Yarbrough honored for five years as CAHNRS exercise class leader

Group photo-Zumba participants
Members of the CAHNRS Faculty/Staff Evening Exercise Zumba class celebrated instructor Robert Yarbrough’s fifth anniversary leading weekly sessions in fall 2020.

For five years, CAHNRS researcher Robert Yarbrough has led WSU community members on the path to fitness, offering free weekly exercise classes on the Pullman campus, and now, virtually.

On Oct. 1, class participants honored Yarbrough’s five-year anniversary as the CAHNRS Faculty/Staff Evening Exercise class instructor, presenting him with a surprise video highlighting moments from classes as well as appreciative messages.

Volunteering his time year-round, Yarbrough teaches exercise classes on three evenings per week: yoga on Wednesdays, and the dance-based Zumba on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yarbrough has also made more than a dozen Tai Chi videos, which people can practice with on their own.

“Rob always gives 110 percent to his classes, learning new songs for us, encouraging everyone, and even throwing in fun holiday routines,” commented class participant Heather Smith. “In addition to being great for fitness, the classes also help tremendously with mental well-being—especially during COVID, when many of us are working from home. He fosters a wonderful environment of inclusion, and really cheers everyone on. I always leave feeling accomplished, and in a better mood than when I started.”

Yarbough smiles, arms on hips.
Robert Yarbrough

Yarbrough is a certified group fitness, aquatic fitness, and Tai Chi instructor and a researcher in the Institute of Biological Chemistry. Since 2015, he has taught 500 Zumba, 180 Tai Chi, and 70 introductory yoga classes at WSU.

The class-made video can be viewed on YouTube.

About the classes
CAHNRS Faculty/Staff Evening Exercise classes are held 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Classes offer low-impact fitness routines that can improve balance and mobility, at your own pace.

A low-impact/low-cardio dance exercise, Zumba Gold includes swing, salsa, cha-cha, tango and folk movements, and is easy to follow and designed for older populations.

All WSU staff, faculty, and students are welcome, and drop-ins are encouraged. Contact Yarbrough at yarbrord@wsu.edu.