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.

We started our session sans skates much like a typical yoga class with a meditation and stretching. Since the other writers and editors in the class were also novice skaters, we laced up and started with easy beginner techniques. Once we were comfortable on our Rollerblades, Kris challenged us to add in little aspects of yoga like connecting the strokes to the breath, skating in a rolling prayer position and lunging into a warrior position.

If you’re really looking to practice yoga, Mobile Yoga might not be for you, but I do love it as new motivation to get outside and get on Rollerblades. Even if you’re not near Ohio, you can try out the practice by downloading the workout or watching a video. Or to get started, the next time you go inline skating, focus on your breath and notice the rhythm and flow behind your technique.

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.

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.

3. Be aware of spacing and leave your classmates enough room to work out. Don’t stand directly in front or in back of someone. For sculpt or boot camps that require a lot of equipment, be mindful of where you put your weights, body bars, etc. If the class is crowded and you don’t have enough space at any point during the class, move until you do. Don’t wait for other members to move for you. If all else fails, ask your instructor to help.

4. Be flexible about where you stand. Even if you always stand in the same place every time, that doesn’t make it your spot. If you’re late for class or someone new comes in and takes “your spot” you don’t have any right to ask them to move. Try a new spot and accept that change as a challenge instead.

5. If you’re having trouble following the routine, at least follow the motion of the class left to right or front to back to avoid getting trampled. You might also want to stick to the back of the class when you’re new.

6. If you bring your bag, water bottle, sweatshirt, towel, hat, coffee or whatever into the classroom, don’t leave it in the middle of the floor. Make sure it’s tucked in a corner or cubby out of everyone’s way. If you bring your cell phone turn it off. If you forget and it rings, don’t pretend it isn’t yours–turn it off!

7. And finally, remember–this is group fitness. You chose to come to a fitness class with other people in it and so you may have to deal with some overzealous characters. If you don’t like them, leave the class, put on your headphones and work out solo.