Pilates - Yoga -...zumba?

[niaru]

I was given a free pass to a local gym and went to a Pilates-Yoga Fusion class with a friend yesterday. I am SORE today! Pilates is definitely challenging.
The funny part was, the instructor (a young, trim Russian girl named Nina) kept telling us "your belly should not be bulging, pull your navel IN", but ummm, even when tightening my abds, my belly keeps bulging! My friend and I just looked at eachother and started laughing!

But I think I'll try straight Pilates next time. I like my regular Ashtanga yoga better than the "fusion". Interestingly, I sweat a lot more when doing yoga than I did yesterday doing yoga-pilates!

The gym also offers a "zumba" class. It sounds like a lot of fun, seems to be a mix of aerobics and latin dancing?! Anyone try that before?

There is also a kick boxing class that sound like the Tae-Bo class I took years ago and really enjoyed, and had to quit when I broke my hand (on horseback of course...!)

My work place pays for the gym as long as you go 8 times a month...good deal!

[sariditty]

Jump on that deal!!! I gotta say....8 times a month should be fairly easy to accomplish. But I'm a "gym rat" and practically live at mine! LOL I've done Zumba before...it's fun (if you like the dance aspect of it), but I still like cardio kickboxing better.
For Pilates...I tell my students to act as though their pants are 2 sizes too small to keep that hollowed feel in their stomachs. When you're doing any exercises on the floor...really, really concentrate on your lower back pressing into the floor/mat constantly. Once you get an arch in the lower back, you'll get that stomach pooch on an ab contraction. Also, there are modifications/levels for each Pilates move. If your abs/back aren't strong enough or tuned up enough with each move, you could be straining to complete them which could result in pooching. Maybe she is or isn't showing you the variations for each movement (i.e. legs bent, feet on floor, arm positions, neck positions).
I'm happy your work is offering to pay for your membership! That's awesome!!