BODY BALANCE



SO WHAT WILL BODY BALANCE DO FOR ME?

  • Improve your joint flexibility and range of movement
  • Increase your core strength
  • Improve your cardiovascular function
  • Burn calories
  • Reduce your stress levels
  • Provide a lasting sense of well-being and calm
  • Focus your mind and raise your level of consciousness

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

Just yourself! You should wear comfortable workout clothes – and no shoes. We do the class in bare feet because you need to feel full contact with the floor for the balancing and postural work. In colder weather you may also need to bring something warm to wear for the relaxation and meditation sequence. We provide all equipment needed.

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE CLASSES?

BODY BALANCE classes are held weekly at Marske Leisure Centre on a Thursday evening from 7.15 - 8.00 pm. The ten-minute tummy toner from 7.00 - 7.10 pm is also included in the price of the Body Balance class.

HOW MUCH ARE THE CLASSES?

Classes are £3.75 per session. Check out our Special Offers and discounts though for some great savings on classes.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I ATTEND?

You’ll feel real benefits from coming to a class just once each week but combining Body Balance with other forms of exercise makes for a really great workout. We include some Body Balance in Pilates classes, but also consider attending some cardio classes (e.g. Body Attack, Boxercise, Body Attack Challenge, Body Fit, Zumba, Body Combat), plus some strength and conditioning work such as Bums & Tums or Body Pump.

WHEN WILL I NOTICE RESULTS?

It usually takes about three classes to understand the feel and structure of the class and moves. You may experience some mild muscle soreness at first but this will quickly pass and be followed by noticeable strength and flexibility gains and postural improvement. From the very first class you should start to experience the stress-reducing and spiritually renewing benefits of Body Balance.

BODY BALANCE... WHAT'S THAT?

BODYBALANCE is the yoga, t’ai chi and Pilates workout that leaves you feeling long, strong, centred and calm. It’s your personal “time out” from the stress and strains of daily life - a group fitness class that enhances your physical and mental well-being. A new BODYBALANCE class is released every three months with new music and choreography.

SO DESCRIBE A TYPICAL CLASS

Each class follows a set sequence of exercise disciplines and is made up of simple yet challenging exercises followed by relaxation and meditation. Your teacher takes you through the moves and gives you options depending on your level of fitness.
Tai chi warm-up - Easy, flowing moves from the ancient Chinese exercise discipline let you leave your day behind, centre yourself and warm the body.
Sun salutations - A traditional yoga sequence that warms your whole body more deeply, stretching and strengthening key muscle groups.
Yoga standing strength - Poses such as warrior pose and triangle pose strengthen and tone your entire body.
Balances - Concentration and focus allow your mind and body to adapt to meet the challenge of balancing poses.
Hip openers - Focuses on stretches to produce greater flexibility and freedom of movement in the hips and lower back.
Core work - Uses exercises from Pilates and yoga to strengthen core abdominal and back muscles.
Twists and forward bends - Poses and stretches to create suppleness and flexibility in the hamstrings and back.
Relaxation and meditation - The final section of the class to deliver the mental and physiological benefits of meditation and enhance the effects of the exercise you have just completed.

HOW DO I DO BODY BALANCE� SAFELY?

Your teacher is there to make sure you do everything correctly, but try to remember:

  • Good posture is the foundation of all exercise.
  • Focus on learning the right technique at the beginning.
  • Work continuously at perfecting your technique.
  • Perform the movements with control - smooth actions, not jerky.
  • Always keep your joints slightly bent, don’t lock out your arms or legs.
  • Listen to your body, it will tell you if something is not right.
  • Body Balance should feel challenging, but at any time you need to take a rest, that’s fine!


Some muscle pain is natural at first, especially if it’s the same on both sides of your body. This is muscle soreness. Muscle soreness is typical when starting out on a training programme and normally occurs 24 to 48 hours after exercise. If you have pain down only one side or in the joints, check with the teacher. If the pain continues, see your doctor.

BODY BALANCE TESTIMONIAL

"I started to attend Body Balance classes as although I am fairly fit, attending four other classes per week, (Body Pump x 2 and Body Step x 2), playing hockey 2 - 3 times per week and running most week days, I really started to notice that I was losing my flexibility.

Body Balance has been a great compliment to my workout and although initially I found many of the ‘poses’ difficult, I noticed a significant improvement within about two months.

I have been to many fitness classes in the Teesside area and I can honestly say that the classes taught by Rachael and her team at Marske are the best I have been to… and I have been to a lot! Keep up the good work!"
Jo. 42 years from Marske.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

If you'd like to know more, talk to us in any class. Alternatively drop us an email at Rachael@rachaelsfitness.co.uk or call Rachael directly on 01642 481723.