Abu Dhabi Week poses the question; are you ready to go round the bend to try out a new twist on yoga?
The benefits to mind, body and soul of the time-honoured art of yoga are well documented, but if the ‘normal’ classes are getting a little stale for you, or you want to try something a little bit more adventurous, then read on, as Abu Dhabi Week sent out its team of posers to find out more…
Bikram Yoga
What: Bikram Yoga
Contact: www.facebook.com/BikramYogaAbuDhabi
We’ve heard all the fuss being made about Bikram yoga, but why would anyone choose to sweat for 90 minutes while contorting their body into weird and wonderful poses? ADW decided to investigate and booked a session with Tasha Hawkins, one of only a few certified Bikram instructors in Abu Dhabi, at her Al Raha studio.
Bikram Yoga is a series of 26 postures performed in sequence in a heated room for 90 minutes. It is done in a heated room to warm your muscles, prevent injury, and cleanse the body by flushing out all toxins. Each posture stretches, strengthens, and prepares the body to work every muscle, organ, gland, and cell in the perfect order.
For us the hardest part of the class was the opening breathing sequence called the Pranayama Series. We had to inhale with our fingers linked under our chin, elbows and arms stretching towards the ceiling before titling our head back and exhaling deeply. At the end of it the sweating had begun and we were wondering if we were going to last the class.
The energy in the room must have been contagious and we managed to get to the half-way point Trikanasana triangle pose without totally feeling like we had been hit by a bus. Once we moved onto the seated series we started to feel stronger, most probably due to the wonderful Sivasana time outs. Known as the Dead Body Pose, it is performed to heal the body in between each pose.
The class finished off with a spine stretching exercise and then the final Khapalbhati breathing which we managed to get through without giggling. We then lay down for our final Sivasana and, feeling unbelievably relaxed and calm, dozed off for a few minutes. The class certainly is challenging but the rewards are well worth it. That night we had the best sleep we have had in a very long time, and woke with a slightly stiff yet surprisingly stress free body, ready for another day at the office.
Duet Yoga
What: Duet Yoga
Contact: 02 443 4448
Bend over backwards for your partner with this unique yoga class. Using both ‘partner work’ and synchronised movements, this exercise class is meant to facilitate both bonding and breath work.
We dragged our husband with us to Bodytree Studio to find out more about this pairs class. With our fantastic instructor Lenka Dalby at the ready, we began with a few vinyasas to warm up and familiarise ourselves with basic yoga poses.
Next up were the partner poses. Using one another for support, we found ourselves linking arms and deepening stretches as we twisted and turned. Then with feet placed side by side, we pushed off one another to bend in the other direction, holding still and counting breaths.
“Duet Yoga is a nice way of doing things together. Being conscious together, supporting each other. It is very good for a relationship and about learning about yourselves and your partner’s needs,” added Dalby.
We find the private lesson to be both engaging and surprisingly fun. And with a relaxing cool down afterwards (our husband’s favourite part) we both left feeling refreshed and energised.
Duet Yoga is offered at Bodytree Studio and costs AED 200 per person, per hour.
SUP Yoga
What: SUP Yoga
Contact: 02 639 5997
If you think you’ve mastered every position from the three-legged downward dog to the crane pose, then you have to give stand-up paddle yoga a go.
Hosted by the team at Watercooled, SUP yoga is a real challenge, even to the most seasoned of yogis. After a 30-minute warm-up paddle, we attached our boards to a rope between two buoys facing the instructor. Laying down with our eyes closed, the sound of the gentle lapping waves against the board soon blocked out the noise of nearby sailors and Marina Mall traffic.
Throughout the one-hour class, we went from sitting to standing, following a simple series of sun salutations, stand-up strength moves and stretches. While the board is wide, finding your balance in a warrior pose and back bend forces you to use your core for the entire class so expect a few falls into the water.
The instructor was very encouraging, giving descriptive setup instructions and tips. Ending with a relaxation, catching shadows of the
sun reflecting off the water through our closed eyes, we appreciated the challenging yoga session mixed with calming breathing and stretching.
Our only word of warning: you might get wet at this class. SUP Yoga is held at Hiltonia Beach Club for AED 100.
Body Balance
What: Body Balance
Contact: 02 626 0848
New Zealand’s famous Les Mills programme features Body Balance, a class that blends Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates for a session that will help you improve flexibility, posture and balance.
A Tai Chi warm-up, loosens the muscles with flowing movements while you centre yourself in preparation for the class.
The rest of the session takes you through a series of predominantly yoga postures with a few Pilates sequences thrown in, all using controlled breathing to bring a sense of harmony. Each pose focuses on strengthening key muscle groups, working on your core and stretching to increase suppleness.
Viva Fit, a ladies-only group exercise fitness centre, offers an express, 35-minute session of Body Balance for women on the go who are looking to bring some balance into their lives.
Prefer your yoga straight and simple? Try out these two low-key options.
Let’s Go Yoga
From vinyasa yoga to ashtanga yoga, there are a great selection of classes with new sessions at Al Bateen Beach. For more information, email: [email protected]
The Room at Zayed Sports City
Offers yoga classes all week, including beginners and ladies-only sessions. For more information, call: 056 331 0310
