Norway to Slum dog Millionaire!

Interview

Name and Country - Christa Powell, Norway.

Who have you been working with in Bollywood ?

"I recently performed at the Apsara Awards as a dancer alongside actors Sha Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Viveck Oberoi and actress Kareena Kapoor. This was so much fun, and the costumes were the most extravagant I have ever seen, from glittery face masks and wigs to feathered armbands and battery lit clothing! The choreographer for this years awards was Ganesh Hedge. He is one of India's top commercial choreographers and has worked with the likes of Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson.

I have also enjoyed dancing to the sets of Dj Aqeel, one of India's favourite Dj's. He is a man with load of charisma and confidence when he Dj's, and great at getting the crowd in a good mood!".

Most memorable experiences ?

"I came out to India in search for something different, something new that would tone my mind and eyes. Whether I was going to find that in dance, yoga, or the people wasn't something I felt the need to plan. I have learned a lot from being out here in a culture that is so different from home. If you're able to keep your mind clear of preconceptions and go with the flow of the city, you will soon come to love Bombay. It is a safe city with lots of opportunities (the key is to know where to look, which does take some time), and people are very friendly and easy to get to know. Most importantly, I have certainly learned a lot about myself, and I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to broaden my mind. I can't wait to visit more of India while I am here.

I am currently a member at the Kaivalyadhama Yoga centre on Marine Drive. It is a peaceful place where most of its members come for a relaxing yoga session. Everyone does their own program over seen by the teachers".

Christa Powell with Sharuh khan

Christa dances with Sharukh Khan at the Apsara Awards. Click here to see the full album.

Ask your mum this Mothers Day."Which is best Yoga or Pilates?"

The exercise regime developed by Pilates did draw on some inspiration from ancient yoga positions, though the two disciplines do have some big differences. Yoga is undoubtedly the more holistic of these two health and fitness routines, while Pilates does try to attain a similar level of physical fitness aims. Pilates exercises use a series of controlled breathing and movement routines, and can be especially effective, for a good shaped body, and helping people look more lean and taller than they otherwise might.

When Pilates was developing his exercises during confinement, the only exercise equipment available was the hospital bed. Through imaginative adaptation of a few yoga positions and a bed, a system of exercises evolved over time, and the bed inspiration can be seen in the Pilates machine or reformer, the mainstay of Pilates exercise gear.

The Pilates machine makes the exercise he developed easier to learn, and to some more enjoyable too. Like yoga, Pilates does focus too on breathing, concentration, precision and control. Also, a person's own body weight serves as resistance in many exercises.

Despite the yoga influence, Pilates really only encompasses small aspects of the enormous yoga discipline, and does not try to compete with it. They are best seen as complementary to each other, and if your doctor agrees, they could be used together with good effect

Yoga puts more emphasis on flexibility, relaxation, spirituality, meditation and breathing than Pilates. Given the way Pilates exercises developed, that is no surprise. He made good, or even ingenious, use of what was available in particular circumstances for specific reasons.



Professional Dancer Christa Price in Aeroplane.

It is probably wrong to say yoga is better than Pilates, or vice versa. They are best seen as two possible disciplines in your health and fitness armoury, disciplines which may suit different people at different times.So why not do both click here for full timetable.

A Pilates Programme for Olympic skiers

Well i really feel that Pilates & Yoga are being recognized internationally for their health and mental benefits.Not only Olympic skiers are using Pilates as part of their training programme,but school children in Scotland are using Yoga as part of their everyday Life.Until you have tried Pilates & Yoga,and given it chance to take effect,you cannot understand the immense changes the two can make in your everyday life.To view Scottish Children doing Yoga click here.

Margy Verba, who runs FlowMotion Pilates in Bishop, California, has worked with members of the 2006 U.S. Olympic ski team. In the spirit of Vancouver 2010 Olympic fever, she shares her behind-the-scenes look at the Pilates program she designed for skiers training for the 2006 Winter games in Torino.
Olympic Rings

"I explained that in Pilates we work from the inside out, and that I first teach the subtleties of core stabilization, disassociation, and sequential use of the spine. I was informed that the women might be willing go into those subtleties with me, but that the men needed to 'feel the burn' or I would lose their attention."



"Based on the information I had, and with both goals and constraints in mind, I developed a program with an accompanying handout describing the exercises. This handout allowed them to take the program on the road. It also allowed me to slip in a few more subtle points, such as "Never do a 10 lb. effort for a 5 lb. movement." In order to have some scheduling flexibility within their structured training program, I offered 15-minute, 30-minute and 60-minute routines. My portable mat program for the skiers included general performance-enhancer exercises as well as sport-specific exercises. To gain credibility, I also threw in a few exercises like Teaser and Side Plank Leg Kicks, that I, a nearly 50-year-old woman with graying hair could easily do, that would be a big challenge for them-exercises which require more core control than brute strength from big outer muscles". By Margi Verba

Supersize v Superskinny

Channel 4 has reeled out yet another another fatty and thinny in its ongoing freak shows. In a recent show Presenter and serial dieter Anna Richardson tries out the Pilates Reformer machines as a way to get rid of the tummy bulge. To see Anna with the results of the Pilates Reformer click here


Dr Christian Jessen puts the clients through their paces.