EVENING WELLNESS

Wind-down wellness

Tough day at work? Hectic family schedules? These ideas to calm your mind, body, and soul will help you end the day on a high note, perfect for a good night’s sleep

YIN YOGA

Where: Shimis Rather than up tempo and dynamic power practices such as vinyasa or hatha, yin yoga is a deeply grounding and soothing style of yoga involving long static holds that are breath focused. This style of yoga helps to soothe the nervous system and ground excess mental energy so that we can sleep better, longer, and deeper. It’s the perfect practice for when you feel like you need a dose of relaxation before bed. Give it a try on Friday evenings at stylish studio Shimis in Alserkal Avenue with Karina. @shimis.dubai SOUND HEALING

Where: DNA Health & Wellness New Alserkal wellness centre DNA offers a range of holistic wellbeing classes, including evening sound healing with crystal bowls led by expert practitioner Olivia Prescott. The beautiful thing about a sound healing session is that you get to do nothing. Simply lie down and relax to the soothing sound healing frequencies. You might even doze off or simply enjoy a much-needed break to relax and unwind. @dnahealthcenter

BREATHWORK AND ICE BATHS

Where: Cool Out, Breath In Come and meet Benoit, a devout Wim Hof follower, for a post-work wellness session. Several times a week, an eclectic group gathers in his back garden for sessions that include Wim Hof Method breathing exercises and ice baths. You’ll learn how to feel comfortable in an ice bath while also benefitting from overall inflammation reduction, boosting your immune system, and learning how to handle stressful situations. There are three evening sessions per week that include breathwork, ice baths, sauna and dinner. @cooloutbreathin

IMMERSIVE MEDITATION

Where: Theatre of Digital Arts This unique twist on traditional meditation combines a spiritual practice with modern technology inside Souk Madinat’s stunning Theatre of Digital Arts. A certified meditation facilitator guides you through some mindful inner reflection as state-of-the-art lights and sounds surround you. Evening sessions vary throughout the month, so keep an eye on toda.ae for upcoming schedules. @todadubai STRETCHING

Where: Paus DXB Focused stretching allows muscles to relax and lengthen, which puts less strain on the skeletal system and reduces tension throughout the body. Students who take this class regularly report fewer injuries and improved sleep. Sign up to an early evening ‘deep stretch and release’ session at gorgeous new wellness centre Paus, on Al Wasl Road. @pausdxb

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT…

Three wellness options worth downloading now

01

HEADSPACE Mindfulness is made simple with Headspace. Led by former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe, the premise is to take 10 minutes a day to listen in and clear your mind. Users report better attention spans, alertness, and instant calm.

02

CALM With this paid membership, users have access to more than 700 guided meditations of varying types and lengths. There are also ‘Sleep Stories’ that can help you if you have a tough time drifting off each night.

03

INSIGHT TIMER Insight Timer’s vast library of guided meditations can help with everything from easing you into sleep and reducing stress. They include cameos from celebrities such as Russell Brand and Giselle Bündchen.

PADDLE PUSHERS

What’s On meets the ladies who’ve found fitness and friendship in dragon boat racing

Dragon Fire in training in Dubai Marina

Dragon Fire practice day

We’re not the first boat out on the waters of JBR, but almost. It’s 8am and we’ve joined the Dragon Fire Dragon Boat Club for its Friday morning practice ahead of a big competition at Dubai Creek on the weekend.

Melissa O’Brien is today’s boat leader, and the club’s coach. After 13 years of dragon boating, she’s still excited to be on the water. Now, as we leave the Sheraton shore in our rear view, her voice cuts through the morning air as she shouts out instructions.

“Throw that outside shoulder forward now!” she urges, sounding like your favourite youth sports coach. “Throw it forward, snap it forward and hold!”

Tourists wave at us from shore as we make our way out towards the blue. We stop from time to time, yielding to wakeboard boats or to take quick water breaks while soaking up more wisdom from O’Brien.

Seated directly in front of us, Dragon Fire members Bethan Bencini and Casie KeynesPhilip chat between paddling. They’re just two of the new club draftees who, after spotting a recruitment drive on Dragon Fire’s Instagram page run by co-founding member Erika Clements, were inspired to try out based on the team’s palpable camaraderie and inspiring fitness regime.

“Beginners always have the opportunity to come and try out a few sessions before deciding if this sport is a good fit for them,” says Clements. “They get a chance to check us out, but we also have to check them out as they need to start with a good base fitness level.”

The club, which has been running since 2016, trains on the water and in the

Dragon Fire team competing in Abu Dhabi The crew all smiles after training

gym three days a week, but often up it to four if they’re preparing for big, often international, competitions. Competing is something the team takes very seriously. “The dragon boat community is very competitive, but it’s healthy. We all cheer each other on and have a great respect for other teams,” Clements adds.

For newbies, there’s a bit of lingo to learn on a dragon boat. For instance, ‘heads in the boat’ means get ready to paddle. ‘Let it run’ means stop paddling and let the boat’s momentum carry you forward.

But it’s more than competition that binds the ladies. Many of the club’s members have been paddling for over 10 years together. “Dragon Fire is a family,” Clements beams. “We’ve seen each other cry, laugh, sweat, and sometimes even being sick. We lift each other up to make us feel strong and powerful. Most of us are employed. Most of us are married. And most of us have children, but this time on the boat is all about us. Us as strong female individuals and us as a strong female team that empowers each other.”

As we cruise past Ain Dubai headed back for shore, talk turns to the upcoming competition. As we listen on, we can’t help but hope that there’s room for one more onboard this season. @dragonfire_dfc

DESTINATIONS | STAYCATIONS

PAGE 68