{"id":5370,"date":"2025-05-05T08:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T04:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcmmediahub.aus.edu\/?p=5370"},"modified":"2025-10-20T07:46:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T03:46:42","slug":"rooms-of-their-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mdcmediahub.aus.edu\/index.php\/2025\/05\/05\/rooms-of-their-own\/","title":{"rendered":"Rooms of Their Own"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Annalisa Lewis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dubai- It always begins with a couple of glances.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kind whose eyes lingers on you for a second longer. The kind that makes you hold your breath. The kind that makes you want to cover up or fake a call just to get away. If you think these are the feelings of a women being stalked\u2026this is actually how women used to feel in a previously male-dominated space. Historically, gyms\u2019 were designed for men by men. The walls were painted dark black with hints of grey designs. A huge arena designed to be unisex, yet, packed with sweaty men making the gym seem much smaller than what it was. Gyms across the world were built in a similar way, showing off men\u2019s masculine energy- testosterone- fueled, accompanied by loud music, and everything was made to seem intimidating. Women may have been welcomed into these gyms on paper and in advertisements; however, they were never comfortable enough to go there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Cultural Wake-Up Call<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Plume Studios class hosting Mat Pilates, Aero Yoga, and Barre classes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In Dubai, a city of ambition and innovation, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Amid skyscrapers and supercars, women are finding sanctuary in pastel-colored studios scented with lavender and chamomile, accompanied by soft piano music. From Al Quoz to Jumeirah, women-only fitness centers\u2014Yoga studios, Pilates centers, and holistic wellness spaces\u2014are emerging, designed for women by women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These spaces cater to working women, mothers, and students, offering not just physical fitness but mental and emotional renewal. According to Arabian Gulf Business Insight, women\u2019s participation in fitness activities in the Middle East rose from 20% in 2019 to 31% in 2024. This cultural shift prioritizes physical and mental rejuvenation over mere aesthetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aesthetic Spaces: Soft Spaces for Strong Women<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bodify\u2019s neon pink Aero-Stretching studio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Bodify\u2019s blush-pink Pilates studio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bodify<\/a>, with locations in Dubai Internet City and Marina, exemplifies this new aesthetic. Its sleek, modern interior, with hushed blush-pink walls and neon pink accents, feels like a luxurious wellness lounge, not a traditional gym. Bodify offers Pilates, Aero-Stretching, High-Heels dance, yoga, and Kangoo Jump classes, taught by professionals and tailored to all fitness levels, making it approachable for beginners. Personalized training sessions are also available.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Bodify\u2019s shower area with luxury Dyson hair dryers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Beyond workout spaces, Bodify provides spa-like shower rooms with pinkish-purple lighting, a makeup corner with Dyson hair dryers, and secure lockers. These amenities create a seamless transition from exercise to daily life, enhancing the member experience and fostering relaxation and fulfillment. Bodify redefines fitness studios for women in the modern era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Culture of Slowing Down<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paus; Club showcasing its clean wellness aesthetic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ceramic tile workshop at Paus; Caf\u00e9 last year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fitness is only part of the equation; well-being and lifestyle are equally vital. Wellness cafes like Paus<\/a>; in Al Wasl, a multistory villa founded by sisters Sophiya and Sarah Faizal, offer a holistic experience. Visitors enter a cozy caf\u00e9 with light music, ascending to a yoga studio and rooms for fitness classes and sound-bath sessions. The caf\u00e9\u2019s \u201cMatcha Mornings\u201d foster community through discussions on philosophical questions, like \u201cDoes happiness come from having more or wanting less?\u201d The energy at Paus; is slow, inviting, and restorative.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tanusree Methil at her usual de-stressing hangout.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Tanusree Methil, a senior at Heriot-Watt University, regularly attends Paus; wellness workshops, finding them invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carina Kanaan<\/a> started off as a dancer, more precisely as a ballet dancer, at the ripe age of two in Dubai, and later moved on to learning the art of Hip-Hop as well. You could say dance was her first love. When a 10-year-old passionate Carina moved to Toronto, she started to participate in dance competitions, up until recently. During the unspeakable era of Covid, Kanaan was around 16 years, and she found it hard to find a balance between staying home and dancing. She started to feel unhappy with her looks and her eating habits had strayed away from what it previously was and so she realized she had to gain back control of her life by eating healthier to keep her body healthy. She slowly eased herself into going for walks which made her lose about 30 pounds, which in turn made her want to continue with her fitness journey post Covid. Inspired by how her trainer helped her, Kanaan took it upon herself to help others feel good about their body as well. She acquired an ISSA certificate, turning her into a certified personal trainer. She continues to balance her university life as a dancer and a personal trainer. She stated that she came to realize that \u201cdancers are athletes\u201d. At such a young age, she\u2019s already a certified trainer and professional dancer, making it a full circle moment where she got to dance in Canadian Rapper Drake\u2019s music video for his 2025 hit song \u201cNokia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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