5 Things About Our Women's Bollywood Dance and Fitness Programs

This video is intended to provide a look into our program, space, and clientele. This was taken at our Annex Community space.

This video is intended to provide a look into our program, space, and clientele. This was taken at our High Park Community space.

This video is intended to provide our clients with a look into our online program during COVID-19.

5 Things About Our Women's Bollywood Dance & Fitness Program

By: Sumera Garcia-Quadri

In light of the number of inquiries we get from potential members, community centers, and Bollywood dance/fitness instructors, I felt it important to create a quick blog to help you decide if we’re for you!

Here are 5 things to know before joining us:

1. We’re community-based

Etobicoke Space

Annex Space

High Park Space

If you’re looking for a gym or studio with fancy floors, grand chandeliers and instructors that look like Bollywood stars - you’ve come to the wrong space. Our programs take place in lovely community settings close to the Bloor subway line and are instructed by caring, non-judgemental, unique, and safe.

We welcome all ages and levels and most of our members are women 40 yrs and up

2. We’re dancers and fitness instructors

Many of our instructors are dancers with more than 20 years of dance training in Classical Indian (Bharatanatyam) and have taken their experience up a level by becoming fitness specialists. Additionally, some of our instructors have an athletic background and work as kid’s coaches and art therapists, dentists, and physiotherapists. We understand the benefits of using dance fitness to support a healthy active lifestle and how to modify our instruction for different members, especially for women 40 yrs old and up.

To find out more about us, click below

• Sumera: https://fusioncardiotoronto.com/bio

• Our team: https://fusioncardiotoronto.com/volunteer-instructors-helpers

3. We’re fun!

This is a low to moderate impact dance fitness program offering a unique experience that includes dance cardio, dance learning, and strength training. We believe that Improving brain health and body strength is far more important than how fast we go. We want to make fat burning (weight loss) and everyday activities better. If you’re looking for high impact programs, our other programs may be better to keep you moving and grooving.

4. We’re female-only and intimate (allowing up to 15)

Like Canfitpro has suggested, we have leaned towards small class sizes to create an intimate experience between the instructors and participants. In class, we like to know your names and your needs so that we can try and provide a safe space and relationship between you and the instructor. We also feel that female-only spaces can be encouraging for those new to fitness.

We’re Seasonal

This video is intended to provide a look into our program, space, and clientele. This was taken at our High Park Community space.

This video is intended to provide our clients with a look into our online program during COVID-19.

We offer 2 programs: Bollywood Dance Choreography (dance only) and Bollywood Dance Fitness, 3 times a year in 12-week sessions and across 3 locations. Both are fun programs that you can add to your current fitness schedule if you’re looking for a dance based workout once a week. We also run 2 dance workshops a year for Halloween and Valentine’s. The Bollywood dance choreography (70s’ to now) program is run by demand and for those who want to express themselves artistically while getting in a low impact workout.

Want More Info? Do send us a message below

How Exercise Helps My Brain

I love this article by Harvard Health for the simple fact that it raises awareness of the benefits of exercise that we often don’t see, the hidden ones in the BRAIN.

I was raised by my grandparents. I noticed that as I grew older, so did they both mentally and physically…

My grandfather tried to use exercise and a plant-based diet to manage his heart failure and weight for more than 40 years. My grandmother, however, adopted a better diet, fasting, and exercise (cardio and resistance training 3 times a week) in her 70s' after having 2 strokes as a result of not managing type 2 diabetes and almost losing her foot. My father also died at age 43 and he had diabetes and kidney failure.

Considering how far my grandparents have come, I'm surprised that they never discussed how exercise positively impacted their mental or brain health.

I often exercise to release stress and hurt feelings, to feel happier, maintain a better weight (I often consume more calories than I burn), and to get the chance to bond and meet cool people to chat with after class. I also notice that when my stress is down, my memory is better!

Whatever your reasons for exercise, I truly believe that if you choose a physical activity that you enjoy and can do it 3 times a week, you'll see benefits in so many other parts of your life, not just in your APPEARANCE!

Wishing you a happy brain,

Sumera

2020 Fall - A Glimpse Of Our In-Person Classes

We are trying hard to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus while also supporting the lives of our members, many of whom we have not seen in 5 months.

While we are offering most of our classes online this Fall, should you choose to return in-person this Fall, here’s what you can expect from us

1. We've got zones with cones - we’re maintaining over 6 feet of distance apart

2. we’ve reduced classes sizes from 15 to up to 8 in some spaces

3. we will shut down registration publically after October to keep our group feeling safe

4. all of our instructors will wear a visor or mask during instruction

5. we’re ready to shift all of our in-person classes online if we are mandated to shut down

6. we’re trying to keep instructors with their assigned programs to help reduce the spread of the virus while giving the class the opportunity to build a stronger connection with their instructor - our instructors miss their class too!

To see our Annex space and members in our 1st week back: https://www.facebook.com/fusioncardiotoronto/videos/1221981348157197/

To see our High Park space and members in our 1st week back: https://www.facebook.com/fusioncardiotoronto/videos/1746768725478963/

If you would like to have fun dancing away stress with our dance workouts online or in-person please send a message below.

Best Shoes For Dance Workouts and Classes - Under $80

Throughout the last years, I’ve seen my share of shoes. And I’ve worn my share of shoes. Shoes that look great on but aren’t functional for dance workouts/dance classes. I’ve seen some come in with heels, others in winter boots, and some in sandals. I’ve even seen some participants throw off their shoes in the middle of a class because they just aren’t able to move in them as they’d like to. Wearing the wrong shoes in a dance class is like driving a car in the snow with summer tires. You’re getting by until one day, you just can’t.

To help you find the best shoe for your dance workouts/classes, without breaking the bank, I’ve put together a quick list of inexpensive shoes available in Toronto and online. Most of the shoe brands and styles on the list I’ve purchased and really liked wearing.

1) Dance Sneakers (suitable for high impact dance workouts/classes)

Reebok Women's Hayasu (Starting at C$40 Reebok online)

Reebox Women's Pilox Dance Sneaker (C$60 Sears Canada)

RYKA’s Women's 'Grafik' Training/Studio Dance Shoe (C$70 at Sears Canada)

Pastry’s Hip Hop Dance Sneakers (C$70 at Dance Wear Center)

2) Jazz Sneakers (suitable for dance classes)

American Ballet Theatre Women’s Twin Gore (C$30 at Payless Canada)

Capezio DS29 High Top Split Sole Dance Sneakers ($40 at Dance Wear Center)

Canvas Phanton Bloch Jazz Show (C$56 at Malabar Toronto)

3) No to Low-Cost Options

An old walking shoe (with a flat bottom that has minimal grip and allows you to twist and turn easily). Running shoes are not ideal as they are made for forward motion.

Barefoot (jumping and rumbling may have an impact on your knee joints and ankles. If you tend to get sweaty feet, this option may not work well.

Investing in a good pair of shoes will pay off if you’re getting the results you want. And you don’t have to spend over $90 to reach it.

The one thing I wish for all of you is fewer injuries and better performance.

For further reading, check out these articles:

Shape: http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/best-sneakers-crush-your-workout-routines

Elle Magazine: http://www.elle.com/fashion/news/g26198/podiatrist-approved-workout-shoes/?slide=5