Your NYC Wellness Retreat

This post had aspirations to be a thorough review of Dasha Wellness- New York’s health and wellness destination. I started writing this post tonight and realized that there was no way to combine all the amazing experiences of Dasha Wellness into one post. It would be too exhausting and WAY too long. Therefore, I am going to save the two aspects, their weight loss plan and their massage aspect for my next post. During that post I will compare and contrast Dasha’s medical massage technique with Equinox’s swedish massage. In addition, I will highlight their amazing 360 degree 12 week weight loss program.

Last Friday night I had the amazing opportunity to spend two hours exploring the newest wellness sanctuary in the heart of New York City, Dasha Wellness. Their entire staff, including the founders Dr. Darren and Shannon Pollack, spent two hours giving me a tour, letting me take a test run on their machines, experience a 1st visit as a new patient would, and introduce me to the benefits of medical massage. It was an amazing experience and a perfect end to a long week. There are many things one sees upon entering Dasha. The space is bright filled with white light and many forms of green- apples, plants, comfortable pillows, and more. The staff is attentive, curteous, and most of all knowlegeable. The facility is immaculate and fresh; filled with life and vitality!

Dasha Welness believes that you should only have to go one place to find all the resources and support needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most New York residents are too busy to take multiple cab rides or subway trips just to visit their doctor, physical therapist, personal trainer, and pilates instructor. I love this concept because it really is SO true. The amount of delivery food epitomizes resident’s desires for ease and accesibilty. Most people, especially professionals, believe that they work too hard each day to stress themselves out after work as well.

One of my favorite aspects of Dasha is it’s conception. It is truly the dream come true for Dr Darren Pollack and his wife Shannon. The name, Dasha is a combination of their first name’s and the services offered reflect their passions. Dr. Darren Pollack is a board-certified chiropractic physician with over a dozen years of clinical experience in sports medicine and rehabilitation therapy. He prides himself on the fact that he has direct contact with all patients/clients in coordination of Management Plans administered. He is able to bring his broad range of knowlege in multiple techniques such as Active Release Technique, Chiropractic, Graston Technique, and Sports Medicine to Dasha. But it is their passion for health,wellness, and well-being that has allowed Dasha Wellness to evlve into a comprehensive wellness center which revolves around the 360 degree concept developed by Darren and Shannon. Everyone who walks in is an individual and therefore a plan and solution is designed to meet the needs of each patient.

Technology plays an integral role at Dasha. During my tour, Caitlin showed me the workout section. This area features two machines which look foreign to even the biggest of gym rats. The first one I spotted is the SpineForce. This machine addresses problems surrounding the spine and core muscles. The primary part of the machine sis an oscillating platform that challenges the body to stabilize itself during specific movements. The spinal muscles must respond by making adjustments which therefore retrains the core muscles of the spine, strengthinenging and helping prevent injuries. Spine force not only helps injuries but prevents them by improving strength, mobility, balance, neuro-motor equilibrium, flexibility and posture. These improvements are all ideal for back, hips, and shoulder injuries, neuromuscular disorders, core strengthening, fall prevention and balance disorders. I did not have the opportunity to try the machine but I can only imagine how powerful this tool could be for someone who has a previously debilitating injury or spinal weekness.The second machine reminded me of Space Mountain at Disney World. But, do not be fooled, this is no kids ride! The PhysioRED is an FDA-listed device that combines the ease and comfort of a reclined bike with infrared light therapy which means the workout feels like it’s being done in a sauna like heat. By focusing 2,800 watts of infrared light on the body during a vigorous cycling workout, it can help people make improvements in body detoxification, weight and fat loss, muscle toning, cardio health and overall wellness. This is due to the fact that the infrared natural light generates which expands capillaries, warms muscle fibers, and stimulates blood circulation as it penetrates into the skin and underlying tissue. This workout is not for beginners or to be taken lightly. I laughed at the idea of watching Seinfeld while getting a workout but, five minutes into the workout I was sweating and my muscles felt the pressure! My heart was working harder than normal and I quickly realized that this was an amazing cardio workout while also making me feel the same way I do during and after bikrham yoga- 100% detoxed and lighter. I love the fact that they want to make exercise accesible even to the most difficult and reluctant clients. For this reason, the Physiored has a dvd player, tv, and full dvd library that patients may enjoy. A 45 minute bike ride while watching Sex and the City? Yes please!

Dasha Wellness is located at 115 East 57th Street right in the heart of Manhattan. The location is perfect for people who work or life in midtown, eastside, and even the west side as it’s near multiple subways, Central Park, and within walking distance of Grand Central. Their location has allowed them to focus in two primary areas very well, corporate wellness and personal lifestyle and wellness improvement.

Due to their location, the have quickly developed strong relationships with many large law firms, Bloomberg, Bloomingdales, Shiseido, ING, and more. I strongly believe that they have been able to establish these relationships quickly due to their wonderful client and customer service. They believe that every individual deserves health and wellness services and therefore work with and accept most medical insurance plans. They offer multiple corporate wellness programs but their most popular are their corporate wellness seminars which provide a seminar to meet your company’s needs and their health expos. The goals of their seminars are to educate and inspire employees to mae better health decisions and improe their lives by implementing health concious behaviors. The seminars can be half days, full days, or even just a lunchtime meeting. The topics are very applicable such as desk stretching, nutrition, protecting your back, setting goals for your own life, and even an awesome ergonomics consultation which will help employees prevent strain and injuries! My favorite option is the stress down days. I’m currently working with my company to plan one of these for all employees in late April. The event includings bringing Dasha to our office and conducting light testing, posture analysis, reflexology, fitness assesments, blood pressure tests, on site massage therapists, and the benefits of exercise ball chairs. I wonder what my manager would say if I came in one day and traded out my chair for a ball? 🙂 If you are interested in bringing Dasha to your NYC office, contact Dasha at info@dashawellness.com or 212-755-5500.

*Tomorrow’s post will discuss the personal side of Dasha- their 360 Weight Loss program and their massages!