November 4, 2014

FloYo at Beachfit Baltimore

This past summer I tried FloYo which is a combination of SUP (stand up paddleboarding) and yoga/pilates for the first time in Annapolis with Jessie Benson, the founder and all-around awesome Baltimore fit lady, so I was excited to try a preview of her FloYoFit class at Beachfit Baltimore last week.  

I have taken a couple of Surfset , spinning, PiYo classes and at Beachfit this past spring before I started marathon training and love the friendly new Harbor East boutique gym with it's small class sizes and motivating instructors.
  
FloYo is a full body workout that incorporates yoga poses and a vinyasa flow which included warrior poses, sun salutations, and core work.  


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Since the weather is quickly getting colder in Maryland, Jessie decided to bring FloYo inside by using the surfset boards , which are small, portable surfboards on top of a bosu ball-like base. It definitely is a core workout no matter what you are doing because you need to try to keep the board stable plus keep yourself from shaking all over the place.  I definitely was feeling the burn in my abs for most of the class!


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Me on the left, getting my Downward dog on. (Source)
Just like when I took a FloYo class outside, I was really shaky for the first few flows, but got the hang out it more towards the end. I also noticed I'm a lot more unstable when I'm trying to lift my legs for poses like dancer when I'm balancing on my left leg rather than my right.  

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(Source)
Nevertheless, FloYo was less intimidating when the prospect of falling into water is eliminated!  Taking this class definitely reminded me I that I need to spend more time on my core and stretching.  

As I'm always telling myself, I need to get into a regular yoga practice, le sigh. 

Afterwards we enjoyed some healthy snacks and took home adorable goodie bags.  

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If you want to try it out, Beachfit Baltimore is hosting a FloYo launch party THIS Friday 5-7 PM. Jessie will be teaching FloYo on Fridays at 10:30 AM and a spinning/FloYo combo class on Tuedays at 7 PM (both 50 minute classes) at Beachfit Baltimore so check it out. 


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Me mid-warrior pose that actually looks more like I'm trying to surf/an idiot. Whoops. 

It's definitely a great way to change up your workout routine as the cold weather moves in! 
Thank you so much to Beachfit Baltimore and Jessie Benson for the great event!
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14 comments:

  1. sad i couldn't go! it looks like an amazing workout. but also i'd be super horrible at it so maybe i should be glad i spared myself the spectacle. :) i so agree with this line --> "FloYo was less intimidating when the prospect of falling into water is eliminated!" i remember telling jessie that i would surely fall into the water ninety times and would probably require lots of assistance to hoist me back up on to the board. homegirl is not that strong! haha. let's go sometime to a class! i want to check out beachfit.

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    1. Yes, let me know and I'd love to go with you! I totally laughed at myself when I fell of the board a couple times. And yes, the most terrifying part of falling in the water was that I'd be floundering to get back on so this is much less scary :)

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  2. Looks like so much fun; hot yoga is always my favourite but I love the 99* so much more in the winter

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    1. Yes Hot Yoga is awesome in the winter, and you immediately cool off when you step outside!

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  3. Looks like a great core workout and alot of fun. I don't like yoga that much but this would be worth trying on a paddleboard. A more challenging workout. -L

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    1. It's definitely different than yoga and more challenging as well!

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  4. Oooh I would love to try one of these classes... hopefully it will make its way to DC soon!

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    1. Check out the Floyo website, I'm sure it'll expand down to DC soon!

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  5. AWESOME! that looks like so much fun! i wish i could find one of those near me! Glad you enjoyed it, and yes, I am sure it would be challenging too :)

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    1. Thanks for reading-it was very fun and different from my usual workouts!

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  6. I don't have anywhere local to me that does anything like this at all!!! I have been looking for a good yoga class and that is proving hard enough!!

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    1. Yes, it's hard to find a yoga class and studio that you like. Luckily Baltimore has lots of fun fitness people with great ideas!

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  7. This looks awesome. I need to find this closer to DC!

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    1. Hopefully FloyoFit will take off and head to DC soon!

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