From Resolution to Evolution
It’s a new year and accompanying it comes the usual suspects. A morning reminder that you cannot consume champagne ‘like you used to,’ the inevitability of writing the wrong date on all important documents for a month, and the creation of life betterment resolutions that likely will not see the light of February.
While we may not be able to help you with the laws of aging or inescapable passage of time, we are here to bolster your health resolution with some unique fitness and overall mind-body centering options for 2011.
1) Meet me at the Barre
Barre Evolution in Mount P is Charleston’s first barre fitness studio, aiming to sculpt, tone and elongate your body. Don’t let the name and main enforcer of calorie-crushing body transformation – the ballet barre – fool you. This is no dance class.
It utilizes interval training and isometric movements to flick muscle groups you didn’t even know you had into action. Get ready for muscle shaking, sore abs and a little thing called thigh dancing. After 5 to 10 consistent classes, you’ll see a phenomenal increase in strength and flexibility, not to mention a welcome change in the fit of your Levi’s.
Warning: Barre-goers have been known to stop in their tracks to check themselves out in mirrored storefronts in disbelief. Apparently this is normal. Just go with it. 
2) Is that a Trapeze you’re on, or are you just happy to see me?
If Baryshnikov isn’t your thing, the Ringling Brothers are just down the road at Revolve Aerial Dance in North Charleston.
The school and performing company use circus apparatuses like the aerial silk, trapeze, ring, hammock and sling to promote movement that joins mind, heart and spirit.
Try your white-knuckled hand at moves like the catcher’s link, gazelle or angel. Crash pads and careful instruction by Revolve’s professionally-trained owner and resident spider monkey, Julianna, keep all of the maneuvers high on both the thrill and safety metric. 
In a word of encouragement for those not bestowed with the acrobatic gene, there is an amazing effect of a steel trapeze and inverting oneself at an upside down angle that can make even Sloth look elegant. RAD, indeed.
3) Belly buttons step into the spotlight
Trade airborne grace for the mesmerizing action of finger cymbals and hip scarves and you are set for option three on the “They Don’t Offer this at the Country Club Gym” list – the belly dance workout.
Palmetto Oasis Middle Eastern Dance Troupe performs throughout the Lowcountry, offering a variety of dances and a Princess Jasmine-esque costume closet.
Members of the dance troupe offer an array of classes to encourage self-esteem and wellness, with a dollop of Middle Eastern passion. Classes are available from West Ashley to Park West, with the option for private tummy twisting instruction.
Any way you tighten, tuck or shake it, add a new flavor to spice up your daily fitness grind. You’ll only have yourself to thank.
Story by: Meredith H. Siemens
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I have an idea for someone. There are so many neat offerings around town and the problem is in choosing one. Of course, you end up choosing one for ease and better cost efficiencies. But you do your body a disservice by not switching up your workouts, and the other businesses get ZERO of your business. I would love to see someone offer a customizable service that offers you a taste of all the options. They’d work with all these local fitness places to get a good rate for a once/week or once/every other week class so it’s not an absurdly pricey membership, then mark it up for their own business purposes, and sell it as an all around local fitness membership. I’d buy it in a heart beat!