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About Caroline Soteras-Scuflaire
Caroline Soteras-Scuflaire is the vibrant heart behind ALGSO’s Monday evening Zumba class in Limpertsberg. A certified Zumba instructor, she brings a perfect mix of playfulness, musicality, and empathy to her sessions, creating a space where movement becomes joy and where everyone, from the shyest newcomer to the boldest dancer, can find their rhythm.
Her Teaching Style
Meet the Coach 📸
An Interview with Caroline Soteras-Scuflaire
Caroline Soteras-Scuflaire is a ball of energy wrapped in sunshine, who brings rhythm, smiles, and a deeply human approach to every session. A multilingual dancing queen (with an equally multilingual playlist), she has a strong belief in listening to your body and enjoying the moment.
Caroline offers a space where movement becomes joy and where every person is seen and celebrated.
What led you to teaching Zumba?
Zumba came naturally to me over time. I danced as a child, then did Latin dances, then Les Mills classes, and later, I started Zumba as a student.
In 2014, I had breast cancer and went through the full journey: surgery, chemo, radiotherapy… and I kept going to my Zumba class throughout. It did me so much good.
That experience sparked something deeper:
Back then I didn’t know about ALGSO, which is a shame… I’m sure I would have loved it. But I already did sport and felt quite comfortable in my body.
I wore a headscarf, but I felt OK. Still, I thought: something is missing for people who’ve had cancer. So I started thinking about setting up a group… and then I found the ALGSO.
I really wanted to create a safe space and offer this opportunity to people living with or after cancer. But also because I truly love Zumba, and I want to share that joy and love with others as much as possible.
On top of being our fabulous Zumba teacher, Caroline often accompanies us to events: cheering on the ALGSO family and spreading awareness at our stands. She organises charity Zumba workshops to support the ALGSO.
In other words: with every dance move, step and smile, Caroline redefines the word “dedication”, and we are so lucky to have her.
From Parliament to Party!
By day, Caroline works full time as a translator at the European Parliament.
I’m so lucky to do a job that I love!
I translate into French from several languages.
I studied English and Danish at university, with Swedish and Norwegian as optional languages.
I’ve since learned Spanish, which helps a lot with Zumba, since many songs are in Spanish and it’s great to know the lyrics when building choreographies!
I’ve also picked up Slovenian and Bulgarian. And of course, being Belgian, I studied Dutch in secondary school… though I’ve lost a bit of it since then!
How do you tailor your classes to accommodate the specific needs of cancer patients or those in recovery?
In this class, I pay close attention to each participant, to make sure everyone feels comfortable in the group.
I usually sense how someone’s doing when they arrive. If they’re emotional, I don’t ask too many questions. But I always say at the start of class: listen to your body, respect your limits, and ask for adaptations if you need them.
Because everyone is different, Caroline keeps her sessions highly adaptable:
I don’t ask detailed medical questions. I just stay open and observant. If I see someone struggling, I might gently ask where they’re at with their treatments. But it’s all based on feeling, to guide them as best as I can.
And she understands it all very well:
In 2023, I had breast cancer a second time. It’s made me feel even more legitimate as a coach: because I really lived it. Of course, everyone’s different. Even one breast cancer isn’t the same as another. But having lived it, I think it helps me be more empathetic.
I know that each person has their own path and their own story, and we’re all different, with different symptoms and different challenges. That’s something I really keep in mind and take into account when I teach.
She draws on all her tools, including a life coaching certification she completed during her first cancer treatment.
It helps me encourage people and support them. I try to dismantle the negative beliefs people carry, like “I can’t dance” or “I have no rhythm”. So often, they absolutely can!
How do you ensure a good atmosphere in the class?
You can really feel the kindness here, and that’s so important. For me, it’s the foundation. It’s not about performing or showing off. It’s about having fun and letting go.
I tell people right from the first class: this is a course for “anti-perfectionism”. Let go. Unplug your brain at the door and pick it up on your way out. Don’t try to copy me, but rather, adapt to your own body.
I often say: “Even if you’re just there to absorb the energy, clap along, sway from side to side, that’s already amazing”. There’s zero pressure. Just being there, sharing something, receiving joy and energy… that already does so much.
And of course, the music is key: I always want the class to feel like a party. It should overflow with joy.
A powerful partnership:
Caroline doesn’t dance through life alone. Her husband, Stéphane, is a big part of the Zumba journey too.
When I started having health issues, my husband got certified as a Zumba instructor so that he could step in and teach some of my classes when needed.
He had followed all my classes and knew the routines, so he did the teaching course to be able to continue my classes for me during my cancer treatment.
That’s true partnership.
The ALGSO participants love Stéphane’s energy. They often ask if he’ll be coming to class.
He brings endless playfulness, humour, warmth and a big smile to every session. But beneath that fun-loving spirit is a deeply kind man who sees and supports each person. Together, they are a team full of heart.
A personal message from Caroline:
Try it, you won’t regret it. Zumba isn’t just a sport. It’s a lifestyle. I eat Zumba, I sleep Zumba, it’s Zumba from morning to night!
And when you meet her, you’ll believe it.
Caroline’s Class Schedule
Activity: Zumba in Limpertsberg
When: Every Monday from 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Ginkgo Center : The City (Limpertsberg)
Who for: Open to all ALGSO members