Move Your Frame and Dance Like a Diva!

We all know how difficult it is to endure a busy working day, find the time to socialise, cook dinner (not that I personally partake in much in the way of cooking mind) and all those other niggling little things in between, let alone find the time to relax.

Sometimes going to the gym is simply the last thing on my mind and as much as I'd love to be one of those people who sprightly and annoyingly say ‘Right, I'm just off for a run" on their lunch break, it just isn't me I'm afraid.

The good news is, is that I have found exercise salvage in the form of a new dance and fitness studio in trendy Shoreditch; Move Your Frame. So much so, that I have actually cancelled my gym membership (which had subsequently become a complete waste of £50 a month) in favour of this and now I actually look forward to exercise - yep, I'm serious!

Having danced at college, a few years ago I would go to Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden, which as great and hip as it is, if you're not a true professional you may feel somewhat intimidated as the classes really are geared towards the more advanced dancers. Move Your Frame has an entertaining range of classes - many of which are beginner which you can definitely enjoy and benefit from even if you have never danced in your life.

The schedule also has some rather interesting new classes including '80s aerobics Jane Fonda style (appropriate '80s attire such as leotards and leg warmers is encouraged), House Dance which is basically jumping around like a complete loon in a combination of various dance styles such as African, salsa, tap, jazz danced to some crazy house music and Diva (a personal favourite) which is learning routines in the style of Pussycat Dolls, Britney and other diva-like pop stars. Sexiness at the ready!

The thing which makes a good dance class is the teacher, and Move Your Frame has some amazing teachers all of who are professionals in the industry be it stage or commercial and make you feel completely at ease. Dennis who teaches Street Jazz (Tuesday and Saturday) definitely deserves a big mention - his classes are fun, energetic and he has so much patience and enthusiasm that you get the upmost out of the class.

Elliot who teaches Music Video Classics (Thursday) is also brilliant fun, inspiring and an amazing dancer to watch. He is also rather easy on the eye! This class teaches you the actual routine to popular classics - a few weeks back we did a Britney number and Michael Jackson's ‘Beat It'. Elliot always stresses that dancing is about having fun and really encourages you to perform as opposed to getting the routine perfect. You do come out feeling like the girl in one of those cheesy dance films claiming ‘I just wanna dance!".

The studio also has various ballet, yoga, Pilates and vibe workout courses and classes as well as Boxercise, Power plates and circuits if you are more body sculpting orientated. The classes are small which means that you get far more individual attention than that of normal gym classes where they pack as many people into one class as possible making for a sweaty and probably not too pleasant a work out. The studio even has sessions for mums, parents and kids and special courses and boot camps (eek!) if you really want to see some hardcore body benefits.

As if all this wasn't enough Move Your Frame has recently introduced beauty and massage parties which are held on Wednesday and Friday evenings and are designed to help you relax and wind down after your class (or you can just drop in for the treatment). They provide a range of sumptuous beauty treatments including waxing, tanning, nails, eye lashes and make up and The Friday night beauty sessions are perfect for getting glammed up for a big weekend. Although I haven't tried this out yet, it is definitely on the agenda!

The studios are brand new and the people who it attracts are generally the Shoreditch type crowd which makes for a refreshing change from the stereo-typical dancer-esque folk you see in some of the more established dance places. Wear what you want, dance how you want and no one bats an eyelid - just have a good time getting fit. Oh and be prepared to turn into one of those annoying people who suddenly breaks into routines on the dance floor when you're out - well, at least now you'll look good doing it!

Opening times: Mon-Fri; 7am - 9.30pm Sat; 9am -5 pm, Sun; 10.45am - 1.30pm
Location: 29 New Inn Yard, London, EC2A 3EY

Contact: 020 7033 1855

By Laura Yates, BitchBuzz