Cheating Our Way to Spring Body Fitness
I was down in the Diva Den (the dance studio+classroom+raw-foods kitchen) just now. After two days of being focused on the big Pathways event, and two follow-up R&R days, it was time to get back to the “spring body fitness regime.”
So I was downstairs early – perhaps 15 minutes early. I usually do my yoga/core/resistance/etc. while watching “Big Cats.” Nothing like having feline power and grace as inspiration, right?
Northern Chinese Leopard – photo courtesy Dan Wei
This time, though, there were 15 minutes extra before the show started.
I scrolled through the options. Nothing interesting — but then there was the “Dancer Body” infomercial with something called the “Fluidity Bar.”
Now, I LOVE these fitness infomercials! From Zumba(TM) to “Insanity” to everything else, up to and including the “Fluidity.” I feel as though I can simply do what they’re doing in the infomercial, and get about the same benefit as having the DVD (and for zero cost).
This “Fluidity Bar” thing is one of my favs, though. And really, all that it is – is a portable, single-person-sized ballet barre. I mean, REALLY.
And do you know what?
Most of those “Fluidity” exercises? They can be done using the back of a chair for balance. No “ballet barre” (or “Fluidity Bar”) needed!
The back of a chair makes a good “ballet barre.”
So yeah, I cheated.
I got almost a complete “Fluidity” workout using the back of a thrift-store chair as my “barre.” No whipping out a credit card. (That’s one exercise I was happy to skip!)
And since I have a set of those chairs – and this really did feel effective and fun – I’m going to incorporate “barre” (“chair back”) exercises into our stretch/warm-up/technique-building routines. Starting with the Open House the Sunday after this one, Sunday, April 7th!
Very best wishes as you use Oriental dance (belly dance) as part of your own “spring training”!
Yours in dance –
Alay’nya
Author of Unveiling: The Inner Journey
You are the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus. Become the Jewel!
Founder and Artistic Director, The Alay’nya Studio
Bellydance a courtesan would envy!
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