Social Workout

New Classes

Bounce Dance Your Way to Happiness

Uba Bounce (via evadance.org)

The Wall Street Journal is way over yoga. "Yoga in this city feels like just another form of competition—in the guise of a love-in," says WSJ reporter Pia Catton. Her recommendation for a much more joyful workout: "Uba Bounce." The 60-minute bounce dance technique classes offered by Eva Dean Dance are dance classes, but almost all the moves involve a workout ball: Draping yourself over the ball and hanging like a rag doll, "the dolphin" where you roll over the ball, brush your arms out and kick your feet up, and balance moves like trying to sit cross-legged on top of the ball.

"It's about fun, core strength, flexibility, balance and well-being," says Eva Dean. The WSJ isn't usually the first place I turn for recommendations on joy or anything fun, really. But I have to admit, bounce dance sounds pretty good. Classes start September 21st. First class is free, and after that a seven-class series is only $100. Details at evadeandance.org.