It’s wonderful to see more and more people prioritise carving out time in the day to move their bodies and sweat a little (or a lot) in order to clear their minds. There’s nothing quite like putting your head down, feeling into your body and getting lost in the music and movement. Whether you’re vibing off the energy in the room, the choreography or the epic tunes, there’s something pretty empowering about putting you and your body first. Rather than focussing on the superficiality of aesthetics, these classes give you the chance to switch off from the daily grind and tune into YOU.
- TONE + OM BY KIM HARTWELL
WHAT: Tone + OM carefully utilises strength and conditioning with yoga techniques that allow you to have the best of both worlds in just one class. This program places a heavy emphasis on balancing the body with functional HIIT training, which is then complemented by a balanced yoga flow. It will leave your body feeling strong and mobile. The shift in energy half way through the class allows you to come off of your “fight or flight” mode, restoring the body to a natural calm state.
WHY: As well as allowing class goers the ability to destress in the HIIT segment, it places a lot of emphasis on getting the body moving freely and in a functional way. Mind-muscle connections are made to ensure the right muscle groups are being focussed on. The yogic element gives the opportunity to turn the attention inwardly, tuning into the breath and what’s going on in the body. It encourages you to listen and to ease the body back into the stresses of day to day life. The music is set to complement the high energy of HIIT followed by the calming yoga. Midway through the class the lights are dimmed and the classes is turned to face in the opposite direction changing the energy of the class entirely.
WHERE: ONE LDN, Imperial Wharf Tuesdays at 6.30am and Thursdays at 7pm.
- PSYCLE LONDON
WHAT: In case you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few years, Psycle is London’s most successful boutique spin studio offering more than just a workout. They’re a place where you can free your mind, test your limits, and be part of an inspiring community.
WHY: Psycle promise to help you find the fun in movement- something we are big on at ALT/ HQ. Because if it’s not fun, then what’s the point? Their classes are led by inspirational instructors who will push you to discover how powerful you already are, then challenge you to strengthen not only your body, but your mind. Speaking from experience, a Psycle class is a work out that doesn’t feel like a work out. We’ve often gone in feeling a bit low, demotivated to get moving, then somewhere during the 45 minutes feel an awakening, and wind up leaving feeling like a totally new human. There’s something about getting lost in the music, feeling totally empowered by the strength of you body that helps to dust away the cobwebs. Trust us, this is a cult you’ll want to join.
WHERE: Psycle has three outposts- Fitzrovia, Canary Wharf + Shoreditch
- YOGA AT ANOTHER_SPACE
WHAT: A true haven in the hustle and bustle of London life, Another Space is home to an incredible yogic experience that’ll leave you feeling both invigorated and grounded. Paying particular attention to the breath, this is a full body workout with benefits that go far beyond the aesthetic. Get ready to feel strong in mind and strong in body.
WHY: The yoga classes at Another_Space combine powerful breath with powerful movements, working your strength and flexibility in equal measure. With a range of movements and a dynamic flow to raise your heart rate, these classes will also prove an incredible oasis for your mental state.
WHERE: They call Covent Garden home, but have recently opened up a second studio in Bank too.
- THE BODYBARRE METHOD BY PAOLA DI LANZO
WHAT: Paola’s BodyBarre was created by Paola Di Lanzo to deliver a highly efficient workout that fuses many disciplines including dynamic Pilates, ballet barre conditioning and functional training. These diverse disciplines work every single muscle of the body including the deeper stabilising muscles to work you from the inside out. Paola herself promises that her ‘BodyBarre method is designed to maximise the workout you get from your time in the studio. To elongate, isolate and target muscles in the entire body, for a lean, toned, aligned functional, strong body…’
WHY: Expect to improve your posture, cardio vascular endurance, core strength, flexibility and muscle tone. Not to mention that derriere lift that PBB is famous for! This is a one stop shop of a workout that will keep you on your toes yet at the same time give you the mind body connection to help revitalise and energise you.
WHERE: From Fulham to Wimbledon through to residencies at KXU + Sweaty Betty Carnaby, Paola’s Body Barre has well + truly taken over London. Find your local here.
- HIIT + CHILL AT FRAME
WHAT: Too many tabs open in your brain? Is hitting the gym and beasting a workout your go-to stress busting remedy? This sure does feel good but how much is it actually helping? When we are stressed and overwhelmed your adrenaline and cortisol levels are sky high then you go and do a high intensity workout and top this up. HIIT and CHILL gives you the best of both worlds. It’s a journey taking you up, giving you what you want with high intensity intervals, torching the body, challenging your energy systems, before gradually bringing you down into a better state of calm.
The experience fuses ambient electronica, hypnotic melodies, binaural beats, ethereal soundscapes and ancient shamanic sacred sounds to produce a wide range of transformative benefits such as restoration and the re-emergence of balance and inner calm. The result is a sound experience that promotes Theta brainwave states and left and right hemisphere coherence. Which makes meditation and all its benefits possible even for people who don’t have experience in this field.
WHY: Binaural beats therapy is primarily used to treat anxiety and stress, although it may also improve concentration and motivation as well.
Potential benefits include:
– reduced stress
– reduced anxiety
– increased focus
– increased concentration
– increased motivation
– increased confidence
– deeper meditation
– improved psychomotor performance and mood
As the journey winds down you are taken through a few fascia release techniques with a small massage ball. These techniques promote circulation to your muscles and connective tissue, working into those knots and stress points.
The experience then finished bathing in a sound bath lead by frequencies to relax even the least type of yogi in the room.
WHERE: They’ve just opened their brand spanking new studios in Fitzrovia + Hammersmith, but also call Shoreditch, Kings Cross, Queens Park + Victoria home.
- YOGA WITH CELESTE PEREIRA AT KXU
WHAT: A dynamic yoga session that will challenge each and every inch of your body and mind- but not in the way you think. Your breath will be your guiding light through an uplifting + inspiring flow that’s guaranteed to blow away any cobwebs you walk in with. Get ready to leave it all on the mat.
WHY: Celeste’s class offers headspace because it’s very creative. This creativity is delivered in a digestible way, even to a novice, BUT it demands your full attention. The class will ask you to tune into your body to understand it on a higher level and how to use it effectively, but that takes focus. Most classes will always push you to your max, so a natural bi-product of that is your sweat.
