Rock your body

These were the successful ingredients that made up the entertaining Nike Rockstar Workout (NRSW) event, held at Pharaoh's Club in Wafi Mall.

In fact, some members of the audience whispered to each other that it was similar to watching a small scale version of a reality show unfold before their very eyes (sans the occasional bouts of melodrama).

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The NRSW was created by Jamie King, a popular MTV choreographer. He was also the man responsible for some of Madonna's scintillating moves in her famous Re-Invention tour.

The three-day hunt for an accomplished dance instructor in the UAE started on January 22. Out of the thirty contestants, twelve were selected to partake in two days of intense NRSW Train the Trainer sessions, before a final winner was declared.

“I have about six favourites at this point,” enthused Sonja Moses, after the first set of tryouts. “I thought the energy at the auditions was absolutely phenomenal. We were blown away by the different styles. But we're looking for someone who shines as a dancer, can guide the group confidently and create a good atmosphere in the class.” Moses is a UK-based Nike master trainer and one of the three jury members shipped in especially for the NRSW event in the UAE.

The 'class' that each of the contestants had to lead comprised the remaining contenders. The routines were a mix of dance and workout steps that the aspiring instructors had to effectively teach the group.

“There was great diversity in the dancers, their styles and teaching abilities. We were really surprised with the number of wonderful teachers on site,” said the second judge for the event, Marie Forleo, a Nike master trainer residing in New York and internationally renowned fitness personality and lifestyle coach. Forleo not only has four top selling DVDs to her name, but is also fitness consultant to Jamie King.

And the last from the trio of judges was Nike master trainer from the UK, Vicky Igbokwe. “We weren't really sure what to expect. But every single lady that auditioned today just put herself on the map,” she said. She then went on to list what it was she was looking for in the band of hopefuls; “I'm looking for versatility; someone who looks good when they're dancing, but also has the skill to teach. With this programme, if you look great, but you can't take your class through the routine, it won't work,” she stated firmly.

And ultimately, the lucky lady to walk away with an exclusive Nike athlete sponsorship package was 21-year-old Amelie Mandet, who will be signed on as a certified Nike athlete after a three-day intensive training session. She will then proceed to head the NRSW in the UAE. “NRSW is such a fun and addictive dance routine, I cannot wait to start classes,” commented a thrilled Mandet. She has been a full-time student at dancing school for three years and has taken advance classes in Ballet, Jazz, Belly and African dance.

Rola Alameh-Kurdi, a 25-year-old software engineer, summed up her experience for City Times, “I love to dance and work out. But it was a very tough competition. It was quite diverse: there were people from African, Indian and Oriental origins. It was an excellent experience.”

Nike will shortly be announcing venues for the NRSW classes.

citytime@emirates.net.ae