Alaska Life

Stay healthy at home with these virtual workout classes

There is more to staying healthy than social isolation and hand sanitizer. Through the power of platforms, including Facebook Live, Zoom and YouTube, local gyms and exercise studios are bringing workouts to your living room. Whether you need a high-intensity session to punch away that cabin fever or if you want to meditate through the madness, there is a wide variety of virtual activities available.

Note: As with a lot of things, the situation for businesses in Alaska is changing fast. Check with studios to confirm class times.

Ashtanga Vinyasa and Restorative – This is an introduction to the Ashtanga primary standing series of poses. The virtual class will focus on linking together postures and creating a flowing dynamic movement. The class will close with restorative postures. Namaste North recommends this class to those who want to learn the Ashtanga Vinyasa and standing sequence. $8. 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. (namastenorthak.com)

Bike and Barre – A half-hour of “biking to the beat” followed by 20 minutes of barre exercises using a stationary bike as a barre prop is the format of Bike and Barre workouts. This will be streamed through Facebook Live and Zoom. 12:10 p.m. Friday, May 8. (facebook.com/TheAlaskaClub)

Core Connection – This class focuses on strengthening the core using traditional and non-traditional yoga movements. Instructor Sandy Walters advises prior knowledge of basic yoga poses and alignment. Namaste North recommends having a computer with audio, a non-carpeted space that is free from interruption and a mat and blocks to fully experience this class. $8. 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. (namastenorthak.com)

Chair Yoga – Lidija will be leading gentle yoga practice in which postures are performed while seated or with the aid of a chair. This yoga class designed for those with mobility issues will be available through Facebook Live and Zoom. 8-8:30 a.m. Every Friday until May 15. (facebook.com/TheAlaskaClub)

Core De Force – This Facebook Live class modeled after MMA-style workouts is designed to “kick your metabolism into high gear.” This will not be archived for later viewing. 6 p.m. Friday, May 8. (facebook.com/TheAlaskaClub)

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Dance Online – Certified FatChanceBellyDance Style Instructor Mary Ann Benoit invites Alaskans to “work out without the work” at her virtual dance classes. These classes will combine many types of dance including Middle Eastern, Persian and TaiChi. $15. 6:45-8 p.m. Tuesdays. (arcticparadise.com)

Dance Party and Pour – Move your furniture out of the way for a dance party with a variety of instructors, dance formats and styles. The event listing say to “bring your own margaritas." This class is live only through Zoom and will not be archived. 7 p.m. Friday, May 8. (facebook.com/TheAlaskaClub)

Deha Yoga – Deha Yoga will be uploading new classes to their YouTube channel every few days during the hunkering down. Deha Yoga has also moved most of their classes online, see their schedule for further details. (dehayoga.com)

Eskimo Ninja Workouts – “Eskimo Ninja” Nick Hanson is streaming weekly workouts through Facebook Live. Known for competing on American Ninja Warrior, Hanson posts a detailed list of the workout circuits prior to the streams on GCI’s Facebook page. 12 p.m. Thursdays. (facebook.com/pg/GCIAK)

Flatten The Curve and Flatten Your Abs – Studio One VASIE Pilates is offering 14 days of free access to online pilates classes. The package includes live pre-recorded classes, tips and tutorials. After the free trial expires, you may continue access with a monthly fee. $10. (pilatesalaska.com)

Hips, Core, Explore – Open Space will be streaming free yoga classes every week through Zoom. Make sure to download Zoom prior to the meeting. Donations are welcome through PayPal and traditional mail. 7-8:45 p.m. Thursdays. (openspacealaska.com)

Home Work-In – Planet Fitness will be streaming daily 20 minutes or less workout sessions through Facebook Live. Sessions will include their trainers and even some surprise celebrity guests. No equipment is needed. 3 p.m. Daily. (facebook.com/planetfitness)

Home Workouts with Ellie – Ellie Gottstein will be uploading new pilates, TRX, HIIT and mixed workouts daily to her YouTube channel. Most workouts on her channel can be done with minimal to no equipment, although some workouts were made specifically for those with access to TRX straps. Free. (gottstein.elisheva@gmail.com)

Inner Wisdom Flow – Namaste North is offering a free class for those who are unsure about virtual yoga. This class will focus on slow gentle movements with an emphasis on breathing. Instructor Sandy Walters will share knowledge of yoga lineages through words, mantra and meditation. Free. 9:30 a.m. Saturdays. (namastenorthak.com)

Pure Barre Live – Pure Barre Anchorage’s instructors are streaming workout routines for their members through a private Facebook group. The subject of their Facebook Live classes varies from workouts to lifestyle tutorials, such as plant tutorials and cooking segments. Contact Susie Grobler for additional information. (sgrobler@purebarre.com)

Rise and Shine Yoga – This virtual class combines Vinyasa flows with longer held asanas with the goal of building strength and flexibility. $8. 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays. (namastenorthak.com)

Strong by Zumba – Leah Carter, a certified instructor in Zumba and Strong by Zumba HITT-style format, will be streaming her workout sessions through Zoom. The music for Strong is designed for intensive progressive workouts using body weight. She will accept donations through PayPal. 12-12:30 p.m. Monday, 6 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Friday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday. (paypal.me/fitnesswithLeah)

Strong 30 by Zumba – This is a 30-minute workout with body weight training, muscle conditioning, cardio and plyometric training synced to Zumba songs with no equipment required. This class is live through Zoom only and will not be archived for later viewing. 1 p.m. Sunday, May 3 and May 10. (facebook.com/TheAlaskaClub)

TaiChi and Qigong – Shima Holly Kelly of Jade Lady Meditation will continue teaching her full class schedule via Skype. Holly teaches several yang style TaiChi forms including introductory 10 movement form, standardized 24 form, 108 movement long-form and 58 movement TaiChi Sword form. Beginner classes are available with no prior experience required. (jadelady.com)

Viniyoga – Madeleine Morrison will be live streaming Viniyoga sessions at the same time she would if it were in person. Please contact Madeleine for further details. 12-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. (drmaddynd@yahoo.com)

Yoga and Chants – This is a virtual 40 minute, moderately paced yoga class ending with chants led by Sandy Walters. Free. 7:30-8:30 a.m. Fridays. (namastenorthak.com)

Yoga Hive – Alaska resident Mollie Busby teaches yoga both in Alaska and across the lower 48. She owns four studios called Yoga Hive that teach over 30 classes a week. She will offer a free two-week pass to any Alaska residents who wish to join her Yoga Hive Montana classes through Zoom. Please contact Mollie for the promo code. (yogahivemontana.com/schedule, mollie@yogahivemontana.com)

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[If you’d like to have your virtual workout added to this list, please email the details of your event to play@adn.com.]

Robert Gant

Robert Gant is an economics major at UAA and features intern at ADN. Reach him at play@adn.com.

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