How many of you consider your body to be a temple? How about a work of art?  Get ready for a fresh and innovative movement technique that will make you a believer of both.

Swiss fitness expert Robert Steinbacher combined his experiences as a dancer and a therapist for special-needs children to create this dynamic bodyweight workout.  It is already very popular at gyms throughout the European countries. Realizing that many therapeutic exercises could be just as beneficial for people without physical limitations, Steinbacher developed his unique program called BodyArt. 

When I came upon this new fitness format, my first thought was, Here comes another idea that will be like so many others: here for a few years, only to be replaced by the “next greatest idea.” However, since I do hold a special place in my heart for children with physical limitations, I was intrigued enough to read the research articles. Dubbing itself a “training concept for a new awareness,” BodyArt seeks to integrate functional training, physiotherapy, dance movements, Tai Chi, and yoga positions to yield a tough yet restorative workout. 

While I am not yet certain that this format is currently being offered in the St. Louis area, I will be keeping an eye out for it. As our population gracefully ages, it is encouraging to know that nontraditional exercises are catering to individuals of all ages and levels of expertise or capabilities.

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