KENNEBUNK — Several Zumba instructors in Kennebunk say they have been the butt of jokes since the prostitution scandal involving Zumba instructor Alexis Wright transpired.

They also say they have noticed a loss of business, although they aren’t sure if there is a direct link between the two.

Both Judith Stark and Joyce Bagshaw, who are certified Zumba instructors, teach the Latin-inspired, dance/fitness crossover form of exercise at the Nataraja School of Yoga in Kennebunk. They say they want people to be aware of the positive benefits that participants derive from Zumba, rather than focusing on a single instructor.

In September 2011, after receiving an anonymous tip, Kennebunk Police began a five-month investigation into alleged prostitution activity based out of the Pura Vida Studio in Kennebunk where Wright, 29, of Wells, taught Zumba classes.

In early October, she was indicted on multiple counts of engaging in prostitution, as well as multiple counts of violation of privacy. The offenses allegedly occurred between October 2010 and Feb. 13, 2012. She was also indicted on multiple tax-related counts, which date back to 2008.

When the scandal first broke, said Bagshaw, jokes were rampant.

“They still are,” she said.

Stark said she is even hearing the jokes about Zumba in her professional life.

In addition, said Bagshaw, students taking the class are embarrassed to tell others they’re taking Zumba.

“The scandal does take its toll,” said Stark.

She said some who are interested in taking classes are holding off.

That’s not right, said Bagshaw; the charges against Wright have nothing to do with Zumba.

“She could have been a hair dresser,” said Bagshaw.

Both instructors said they’d like people to focus on the multiple benefits of Zumba.

“It’s the original ”˜happy hour,’” said Bagshaw, in which people from ages 5 to 100 can take part. Zumba classes typically last one hour, she said, and include 14 songs. Dance moves include the mambo, cha-cha, rock and roll, and more.

It’s a fitness class that provides cardiovascular benefits, said Bagshaw, and “it’s fun.”

The activity benefits “the mind, body and spirit,” said Stark. It builds a sense of community, she said, between those taking the class, who get to know one another.

Zumba Fitness also gives back to the community, said Stark. Recently, she said, she taught Zumba at the Jingle Bell Bash in Portland, which benefited the Arthritis Foundation. In addition, Stark said she held a Zumbathon during the Dempsey challenge to raise money for the Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

Zumba Fitness also holds events throughout October to raise money for breast cancer awareness and prevention, said Bagshaw.

Zumba was created in 2001 after Alberto Perez, a fitness instructor, accidentally forgot to bring his music to a class, said Bagshaw; he grabbed some Latin music from his backpack and Zumba was born.

While Wright’s association with the business may have hurt Zumba locally, it hasn’t had much of an effect elsewhere. Earlier this month, Zumba Fitness, Inc. was named business magazine Inc.’s 2012 Company of the Year. According to the magazine, Zumba is the largest branded fitness program in the world, with 14 million weekly class participants. Classes are held in more than 150 countries.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or [email protected].