There are more ways to get fit, centered and satiated than ever, beginning with two big events this weekend in Abu Dhabi. Your Health News UAE includes Bodytree, the city’s first yoga studio that will be holding its 5th Annual Yoga Market on Friday, and two days of activity at the Yas Fitness & Wellbeing Festival. In addition, Piloxing and Animal Flow classes have been launched at Fitness First, as have free weekly sketching classes at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Also in the news, Sanderson’s is selling its homemade plant mylk – and more. Meanwhile, all events at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi will be free.
5th Annual Bodytree Yoga Market
The city’s first yoga studio will hold the fifth edition of its Yoga Market on Friday (March 1). A variety of classes will run all day with some of the city’s favorite teachers. There will also be expert talks, with a roster of speakers including Yasmine Alansari on ThetaHealing and Laura Brennan, from the local mental health and suicide-prevention organization, Darkness Into Light. Other practitioners will provide tasters in reiki healing, tuning fork treatments and fascia release. Vendors at the market portion of the event, which runs from 10am to 2.30pm, include Rumi Eeart, yApparel, Mala B. and Holly Holistic. Treats will be courtesy of Nectar, Bodytree’s in-house juice bar. A Dh200 ticket provides access to any of the yoga classes, which run from 8.30am to 4pm.
Free fitness on Yas Island
Gateway Park South on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is the place to work out this weekend (March 1 and 2) – for free. The Yas Fitness & Wellbeing Festival is bringing the capital’s yoga studios, gyms, fitness professionals and enthusiasts together for the city’s largest free fitness event. Classes run the gamut, including Zumba, HIIT and Hula Hooping. There’s also an 800 Sports Outdoor Gym, inflatable obstacle course, a Primal Gym boxing ring, spinning and a pop-up gym for kids from My First Gym. A dedicated Yoga Zone will offer back-to-back classes all day long. Abu Dhabi Ladies Club will host ladies-only classes each morning at 9am and 10am. When it’s time to take a break, Heavenly Spa from the Westin will be giving free massages. Or try the Slim n Lite Healthy Cooking Challenge. The event runs Friday and Saturday, from 9am to 7pm. Check out the full schedule of classes, sessions and workshops and pre-register to attend.
Fitness First launches Piloxing and Animal Flow
These two confusing-sounding workouts are actually at the forefront of the current trend to functional fitness. Animal Flow is a bit like it sounds, combining quadrupedal and fluid movement – yes, you will be low to the ground on all fours a lot of the time – with bodyweight training in one fun, challenging workout. Piloxing merges pilates, dance and boxing into one challenging workout that leads to longer, leaner muscles, improved strength and flexibility, better coordination and endurance. Both classes are 45 minutes in duration and are offered at almost all Fitness First gyms. For more information go to their website or download the Myfitnessfirst app.
Sanderson’s sells plant mylk – and furniture
If you are a fan of the homemade nut mylk or the tables and chairs at Sanderson’s Cafe in the Andalus Hotel adjacent to Al Seef Village Mall, then you are in luck because the ambiant-rich eatery is now selling both to the public. Just as executive chef Troy Payne said he would, Sanderson’s is now selling a liter of cashew, almond or coconut for takeway, at Dh37 each. As for the tables, you can now customize and order your own versions. Among featured items is a marble mosaic table finished with “gold brass” corner trims. The tables are priced from Dh6,500 and take two weeks to deliver. Delivery is free in Dubai, Dh315 in Abu Dhabi.
Learn to sketch at the Louvre
Louvre Abu Dhabi has launched weekly sketching classes, on Tuesdays from 4pm to 5:30pm, under the gently dappled light of the museum’s dome on the Ottoman Pavement. Emirati manga artist Asmaa Al Remeithi will first take participants on a tour for inspiration and then lead the creative workshop. Materials are provided and no experience is necessary. The classes are free with the purchase of a museum ticket.
All Special Olympics World Games events will be free
All you have to do is register and show up to be a spectator at any of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi’s 24 sporting events. All of them will be free. The March 14-21st event is drawing 7,500 athletes from 190 nations to compete at nine venues across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Although on-site registration will be available, organizers are urging those who want to attend to sign up in advance. One event that won’t be free, however, is the opening ceremony. Tickets are Dh100, for sale through Ticketmaster.
Featured photo: Unsplash
