How to meet Edris - "The warehouse gym"

I would be really hyped to type this out if I was still into the gym scene. But here it goes anyways:

I've been dedicating an hour or more of my day to my yoga practice every morning in JLT. Yesterday, I grabbed some coconut water after practice and strolled over to check out some paint supplies in a warehouse/industrial part of town (Al Quoz). That's when I met Edris.

Edris saw me eyeing out the new shiny black exterior of a warehouse with the words "The warehouse gym". Intrigued and curious, I did what you are not supposed to do as a single woman in an industrial area .... stroll in with wide eyes. I knew my bf would be like "wtf", but I was already in too deep when I was instagramming the interior graffiti art. Sorry boo.

Back to Edris; He is the owner of the warehouse gym on Umm Sequim road and he gave me a full tour of the still raw facilities. The concept is to have the industrial feel, the raw energy, the salty sweat, in a couture environment. Let me make that clearer - Everything is designer. The tiles, the equipment, the mirrors, the showers, the art, the concepts. Everything.

The layout is excellent - 2 huge studio spaces overlooking a massive floor of gym. The floor contains a space for cardio, olympic weight training, standard weight machines, a full crossfit fit out, free training space and an MMA style cage. What more do you need right?

Actually, wait, I don't need any of that. I have a mat, running shoes and the will power of 3 nuns. I can't believe I used to be into lifting and high intensity training. BUT if that's your thing - check out this space. Edris has passion and I have his number if you want it.

They open in May-ish.

how to OMMMMM

I bought a Groupon deal for 20 hot yoga sessions with a friend of mine. She has been on a quest to lose weight / get fit even though she is probably less than 90pounds (40kgs). Though I've dabbled in hot yoga before and not really loved it, I took this as a challenge to add to my Ashtanga practice and support a friend.

Yesterday was our first session at Fitness 4 Life in Dubai Silicon Oasis. I got through the 90 minutes session in a 40 degree room with ease. I even surprised myself when I wished it was a little more challenging.

This, my friends, is what Ashtanga does to you. This was my defining moment realizing that the Ashtanga practice is one of the most challenging and energized of them all. Hot yoga, Power yoga, Vinyasa flow, 90 minutes, nothing can wear me out like the primary series with all those vinyasas.

This past weekend, I was surrounded by fellow fit Ashtangis at a workshop at Yoga Room Dubai. The bodies that have been trained by this practice are truly refined and I can't wait to get older for this one reason. You see Mark Darby (probably in his early 70s) bringing his elbows to the floor in Uttanasana and it's so exciting!

When Darby lets out his "ommmm" at the beginning and end of a led class, the deepness of the sound resonates through your entire body and mind. I challenge you not to love Ashtanga.

Darby and his wife Joanne examine our Urdhva Dhanurasanas after giving us some helpful adjustments/ tips.

Like, Really. "How to hinge at your hips"

All of us AFTER the last day of back-bending. Spot me :)

 You can find more photos here.

A HUGE thank you to Joumana. She flew in the Darbys from Montreal for us!! Founder of Yoga Room, my light into Ashtanga and a good friend. Love you! 

xoxo

How to bring in 2013.

Have you ever watched someone lose their health? It's the most heartbreaking feeling. My Grandma (Dama) has to be one of the strongest women on this earth to be able to take care of my ageing grandpa the way she does.

 I don't have much more to say in this post. I have been thinking a lot about my grandparents since I spent New Year's with them. It was a short, beautiful, bittersweet trip to Chennai. And it was the first time I bawled my eyes out when I had to leave.

Here are a few moments...



Mahabilpuram. This is an ancient rock formation at the southern tip of Madras and its absolutely gorgeous. Beaches for days!

This is a super old photo of my Grandma's side of the family. My grandmum and dad are the couple in the top left corner of the photo. My dad and his siblings are sitting in the bottom row (Second one from the left is Dad). Hilarious. I know....

 

This is kulfi (ice cream) in a clay pot. The pot has a lot of frost in this photo... the contents are basically creamy crack.

 

These hands were once so strong. They held me up and held me strong. They held me in a warm embrace everytime I saw him.

These hands are those of the only Grandfather I know.


Happy New Year everybody!

Here's to another year trying to make it.

xo

 

How to find community

There's literally a community for everything in Dubai. From Japanese anime culture to bridge clubs to surfers to alcoholics. And when it comes to religious communities; it's unbelievable that a Muslim nation can be this tolerable to diversity. I decided to check out the somewhat new Gurudwara in Jebel Ali since my friend had a business visit there last week and said the construction was beautiful. I've never been into one before and I know little to nothing about Sikh religion/culture, but what convinced me to check it out was the free food!

I walked in at around 1.30pm and got a FULL tour of the Gurudwara, the 411 on the principles of the Sikh religion, Gurus, religious texts/scriptures, and answered plenty of questions about myself along the way. It was interesting to see how dedicated people were to the religion and how rich the Sikh community in Dubai is, since it's completely run on donations. The place is HUGE with 3 floors and a fully staffed kitchen that runs almost 24/7. The food is free and they begin serving tea at 5.00 am after the first "keertan" and they continue with breakfast at 8, then tea, lunch, tea, and dinner.

After the tour, we got to sit down with one of the directors and have a nice Indian-style (on the floor) meal discussing religions and family and life. It was a nice break from the usual and a great meal with good people!

How to experiment.

I'll be using the next few weeks to experiment with my yoga. My favourite Dubai yogini @Jogini_ is off to India to practice Ashtanga with the prestigious Mysore yogis (follow her blog!).  Sending her so much love, light and safe travels today and hoping she doesnt get attacked on her way to morning yoga lol. *knockonwood.

I've been working on my headstands at home, and I'm always up and balanced in a few breaths. But omg, at the end of an ashtanga practice - I don't have enough banda to get my bum off the wall! Jo - when you get back, I WILL do this.

Please don't question the wardrobe choice here - I was just experimenting with the cam. Expect more pics and reviews of classes around Dubai in the next few weeks. And follow my journey on how vegeterianism is affecting my life and practice. xoxo

How to shack up

I realized something today; really fit people are not in the gyms. They are the men and women out on the roads and beaches and shacks of Dubai at 5.30am, getting dirty and sweaty before their day starts. So take note all you "5-star" waste of space gyms with towel service. Get your hands dirty! That's where the true reward lies. Especially with the growing crossfit craze in Dubai,  small personal spaces like the shack have amazing potential. Providing a sense of community and friendly attention, The Shack seems like a cool place to call your own.

After reading an amazing review of "The Shack" on Time Out Dubai (yes, I get almost all my Dubai info from here), I did the morning circuit with Bruce on Kite Beach, Umm Sequim.

6.30am. - first session begins. and I am SO late and lost.. what else is new? brr its cold at 19deg.celsius. but I start strong!
...8.00am - My arms are trembling and theres lots of sweat as I push hard to get through the last minute of pull ups (assisted, I'm not that cool yet)

As I stretched, I tried to remember what happened in between. Squats, lunges, pullups, pushups, rowing, spinning, intervals, everything. That was such a fun work out! And btw, the place is quite literally a shack. Can't wait to get dirty again. Oh almost forgot, it's only 35 bucks per session!! Check 'em out on facebook here.

photo courtesy of Goal Attained.

On that note, T minus 9 days to my first 10k !!

xoxo

How to be "professional"

Hi Guyysss!!!

First of all - and most importantly, I PASSED MY CPA EXAM!!! Yay for being a "professional" and all that jazz. Second of all - I sang "Oh Canada" to basically all of Dubai in a dress and 4-inch heels on Al Nahda Rd. Yep, here it goes.

After a day filled with lovely messages and congratulatory phone calls (thank you everyone), I updated my resume with my newly earned credentials and sent it out to a couple of people. Might as well get a head start on the job search right? Right. Shortly after, I get a call for an interview. Oh, you bet i'll be there!

Let's fast forward to the point where I'm obviously very lost. During one of my several u-turns on Al-Nahda road, singing along loudly to Hedley's - "invincible" to ease the tension, I hear Brent Black (on @VirginradioDXB) make a random Canada joke. I honestly don't even know why I had to respond to that. But I sent a text saying "Easy on the Canada jokes" and continued my search for the office. 15 minutes to interview time. Not impresssive.

I'm like a guy when it comes to asking for directions, I NEVER do it. So it was a small miracle that I was standing here knocking on a cabbies window asking for "dubai airport free zone". As the poor guy was trying to explain to me; I absent mindedly answered my buzzing blackberry. "Is this Sharon?" .. "yes".."congratulations!! you have won a spa package and a chance to visit bangkok, under one condition". "What's the condition?".. "You have to sing Oh Canada".

Meanwhile; this poor cabbie has customers waiting on him. And i'm trying to pull off some kind of awkward sign language asking him to wait and help me as I sing "oh canada, our home and native land" 10 minutes to interview time. Did I mention I was in 4inch heels and a dress trying to speak Hindi?.. yea, this happened.

Needless to say, I aced the interview after getting good directions there AND won a spa package to "Thai Privilege Spa". Oh and did I mention I'm a professional CPA as of today?

 

How to be a tour guide

I love this time of the year when we get visitors in Dubai on their lay-over to other countries (mostly India for us). Thank you to Emirates Airlines for the awesomeness! My Texan cousin was here for the weekend, for the first time in Dubai, and I really hope he got a good taste of the weird culture. It's very hard to explain the place and the atmosphere to most people. Dubai is not comparable to the west or the east. It has a little bit of everything.

here's a little taste:

-Eat an authentic lebanese dinner watching the dancing fountains under the Burj Khalifa

-Party with an intense crowd and TIESTO at creamfields on Yas Island,

-Watch christmas carolers and ski bunnies at the mall

-Take an abra ride on the Dubai creek while listening to the wailing muslim prayers across Deira

-Eat Mexican food on the Marina

It's always fun trying to explain the confused emirati culture of Dubai. Apparently it's more than visible with just a weekend here, thats for sure! Thanks for an awesome weekend @suganthpaul. Have a good christmas!

Friends being freaks at Creamfields 2011

the 400+meters of German cake on sale for charity @mallofemirates; with christmas carolers singing

Mexican food on the marina, so pretty with the lights!

Old Dubai - Deira area.

How to be amazed (Musandam, Oman).

Hi guys!!

EID MUBARAK..  we get a long weekend!! woohoo.. and finally, after suffering through the torture of a 3 hr accounting exam and a lack of birthday celebrations or halloween, it was time to take a breather.

Musandam, Oman

No camera can capture the gorgeousness that is Musandam! This peninsula in Oman, just a 3-4hr drive from Dubai is filled with nothing but mountains, sea and beauty. I hate taking pictures of landscape to share - but I had to this time!! We took one of the tours that took us dolphin watching and snorkeling around the islands off Khasab. It was worth every last penny because not only was the weather gorgeous, we got to see SO many dolphins (none of which photographed well) and we swam with some gorgeous fishies. I need someone to take me diving here!! Apparently there's a really cool shipwreck that's pretty close to the islands. Anybody? please? divers? c'monnn..

Disclaimer: The uae-oman border is a horrendous horrible shitty experience; but its a small price to pay for what lies beyond.

ps. I MISS YOU @nmerwin!! :( family trips are just not the same without someone to jump into the water with.

 

The view behind us as we drove toward Khadaf, the place where the dolphins live.







The camera-shy dolphins. There were so many of them! and they all travelled in families. So cute!



 


Dad and I kick our feet up on the carpeted upper deck of the traditional Arabic boat called an 'Abra'




The gorgeous man that helped us get on the boat. He was the best!!

 



 

oh hayyy.. wanna jump?



How to road-trip!

The best part about road trips used to be the unlimited McDonalds and sleeping in the back seat of our sweet mini-van for way too many hours as my parents drove around the east coast of North America . I'm sure my brother @nmerwin, Marsha and Noah can vouch for that. So many memories!!

The best parts about road tripping in undeveloped areas around Dubai is that it is definitely less gluttinous and more adventurous. We get to stop at small little fruit and vegetable vendors for fresh coconut water and oranges #nom.

The worst part about road tripping in undeveloped areas around Dubai? Try crossing the Oman-UAE border. I will never complain about the niagara region border patrol ever again. These guys are a joke in comparison.
1) you dont even get to stay in ur car - u have to get out and LINE UP INDIVIDUALLY
2) nobody speaks english
3) the kid in front of you may throw up his breakfast.

gross.



The UAE-OMAN border, looks like a war zone and refugees right? .. well, it felt like it too.




Buying fruits and coconut to go from untrustworthy sources.



COCONUT LOVE xo

How to SUP (Stand-up Paddle)

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadians (belated, i guess). I hope the turkey leftovers are keeping you happy and healthy through the week. Especially if your suffering from bbm withdrawal like me...

This past week has been crazy..

-I found out I passed 2 out of my 4 cpa exams... (2 more in November)
-I played squash in the tallest building in the world

-I got asked at the salon; "how would you like your fart ma'am?" (filipino accent; she meant my part, how I would like my hair parted). Which was the highlight of my week until...
- I swam with jellies and learnt how to paddle board!!

Finally got around to Stand-up Paddling this morning. I've been wanting to try it for a while and also since I read this article by @lululemon. Basically, it's a watersport (think surfing mixed with kayaking/canoeing) that requires the MOST amount of balance you can ever conjure up from within. I guess it's a fitness geek thing to do, because you definitely do not look as cool as the surfers. But the core workout is amazing! And if you are a yogi, you can definitely show off with your balancing skills. I had a very graceful fall once for the entire hour and a half that I was out there; not bad for a first timer I hear. Can you believe you can even do yoga on a paddleboard?!?! Hello core strength!.. We need this in Dubai!

I later saw some jelly fish swimming around... and was told that small sharks, big turtles and huge king fish are also super popular here. No more falling for me. We paddled out a little longer and swam for a while in the deep blue sea before heading back to reality... Thanks to Duco & Thomas at DucoMaritime for this awesome morning of sun and surf! I love the sea!! Who knows, maybe i'll get to do Paddle for the Planet next year.

Lmao at this pic though! Don't worry, I was in nothing more than a bikini... pics next time! xo

Disclaimer; i did NOT take my lesson with surf dubai.

How to be adventurous

Nishanth and I went to this place this super fun obstacle course at Adventure HQ before we left to Canada.
Honestly, you think your not scared of heights? But even with the harness, my feet were shaking and sweat was dripping down my face! This whole thing is elevated off the ground at the entrance of one of the smaller malls in Dubai - Times Square on Sheikh Zayed Road.

On a side note- it was super safe and the staff were really friendly and knowledgeable; which is generally unusual in Dubai. Can't wait to go back!

With my brother gone now; I am currently on the look-out for some random adventure-seekers. Any takers? In Dubai?

I want to go Standup Paddling next! Just sayin..
xo.

How to walk too fast.

I have a real problem with this. I walk wayy too fast about 99.9% of the time. In my room, out on the road, in a club, at the mall, everywhere. This has led to:
-several bruises on the shin
-skinned knees
-several falls
-washroom gender confusion
-nausea,etc.

you get the point.

This time at my stopover at Heathrow Airport (London, England). My speedy walking got me on a 10 minute bus-ride to the wrong terminal and a 12-minute bus-ride back to the right one. Where I came across this:

Love. Eat. Live.
Sounds cliche & over-said. But it really made me slow my roll and smile a little!

Def. ate the most delish breakfast here (Giraffe, Terminal 5, Heathrow Airport)

How to make a come back

Welcome-back-to-Dubai-Week has been pretty sweet. The weather's cooled down, I've been active in my squash league (finally) and I got my membership to @Core_Direction - unlimited yoga and BODYPUMP™ anyone?

Highlight of my week; watching Planet of the Apes at Dubai Mall  (@thedubaimall @reelcinemas). The movie was pretty good (I love you James Franco) but it was the service at the Platinum Suites that was unbelievably good. And it got me thinking, like damn - Why don't we have this in Toronto? Like how much cooler would it be to get your popcorn delivered to you with a pint of Canadian or Bud on the side while you recline in a lazy boy?

Turns out they do have this at Cineplex in TO. .. check it out: http://www.cineplex.com/Theatres/VIP.aspx AND its much cheaper than Dubai ($18.35 in comparison to $32.40 here). Why hasn't anyone taken me here? Next time? You better...

For the record; alcohol was not served at the platinum suites, therefore Toronto's version is the automatic winner.. #TeamCanada!!

How to drink wheatgrass.

DISCLAIMER: If your gonna try this at home, be warned of all the "cleansing effects" it may bring about. Make sure you are within a 20second reach of a toilet bowl.

Hey, don't say I didnt warn ya!

NOW, FOLLOW STEP-BY-STEP.

First you grow the wheatgrass.

 Then, you harvest the wheatgrass.

Then, you apologize for breaking your mom's blender and drink the juice.

I've had a wheatgrass shot before, but this is the first time I tried growing it myself. Yea, okay, i'm bordering on hippy-freak right now. But listen to all the benefits!

• One ounce contains 103 vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
• One ounce of wheatgrass juice represents as much nutritional value as approximately 2.5 pounds of fresh green vegetables.
• Wheatgrass juice is high in chlorophyll.
• It is very high in vitamins A, B-Complex, C, E and K.
• Wheatgrass juice is a natural source of laetrile (B-17).
• It contains beta-carotene, which is found in red, green and yellow pigmented fruits and vegetables.  Beta-carotene acts as a scavenger against harmful molecules flowing naturally through the body or through toxins inhaled from cigarette smoke, air pollution and other damaging sources.
• Wheatgrass cleanses, purifies and feeds the body by activating the white blood cells, which boost the body's immune system.
• Wheatgrass juice is also beneficial for people who need to lose weight or cleanse their bodies.
  (Source: GreenHealthCanada.) 

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Enjoy!
xoxo

How to SWEAT.

You know what's hard to do? ....Blog. Especially when you have NO life. Sad - but true. Excuse me for being inactive and useless. My life has dwindled down to studying in my PJs all day (CPA exams). Sound familiar?

The highlight of my week so far was my workout last night. And considering that I can barely stand up straight or walk this morning - I think it was a success. After reading about @coredirection in @Aquarius magazine this weekend (3 month membership + 1month free, unlimited classes, Dh1050) I was determined to check this place out. Located on Dubai Marina - it's about a 10 minute drive from my place. Since it was my first time at the studio, I got a complimentary first class!

Now, I wasnt expecting anything fancy, but I wasnt expecting a one studio facility either! But it had everything you needed. A studio with a stage for all the #zumba/#bodypump/#bodyattack enthusiasts which converts to a spin studio with movable stationary bikes and weights along the back.. it is NOT a gym.

I opted to do a "bootcamp" session last night - outdoors (think 40 degrees celsius with 100% humidity). WHY?

The high-energy class (led by Sharon - who was awesome!) started with a 10 minute warm up run along the marina, proceeded by mat exercises, body bar, weights and step circuits. Fastest hour of my week. My heart rate stayed at max for the entire time! And the breeze that was initially hot and humid started feeling much cooler at the end of it.

DEFINITELY going back for more. Besides, I just remembered that I left my usb key at reception, so I have to. #forgetful #preoccupied #braindead

back to studying for now. xoxo

How to live on coffee and cigarettes.

If you don't live in New York City or Paris - living on coffee and cigarettes is kind of lame. Especially in Dubai, where desert-like conditions make drinking hot beverages and standing outside for over 2 minutes unbearable. So, why is it that Arab culture calls for this lifestyle?

It's all in the packaging! Atleast in Dubai - where your cigarettes come without the disgusting warning labels and sheesha/hookah is all over the marina or on gorgeous rooftops around the city. I don't smoke cigarettes and I don't smoke sheesha often, but I have to admit - they make it look GOOD!

However, I do give into caffeine more often than not. I usually have my regular cup of Americano everyday. But being a sucker for cute packaging, I just had to try this amazing/authentic turkish coffee! Tiniest serving size, but SO strong and SO yum!

Turkish coffee is coffee prepared by boiling finely powdered roast coffee beans in a pot (cezve), possibly with sugar, and serving it into a cup, where the dregs settle. The name describes the method of preparation, not the raw material; there is no special Turkish variety of the coffee bean. It is common throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Caucasus, and the Balkans, and in their expatriate communities and restaurants in the rest of the world.

How to celebrate the full moon.

I don't think I'm hippy enough to completely embrace yogi culture- c'mon, let's just admit that it's a huge commitment to make. And what's the point in doing a half-assed job of it? I mean, chanting "om shanti shanti shanti om" just makes me feel like I'm calling out to my mom..(Her name is Shanthi).

But, that being said, I never fail to feel the positive effects of practicing yoga on my body. So, I indulge once in a while. And if your going to indulge in yoga, this has to be the BEST way to do it.

on the beach

with warm ocean breeze
at sunset

as the full moon rises.

(Actually, anything "on the beach" tingles my Canadian senses)

Al Qasr hotel's spa (Talise Spa) offers an amazing deal to practice your "downward dog" and "full cobra" on every full moon. For 200aed (96aed with cobone.com), you get valet parking, a bottle of cold water, a cold towel and a yoga mat on the beach. The amazing view of the Burj is just a bonus.

After sunset, we did moon salutations, various warrior poses and breathing exercises for 90 minutes. My favourite is and always will be the bridge!  After working up a good sweat, we turn to the dark ocean, focus our minds and listen to the waves breaking at shore. I left my mat feeling so energized and blissful under the bright full moon.

 

 My view for most of the class (before we turned to the sea). The three guys on stage led us through the practice.

 

.



Pretty, eh?