zumba with Rebecca at Brilliant Body PDX at least three time a week or I get withdrawals. This is the only workout I have done in my entire life where I was sad if I had to miss a class. I love coming to this class and carelessly dancing my ass off… literally. It’s sooooo much fun!
Rebecca is not only an amazing instructor but really makes every person in the class feel special somehow. She has a gift. I even got to pick out a song to dance to on my birthday! And yes, I went to class on my birthday because her classes are THAT good.

Great class experience. Loved the neighborhood and the location of the class. I’m definitely happy that I got the package deal.

I’ve been exercise adverse nearly my entire life. Earlier this year, thanks to being over 40, I decided I really needed to find something I could do that I didn’t hate and that would help me get healthier.
Not only do I not hate these classes, I love them. I’m completely transformed. That sounds like hyperbole but it’s actually honest. I look forward to class and I’m bummed when something comes up that makes me miss one. Here’s the secret sauce:
1) Rebecca.
This lady is the tops. She’s incredibly motivating, encouraging, personable and sincere. And she’s real. She articulates the things you’re thinking and feeling and thought were just in your head. She makes them out loud and then you know it’s not just you.
2) The space.
It’s not a gym! You can just walk in and put your stuff 2 – 4 feet away from where you’re dancing and not deal with the sportos that mill about L.A. Fitness. And no middle school locker room PTSD anxiety to grapple with.
3) The people.
A perfect menagerie of all ages, all fitness levels, all kinds of people. Everyone is very friendly, respectful. No one is throwing shade or giving you side eye or judging you. Not even close.
4) The dance.
Sure, I felt like a spaz the first couple of classes. But I laughed through it all and I could see I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t get my arms and legs to do the right thing at the same time. Heck, that STILL happens. Now I have favorite songs and I know (most) of the moves and I get that much more sweaty giving them my all because I’m genuinely INTO IT.
Thank you, Brilliant Body!

Exercise has never been my best bud. We hang out together only out of necessity. Dubious and skeptical are words I would use to describe my attitude about ‘exercise classes’. So naturally, the thought of taking a Zumba ‘class’ was daunting.
I do, however, LOVE to dance (read flail). Brilliant Body PDX puts the best of dance and ‘exercise’ together so that you never know you are getting a great work out – how can Zumba be a workout when you are having so much fun? It’s a party!
Then there is Rebecca. This woman is awesome. A gifted dancer, yes. But, even more importantly, she is welcoming, inclusive, interested, encouraging and sincere. She takes the time to get to know every dancer in her classes. Her classes are so much more than dance. They are an energy-​filled dance party with your friends. Rebecca has created a great community.
To help the vibe, the party is celebrated in a great, large space with curtains drawn and NO mirrors! You get the luxury of dancing (ok, flailing in my case) without worrying about how you look. No one cares! The dancers are all so concentrated on watching and emulating Rebecca that no one is watching others. What freedom!!! I now look forward to party – every class. I’ve made friends with other women (and men) who also look forward to every party.
If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of Zumba, but are concerned about gym-​type class structure, throw that out the window! Brilliant Body PDX will give your attitude a 180. You will LOVE dancing with us! Come on – join the party!

I just moved to Portland and wanted to find a fun and affordable work out option. I had taken Zumba classes before, so I thought I’d try out Brilliant Body PDX. I usually avoid the gym scene because of all the hassle or I feel like I don’t fit in. But Brilliant Body is for all ages, all shapes, all levels of fitness.
Rebecca, the instructor, has such a great energy and is so welcoming. There’s no pressure to be perfect, only to have fun. It’s a great workout that doesn’t feel like tedious exercise.
I would definitely recommend taking a class and trying it out, there are options for purchasing beginner passes if you don’t want to commit right away (usually not possible with gyms or studios). Then you’ll be hooked! Parking is also very easy to find, which is a plus.

I started going to Zumba classes at Brilliant Body PDX after a doctor’s appointment I had last February. My doctor told me that my blood sugar levels were high, and my blood pressure was elevated. I tried Zumba in college, and vowed to find a class I could go to after work.
I found Brilliant Body on Unilocal,and decided to give it a try. At my first class I was in the back corner and doubtful that I would enjoy any type of exercise. To be honest, I danced near the back in case I wanted to leave. The class was great (especially since the ballroom is dim and there are no mirrors – yessss), but I still felt self-​conscious. Rebecca was always so nice, gently encouraging me to come to more classes, and telling me how well I was doing.
The best thing about having Rebecca as an instructor is that the class is about more than just a workout. It’s about creating an environment where all are welcome. It’s about creating a space where for one hour four days a week, you have the opportunity to do something for yourself that makes you healthier, happier and stronger in every aspect of your life.
I can honestly say that my life has changed for the better since my first class. My blood pressure and sugar levels are normal. I’ve lost 45 pounds, started weight lifting, doing yoga, and cooking most of my meals. If someone would’ve told me a year ago I’d be engaging in multiple forms of exercise, I probably would have laughed myself into a six pack!
If you want to go to a Zumba class that is fun, challenging and uplifting with an instructor who cares about you as a person, do yourself a favor and try a few classes. We’ll see you there. :)

My happy place Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Best Zumba class around! If you’re looking for a place to dance your troubles away, you’ve got join Rebecca’s Zumba Community.
Thursday toning class is awesome.

I hate a lot of things, including exercise and fake perky people. Thankfully, Brilliant Body PDX tricks this cynic into the former with none of the latter. Rebecca is amazingly genuine, enthusiastic, motivating, and talented — damn, girl can dance — without being an obnoxious cheerleader type. It’s amazing. Zumba (specifically this class) is the ONLY kind of exercise I’ve stuck with for more than a month. I’ve been going for almost 6 months now and LOVE it.
It’s fun! That’s really all there is to it!
It’s not all rich, skinny white ladies either, which I appreciate. And I’ll never stop being grateful for the low lighting and lack of mirrors. THANK YOU, Rebecca, for not making me watch myself flail around ;)
The only downside I can think of is that the (very rare) subs just can’t match Rebecca’s awesomeness. But on the plus side, they made me appreciate her more. I can’t imagine doing Zumba anywhere else.

So, I went to a class last summer with a friend and smiled through the whole class! The people were friendly, the instructor was welcoming, and the music was great. I’ve been to a lot of Zumba classes in the last few years and this is one of the most fun! This is definitely going to be my go-​to when I move back to Portland.

I started at brilliant body about two years ago. I love the caring and friendliness of everyone there. Rebecca is an awesome teacher and likes to know her students. It really shows and that is why I am still going.

Four stars for the welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, but two stars for the actual Zumba. Rebecca, the instructor was super nice and you could tell that all the other Zumba enthusiasts knew each other and had been returning for years. That in itself is a great endorsement for Rebecca!
That said, this class just isn’t for me, and I won’t be retuning. I have a very limited amount of time I can spend on exercise and I really need more bang (sweat) for my buck. There were really long breaks between songs, and the choreography was pretty low impact. Which might be a good thing for some people who are trying to avoid getting their heart rate up. I however really like getting my ass kicked by a good Zumba class I want to leave drenched in sweat, gasping for breath and my glutes stinging painfully.
If you are looking for a friendly light workout in a fun environment you should check this class out!

Great Zumba in Portland! I’ve taken classes with 9 or 10 instructors, and Rebecca is hands-​down the best. Encouraging without ever being fake, energetic without being overwhelming, and she choreographs classes that beginners enjoy — and experienced Zumba’ers love too! No mirrors in this class and she promotes a vibe of fun, body acceptance, and great diversity of routine/​music/​moves. Add in that class prices are a steal, and trust me — try this class! Personal testimonial: I lost 25 pounds in a year attending her class 2 or 3x a week, plus implementing portion control and lots of veggies — and I’m keeping that weight off in year 2!

I really love Rebecca’s Zumba class! I have tried Zumba several different times with different teachers and by far Rebecca is the best. Her classes are fun, challenging without feeling difficult, and an excellent workout. I have attended both her 6:30 and her 5pm Tuesday/​Thursday classes and I like them both (although the 5pm class is preferred since there is slightly less bouncing and the class is smaller so I have room!). There is a variety of ages, skill level and sizes and everyone is made to feel welcome. But the best part of Rebecca’s class is she clearly loves what she does and its impossible not to participate in her enthusiasm!

Just recently found out about this Zumba Class and I love it! Rebecca is a great leader and the music is really funky and it’s fun to move to. There is no pressure and all are welcome no matter what level, so I felt really comfortable going the first time and would recommend it to anyone! It’s a really fun way to get exercise.