News

“Your booty is a turntable!” booms an amplified voice from one end of a large mirrored exercise room, and dozens of derrieres sway back and forth in compliance. Is this some bizarre dream? No, just a Sunday night Tease Aerobics class.Tease aerobics is exactly what it sounds like: a more sensual way of exercising through a combination of dance moves and traditional aerobics. The energetic music and sexy moves are a far cry from the tedium of the treadmill. Like many college students, I have trouble setting aside time to exercise, so group classes help keep me motivated.

The class started out with a simple hip swing move, to which other moves were gradually added until a whole routine was created. The moves are neither purely hip-hop nor aerobics, but are, well, not unlike something you would see at a strip club. That said, every deductive move has an ulterior motive, whether it be working the glutes, abdominals or calves. I left the class feeling energized and felt the burn for several days after.

Let me be honest: I’m not a great dancer, and being on a dance floor makes me feel like a million eyes are glued to me. But when a roomful of people is trying to mimic the instructor’s moves and keep up with the beat, no one has a chance to feel self-conscious or judgmental. Toward the middle of the hour-long class, I found myself actually enjoying it.

Instructor Catherine Kung, who graduated from UC Berkeley in 2007, said the class is meant to combine exercise with dance in a fun, non-intimidating way.

“I want people to be comfortable with their bodies and love their bodies now, not 10 pounds from now,” she said.

Kung took the class several years ago while still a student and became certified to teach it. While she’s not a professional dancer or personal trainer, Kung’s infectious energy and encouraging words make her an approachable instructor. Every class will consist of a new routine, and while the moves will not become more difficult as the semester progresses, participants can substitute in more challenging variations and add extra bits of self-expression, such as a bit of hair swinging.

The first class attracted people of all shapes and dancing abilities, such as a lady old enough to be my grandmother. Men are welcome in the class and many, such as sophomore Jeff Dea, find it fun.

“It was a good experience,” said Dea, who came with his girlfriend, Emily Li.

Although Li doesn’t recommend the class as a date activity, she said the class left her feeling “energized and very sexy.”

If “tease aerobics” still sounds too raunchy to be a legitimate workout, consider Kung’s take on the strippers who have popularized these moves: “They are basically gymnasts who use a pole.”Tease Aerobics classes are on Sundays from 5:45 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. at the RSF.