We’ve all had them. We’ve all triumphed with them, or succumbed to our usual routines and schedules, and let some if not all of them go. Yes, I’m talking about the to do or not to do, New Year’s Resolutions.
Most of us start as we mean to go on with a resolution that is supposed to kick-start a healthier new lifestyle; one that we enthusiastically announce is going to help transform our former selves into more streamlined, get-up-and-go fitness fanatics. But rather than start 2019 with unrealistic or simply unobtainable quests for health-status perfection, maybe join a Jindafit class and dance your way into health for the body and mind. I’m guessing this will be much more fun too!
The super-energetic routine combines high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and African music to keep your hips swaying while the mind and soul relaxes. Founded by self-styled “producer not a consumer” Jack Tchinda (aka DJack), Jindafit was formed after he participated in a lackluster step class.
“The teacher wasn’t paying attention to me at all. I was new to the class and he didn’t look at me once. Me being in the class for the first time, I was so confused. I didn’t know what do to,” he said.
Cameroonian DJack decided to go about creating something inspired by his African roots and dance background as a young boy. Jindafit (inspired by DJack’s name, with the ‘TCH’ replaced with a “J” for easier pronunciation) uses a mix of different types of African dance, such as Makossa, Bikutsi, Assiko, Ndombolo, and more. These fitness classes, designed to be more user-friendly and encouraging than the generic 80’s phenomenon that was step class, are set to funky Afrobeats, and feel more like a day rave than an exhausting workout!
Jindafit took off in 2005, and now operates in Beijing with qualified coaches, at two locations, three times a week.
Jindafit coach Camila Betin is now offering a free trial of her class at W Prime, Four Seasons Hotel, which in the New Year will roll out to weekly classes every Tuesday at the Hyatt. For more information on classes and locations check out www.jindafitness.com or WeChat: Djacklamusique. For now, it’s time to get fit and celebrate life with a trial class.
Jindafit Trial Class, December 18
Adults. Free. 6.30pm. W Prime at the Four Seasons Hotel, 48 Liangmaqiao Rd, Chaoyang District. (10 5695 8888, WeChat: Djacklamusique) www.jindafitness.com. 北京市朝阳区亮马桥路48号 .
Photos: Courtesy of Organizers, pixabay