After trying Body Pump, Body Combat and Body Jam, Body Balance was my next target. Body Balance is the combination of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates workout. That is why whenever people ask me what Body Balance is, I will just tell them that it is the Western version of Yoga and Tai Chi.
According to Les Mills, Body Balance provide the following benefits:
- Improve your joint flexibility and range of movement
- Increase your core strength
- Reduce your stress levels
- Provide a lasting sense of well-being and calm
During my first class, before the instructor arrived, followed what others did, I grabbed a yoga mat and waited for the instructor to arrive.
Here was what we did in Body Balance class:
- We started with Tai Chi warm up. While I used to laugh at my grandparents of practicing Tai Chi, I suddenly understood it could be so different when I did it myself in the class. I felt good, really. In Body Balance class, you have to focus your mind and raise your level of consciousness through controlled breathing.
- After the warm up, we then did yoga pose - sun salutions. This pose was pretty challenging. I could feel my leg, back, butt and arm muscles screaming for help. The next track, we did the so called balances pose including the tree pose which is good for strength building. Then, hip stretches followed. The purpose of doing that is to unlock the stiffness in the lower body.
- After that, it is pilates meant for the abdominals and lower back muscles. At this point of time, I was already exhausted. So, I was hoping to do something easier in the next track.
- Twists are easy, but have to do the inhale and exhale correctly. Then, we did more stretches for the back of legs.
- The final track is the easiest. I just lied down like a dead body. I looked here and there because I was not sure what to do. Every one just closed eyes. After the music stopped, instructor told us the class was over.
The next morning I woke up, I felt a little muscle soreness here and there, especially the hips.
A quick tip – wear comfortable clothes. You do not have to wear any shoes during the class. Yes, just barefoot.
Do not expect much from an hour group class. But, if you attend it regularly, I am sure it will help to enhance physical and mental well being. You will do a lot of stretching, but it was simpler than Yoga and definitely more interesting than Tai Chi. Therefore, if you are looking something in between, Body Balance will be the choice. Have to admit that the controlled breathing, concentration and the series of stretches, moves and poses can be considered a holistic workout.
Comparing with other classes, though the fun element is not found in Body Balance, the benefits gained in the class are worth for me to go for another visit next time. How about you, have you tried BODYBALANCE?
You may want to check out my review of other Les Mills fitness classes.
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Elvina // Nov 12, 2007 at 9:46 AM
Body Balance is a nice and relaxing class. I fell in love with the class when I first joined. Although it might not be as tough as Yoga, but after the one hour you will definitely feel your muscles are well stretched. I even sweat a lil’ in the class. I used to do Yoga but stopped as I felt tat the instructors were too pushy and I ended up with injured muscles. Body Balance on the other hand is more relaxing =)
D // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:11 AM
I have done this routine and loved it.
I no longer belong to the gym that offered this because
of finances. Is there any DVD out there that can be purchased
with this routine? Ive looked everywhere. Please tell me
if there is such a video out there.
Vicki // Mar 26, 2008 at 9:34 PM
I too had the same issue. I had to leave the gym that offered it becuase of finaces. I would love to get any body balance video.
Please let me know if you can are there any available?
Lou // Apr 25, 2008 at 9:02 PM
I would love a DVD there aren’t enough classes out there!!
TjiaKang // Jul 31, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Taichi in Body Balance is bullshit.
Your grandpa/grandma’s Taichi is still better than the one in BB.
Trust me…
Amanda // Dec 21, 2008 at 11:16 AM
The Tai Chi in BB is only a warmup sequence – not a complete Tai Chi course! Just like the entire yoga section of BB is yoga asana adapted for mass general consumption – not a yoga class. I can pick out dozens of things wrong with the yoga sections of every BB release (like no inversions, odd variations of Surya Namaskar, the ’swan’ pose (eka pada rajakapotasana) – but why bother when it’s not intended to be a yoga class?
I’ve been teaching BB for nearly 10 years and I still love it. It has also served to introduce many people to Tai Chi and yoga. It inspired me to do yoga and about 4 years ago, I began to teach yoga.
After Body Pump, Body Balance is Les Mill’s most successful franchise. It’s not hard to figure out why.
The strength of the program lies in the attention to safety, simplicity, access (it’s in a gym, not a yoga centre), and the great music. It doesn’t pretend to be a yoga or Tai Chi class and shouldn’t be viewed in that way.
Namaste
Maria // Mar 8, 2009 at 3:33 AM
My friend and I once have decided to go to the fitness club. Finally chose one and started looking through loads of trainings in the club’s schedule. Body Balance was the first class we decided to enter.
I really liked it. Yes, I even had my muscles a bit sick. Now, after a while, I find it too easy for me, though I do BB after entering BC to relax.
All in all, IMHO, this training is perfect for those who have just started doing fitness, or for making your muscles relax after an intense one.