Studio Fly can be found tucked away in a quiet residential area on Hissin Street, a stone’s throw away from both Habima and Dizengoff Centre. Past the humble entrance I discover an atmosphere of serenity and tasteful style. Fly has a mat work studio, a room for Pilates machines, a treatment room, toilets and a small changing room. The whole place feels spotless and new.
 
What is Garuda?
I was particularly interested in trying a Garuda class at Fly. Garuda is a new training method that combines yoga and Pilates with influences from Tai Chi. It is created by James D’Silva who hails from London. The method is only beginning to gain popularity in the rest of the world, mainly in the US and in Israel. It claims to promote strength, flexibility, co-ordination and endurance and lead the practitioner to a stronger and leaner body and improved posture with ease of movement and mind.
 
Power to the People
The class in lead by Tamir, one of the co-owners at the studio and the resident physiotherapist. As a former triathlete, a physiotherapist with ten years of experience, and a Pilates instructor for the past seven years, he feels very passionate about the studio’s approach to rehabilitation of clients that come for physiotherapy. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own recovery. Rather than remaining passive people should improve their own physical condition by maintaining an active lifestyle.
 
Tamir says that Garuda changed his idea of movement as it establishes the centre through the periphery, while Pilates places overwhelming focus on establishing the centre. Tamir believes that you cannot find your centre if your borders are not defined. Also, while Pilates is very linear, Garuda works on many dimensions, which is apparently in the many curves and spirals in the movement. Energy flows through your body with ease and the use of breathe helps the practitioner achieve mental balance more readily than Pilates. It is an integration of Eastern and Western methods.
 
Small and Specific
Tamir and his business partner Gal, whose background is in dance and Chinese medicine, teach over 70% of the classes themselves. Tamir describes himself as accurate and specific on the one hand and informal on the other. The client’s development is carefully monitored and their personal program is recorded and filed. There are three Pilates machines, which means classes are small to the benefit of the clients who each get a workout specific to their individual needs.
 
Studio Fly is a nice place with a personal atmosphere. I get the impression that the staff are well informed and I feel safe in their hands. Whether Garuda will become the next big thing remains to be seen. If it isn’t your cup of tea studio Fly also has yoga, Pilates mat work, Tai Chi and more.