Ancient dance form meets trending workout

New beginners guide teaches fundamentals of bellydance

TORONTO – The exotic world of bellydance is a fun way to stay fit with gentle and fluid movements. Growing in popularity as a low-impact exercise, it helps build stamina, enhance flexibility, improve cardiovascular health and strengthen core muscles.

Evyenia Karmi, bellydance instructor, performer and choreographer of 22 years, is sharing her expertise beyond the dance floor with a new beginners guide titled “Quintessential Bellydance.” Readers will learn basic beginner movements with this easy-to-read, dictionary-formatted book that includes pictures throughout for reference.

Karmi provides readers with weekly routine combinations that work core muscles and guide readers towards grace and elegance. Her compact, easy-to-use guide features a warm-up routine, basic arm movements, techniques for the upper and lower body, traveling steps, and an introduction to veil work.

“These basic steps are used by enthusiasts and professionals alike,” Karmi said. “This is the starting point that will provide the fundamental dance steps needed to advance to the next stage.”

For more information, visit www.evyeniakarmi.com.

“Quintessential Bellydance: Beginner Class Companion”

By Evyenia Karmi

ISBN: 978-1475947878

Available in softcover, hardcover, e-book

Available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iUniverse and Chapters Indigo

About the author

Evyenia Karmi resides in Toronto, Canada where she also teaches bellydance. She has performed for the Greek, Turkish, East Indian and Arabic communities. As a member of the International Dance Council, Karmi continues to perform in theatres and festivals. This is her first book.

Brass Vixens - Pole Fitness - Toronto

This week I was invited by Brass Vixens Pole Fitness to try out a class. At first I was hesitant because dancing of any kind is not my forte. One of my friends that I was speaking with on the phone said that I would probably be better than I was thinking I would be. So I decided what did I have to lose? I accepted the invitation and see what Brass Vixens was all bout.

From the moment I accepted signing up on their site was easy! Once I had a profile name I could browse through all of their locations and classes. The problem was that I have a very busy schedule. But guess what they had classes at all different times of day across all of their locations. I found a 12pm class that was perfect for me to attend at their location on Yonge Street. The class was beginner pole. I even received a friendly reminder of my class that I booked. Which is great since I do so many things in a day. I really like their booking feature and this was just icing on the cake!

I arrived at the address and was a little confused because the building read Seductions (and adult entertainment store). I walked in and asked where Brass Vixens was and the women was super nice and told me they were located on the 3rd floor. It would have been nice to know when I received my booking confirmation that this is where it was located. But it was easy to find non the less.

I was created with a friendly smile at the front desk by "Lady Kori" she was very friendly and totally made me comfortable. She took the time to show me the changing room, washroom and explain where to put my bags. I sat and waited patiently for the class to start and it started promptly at 12pm. It was a full class and some people had to share a pole.

Let me just say this: I LOVED EVERY ONE OF THE SONGS ON HER PLAYLIST! Music makes a workout for me so thank you Kori for an awesome play list. Since it was beginner pole we had what I thought was an extended warm up but she made it fun and sexy without it being over the top. All the moves were fun and her choreography flowed so well the whole class. The only thing I did not enjoy that much but I think everyone else did was the free style at the end of the class. She turned on a song and told us to free style. Since this was my first class I only knew what she did in the class so I was a bit so so about the freestyle. I just practiced what I learned while what seemed like everyone else did more advanced moves and really knew how to move. I just felt a bit out of place but it was still fun! I did not get a chance to take photos due to the privacy of the other attendees and there was another class directly after mine so I couldn't take any after either.

After my session I even got an email asking for my class review and to provide feedback. Great for business! I also got a Welcome to Brass Visens email saying that they hoped I enjoyed my class yesterday! After I filled out the feedback I earled "5 points." I assume this is a rewards program that they have. What a great incentive.

Overall I absolutely loved my experience at http://brassvixens.com and I would totally recommend it to anyone looking for a good experience. Don't be scared or intimidated and just go in and have fun with it. Kori is a great instructor and I would definitely attend another class of hers! Thank you Brass Vixens for such a wonderful first pole experience. If you are in the Toronto area check them out!

Hey everyone! I only recently found out that a new gym is coming to Toronto in October 2013. Madonna's own Hard Candy Fitness is opening up downtown! I don't know about you but I wan't to work and train here!

According to the website:

"Hard Candy Fitness Toronto will be the brand’s largest club location in North America to date! The brand new, exquisite 42,000 sq. ft. facility is set to open in fall 2013 and is located in College Park at the center of downtown Toronto. The club will be located on the top retail floor of the newly-constructed, 78-story Aura building at College Park. Built by the Canderel real estate development corporation, the building will be the tallest condominium in Canada with stunning views of the cityscape and adjacent three acre park.

This full scale club will exude the brand’s signature modern style and high-end amenities. The club emphasizes unique group fitness programming with studios for everything from cycling and Pilates, to yoga and cardio-dance. Hard Candy Fitness’ proprietary Addicted to Sweat workouts, which were recently released on DVD, will be offered to Toronto club members along with a complete selection of traditional group fitness programs.  "

Check out the smoking hot Karina Smirnoff from dancing with the stars on the new Fitness Rx cover. She looks like a fitness model! Go Karina!