Zumba at Ramah (and more!)

IT'S SUMMER AND it's the perfect time to sweat and get back into shape after the repercussions of hibernating last winter. If you're like me, who's finding the solo ride on the treadmill a bit passe for my liking, then perhaps something like a Zumba class can bring you the dynamics and group energy that you need in the gym. Last week, I had the pleasure (and pressure) of working out at Ramah Fitness Studio, an up and coming haven for women who wants to take on Zumba, Yoga, Pilates and Belly Dancing (among others).  Yes, you read that right, Belly Dancing! It's been a while since I've worked out and trying out something new such as Zumba, became an incentive for me to go back in the gym (Heaven knows I need it!). 

The Ramah Fitness Studio is modest in size with a reception, changing room, bathroom and a full-mirrored studio that can probably accommodate 10-15 participants per class. I particularly loved the stenciled quotes all over the place, making sure that everyone feels a sense of well-being and motivation as they go along with their classes.

By the reception.

Motivating messages, up to the changing room.

They also support the Zahra Breast Cancer Foundation

I was lucky enough to meet the owner of the establishment, Ms. Shada AlDahash, who said that she was inspired to put up the Ramah Fitness Studio after her training in Yoga helped alleviate her back pain. She also said that she wanted something different from the usual gyms in the city that were crowded with equipment and lacked the feeling of camaraderie with its participants. 

In Ramah Fitness Studio, she says, "they treat each other like family." And true enough, I felt it too when I was there. 

First of all, I was initially there to try out the Zumba class only. I have never done Zumba in my life so I decided to do a little research before going there. Long research cut short, Zumba is essentially a dance-fitness-party -- where you dance and follow the instructors' steps without it feeling like an actual aerobic exercise and more of like partying it up in a dance club. They use the latest pop music to get you in the mood and the energy of the instructress, Ms. Heba, was electrifying. We were seven in the class and I guess she just assumed that I was not a beginner and started the class right away. Thanks to my background in dancing, I was able to reasonably catch up with the steps. Once I got the hang of it, I began to enjoy the atmosphere and the activity (despite sweating profusely) in the next 45 minutes. Afterwards, I approached her and thanked her for her awesome energy in leading the class. 

Where the Zumba magic happens.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fittest of them all? 

Shelves for thy things.

As I was getting ready to change in the other room (and catching my breath at the same time), the next class (the Yoga class) was about to start. One of the ladies in the room with me suddenly asked me to join them. I said no at first because A) I only planned on trying out the Zumba and B) I was a bit spent after the Zumba and I was not sure if I can handle another exercise class. But then I thought, Yoga is about being "zen" and "centered" right? So that may help me cool down in a relaxing way... (not exactly as I had imagined later on, hahaha!). The kind lady kept inviting me despite my initial decline, and she even said, "Don't worry, the instructress is my friend. Please join us." She gave me a mat and a yoga block right away and I eventually found it rude to not go ahead with it. 

I've experienced Yoga around five years ago, but never really pursued it. So this time around, instead of expecting zen-like positions, it was actually a struggle for me. I've always found myself to be a flexible person (I can make my fingertips reach my toes without bending my knees and can do the 'indian sit' fairly well), but this yoga class had me sweating even more, and balancing even more. A lot of my bones actually cracked during the stretching segments, proof that I haven't been exercising that much in the last six months. But towards the end, we spent around 10-15 minutes meditating and our instructress had a really soothing tone and manner about her that we did end up 'inhaling the positive vibes and exhaling the stress and negativity.' 

Interestingly enough, I didn't feel like collapsing after both the Zumba and Yoga classes. I felt internally refreshed and externally rejuvenated. The kindness of everyone there helped too. I am definitely recommending the Ramah Fitness Studio to the ladies out there who wants to dance out and work out in a cozy but fun environment. A very cordial attendant named Haifa, will greet you upon entry (yes, she speaks good English).

Their website, http://ramahfitness.com is pretty solid in information regarding their location, classes, instructors and prices. But to give you a preview, here are their rates:

Zumba classes are at 90SR per visit / 700SR for 10 visits / 1300SR for 20 visits [Valid for two months]

Yoga-Pilates classes are at 90SR per visit / 800SR for 10 visits / 1500SR for 20 visits [Valid for two months]

This is the location map of their studio (located just beside McDonald's Takhasussi):

So shall I be seeing you there as one of dance mates in Zumba? Or in the Belly Dancing class? I hope so! ;) 

Cheers! 

-Eyecandy

How To Be Single and Not Give A Darn

This is our pre-Valentine's Day post. Applies to SINGLE people only. (The truly single ones lang ha!) For this entry, SINGLE means NO BOYFRIEND AT ALL.

Note: This article is in Taglish. (Tagalog+English). 

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PANAHON NANAMAN NG pag-eveg. While everyone else around you are getting roses, chocolates and sweet messages on their Wall from their lovey-doveys, there you are: Single again. Single still. Single forever. (Hay, makapag-Jollibee na nga lang!). It's not that you hate being single naman, it's just that this particular holiday reiterates that you're romantically alone -- and that everyone else who isn't are being glorified on this day. In short, it's Single Awareness Day. 

Therefore, to honor this day para sa ating mga single (and not to be bitter about it), let's look at this as objective as possible... have a discussion and dissect the possible reasons on "Bakit Ka Single?" (Why are you single?) Here are some prompt questions I had in mind: 

#1 - Pangit Ka Ba? 

Humarap tayo sa mahiwagang salamin ni Kuya Boy Abunda. Ano ang iyong nakikita? At anong nais mong sabihin sa sarili mo? Granted that beauty of the heart matters more than beauty of the skin, but let's all keep it real and just admit that appearance matters. Now if you truly, whole-heartedly believe na hindi ka pangit, then hindi ka panget! Maganda ka! And therefore, this cannot be the reason on why you are still single. I can assure you that.

#2 - Masama Ba Ang Ugali Mo?
Maraming magaganda nga pero ang papanget naman ng ugali. Isa ka ba sa mga yun? Mahirap tanggapin ang ganitong klase ng katotohanan. But the first step to a better you is admitting that you were wrong. Ngayon, if after your soul searching and surveying of friends and family ay ma-conclude mo na "No, I'm a good person and I have people who treasure me, my values and my attitude on life" then great! If you are maganda and you are mabait, then clearly... these cannot be the reasons on why you are still single.


#3 - Sobrang Yaman Mo Na Ba?
Women of this generation are far more able to provide for themselves (and their families) than the women of the previous generation. With gender equality in the workplace on a steady rise, hindi malayo na may mga babae na ngayon na mas malaking kumita kesa sa kanilang male counterparts. Now the question is, tumataginting na ba ang yaman mo with your Louis Vuitton and Chanel collection along with your condo unit in Makati and hundreds of thousands in the stock market? If you find yourself answering this question with, "So what? I worked hard for that money and I earned it!" - well sister, good for you! Hindi krimen ang magkaroon ng maraming salapi, especially if you deserve every centavo of it. So no one should be able to take that against you. Ngayon, kung maganda ka na, mabait pa and mayaman, then clearly...these cannot be the reasons on why you are still single. (In fact, this ought to raise your market value even more!)

#4 - Boring Ka Ba?
Wala ka bang sense of adventure? Are there no aspects of your life that is exciting? Do you have a zest for life? Again this reflects on your attitude and outlook sa buhay. Some girls are content with work-bahay-work-bahay mode 24/7, no social life for 365 days in a year and probably eating the same kind of viand in the cafeteria for every single day. And while there is nothing morally wrong with that, it also wouldn't hurt to go out and live life to a higher, more exciting extent; because let's face it, people want to spend time with people who enjoy themselves. So, if you deduce that you are someone who likes traveling or spends awesome time with friends and family or is excited to do something dangerous once in a while, then you are not boring. Not to mention maganda, mabait and mayaman. Clearly, these cannot be the reasons on why you are still single.


#5 - Manhid Ka Ba?
So you've been hurt in the past. Hurt too hard and all too often. Maybe, you've shut yourself down completely (emotionally) and hindi na umuubra sayo ang mga ka-textmate na lumalandi with "Kumain nb u?" "San na u? Ingat lagi." Maybe you've had a bad experience with men or in a past relationship and you just can't bear to do it all over again at the risk of being hurt. That's understandable. Nature ng tao ang protektahan ang kanyang sarili. So if you believe na it's your right to protect your heart because no one else will help it heal in case it breaks again, then by all means, protect it. Puso mo yan. Pero siyempre, anything done in extreme is also not good. Wag lang overprotective diba? So hindi ka naman manhid, careful lang, plus exciting to be with, mayaman, mabait and maganda...clearly, these cannot be the reasons on why you are still single.


#6 - Idealist Ka Ba?
Eto na. Eto na ang kinahuhumalingang ilusyon ng maraming kababaihan. That there is that "perfect guy." With every description of his appearance and behavior already mapped out in our minds. Matangkad. Gwapo. Mabait. Mayaman. Loyal. (ubo!) And we spend most of our extra time dreaming about him and wondering, "Where the hell is he?!"Not knowing later on, that he was actually just right in front of you and you were too busy to look.

But let's go back to the Idealist thought...para sa akin, hindi masamang mangarap. Lalo na kung alam ko na ako mismo, ay magiging katuparan rin ng pangarap sa isang lalaki. In other words, you are free to dream if you yourself are a dream. Make sense ba? LOL. Dreamboys and Dreamgirls.

No, no, my point is: Kung idealist ka man, so what? Don't you deserve the best for you? After all, you are maganda, mabait, mayaman, exciting and knows how to protect her heart...then you deserve someone who is as precious as you are! We've seen many women all over the earth settle for guys who didn't know and appreciate how beautiful, intelligent and compassionate they were, and how did it turn out for them?

Here's the deal my fellow single ladies, if your answers to my questions above are a resounding, NO! or SO WHAT? then clearly, these cannot be the reasons on why you are still single. You are beautiful, kind, able, exciting, wise and dreams for a good life with a good partner.  The only reason that I believe in kung bakit pa rin tayo single is this: No one else has been able to appreciate, love and respect all those things about us. And that's okay, because at least WE appreciate and love and respect all those things about OURSELVES. Remember, it's only until we love ourselves fully that we can experience true love for another.

Please remember that women are allowed to be single. Hindi lang tayo allowed sa single area ng mga restaurants... but we are allowed to be cool on our own. And while we may feel the perils of being romantically alone on this particular day of the year, the silver lining of it is, at least, we're all being romantically alone together. Loverless but not LOVEless!

Tara, Jollibee tayo!


Cheers my single ladies...xoxo
EYECANDY

Red Carpet Beauties

AS MOST OF you know, ladies here in the Kingdom are all covered up in public. We're required to cover our hair (with our tarhas of course) and wear our abayas whenever we go out of our house. The idea of a beautiful woman isn't exactly glorified (and/or exploited) in this part of the world, but as young and sassy Pinays, you know we'd find loopholes to express our beauty one way or another. Whether it is underneath our tarhas and abayas or through this blog! You better know that we bring it. Can I get a B for Beautiful? Right on. ;)

So, how can ladies in this desert city be fab and stay fab? Well, there are plenty of ladies-only salons peppered throughout the town. If you're Filipino, chances are you get a regular home-service haircut/manicurist from fellow kabayans who do it for some extra income. But if you miss the hustle and bustle of your local beauty shop, fret not. There are lots to be found here. Though you might miss your regular gay hairdresser as all these salons are for women only. Nevertheless, you'd feel right at your feminine comfort zone with the sounds of snipping scissors, loud gusts from the blower, bubbles from the foot spa machine and the snickering between gossiping girlfriends.

Members of the Pink Tarha Team, along with other girlfriends decided to try out The Red Carpet Hair and Beauty salon. It is co-owned by a well-known Filipina entrepreneur here in Riyadh located in the Suleimaniah District. We have been hearing from our titas and other common friends that they have been to the place and they gave us enough good feedback to try it out for ourselves.

Now readers, you all know my birthday just came to pass... :P and it was before my birthday extravaganza that we opted to try out the salon. You know, to glam it up for an upcoming big day. So my friends and I set up an appointment via telephone and we arrived at the salon at around 5:30pm.

Reception area

Lounge area

A mini-snack bar, I suppose.

First thing I noticed was, "They don't have a red carpet!". Hahaha. You enter the salon here like you do a neighbor's house, via doorbell and intercom. When I arrived inside, I didn't personally feel like a "royal treatment" was headed my way (as described on their flyer). The salon looked like any ordinary hair salon in the Philippines. I wouldn't say that it looked like a glam spot on the LA strip. But I suppose the ambiance was welcoming enough not to intimidate potential customers. It was clean and quiet. A little house music wouldn't hurt in my opinion.

I was booked for a haircut and a facial while my girlfriends were still undecided on either getting a pedicure or threading for their eyebrows. I hadn't had a haircut since January and my hair has lost its shape and volume. According to the grapevine, the hairdressers that this salon hired were all trained or were previous employees of David's Salon in the Philippines.

Their styling trays were clean and organized.

Hair care products used are from L'Oreal and Wella.

The "spa" area where they do the facials and body massages.

Facial products used are from Nu Skin

Apart from the areas seen here, the salon also has a space for their foot spa/manicure/pedicure clients. They are also known in the Filipino community for adding nail decals to their polish and I have heard good things about their foot spas. In an interesting note, as one of my friends was getting her eyebrow threading done, we learned that they also do "Brazilian waxing". *wink wink*

I opted for a 'Galvanic Facial Spa' which is an upgrade from your regular facial where they use this special device and gel that is supposed to further energize the skin. The facial was painful as it should be when they pierce your pores to take out the bad stuff. I just chanted in my brain, "Pain is beauty...pain is beauty...pain is beauty". LOL.

Voila!

My hair all done and my skin is still glistening from the facial (with my friend, J).

The service was fair enough. I just think that they were a bit understaffed. The mini bar wasn't even stocked I guess because no one offered us to have some snacks or something. I was satisfied with my haircut, but it wasn't like a "Wow!" moment. The facial was good, but when I started asking the lady about the benefits of what she was doing/applying on me, all I got were generic answers. It would be beneficial if she educated me along the process so that I too, can care for my skin better.

Overall, the Red Carpet Hair and Beauty Salon offered what it could. We all came out of that salon looking better than we did going in, so that means they did their job right, right? Right.

So, if you are in Riyadh and have been long searching for a salon to treat yourself to...Or if you are an incoming OFW having withdrawal syndromes with your local beauty shop in the Philippines...worry no more. You can try The Red Carpet Hair and Beauty salon and see if it fits you. If not, then rely on your Pink Tarha Ladies to scout out more salons in this city in the days to come. :)

Cheers!
-ec-

The Red Carpet Hair and Beauty salon offers hair design and style, hair treatments, hair coloring, nail care and nail art, facial and body treatment, massages and waxing treatments.

Contact them at:
Near RKH/Military Hospital
Suleimaniah District
P.O. Box 64115
Riyadh 11536, KSA
T: +966-1-293-3497
M: +966-55-651-0758

Of Syndromes and a Woman

I've been out of the (blog)loop lately due to a series of syndromes.

There was the:
SSWS
(Sale-Season-Withdrawal Syndrome),
PMS
(you know what that is), &
HsTS
(Haggard-sa-Trabaho Syndrome).

Cumulatively it is regarded as a bad case of SSS (Super Stress Syndrome) scientifically known as Haggardous Milletus Caktuz.

--

Anyway, since I've been "away", zero-visibility sandstorms have been prevalent in the city, China visited, the King was in the neighborhood and Valentine's day went by like a blur (At least I got a Ferrero choco-trio, a white rose and some sweet talk from a special someone). Also, just yesterday, King Abdullah reshuffled the Council of Ministers and named Noor Al-Fayez as the Deputy Minister for Girl's Education. This is a pretty big deal since she is the first woman EVAR to be appointed in the government council. (Read the full story here). The best thing to do is HOPE and may all the pioneer women icons of Saudi Society mark this as a glorious day.

I'm hoping to post some more relatively relevant entries as soon as my "dark cloud" clears up. In the meantime...Tesbaheena ala khair*!


*goodnight/sweet dreams

What To Do, Yaani*?

I shot this cartoon from the local paper a couple of months back. It's a pretty odd scenario but it does touch on the issue of how several school girls have perished in some schools around the Kingdom due to lack/hindrance of immediate rescue operations in schools for girls. As most of you know, all, if not, most institutions here are mandated to separate the sexes and are only amenable if both people are related family.

Unfortunately the Fire Departments around the country are all males and if a scenario such as a fire does occur in an all-girl facility, there are no women firefighters (that i know of) that can save their lives. And even if the male firefighters do arrive, they are faced with an "ethical" dilemma, if you will, on how they will be able to do their job without breaching religious traditions.

I'm sure the experts and critics of Riyadh community has debated about this issue for a period of time. I am but a bystander in all of these. I just want to post this as one of (what I see as) the snippets of the many cultural dilemmas of this growing nation.

Can you think of any solutions? Or has the cartoon solved the dilemma already?


*Yaani is an expression I usually hear from Arabs when I am speaking to them in English. They tend to incorporate it in their sentences to mean as "it's like that/as to say/it means/meaning"when they want to emphasize/expound what they want to say.