WELLNESS
THE KARMA KLUB It’s 7pm on a Friday at city-centre nightclub Mash. The bass is pumping, the lights are pulsing and the hazer smoke is swirling. But this is no ordinary night on the tiles. This is The Karma Klub: the Cambridge-famous ‘movement and mindfulness’ class where workout meets night out. Attracting dozens of devoted fans each month, the event is the brainchild of Amy Holly, a local fitness fanatic on a mission to capture the communal joy of a night out dancing, in a way that feels truly inclusive. “I teach barre, and trained as a professional dancer and choreographer. More importantly than any of that though, I’m an old raver!” she laughs. “I absolutely loved going out clubbing; but now there’s nothing that I want to do in town. “Dance is about much more than exercise,” she continues. “That feeling of getting out on a dance floor and letting go. It’s quite a yoga idea – to work through your stuff and then let it go. It’s catharsis.” The whole clubbing experience is recreated, from the barriers out front to the darkened room and live DJ; setting the scene for Amy to lead attendees through a
set of rhythmic, easy-to-follow movements and breathwork exercises. “People moving together can be really powerful,” she muses. “By the end of the session, everybody is feeling pretty euphoric with their hands in the air, and can’t wait to come again!” One thing you won’t find at The Karma Klub is alcohol, though Amy’s relaxed about people having a drink beforehand if they choose. “It’s whatever people want it to be, but going out dancing doesn’t have to be about alcohol,” she stresses. “A lot of people are worried they will feel self-conscious without the comfort blanket of alcohol, but it doesn’t have to be like that. By focusing your mind on me, the music and the lights, you can lose yourself in it really quickly – and just have a good time.” Another clear difference from your typical night out clubbing is the crowd, which contains a noticeable mix of ages – something which Amy has been pleased to observe. “It’s a really good environment because there are so many different people – men, women, old, young – and nobody looking around judging anyone else,” enthuses Amy. “You’re so focused on what
the next move is and where we’re going as a group, that you almost stop being an individual – that’s a powerful experience.” “It doesn’t matter how old you are, it doesn’t matter what you look like, or what your background is,” she smiles. “Everybody loves you in the club!”
NIGHTCLUB FEVER Work up a sweat and club like you’ve never clubbed before, with Amy leading you along every step of the way
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JANUARY 2023 53
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