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Yoga at the Top, Burj Khalifa: Now THAT was a Friday morning

Yoga at the Top of the Burj Khalifa. The blue mat is mine.

So I completely scrapped my weekend plans when I heard my friends were going to do this yesterday: a 7.30am yoga class on the observation deck of the tallest building in the world, courtesy of Fitness First.

Um, yes, I am in.
There were 33 of us gathered up there. It was slightly windy, a little bit, but not too, hot, and one of the best experiences I've ever had. Fran Diaz, the 31-year-old Fitness First trainer and yoga teacher who led the class, agreed. "It's really exciting, because it's like doing yoga at the top of the world," she said after class. "I couldn't even sleep last night. It's the icon of Dubai."

It was fun being inside Dubai Mall that early, to hear the morning sound test of the fire alarm and see the observation deck staff all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

There are two more classes before Ramadan so hurry and book, as ours sold out. The organisers are working on plans to continue it weekly after the break. Dh125 for Fitness First members, Dh150 for non-members. Go to www.atthetop.ae to book tickets.

The view from my yoga mat. 

My view during savasana.

My friend Mo, doing a pretty good crow.

And me, doing my best Michael Bluth impression.

From

A CANADIAN IN ABU DHABI

With Love

I love my Dad: A Top 10 list for Father's Day
Obviously I can't be in Canada to celebrate Father's Day with my very awesome dad Larry. So I sent him this list. He's the best.


In 2009 on a desert safari. Because you have to.

Top Ten reasons I love my Fasha, on Fasha's Day

1. He came to visit me in in Abu Dhabi and he calls me here every week, almost without fail.

2. He should win an international award for diligence when it comes to physiotherapy, recycling and maintaining his vehicle.

3. He is such a good Grandpa.

4. He loves a good debate about a variety of topics and argues intelligently, with charm and humour and without ego. It's a dying art.

5. He reads important books and then tells me all about them, so I can absorb the high points and then pretend I've read them too.

6. In all my years as his daughter, I have never seen him wear a pair of blue jeans.

7. Can very quickly spot a fake and a phoney.

8. He always has some great advice and/or perspective to give. My all time favourite - "Are you stealing from the company?" - has been offered patiently the many times early in my career that I worried about being fired. In my 30s, when I had the same worries, he added "are you running around with the boss?" I am not sure why.

9. When his van was old, he bought the same van, in the same colour, and no one could tell he had a new car.

10. Despite an irrational dislike for pets, he is kind, tender, thoughtful, not to mention very easygoing and entertaining to be around. And the reason James (my brother) & I see so much good in the world is because he does too.

I love you Dad, wish I could be there with you today. Love Annie xoxoxoxo