Dance Dubai Dance

Only a dancer will understand that there is no greater feeling in this world than moving to a piece of music and letting the world disappear. Many lead a very stressful life in Dubai. Dance also allows you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time. We spoke to instructors who teach different forms of dancing in the UAE about why one should never miss a chance to dance.
'Pole fitness has recently become recognised as a true sport, shedding it's outdated and stereotypically seedy image'
Pole dancing changed the life of Michelle Qubrosi, the co-founder and lead instructor of Pole Fit Dubai. Earlier, she would go to the gym only for the purpose of losing weight. But the minute she hit the pole, her life changed. With no background in dance or sport, today she has turned into a dancer, a gymnast and a performer. She tells us why even you can pursue pole dancing even if you have no fitness background.

For how long have you been teaching dance in the UAE?
I have been doing pole fitness myself for around 4 years and teaching for about 3 years.

Can you explain pole dancing to our readers?
Pole Fitness has recently become recognised as a true sport, shedding its outdated and stereotypically seedy image to welcome ladies of all shapes, sizes and ages, wishing to enjoy an intense workout whilst also having fun. Distinguishing itself by combining cardio, flexibility and strength in a form of dance, pole fitness is the hottest workout on the circuit today. The unique fusion of dance and acrobatics creates a complete fitness workout that marks your improvement week by week. Accessible to people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, pole fitness is an extremely empowering form of dance, full of elegance, energy, femininity and fun. In our pole dancing classes, you can expect to learn spectacular spins, impressive tricks and graceful choreographies in an accessible way and in a short period of time.

How passionate are UAE people about dancing?
Pole fitness is a big fitness trend in Dubai. People come to try it and become instantly addicted - they love the way it makes them feel and the physical results.

What do you think are the health benefits of dancing?
Pole fitness in a fun innovative way to get fit and lose weight as well as gain a new boost of confidence unlike any other form of exercise! You will be amazed to see how many muscles are used and how fast you can master the techniques and movements. Watch as you transform into the best version of yourself - experience fantastic changes to your physique as well as increased strength flexibility and stamina. Not to mention the constant thrill that accompanies mastering new moves.

How would you recommend pole dancing to beginners?
We have a class every day of the week called pole intro, this class is specifically designed for beginners with no fitness background at all. It's the best place to start! We have pole fitness classes every day of the week, as well as flexibility classes designed to improve agility and grace on the pole.

Get in touch - You can view the schedule of classes at www.polefitdubai.com
For a walk in pole, a class is Dhs100 and for Flex it is Dhs75 - all classes are 1 hour long.
Email: polefitdubai@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoleFitnessDubai
'Dance will help you be happier'
Performing arts is in the blood of Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar. He teaches thousands of dance enthusiasts through Shiamak Davar International (SDI). We spoke to Manoj Narasimhan who is a dance instructor with Shiamak Davar's dance institute in Dubai.
How long have you been teaching dance in the UAE?
I have recently moved to the UAE but I've been with Shiamak for the past 13 years.

Can you explain the Shiamak style of dancing?
We teach students a variety of styles including Bollywood jazz, Hip-hop, contemporary and the Shiamak Style (Shiamaks Indo-jazz movement).

How passionate are UAE people about dancing?
Dance has always been accepted universally by all the cultures, cities, countries. The UAE has especially been extremely rich with its Arabic music and as Bollywood is added to it, it is just a push to the entire crowd. It's amazing to see the interest with which people come for classes.
I also feel the potential here is amazing as I teach everything that I would teach in India and they can cope up very well. In fact apart from classes we meet outside to get costumes and make props and it actually feels like a dance family.

What do you think are the health benefits of dancing?
Shiamak always says you dance from your "sole to the soul". The dance will help you to be happier and get your energy up.
I personally feel dance is the best possible stress reliever for one and all. People who work, kids that go to school, everyone just turns up for a class to get away from their daily strenuous life and have some fun. Also, dance helps one to be in good shape as its 1-hour class and they are completely engrossed in dancing.
Dance is the best bodyweight based workout ever and also a very good cardio for anyone who wants to lose some weight and that too instantly.

How would you recommend dancing to beginners?
Our motto is "Have feet, Will dance". The age group in our academy is 4 and above. We always have separate classes for the beginners in our academy, so that we can give them personal attention and groom them for the advance levels.
Also, I feel no one is a beginner in dance as we always dance in parties when you are alone so everyone has a dancer inside them, we just help them realise that and work on the same. For all the beginners out there, we would love you to come and try our beginner class so that you know what we do in our classes.

Get in touch - We have our classes twice a week for one hour.currently, the summer master batch is going on.
In Dubai, we have our classes at Wafi, DIA (Emirates Hills), Winchester School (Near IBN Battuta Mall), Telecom (Barsha Heights),Royal Ascot Hotel Appts. (Bur Dubai).
Fees - Dhs575.
'People in the UAE are VERY passionate about dancing. There is some serious talent here'
Lisa Marshall has been teaching dance in Dubai for the last 8 years and in London for 10 years. She teaches contemporary dance at Diverse. She tells us why dance can improve your confidence and can be a stress buster.
What kind of dance form do you teach?
I personally teach contemporary which is a lyrical and technical dance form and can be very emotive. I also teach dance fusion which is a technical jazz class with choreography to current pop songs. Lastly, I teach Musical Theatre which is the style that you will see in West End and Broadway shows and musicals.
How passionate are UAE people about dancing?
UAE people are VERY passionate about dancing. There is some serious talent here!
What do you think are the health benefits of dancing?
Not only is dancing great physically for fitness. It also improves confidence and can be a stress release.
arti@khaleejtimes.com