Dance the flab away

WE HAVE to admit that going to the gym is a necessary evil.

Yah right... it can be routine, boring and tiresome. But living a sedentary lifestyle is not the better option either.

When you think of the benefits of exercising, it's a sure bet to get you going for your sweat outs. This week we however, feature a fun way to keep fit and cut the flabs. That is, shaking a leg to the tunes of Power Bhangra. When it comes to dancing, most people love it and this method has become a popular fad in the city as it's being used as a fun weight loss programme.

"Power Bhangra is not just a fun workout anymore, as it has been recommended by the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre as one of the most exciting ways to keep osteoporosis at bay," says Ahlaam Ali, the Managing Director of Fitness Quotient Dubai.

Ahlaam, who is also the creator and designer of Bhangra in Dubai, adds that the method's energetic programme provides the ultimate aerobic workout with a 'Bollywood twist which has mobilised women and children across the city to get off their couches and sweat it out like the Bollywood Babes.'

Bhangra sessions are held across Dubai at strategic venues which provides easy access to people from Bur Dubai to Jebel Ali. These include Emirates Towers at The Big Apple, DUCTAC located at the Mall of The Emirates and Hayya Club at Meadows Village. The cost of the sessions is Dh50 for a trial session and block bookings thereafter.

According to Ahlaam, the programme started in 2006 in Dubai with a total of 9 girls. Today it has benefited over 1000 people in different ways from weight loss to destressing. "Designed for all ages, fitness levels and nationalities, Power Bhangra is an absolutely rocking way to keep fit and meet other fun people. It gives you a fabulous overall workout while gliding along to Bollywood tracks for about an hour," she says. "We have people in the sessions who have never danced before and by the end of the session they are dancing away and loving every minute of it."

A Bhangra performance typically contains many energetic stunts. The method is a lively form of music and dance that originated in the Punjab region in Southeast Asia. As many Bhangra lyrics reflect the long and often tumultuous history of the Punjab, knowledge of Punjabi history offers important insights into the meaning of the music.

The continued success and growth of Bhangra music worldwide has provided the impetus for many different offshoots from traditional Bhangra. This has made it enjoy a surge in popularity worldwide, both in traditional form and as a fusion with genres such as hip-hop, funk and reggae. "Thanks to this diversification, the music now reaches a larger audience than ever, all over the world," Ahlaam says.

Meanwhile, Dr Humeira Badsha, a Specialist Rheumatologist at Dubai Bone and Joint Centre, says that Power Bhangra sessions are a fun and innovative way to keep fit and ward off osteoporosis which is something all women need to start thinking about in their mid thirties onwards.

"I highly recommend Power Bhangra as one of the most invigorating workouts. At the same time you will be picking up some Bollywood moves and having a good laugh. Try it and you will be addicted," she says enthusiastically.

Bhangra sessions begin with a warm up followed by 35 minutes of high energy cardiovascular Bollywood dancercise rounding off with rigorous spot reduction exercises. Finally it ends with a relaxing cool down session. The dancercise routines also incorporate different styles like kick boxing, salsa and weights. In short the programme has glamourised excercising. Thus providing sustainability.

POWER BHANGRA

The programme targets people who:

- Want to lose weight

- Workout to keep fit

- Want to destress after a hard days work

- Have been advised to exercise but hate going to the gym

- Want to learn some Bollywood moves

- Want to meet like minded people

- Want to benefit from dance and music therapy

For details about Power Bhangra and tailored group workshops call Ahlaam Ali at Fitness Quotient Dubai on: 050 840 7679 or log onto www.powerbhangra.com