My eternal quest to find an aerobics class in kolkata! February 5, 2009

It’s funny how all these “fitness” classes in Kolkata go out of the way to proclaim that they are “NOT” aerobic classes. It’s like doing Aerobics here is unthinkable..some sort of “sacrilege”! Soumen’s Workout gloated “No no this is NOT aerobics..This is much better”..Another class I joined at solace also gloated “Aaha..You are lucky you came here and not to some “Aerobics” class’…I wonder why…maybe it doesn’t suit the bengali physique? Aah..god knowss..

Anyways continuing this “journey” of mine —– Soumen’s workout din’t really work out for me ..I went for 3 weeks that too with a lot of self-motivation because those classes just couldnt do enough of that!! It was slow,boring and repetitive and To add to all this, they hardly ever put on the music..I can’t workout while hearing ek-dui-tin-char—-aat–ulti di –saat bla bla…To their credit, they did switch on the music system once in while..and It would repetitively play Michael Jackson..Beat It and Heal The World..LoL! Try exercising to Heal the world and see how far you get!..So yeah that led to the demise of “soumen’s workout’ for me..

I took a break for 2-3 months before I started my search once again. This time I landed up in Solace Day Spa and Wellness Center (in Sunny Park, Ballygunge) , this high-end place which looks all swanky and nice..Although on google it said “aerobics in solace”, when I went there I found out they DONT offer aerobics but something called “body balancing and Pilates”. I decided to try out for it and see what they got. I signed up for a 8 classes ka package, 1400 Rs for that (10 Classes – 1600 Rs, 12 Classes a month – 1800 Rs).Its taken by this very lithe lady, a fitness instructo, Mrinalini Mukherjee who looks and is as flexible as a 25 year old (But is more than a decade older)..I got motivated to sign on just by looking at her! ..She had an awesomely clear complexion , not to mention the fact that she looked fit and toned! Anyhow moving on to WHAT she teaches,it was basically like an advanced yoga class. Warmup session in the beginning included doing “Surya Namaskars” around 5-6 times and I was surprised how sweaty THAT got to me. With that done, she followed it up with the “body balancing” routines, flowy moves designed to improve your flexibility and strengthen some parts of your body. This just proved to be further testimony to my “unfit” body — I couldn’t balance myself on my 2 hands and 2 legs without them buckling under all that weight ! I was discouraged but the other girls in the class said things will get better with time and it DID..The next class I was successful in supporting myself but just BARELY !! My hands and legs were involuntarily trembling like a 90 year old woman’s! After 2-3 classes, I started feeling better about myself although there were some moves Mrinalini used to do which had me just gaping at her not having the guts to even attempt! She used to balance herself on one hand and one leg…with the other leg in air..lol…no can do that! Sadly after 5 classes, I had some guests and then had to go out of station, so that was the end of my tryst with “body balancing”. I loved the class but feel that to really get the benefits of this class, you should already be fit..This class cannot make you fit from a completely unfit chump, but it can help you be fitter and reach the pinnacles of fitness ONCE you are half way there!

So I’ve had 2 half hearted attempts at “working out” in Kolkata.Both interrupted by my travel schedule (1st year of my marriage and all that!). Once you are out of the “groove”, its very difficult to go back to it ..Anyhow I begin my 3rd attempt tomm with Indira Anklesaria’s Calorie Burn Center (Lovelock Place) (I do wish they had a nicer cooler name though, but what’s in a name huh?:))..I finally found someone who said “We do aerobics” without feeling apologetic about it!! Phew. I like the flexibility they offer in terms of number of classes you choose to come (The rate is around 200 Rs per class). Let’s wait and watch how this one turns out.. Wish me luck..

To a THINNER and FITTER new ME …Cheers