Soca-cise is in session

With carnival bands officially launched in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago winding down its soca season, locals are already looking forward to chippin’ down the road and ‘wukin’ up their waistlines come jump-up day in April. How are you planning to get ready for the fêtes and the fanfare? For many, fitness class are the ideal way to pump up the volume and vibe in soca style and help you hit your mark for road march.

Shani McGraham-Shirley is the owner and chief executive officer of Yahsuh Fitbox, which provides dance fitness classes for all genres. For the Yahsuh Fit Fiyah Series, the classes take an interesting spin, incorporating the use of alternating instructors. “These classes challenge persons and push limits. Each session is 90 minutes of non-stop dance fitness. Last year was our first launch of the Fit Fiyah Brand. Our target was 100 patrons, and we tripled that number,” she told Lifestyle.

With that success, she decided to specialise in a genre that she holds close and dear to her heart. Since carnival is in session, she has created the Fit Fiyah Soca Series, centring those classes around the carnival theme.

“Every 15 minutes, you get a new instructor; there’s a 15-minute segment for everyone. With alternating instructors, you get a different energy, flavour and vibe. You are able to find the instructor that you love; one who pushes you and motivates you. Trust me, you’ll have a ball,” McGraham-Shirley added.

The real challenge is to see if you can endure the entire 90 minutes with the team of fitness experts. If that is too much of a challenge, then it is advised that attendees pace themselves and take the necessary breaks which will enable them to jump back in when they can.

“The classes will be held every Thursday, starting March 9, and will take place on the 16, 23 and 30, as well as April 6, at the Artificial Turf Field number 2 at Barbican football field by Yahsuh FITBOX, 13 East Kings House Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and class starts at 6:30 p.m.,” she added.

Steven Cornwall, who is one of the instructors on the Fit Fiyah Soca Series line-up, shared some of the benefits of soca fitness. “Socacise is a good cardio workout; it helps you to stay active and fit. You are able to learn old moves as well as new moves. Your body moves in ways that you didn’t even think it could. You are able to shed pounds in a fun way. And, you get to meet new and interesting people who share a similar interest.”

Cornwall is also a co-owner and soca instructor at Vybance, and explains that he usually teaches soca classes twice per month. But now that it is soca season, it will increase to three. You may check out his classes at 22 Barbican Road.

Bruk Weh Dance Fitness classes, which are held at the same location, have been incorporating soca at least one time for the month, along with other genres of music. But the owner and instructor, Anthea Gardner, will be upping the ante next month. “I’ll be doing four soca classes in March and four in April. I’ll be teaching them a breakdown of how to ‘wine’ as well, instead of just running the class. I know some persons really need that.”

If you prefer the convenience of learning from the comfort of your home online, then there are two classes that you may tune into. Abz Dance Fitness will be starting its first soca class on March 1 and Botanic Fitness will be having a soca step aerobics class online on February 25.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com