Tag Archives: Mommy Blogger Dubai

NYLA Method | Beautcamp | Fairmont Hotel | Palm Jumeirah

Unfortunately or fortunately, being pregnant with number 4 means I can’t take part in Dubai’s latest craze, The NYLA Method Beautcamp.  It is a gruelling camp to work muscles that never existed to your knowledge especially at 630am.  I hear from other mums that have attended that the NYLA girls are still incredibly enthusiastic even at that hour.  I then volunteered an unsuspecting friend, Sophie Weller,  to try out the beautcamp for a week.  Here is her verdict on survivability.  Sophie also has her own health and fitness blog, Now For The Last Ten.

When I first walked out on to the beach of the Fairmont on the Palm for my first NYLA Method class it felt like something straight out of a dream. The beautiful view of light fog over Dubai Marina gradually lifted to reveal the breathtaking skyline, making the 6am start infinitely more bearable.

The NYLA Method team has currently taken over the beach for it’s 5 week women’s only Beach Body Beautcamp. This is an intensive course taking place at 6.30am five days a week; for ladies to achieve dramatic results in a fairly short period of time due to a unique combination of Barre and other targeted strengthening movements.

Prior to my first session I was slightly apprehensive. Despite being fit through regular cardio, strength training and more recently Crossfit, I hadn’t ventured in to the world of Barre before nor was I familiar with its technique. I’m also not a frequent yogi, so I didn’t know if I’d have the agility required for such a workout. I needn’t have worried. The NYLA Method is simple to follow but puts you through your paces at the same time, regardless of your level of fitness.

Rather than a cardiovascular workout, which I wouldn’t describe it as, the focus of the NYLA Method was primarily on bodyweight and band assisted moves which created a serious ‘burn’. Throughout the workout you are pushed to your limits in terms of repetitions and I was encouraged to keep going longer than I would have done had I been working out on my own. It’s clear that the Method aims to create long and lean muscles through targeting each muscle group with different toning exercises. Particularly tough were the thigh and ab sections; each day I woke up feeling as though they’d had a thorough workout

The highlight of my week on the NYLA Method Beautcamp really was the instructors. Founder Andrea De Bellis has brought together a team of seasoned professionals who know how to get the best out of each and every woman in the class without feeling at all intimidated. Making sure you were pushed to your limits without putting you at risk of injury; each instructor took the time to walk around during the class to check form was correct and that no one was struggling with any of the movements. Exuding super high energy with toned/sculpted bodies themselves, they acted as a fantastic motivator and really made my NYLA Method experience stand out from any other workout I have done.

I’ll definitely be popping in to see the girls in their new studio when it opens later in the year (location to be confirmed). Until then, there is still two weeks left of the Beautcamp – to check it out for yourself and find details of how to sign-up for a class here.

If you prefer to do personal trainer for prenatal or any other classes this bespoke can also be offered in the home.   Check out their website www.nylamethod.com

ethical muse | Cork | Changing the way we view fashion.

My two lovely girlfriends Cathy Leibman and Christina Decker are always on a mission. A mission to change the world of fashion in terms of the environment and to change the lives of the children through education at the Masooli School in Uganda whilst being super busy mums.  Most fashion products associated with charities and social ventures in the market tend to be ‘sympathy products’ meaning poor quality goods but not for Christina and Cathy. They spend much of their time hunting down talented artisans to help fund their visions and to bring their craftsmanship to life but they also ensure their products can compete on a global scale.  

ethical muse is a profitable global leader in the world of ethical fashion, elevating design perceptions while making an impact in the lives of others. Combining their passion for philanthropy, fashion and sustainability  Cathy and Christina have created a for profit business which gives back in a 360 degree way; sustaining the global and local artisans they work with to make their products, and donating 20 meals from each item they sell to support the feeding program at the Masooli School in Uganda.

Cork:

Always on the lookout for new sustainable materials to use in designing their products, cork caught their eye over a year ago. Working with an artisan in Portugal to design the perfect travel accessory, they recently introduced their cork travel pouches just in time for summer! Cork is an inherently sustainable resource, being both biodegradable and renewable.  Cork  is harvested from the cork oak tree, but instead of needing to cut down the tree to use the raw material, the bark  is peeled off and the tree is left to regenerate, making it not only a sustainable, waterproof and durable material to work with, but a fashionable one too! The cork travel pouches come with embellished zipper pulls and colorful Androsia batik cotton lining.

Coming soon:

ethical muse is also about the launch the Jute tote bags made from upcycled coffee sacks.  You can also choose the colour of the lining/handles and 6 – 8 of your personal photos can be added to the side panels for a truly personalised bag.  It takes 3 – 4 weeks to create your personalised bag.  I am ordering one for my mum with photos of her grandkids!  What a fun beach bag for granny.

For more information or to order any of the above products please email contact.ethicalmuse@gmail.com or check www.ethicalmuse.com for more information.

Simple Summer Chic | For mums everywhere

Collecting Summer Holiday Outfits.

I spotted this simple gorgeous outfit from Banana Republic.  Simple and elegant.  Perfect for the summer holidays.

I think I am so pregnant that I can only dream of wearing these things for now.  Perhaps I could save it for next summer since it is a classic.

Banana Republic is located in the Dubai Mall.

Dubai’s new craze | The best workout for mums | NYLA Method from USA

NYLA Method  was brought to Dubai by Andrea deBellis – one of the original founders of Barrecorre on the King’s Road, London.  Lizzie Johnstone, mum of two based in Abu Dhabi, is now very much involved with the NYLA Method business with Andrea.  I wanted to share Lizzie’s story on NYLA Method after Lizzie recommended me to try their prenatal personal training (more on the blog soon about that), and I agree with Lizzie – the NYLA Method team must one of the best types of exercises in Dubai and Abu Dhabi at the moment.  It must be very special too especially when the Harpers Baazar and Emirates Women teams have been spotted (via instragram) at the beautcamp every morning – it’s a 630am start.  Hardcore.

Can you tell us about the NYLA Method?

THE NYLA METHOD is the US Barre workout craze, revamped and refined. It is a fun and dynamic 60 minute workout that targets women’s problem areas, tones every muscle group and boosts metabolism to enable sustainable weight loss. The NYLA Method incorporates concepts from barre fitness, yoga, pilates and cardio to shape and lengthen the body in just under an hour.

Why is it a good exercise/technique for mums to choose?

Mums are very short on time!  This workout is tough but all done in 60 minutes, and it gets results in all the problem areas and fast.   If you are prepared to give up 3 hours per week to a NYLA Class, you will see a change within 2 weeks, and it will knock any other class you do out of the park. Furthermore, the NYLA Method focuses a lot on your core and thus really helps suck your tummy in after pregnancy.

The amazing NYLA Instructors, specifically recruited from the US and Australia to be a part of NYLA, will push you to your limits to help you achieve the best results – and will keep you smiling throughout the process!  They are all so knowledgeable and it is not just a class – they will talk with you about your problem areas and help you work out a plan to improve them.

Why did you choose to get involved with the brand?

I have lived and worked in the UAE for a total of 8 years, with 6 in Abu Dhabi, and have had 2 children since moving here.  I have tried many excercise classes here and never been totally satisfied by any of them.

I’ve been involved in some capacity with NYLA for a long time, and although was previously an account director for an exciting branding agency, when I was asked to get involved on a more permanent basis in helping to launch NYLA – it was an opportunity that I could not refuse.  Andrea DeBellis, our founder, is inspiring and has built an amazing reputation with her knowledge, experience, and ambition.

With my knowledge of the UAE and experience in new business start ups and project management, I am able to help shape the brand to provide something new and exciting with many different levels to not just Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but to the region.

We know that you are a mum to two beautiful boys.  How has it made a difference to your mummy physique after the training?

I struggled with my weight after having both boys, as I found it difficult to find the time to exercise with kids, a busy job, life… and a husband.  The NYLA Method works. FACT.  It has lifted, tightened, squeezed and toned all my problem areas and has made me feel so much more confident in my own skin.  Personally, I saw a difference in 2 weeks, and dropped a dress size within 4 weeks.

How many times a week do you train with the NYLA Method team?

I train with the team 3 times per week – and more if I can fit it in.  I’m totally hooked – and that’s coming from someone who would usually prefer a comfy sofa and a chocolate biscuit!

Were you always into health and nutrition?  What sparked the interest?

I have always been into food!  The health and nutrition part has come in my 30s since having children and realizing that I have the odd extra wrinkle!  I’m passionate about good food and it is so easy in the UAE to eat too much, and of the wrong things.  I’ve tried every diet in the book.  Nothing compares to eating a balanced healthy diet full of fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, coupled with regular focused exercise.  I feel better, have more energy and look a much more improved version of myself…  Hand on heart I look so much better approaching 35 than I ever did in my 20s.

NYLA Method Classes are held at Emirates Golf Club Dubai, Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, and we are shortly to announce classes at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi. 

Why not kick start your bikini body by trying our Beautcamp at The Fairmont, the palm – 5days a week.  Also watch this space to hear about their new fabulous NYLA Studio to open in Dubai!

They also offer private and small group classes in house or in studio.

All their Classes are LADIES ONLY.

See http://www.nylamethod.com or email info@nylamethod.com for more information.