This week we put our best foot forward and take dance lessons
This week we decided to test drive the Bodytree’s new Xtend Barre workout. This is a fun cardio workout, which is a combination of ballet barre, floor work and pilates.
Our upbeat teacher Carol Valmy begins the session by leading us though a series of warm-up movements, we spend around five minutes working on our upper body muscles using lightweights, before concentrating on stretching out our legs and spine.
We feel quite elegant holding classic ballet poses such as the plié – we bend our knees outwards with our back held straight and do slow controlled squats, even with such small movements we can really feel our muscles working hard. We’re unfamiliar with ballet terminology but Carol carefully explains each move, so we find it easy to keep up with the rest of the class.
Next we perform a variety of exercises using the barre. We stand up straight then bend over resting our arms lightly on the barre for support, we raise our leg up behind us slowly and steadily, and then move it in a circular position. We can really feel the stretch; this move is fantastic for waking up sleeping gluteral muscles.
Xtend Barre really is a total body workout. Carol assures us that the benefits of Xtend Barre are numerous and include incredible toning, inner core strengthening and weight loss benefits, as well as helping to improve overall posture and definition.
Details
What? Xtend Barre
Where: Bodytree Studio, on Sheikh Hazaa Bin Zayed Street (11th) and Al Nahyan Street (26th)
Cost: AED 90
We say: Act like a lady, move like a ballerina
Contact: 02 443 4448
Looking for a fun, full-body workout, the Abu Dhabi Week team signed up for beginner’s belly dancing lessons.
Firstly our teacher explains the importance of maintaining correct posture, she bends her knees slightly, pushes her shoulders back and holds her arms out to the side with her palms facing down and one finger raised up. We watch and copy her pose.
Next we learn the hip lift and hip drop – this involves shaking your hips while keeping the rest of your body still. Our weight is distributed on one leg, our arms raised and we attempt to shake, shake, shake. We’re told that we’re using our knees too much and actually we need to control our hips using our gluteal (bottom) muscles. With a bit of practice we get it right although our hips know about it – this certainly is quite the workout!
Our teacher flicks on the music and we attempt our first choreographed routine to a lively Amr Diab track. Judging by the burning sensation in our arm muscles this routine is good for toning up.
Next we practice moving our chest forwards, up and down and rolling our stomach. Our teacher says this move is called riding the camel. We catch sight of our reflection and realise that actually we resemble a duck; it’s impossible to keep the laughter in at this stage. Our teacher laughs with us, and that’s why we love this class – it’s relaxed, fun and fantastic exercise.
Catriona Doherty
Details
What? Belly dancing
Where: Al Wahda Health Club, Grand Millennium Al Wahda
Cost: AED 40 members and
AED 60 for non-members
We say: Shimmy to the Grand Millennium
Contact: 02 443 4448
