Dare to Dream

I got introduced to Aerial Yoga over two years ago by my friend and became addicted ever since. I’ve taken yoga classes before, however I always prefer to do regular vinyasa routine at home on my own, without the instructor. However, this type of yoga had changed the entire experience I was used to before. Aerial yoga usually is a simple vinyasa practice which involves silk hammocks. It is incredibly fun and does not require a lot of skill, just courage!

You start as a regular flow, and then incorporate the hammock as a floating support, for example when doing a plank, you put your feet through the loop and balance it. It helps the core muscles and adds complexity to the routine. Aerial yoga is also great  for those who have back problems, since you can stretch your back and spine by swinging upside down while the hammock is holding your torso. The best part of the practice is that you can learn new “tricks” as you get more comfortable with the hammocks and the feel of being unbalanced and lifted up in the air.

This is me in the pictures 🙂 doing some fun stretching and swinging at the yoga studio in Gramercy, next to Union Square. The studio is called OM Factory and is my favorite one in New York. I had an incredible opportunity to volunteer at the studio and get free classes at the same time. It was an amazing chance for me to get better at my practice and have fun with an amazing crew. They offer a wide variety of Aerial and Acro yoga classes as well as Vinyasa and Ashtanga. OM Factory has two locations in New York and currently opened one more in Seoul. The classes are priced at between $17-$30 per session, depending on the type of class. Special pricing options available for packages.

There are other yoga studios in New York  which offer Aerial yoga classes, such as AntiGravity Fitness and Holding Space, however OM Factory has the best pricing on classes and offer the widest selection of various yoga styles. If you haven’t yet tried the Aerial Yoga you should definitely give it a shot! It is the most fun way to do yoga practice and will definitely leave you hooked!

They say that exercise helps you boost your mood, well this one will sure make you happy…and sore. The new way of staying in shape has taken over the private fitness studios and large gym classes all over the United States. Ballet-based extensive workout at the barre will make you break a sweat, and if you haven’t tried it yet, after reading this you will sure find yourself signing up!

I heard about the class from a friend, who invited me with her for a workout at Physique57, a Manhattan-based fitness studio. The class was extremely intense, although it was a beginner level. We had to do series of exercises at the barre by using our leg, arm, abdomen and back muscles. You would think that there would be a lot of stretching and graceful slow movement, but instead the class of only ten people moved at a fast and dynamic pace while MJ’s “I’m bad” was blasting in the background. The first ten minutes I was having pure fun and was getting just a tiny bit hot.

After twenty minutes I realized that I am soaking wet and need a moment, but the instructor just raised the volume of the speakers and encouraged: “Come on ladies, you are on your way to your dream body, work it!” And I sure knew that my dream body was not looking at me from the mirror across, so I kept on working. After the fifty seven minutes of pure work (no breaks!),I dragged myself into the cab and was riding home happier than ever. The next morning, I have to say, I was not so happy when every single muscle of my body reminded me of the work I have done….however it was definitely worth it!

Today the barre exercises are extremely popular and receive plenty of good reviews and feedback from clients. It is an intensive workout, but I can tell you for sure, it was the most effective I’ve ever taken. After the fourth class I already felt a huge difference in the way my body felt and after the sixth I could see myself moving a little closer to that dream body. Several studios ( The Bar Method, Exhale Spa, Pure Barre )  offer barre classes in NYC, the prices vary from $30 to $45 per session, however most studios offer packages and special pricing. If you are still undecided what to ask Santa for Christmas this might just be the perfect start to get to that new year resolution of staying fit, and most important, happy!