“Get in shape, Bollywood-style - Vancouver Sun” plus 1 more

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Get in shape, Bollywood-style - Vancouver Sun Posted: 04 May 2010 10:41 AM PDT Rahul Manoharan is not in the "no pain, no gain" camp when it comes to fitness. He thinks working out should be fun, so fun that you don't notice the pain. That is why he teaches a form of Bollywood dancercize called Shiamak's Bollywood Workout. It really gets the heart pumping with its high-energy Bollywood music, helping participants lose weight and get fit. But that's not what people remember. "The first thing that anybody would look forward to is that it is a fun workout," says Manoharan. "Because you are dancing the whole time, and learning new moves, you do not even feel like you are working out at the same time. One hour goes by like a blink of the eye." You can check it out on YouTube, where it's hard not to get caught up in its infectious, happy vibe. Watching it also gives you a sense of how physically demanding it can be, but all you remember after you do it is how much fun you had. The workout follows the basic tenets of aerobics with a warm-up, followed by cardio, followed by core work and flexibility and, finally, a cool-down. But this is no step class. Every move is dance-oriented, says Manharan, incorporating the sensual Indian moves in a fluid way. There are the bhumkas, pelvic moves similar to those of a belly dancer; there are jhabkas, shimmy-type moves; and there are nakhras, which are all about attitude. Manoharan says the program also incorporates salsa, hip hop and contemporary moves. Like other dancersize programs, Bollywood benefits more than just your abs or your cardio strength. It also exercises your brain as you learn the moves and it builds good posture as well, says Manoharan. "You don't have to be a dancer to take this class," he says. "Just come and have fun. The dance happens automatically." Bollywood had come to Vancouver before last year's Oscars telecast, but when Slumdog Millionaire won best picture, interest in the dance form and workouts took off. When it started a year ago, four workouts classes were offered in two centres in the Vancouver area. Now, 13 classes in nine recreation centres around the Lower Mainland offer Shiamak's Bollywood workouts. And other facilities like the Glen Pine Pavillion in Coquitlam and the Renfrew Recreation Centre in Vancouver offer their own version of the form. kgram@vancouversun.com Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Finding the right balance - Canada.com Posted: 04 May 2010 07:42 AM PDT Walking into a fitness club for the first time can be overwhelming. Faced with a full slate of fitness classes, a well-stocked gym and personal trainers at your disposal, it's hard to know which option delivers the best bang for your buck. To help you wade through the myriad of choices, take a look at the following services offered at most fitness clubs and decide which ones are worthy of your hard work. Group exercise Fitness clubs offer a wide array of group exercise classes that fall under the categories of fitness (boot camp, spinning), dance (Zumba, aerobics), mind/body (yoga, Pilates) and muscular conditioning (anything with sculpting, toning or pump in the title). Classes are 30 to 90 minutes in length, are offered two or more times per week and are generally included in the price of the membership. The intensity of the class is set by an instructor who demonstrates the exercises while giving cues on proper execution. Exercisers are expected to follow the instructor while monitoring their own intensity. Pros: The social aspect of group exercise can be motivating. So can the music and the instructor. Plus the ongoing instruction makes group exercise suitable for exercise newbies who don't know a squat from a lunge. Exercise veterans can also benefit by taking advantage of the large variety of classes that help keep their workout fresh. Cons: Group exercise classes are heavily populated by women, so if you're a guy you may feel out of place. Also, since the classes are designed to appeal to many, the intensity and style of the workout can't be modified to suit your needs. And for anyone looking to lose a few pounds, the calorie burn associated with most group exercise classes is modest at best. Small group exercise This relatively new format caters to small groups (three to six people) of exercisers with similar goals. The class is led by an instructor but in a more interactive manner than a traditional group exercise class. The instructor leads the group but also makes time during the workout for one-on-one coaching. Classes are 60 to 90 minutes in length, held two or three times a week and often feature specialized exercise equipment (barbells, treadmills, Pilates reformers) not available in a large group setting. Members may have to pay a fee over and above their membership in order to participate in small group classes. Pros: Exercising within a small group provides motivation for those who like being pushed by the guy beside them without getting lost in a crowd. It also permits increased access to the instructor and more control over your workout, which can lead to greater realization of your fitness goals. Cons: Small group classes are pricier than regular group exercise classes. There are also fewer options in terms of the type of class offered and the schedule of instruction. And, since the group is small and intimate, you better get along with your workout partners. Personal training This one-on-one format is considered the Cadillac of training options. Exercisers work with a fitness professional who creates a personalized fitness program based on an individualized set of goals. Working with a trainer in a fitness club vs. in the home allows for access to a greater variety of equipment. Sessions are usually 60 minutes in length, are priced according to the expertise and experience of the trainer and can be coordinated to suit the schedule of the exerciser. Five Filters featured article: The Art of Looking Prime Ministerial - The 2010 UK General Election. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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