{"id":6881,"date":"2017-08-11T13:49:10","date_gmt":"2017-08-11T13:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitproblog.mysites.io\/disco-yoga\/"},"modified":"2024-03-11T12:19:07","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T12:19:07","slug":"disco-yoga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/disco-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"Disco Yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"

Olivia Hubbard<\/strong> headed to The Hoxton Hotel in London\u2019s Holborn to check out Disco Yoga. The question is: was it more glitter than fitness?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another week, another fitness trend. The fitness industry is now as diverse as an office party. Although this class\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0in fact a party \u2013 there\u2019s a serious disco playlist, glitter everywhere and cocktails. Yet, I struggle to picture our accounts team in cat suits dancing the boogie woogie.<\/p>\n

Yoga in London is a bit of a mixed bag \u2013 I\u2019ve been to a fair few offerings. There\u2019s the serious yogi experience whereby you leave your shoes at the door and \u2018om\u2019 on the way in, then there\u2019s the Hackney living room offering; you meditate for hours and leave with a new-found phobia of beards and a fondness for tie-dye.<\/p>\n

Enter Disco Yoga. It currently offers weekly classes in London\u2019s stylish Trapeze Bar, and from September, Brighton locals will also be able to join in the fun. It isn\u2019t just for adults, Disco Yoga is launching its \u2018Jungle Boogie\u2019 class for toddlers and youngsters at its Brighton Harbour venue this October. During this 30-minute interactive class, children can use their imaginations as they take on yoga poses with animal and nature themes, engaging through sounds, stories and movement, all of which are said to build confidence and co-ordination.<\/p>\n

Back to the adult version, Disco Yoga classes take in elements of Vinyasa flow yoga and dynamic sequences, which are said to encourage vitality and rejuvenation. We turned up at 10am on a Saturday morning \u2013 as we began dousing ourselves in blue and silver glitter and sticking coloured gems onto our cheeks, most people would be nursing a mild hangover. Most (not all) participants got involved, it was all part of the experience, and it also made Londoners speak to one another \u2013 which should always be encouraged.<\/p>\n

The class was suitable for all, although we would consider ourselves as beginner yogis and found it a perfect level to enjoy without feeling too challenged. In between each pose there was some down-time, and nothing felt rushed. It had all the typical yoga poses, downward dog, cobra, tree and child pose, to name a few, but this was a downward dog with a difference, as we were told to sway our hips.<\/p>\n

Brian Eno kicked things off with Emerald and Stone<\/em>\u00a0and Diana Ross awakened our senses with \u00a0Love Hangover\u00a0<\/em>. Things went more disco when Donna Summer blared through the studio with Love to Love You Baby\u00a0<\/em>and Bee Gees favourite Jive Talkin\u00a0<\/em>rang out next, followed by Van McCoy\u2019s The Hustle\u00a0<\/em>. A personal favourite was Kung Fu Fighting<\/em>\u00a0by Carl Douglas, as we arm punched in yogi style. The ultimate tune though had to be another Diana classic, Upside Down – <\/em>this included a full\u00a0dance routine with hip rotation, a jump, and neck roll.<\/p>\n

All the hits were on the playlist and who better than Bill Withers to welcome you to a Lovely Day<\/em>\u00a0before you kick-started your weekend.<\/p>\n

Yes, it was a bit cheesy; no it\u2019s not going to have you sweating buckets or performing a crab; but it was brilliant, inclusive and different. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun in a yoga class. It would be great to add to your fitness week alongside other more intense sessions. Don’t expect to swap your traditional yoga classes for disco! \u00a0What made the class so good (other than the fantastic playlist) was the duo behind the brand; yoga teacher, Sarah Hunt\u00a0<\/strong>and DJ Darlo. <\/strong>The duo bring all that is good about group fitness, working out should be fun, not a chore. Besides, we can’t be serious all of the time, can we?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0DJ Darlo (left) Olivia Hubbard (centre) Sarah Hunt (right)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Resident yoga teacher for London Fashion Week and TESS models, Sarah Hunt splits her time between private clients, global retreats, music festivals and group classes in various London locations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Passionate\u00a0 about\u00a0 spreading\u00a0 the\u00a0 influence\u00a0 of\u00a0 yoga,\u00a0 Sarah\u00a0 also\u00a0 focuses\u00a0 her\u00a0 time on\u00a0 providing\u00a0 wellness workshops and yoga classes for corporates, and has 10 years\u2019 experience in the business. We asked her what made her devise Disco Yoga and what she thinks the current demand is for the industry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FitPro: What made you decide to create\u00a0Disco Yoga? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Sarah Hunt:<\/strong> I had been teaching traditional\u00a0yoga for several years and I generally played tranquil, soft music. I’ve always loved music, so after a few years, I\u00a0began to experiment with music that was more upbeat. I noticed right away that the students responded well to this and the energy in the room shifted.\u00a0I decided to start a brand new class that focused on this new musical element and combined it with an energising,\u00a0flow-style yoga. The two worked well together!\u00a0On one particular night, a disco song appeared on my playlist\u00a0by mistake and before I had a chance to change it, everyone was grooving and smiling\u00a0in their poses.\u00a0That was the night Disco Yoga began. It didn’t officially come alive until I met up with my friend Rosie (DJ Darlo) and we decided to work together\u00a0as a team. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FP: Where did you get your inspiration from?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH:<\/strong> I have never really experienced anything like Disco Yoga before.\u00a0I’ve been to yoga classes and I’ve been to dance classes, but this is a completely different experience. I’m always amazed at how quickly a class full of strangers can bond through glitter, dancing and yoga.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FP: \u00a0How would you describe the yoga industry in the UK at the moment? <\/strong><\/p>\n

SH:<\/strong> The yoga industry in the UK is thriving. Many people are coming up with concept yoga experiences such as Disco Yoga,\u00a0Hip Hop Yoga, Colour Yoga, Yoga Raves.\u00a0This makes yoga more accessible to a wider audience.\u00a0People are also looking to combine social experiences with fitness more than ever before, to find balance and a guilt-free alternative to clubbing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FP: What do you love about delivering Disco Yoga? <\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: <\/strong>I love how it\u00a0brings people together.\u00a0As everyone begins to\u00a0hear\u00a0the amazing music, they\u00a0start moving to it and lose their inhibitions. Regardless of how stressful their life is, I see the lightness in people after they leave class.\u00a0It’s a great feeling to know that we created the environment so that they can experience this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FP: What are the future plans for Disco Yoga?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH:<\/strong> We had a great festival run this year and are excited to do even more next year.\u00a0We are currently training up more teachers and DJs to deliver more Disco Yoga events across the country.\u00a0We’re even looking into international options, too!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a yoga teacher, have you fully considered the experience you are offering? What music do you use? Is it traditional \u2013 have you asked your clients what music they would like in the session?<\/em><\/p>\n

Check out the incredible offerings for instructors at MyGroupFit music today. The array of disco playlists can be found here:\u00a0http:\/\/www.mygroupfit.com\/music\/genre\/25\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We would love to hear about your yoga offering and what goes into creating your experience. Email us at: publish@fitpro.com<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DJ<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Darlo\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

(pictured right)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DJ\u00a0Darlo\u00a0crosses genres from\u00a0disco,\u00a0funk, soul,\u00a0hip hop,\u00a0R&B,\u00a0Latin, rock \u2018n\u2019\u00a0roll,\u00a0reggae,\u00a0ragga,\u00a0old\u00a0skool\u00a0dance\u00a0classics,\u00a0and\u00a0pop, and is not afraid to chuck in a\u00a0bit of classic rock for those air guitar moments. Spanning multiple eras\u00a0and genres, a night on the dance floor with\u00a0DJ Darlo\u00a0at the helm is always joyful, uplifting and full of surprises!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Full session playlist<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emerald and Stone – Brian Eno<\/p>\n

Love Hangover – Diana Ross<\/p>\n

Love to love you baby – Donna Summer<\/p>\n

Jive talkin – Bee Jees<\/p>\n

The Hustle \u2013 Van McCoy<\/p>\n

Kung Fu Fighting \u2013 Carl Douglas<\/p>\n

More, More, More \u2013 Andrea True Connection<\/p>\n

Stayin Alive \u2013 Bee Gees<\/p>\n

Upside Down \u2013 Diana Ross<\/p>\n

And The Beat Goes On \u2013 The Whispers<\/p>\n

He’s the Greatest Dancer \u2013 Sister Sledge<\/p>\n

Yes Sir, I can Boogie \u2013 Baccara
\nBoogie Oogie Oogie \u2013 A Taste of Honey<\/p>\n

Everybody Dance \u2013 Chic<\/p>\n

Use It Up and Wear it Out \u2013 Odyssey<\/p>\n

Young Hearts Run Free \u2013 Candi Staton<\/p>\n

My First, My Last, My Everything \u2013 Barry White<\/p>\n

Escape (Pina Colada song) \u2013 Rupert Holmes<\/p>\n

Summer Breeze \u2013 The Isley Brothers<\/p>\n

Lovely Day \u2013 Bill Withers<\/p>\n

Everybody’s Free To Feel Good \u2013 Quindon Tarver<\/p>\n

An Ending \u2013 Brian Eno<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Go again? <\/strong>Yes!<\/p>\n

Instructor rating? \u00a0<\/strong>9\/10<\/p>\n

Overall experience? <\/strong>9 \/10<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

discoyoga.uk<\/a> \/ @discoyoga.uk<\/p>\n

Residencies: Trapeze\u00a0Bar in Old Street \/ Century Club Soho<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pop-ups, festivals, and\u00a0private\u00a0events nationwide<\/strong><\/p>\n

No experience necessary, all levels welcome. Ticket price from \u00a315 and includes one post-class Disco Yoga-themed cocktail or\u00a0mocktail.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for yoga insurance ,<\/a>\u00a0we\u2019ve got you covered!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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