Take It To The Barre

Bazaar tests the benefits of a one-on-one cardio barre class at Yoga la Vie, a young studio on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah

Let’s be clear, I’m no ballerina. Scarred by childhood memories of leotards and humiliation, when the craze for barre classes started a few years ago, I steered well clear. 

But, after trying classes in Dubai at Physique 57 and then Yoga La Vie, a new studio on the Palm Jumeirah, I’m somewhat converted. Yoga La Vie soft-launched at the end of the summer but has only just developed its full range of classes in its two studios. The yoga offering is predominantly the popular, dynamic vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles, although there are gentler alternatives, but there’s also aerial yoga, a fun class that involves contorting yourself within silk hammocks, a cross between yoga and a trapeze class. It’s easier than it sounds, as advanced positions such as headstands are easy to achieve for all as you are supported by the hammock. And it brings out the child in you, good for those bored by a traditional yoga class.

Alongside the yoga are reformer and mat pilates with classes for different levels, plus HIIT classes, a new addition, and, of course, barre. 

All immaculate white, Yoga La Vie is the sort of place you feel a certain smug purity just swanning around in lycra, swigging a herbal tea. After trying a variety of the group pilates and yoga classes, I go for a one-on-one, thigh shaking cardio barre class with Lexi, who cut her teeth with The Bar Method, one of the original US studios that triggered the ballet conditioning craze.

It’s an efficient 50-minute class, mixing stretching and toning with cardio, good for those short on time or attention. Each ballet-inspired section targets an isolated part of the body to achieve that enviable lean, toned look of a dancer. Ballet may not sound hardcore, but you really feel the burn, first in the shoulders as, although you’re using light weights, the arms are kept consistently high. The pace with leg and glutes work at the barre (we’re talking heavy on the squats) and finally the abs get a drilling on the mat before some yoga inspired stretching.  

Much like pilates, when you’re not doing it quite right it feels a lot easier and is a whole lot less effective, so Lexi is quick to make small corrections, like it or not, when my technique slips. Of all the Yoga la Vie’s classes, says Lexi, barre burns the most calories and is the most popular, with classes consistently fully booked. 

I wobble out, sore thighed, to a hoard of women of all shapes, sizes and ages awaiting her 9am class. Rest assured, you don’t have to be built like a ballerina to do barre, but get hooked on this trend and you might get some of the way there.

Classes start from Dhs100, Private classes Dhs400. For more information and to register for a free trial see Yogalaviedubai.com