Work out with UK fitness coach Rachael Sacerdoti online through her new programme, It's So Simple
Work out with UK fitness coach Rachael Sacerdoti online through her new programme, It's So Simple
Work out with UK fitness coach Rachael Sacerdoti online through her new programme, It's So Simple
Work out with UK fitness coach Rachael Sacerdoti online through her new programme, It's So Simple

Where to work out in the UAE this month: from yoga classes to online programmes


Janice Rodrigues
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If you're after a little fitness inspiration in March, whether you'd prefer to join a class or workout from the comfort of your home, here are the sessions worth adding to your calendar.

Yogafest Dubai

Yogafest Dubai will take place from Thursday to Sunday, March 18 to 20, at Dubai Internet City Amphitheatre. The line-up includes workshops on handstands and backbends, AcroYoga and partner yoga; plus talks on improving sleep, hormone yoga therapy for women, sessions on priming your immune system through breathing exercises, and shaking and sound therapy. There is plenty for families, too, from Thai massages to laughter yoga.

Yoga at Topgolf

The three-day YogaFest aside, you can also perform your sun salutations directly under the morning light as part of a new experience at Topgolf Dubai. The entertainment and sporting venue joined forces with Alserkal Avenue studio Shimis Yoga last month to conduct classes that will take place every Friday morning at 8am on the Topgolf outfield, priced at Dh150 per person.

Yoga at Address Beach Resort

Address Beach Resort will host morning yoga sessions on its private beach. Pawan Singh / The National
Address Beach Resort will host morning yoga sessions on its private beach. Pawan Singh / The National

The newly opened Address Beach Resort, too, has launched yoga sessions available to in-house guests for Dh50 and visitors for Dh70.

These will take place every Friday and Saturday from 9am to 10am, when a yoga instructor will take participants of all levels through a series of poses and breathing techniques. The classes will take place on the hotel’s private beach, offering gorgeous views of the water, Ain Dubai and JBR – a great way to kick-start the day. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 04 879 8888.

Yoga in Hatta

Yoga teacher Nanzy Zabaneh will host a three-day Kundalini yoga retreat in Hatta
Yoga teacher Nanzy Zabaneh will host a three-day Kundalini yoga retreat in Hatta

Yogis who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life can sign up for a three-day Kundalini workshop, to take place in collaboration with yoga teacher Nanzy Zabaneh and Wellness World.

The retreat will take place at JA Hatta Fort Hotel, giving guests gorgeous views of the Hajar Mountains. The weekend will feature activities including mountain hikes, sunset rituals and themed group sharing in addition to Kundalini yoga and meditation. Proof of a PCR test is mandatory beforehand. The workshop is priced at Dh4,750, inclusive of a curated vegetarian menu. To book, visit seekwel.com.

Online workouts with Rachael Sacerdoti

If you'd rather work out from the comfort and safety of your home, consider signing up with UK fitness coach Rachael Sacerdoti's It’s So Simple.

The 12-week wellness programme takes place online, with Sacerdoti providing each participant with personalised advice and guidance, from exercises and nutritional meal plans to progress tracking. She will also provide a healthy shopping list, and share recipes for dishes such as egg tacos and guilt-free desserts.

Participants will be able to join a support WhatsApp group of like-minded individuals where they can discuss their journey, ask questions and share pictures of their meals. Prices start at about Dh326 per week. For more information, visit itssosimple.co.uk.

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.