any pilates/yoga classes that help reduce weight and fat?

I'm attending the classes at Real Pilates, and after a couple of weeks I feel much better, body's shape starting to change and the instructors are very good and friendly.

Bharat Thakur's Artistic Yoga oops just re-read the thread...you already found bharat thakur...good luck! <em>edited by husam on 18/01/2012</em>

Great! Good for you! If you can, keep us up to date in a couple weeks--would love to hear how it's working out for you :)

I had a friend who tried Bikram Yoga and the heat was too much. Plus i dont personally want to be sitting in a hot room as its bad for your skin on a regular basis.. Anyone else with any suggestions on yoga/pilates classes for fat burning and weight loss? @ Nyranee - thanks so much but I live too far from motor city... You're welcome. I'm glad I took the time to answer your question.

No problem Xiana--good luck with the pilates--and why not, in the mean time, try going for a brisk walk as soon as you can start! It will kick start your feelings of accomplishment and elevate your mindset!

If you haven't done yoga / pilates before i would not recommend doing it alone. Go and take classes and make sure you are doing it probably.

I injured my knee nearly a year ago and was recommended pilates classes by my doctors, it was the best decision I ever made. I found the exercises to be challenging and no problems arose with my knee (there are times when you may have to do variations on a particular exercise though). I've noticed that my arms, abs and thighs are more toned (DH noticed as well!) and I am MUCH stronger now. Pilates is meant to strenghten your core, but I also found that yoga does more or less the same but with added mental/spiritual benefits as well. I'd say about 2 or 3 times a week is necessary to see some changes (just what I was told by my instructor). I'd suggest taking trial classes and informing your instructor about your injuries and your goals, they can then tailor specific exercises for you. Cardio is a must IMO, not just for losing weight but for your overall health as well. If you have a sore knee stay off the threadmill and opt for the bike instead. And like the others said, exercise alone is not enough, you need to change your diet as well. Think whole grains, lean protein and raw vegetables. Cut out as much sugar as possible from your diet, it can cause cellulite! I'm not a med/fitness professional by any stretch of the imagination, just someone who's a bit mad about health and fitness!

There are plenty of FREE pilates and yoga classes available online and in YouTube. My favorite pages are blogilates.com & yogatoday.com - LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

Also, if you have Etisalat for tv, there is a new channel with classes you can follow along with at home--they seem pretty good http://english.physique-tv.com/schedule.aspx

Hi Xiana, I have some suggestions for you. (I have been in your exact same situation) I did pilates pretty faithfully for a year without doing any things else. I noticed a flatter stomach, and maybe a tighter tushie. You may like it, you may not. You need to give time for things to work--remember you didn't become as you are now overnight, and won't change overnight. Most studios will let you try a free session to see if you even like pilates. A common myth with women is that they bulk easily. Absolutely incorrect. You can't accidentally bulk, or do so easily--it is a very purposeful thing. However, if you do weight training and are not dieting (Eating clean--i don't mean starving yourself) you will have the illusion that you have "bulked" because now, new muscle growth is pushing your fat outward and you're getting bigger. Cardio is a sure fire way to lose fat--if you elevate your heart rate, and keep it elevated steady for 30 or so minutes. Just a guideline. A brisk walk is extremely effective for fat burning--you don't have to push your body to the extreme to burn fat and feel pain doing it. If all you are doing is low impact cardio, though, you will become smaller, but still will likely have cellulite because you are not building muscle at the same time. This is why many people choose something that builds muscle (that is the ONLY way to tone) which pilates can do, and also incorporate something that burns fat, like cardio. Hard to do both in the same workout, though, sorry. The biggest tip that I can give to you is to clean up your nutrition plan. This will be 80% of your success--other efforts are pretty futile without this being the focus. You may not have good knees (which will probably improve when you drop some weight as there will be less pressure on them) or maybe you don't have a lot of money for trainers, but you can absolutely control what you put in your mouth or don't. I've seen several posts from you on this topic, so I wish you success on whichever method you choose!

Try balance wellness in Oasis centre - their yoga teachers seem quite good;

Check out www.real-pilates.com They're in JLT and Jumeirah (I think). I've seen a Pilates for Weight Loss class on the schedule. They're really helpful there, so I'm sure if you called up with your questions they'd be able to help.

Why not try Bikram yoga? I believe that because it's done in a hot room it raises your heart rate and helps you burn extra calories. If the bodies of the people in the classes are anything to go by it's very effective, although I couldn't stick the heat. Club Stretch near Karama do it. FFx i have been told by numerous yogis that this is terrible for you.

Why not try Bikram yoga? I believe that because it's done in a hot room it raises your heart rate and helps you burn extra calories. If the bodies of the people in the classes are anything to go by it's very effective, although I couldn't stick the heat. Club Stretch near Karama do it. FFx

exhale in Motor City has weight loss pilates classes. In general i believe that yoga / pilates done on a regular base combined with healthy food will make you loose weight. You will use all muscles of your body for pilates and these muscles will then burn more and you will loose ... but that's just my humble unsientific opinion as i always die from sour muscles after pilates.