Bodybalance

**What is it?**
Bodybalance is an holistic group fitness class based on yoga, tai chi, pilates and feldenkrais. It is low impact, designed to stretch your muscles, help you concentrate, improve your breathing and be relaxing. The classes are performed to music and are taken by a qualified instructor.

**Why did I start it?**
I'm already a bit of a yoga fan (see Barbara Curry DVD op, plug, plug!) and my gym only has one ...
...I'd try the similar sounding Bodybalance class, which was on 3 evenings a week. Much more sensible workout times!

**What does it involve?**
The workout starts with a 5 minute Tai Chi style warm up and overall body stretch. This is then followed by Yoga and Pilates style stretches, balances and standing poses. There is a 5 minute traditional abdominals track and finally a 10 minute relaxation period where you lie back and listen ... more

**What is it?**
Bodybalance is an holistic group fitness class based on yoga, tai chi, pilates and feldenkrais. It is low impact, designed to stretch your muscles, help you concentrate, improve your breathing and be relaxing. The classes are performed to music and are taken by a qualified instructor.

**Why did I start it?**
I'm already a bit of a yoga fan (see Barbara Curry DVD op, plug, plug!) and my gym only has one Hatha Yoga class a week - on a friday night. I kept finding myself missing classes due to 'other commitments' (well, friday nights are for curry and beer surely, not excersice!). Anyway, I thought I'd try the similar sounding Bodybalance class, which was on 3 evenings a week. Much more sensible workout times!

**What does it involve?**
The workout starts with a 5 minute Tai Chi style warm up and overall body stretch. This is then followed by Yoga and Pilates style stretches, balances and standing poses. There is a 5 minute traditional abdominals track and finally a 10 minute relaxation period where you lie back and listen to some soothing music. The class is usually 45min or 1 hour and is pre-choreographed to music. The choreography changes every 12 weeks so you have enough time to become familiar with the moves before new ones are introduced.

The most recent class (Bodybalance 23) went like this... if you have never heard of the Yoga moves, don't worry they are all explained and demonstrated by the instructor. Trust me; you'll all be downward-dogging in no-time!

Track No.
1. Summertime - Joolz Gianni
Tai Chi based warm up track. Simple, slow, circular movements with the hands whilst the feet are wide apart, kept firmly planted on the floor.

2. Sleep - Conjure One
The Yoga 'Sun Salute'. This can seem a bit complicated if you've never done it before, but the music is very slow and you should be talked through each posture by the instructor. See http://www.womenfitness.net/exercises.htm#sunsalutation for a guide.

3. Bring me to life - Evanescence
Strength Track. Yoga based standing positions such as the Warrior and Triangle. These are aimed at improving strength, stability and flexibility.

4. A song for nature - Rashni Punjaabi
Balance Track. Yoga balances such as The Eagle and the Mountain and Star are used here. That might not mean much to you, but it basically involves standing in a variety of one-legged poses. These help you improve your balance (obviously!) and clear your mind (it's hard to think about a lot when you're trying not to topple over!)

5. Miss Sarajevo - U2 feat. Luciano Pavarotti
Hip Opener Track. Basically standing and seated forward-bends and leg stretches.

6. Ain't Nobody - Kelly Price
Abdominals Track - Traditional abs excersises such as crunches, bicycles, obliques and planks.

7. Countin' on a miracle - Bruce Springsteen
Back Track - This is a track you can lay on the floor for! It mainly involves small raises of your arms, legs ot both to help stretch out the back.

8. Who wants to live forever - Dune
Twists - so you want to be a contortionist? I love this song, shame it's not the Queen original.

9. Stronger - Sugababes
Hamstring stretches

10. Illumination of the heart - Deuter
Relaxation track, put your jumper on lie down… ahh bliss.

**Who came up with it?**
It was designed by the Les Mills Group who are also responsible for Bodypump, Bodyattack, Bodycombat... Lots of gyms and sports centres run these classes now. Mind and body classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates have been increasing in popularity for a number of years, mainly due to the 'celeb' factor I guess.

**What are the benefits?**
Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates have lots of similar benefits including improving breathing, concentration, flexibility and strength. All the movements are slow and controlled. The class encourages good posture as it focuses on strong core muscles (abdominal and back), stability, and improving co-ordination and balance (of which mine are appalling!). Like Yoga, Bodybalance is also meant to massage your organs - thus stimulating the glands and immune system & helping to regulate hormone production and the metabolism.

**Equipment**
Comfortable clothing is a must, nothing too tight or constricting. The classes are taken barefoot on mats. Your gym / sports centre should provide mats for you to work on, or you may prefer to bring along your own yoga mat. These can be picked up quite cheaply these days - I've seen them in Tescos for less than £10 now.

**Who can do it?**
Bodybalance is suitable for all levels of fitness. My class has people of a whole range of ages and abilities. From 16 year old bendy-types to more mature retired folk. It's not just for ladies either, it seems to be quite popular with the blokes, particularly those recovering from sporting injuries. The class is also suitable for pregnant women as nearly all the postures can be adapted to accomodate for 'bump'. However, if you have any injuries or back problems ALWAYS let your instructor know before you start so they can tailor the class to your needs.

**Does it work?**
I certainly feel relaxed after a class, I usually end up falling asleep during the relaxation music! So if you're looking for a class to de-stress to, this is great. Over the time I've been taking the class (about a year or so on and off) I've certainly found improvements in my flexibilty and balance. My feet seemed miles away when I first started, but I can put my hands on the floor now! It's never going to make you a sculpted yoga godess like Madonna, unless you're taking every class on offer that is. But I do think it's a great accompaniment to the aerobic classes. And if you haven't been excersising for a while and can't face the step aerobics class quite yet, it's a great way to get started.

**Where can I try it?**
Lots of sports centres and gyms now run the classes. You can find your nearest on the Fitpro or Les Mills websites. The cost varies, mine are included in the gym membership but you can take a class at some sports centres for between £3-5.

Other Info...
www.lesmills.com - the poeple who designed the class.
www.fitpro.com - find a class in your area.
www.yogabasics.com/asana/
www.nikewomen.com
www.womenfitness.net/exercises.htm
 

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