Rollerblade invited me to try a new workout recently called Mobile Yoga–as you might guess it’s yoga on Rollerblades. They provided the skates and I brought the mat. At first, I thought the concept was crazy, but I’ve never been afraid to try the latest hybrid workout so I took the challenge. I expected to attempt downward dogs and standing splits on skates, luckily Mobile Yoga 101 is much more doable.

Cleveland-based yoga and skating instructor Kris Fondran created the workout not to impress others by putting pretzel-like poses in motion, but because she noticed that both yoga and skating have similar qualities of balance, rhythm and flow. By blending the two, Kris adds cardio, muscular strength and endurance to the meditative yoga practice.

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If you’re looking for a new innovative and HARD workout to try, sign up for Budokon. Developed by Cameron Shayne, Budokon is a fusion of martial arts and yoga that’s designed to create a healthy body and a sound mind which rings true to the JivaFit motto. And celebrities like Courtney Cox and Jennifer Aniston have been fans for awhile.

It’s a workout that requires you to use every inch of your body and every single muscle from head to toe. This class will help you get stronger without lifting a single dumbell–it’s all about using your body. The class starts with a yoga session, though you’ll do dancing dogs in addition to your downward dogs and classic Vinyasa movements will be modified to the rolling wave. The moves get progressively more challenging as the class gears up for the martial arts set. The crocodile for example requires you to jump to a fighting stance from lying flat on the ground. The practice finishes with kicking, punching, blocking and so on in a martial arts series.

If you want to give it a try, search the site for an instructor near you or watch one of Shayne’s workout DVDs. I tried a couple of them and unlike some fitness videos that aren’t don’t even compare to taking an actual class, these were pretty challenging.

Last year, two members of an NYC gym got into an argument during spin class that ended in assault. One member was annoyed that the other was grunting and yelling what could be considered encouraging comments like “You go girl!” and “Great song!”. So he charged toward the loud spinner and threw him and his bike against the wall. Certainly this situation got out of hand, but when the case went to trial last week, it got me thinking about gym class etiquette. Here are a few good tips to follow.

1. Arrive on time. If you’re late you’ll disrupt class (ever had someone come in during your yoga meditation?) and you might miss information or moves you’ll need all throughout the class. If you stop class later to ask questions, other members won’t be happy.

2. Just like a class at school, keep it quiet. Unless the class calls for it, leave socializing for after class. And if you have a question, ask your instructor instead of your neighbor.

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