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CorePower Yoga New York City

Get excited New York City – CorePower Yoga is finally coming to Manhattan.  This May CorePower Yoga is opening the doors of it’s first New York City location at 70th and Broadway on the Upper West Side.

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For years, I’ve heard friends and fellow bloggers rave about CorePower Yoga. With over 160 studios nationwide, it seemed like there was a studio in just about every metropolitan city except New York. Focused on helping students live their power, push beyond their boundaries and turn stress into sweat, CorePower Yoga is far more than your typical yoga studio.  Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to preview CorePower Yoga thanks to a lovely morning event hosted by CorePower Yoga and Well+Good NYC at Central Park’s Tavern on the Green.

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Evann and I attended the 11 AM event together, during which we enjoyed a hybrid class, hosted by three dynamic and energetic women who are leading the opening of the NYC location. The hybrid class blended aspects of two of their class offerings,  Yoga Sculpt and Core Power Yoga 2, together in one 60-minute class.

Evann and Ashley CorePower YogaCan we take a minute to appreciate the sunlight that flowed through the space? Tavern on the Green’s atrium was the perfect venue for a morning flow as we were able to enjoy the blue skies and morning sun as we stretched and energized our bodies.  Even though it was freezing outside, it was warm and toasty on our mats.

Since this was my first time experiencing CorePower Yoga, one of the first things I noticed were the hand weights which they recommended we place on our mat. Unlike other studios, one of their signature classes, Yoga Sculpt, include light hand weights to intensify each yoga pose. In addition, throughout the flow weights are incorporated into strength-training moves such as squats, lunges and bicep curls.

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Once we were all situated on our mats, the three instructors welcomed us, introduced us to CorePower Yoga and explained the flow of class. As you can see from this picture, they were on Cloud Nine, thrilled to finally be sharing CorePower Yoga and the news of their new studio with so many New York City yogis. Their positive energy set a great tone for class before we even started. I loved when they told us each to not take class too seriously – it’s only Saturday morning yoga.

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After a few minutes of intention setting, we  started the flow with time in child’s pose, grounding ourselves, before quickly transitioning into the flow portion.  During the flow, which moved at a pace fast enough to induce a sweat but slow enough to ensure proper form, the instructors were hyper-focused on form and adjustments, which I always appreciate. They also created a supportive, inspiring environment for the students motivating us to do our best and be present in the moment.

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After thirty minutes we regrouped and transitioned into the challenging but fun yoga sculpt portion of class. Unlike any yoga class I’ve taken before, this class mixed strength, cardio and flexibility into the practice. For example, in chair pose we would hold the pose and then begin doing arm exercises using the weights before flowing to the next move. I really enjoyed the use of weights and appreciated the added challenge EXCEPT for the transition points on the mat. This may have been that the lighter weights didn’t have enough space to be held properly while also allowing for wrist movement but I felt clumsy during plank and sun salutations.  The cardio bursts were also a fun change of pace, incorporating things like mountain climbers into the middle of a plank series, or burpees following a flow.

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By the end of the class, I was exhausted but completely zen. My muscles were still shaking from the strength training and my tank top was sweaty from the cardio but I was standing taller and feeling lighter due to the yoga and positive vibes. Regardless of your level of practice, CorePower Yoga offers a class that is right for you. I appreciate that under one roof you can find sculpting, cardio and zen.

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Even though it is a trek from our apartment in Carroll Gardens, I will certainly be heading to the Upper West Side to enjoy classes once they open.

Interested to learn more about CorePower Yoga’s UWS location? Head over to their website to learn more about the studio and their limited time 25% off special.

Thank you to Turner PR, Well + Good NYC and CorePower Yoga for inviting me to a wonderful event. Photo credit: Barbara Corella, Evann Clingan and Well+Good NYC

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ashleyd /

Barry’s Bootcamp

On Thursday night I finally tried Barry’s Bootcamp.

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After hearing about this workout from many friends in the city, as soon as I saw Well+Good NYC’s Ultimate Barry’s Bootcamp Experience event, I knew I had to attend! The evening included a 45 minute class with one of their famed trainers, Joey Gonzalez, along with a smoothie from their Fuel Bar afterwards, natural beauty products, and a Barry’s Bootcamp tank.

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I was definitely a little intimidated of the workout since I’m currently in marathon taper mode and haven’t been doing many intense speed or weights workouts. Luckily, the camaraderie of 30 other Well+Good readers along with Joey’s inspirational spirited instruction helped me overcome my fears within minutes. Kristine, a Barry’s regular, explained the class format to my friend Liz and I before hand so we’d know what to expect.

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The 45 minute class format includes the following:

  • 2 separate 10 minute treadmill sessions each of which is focused on speed or incline
  • 2 separate floor sessions focused on arms/back or abs/glutes.
  • 5 minute stretch session

The time in the room flew by and I was surprised to see numbers like 8.5 on the Woodway treadmill screen during the speed workout or 11.0 on the incline during our second treadmill session while Joey pumped up us “treaders” with positive affirmations. I have to say though, I was amazed to see that others were running at 11.0 or 12.0 speeds during our intervals. While I know it’s only for a minute or so each time, I still can’t imagine that speed!

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The floor portion was challenging thanks to the 8-10 pound weights, higher than normal rep workouts, and compound movements. While I loved the first workout, which was focused on arms and legs, I didn’t love the glute workout. Maybe it was because I felt awkward using the bands and felt that I wasn’t targeting the muscle perfectly, but this didn’t seem quite as affective as the first portion.

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After the workout, as I walked through the airport with sore arms and legs the next morning, I reflected on what I really enjoyed about Barry’s and I think it is that I gained things that I can apply to my workout anywhere. I loved switching things up on the treadmill and could see how a workout like the Barry’s treadmill workout would be a great way to make an average 30 minute workout fly by and challenge some under developed leg muscles through new speeds and incline.

Thank you so much Well+Good NYC for another very well organized event that allowed like minded fitness enthusiasts to push our bodies and enjoy an evening workout together. Thank you Barry’s for the absolutely delicious smoothie, which included a ginger kick, and some much needed workout inspiration which will come in handy after the marathon!

Would I spend $32 on Barry’s regularly? No, I probably wouldn’t but only because I belong to Equinox and there isn’t one that is very convenient based on class timings and location. However, I could see this being a great option for someone who needs motivation and can’t afford a regular trainer as it’s about half to a third the price of a training session.

Have you tried Barry’s Bootcamp or a class similar to it? Thoughts?

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Ashley D /

Pilates ProWorks NYC

Wednesday night I followed Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice.

Thanks to the wonderful women at Well+Good NYC and Pilates ProWorks, I had the opportunity to step on a reformer for the very first time! While I have made my way through almost every machine at Equinox and many different fitness classes throughout the city, I’ve always been too intimidated by the reformer to actually try it.

Lucky for me, Pilates ProWorks recently made its East Coast and New York City debut in the Union Square area this February and wants to bring their unique spin on Pilates to New Yorkers! The studio, located at 47 West 14th Street, between Fifth and Sixth, strives to bring the fun back to the reformer, a fitness machine often feared by many but loved by many of the celebrities whose bodies we admire.  The open studio space is inviting while also highlighting their two core offerings, Pilates Pro Method and Barre Pro, through an open floorplan which allows you to watch the classes from the waiting area.

While our group looked into the different rooms, whispering in excitement, we were greeted by their energetic and friendly staff. Everyone was very welcoming and excited to see lots of new faces. Many of the instructors have a background in dance which you can see come out in the music selection, class offerings, and the special alterations they’ve made to their pilates, TRX, and barre classes.

As part of the Well+Good event, each attendees could choose to participate in either a Barre Pro or Pilates Pro Method class 55 minute class. Due to my intimidation, I figured that there was no time better than this event setting to muster up my courage and balance. The studio, when full, only allows for 12 students which means the instuctor is able to easily navigate through the class helping students with form and adjustments, similar to a small yoga class. Our instructors, Jenn and Jackie, explained the basics behind the FitFormer machine which provides full resistance training without the jerkiness of some older reformer styles. In addition she took us through the machines different parts and how we’d use each for different exercises. After cranking up the fun playlist which reminded me of my favorite running mix, we started our 55 minute workout. Within minutes, we were all shaking and breaking sweats. This magical reformer takes movements such as a lunge or plank and notches them to the next level.  With each movement, I really felt the specific muscles engaging which also helped me focus on form and balance.

But, just when I thought i’d found my groove, the music amped up and we hopped off for a burst of cardio. Oh yes, our hearts didn’t stop beating the entire workout. Every five minutes we were on the floor doing weighted step-ups, mountain climbers, and more. This, combined with the flowing movements on the proformer left me feeling lithe like and balanced. In addition, I felt myself pushing to perfect my form and work harder since this was something new and different. It was a fun change to my normal run, lift, spin, yoga repeat routine.

When the music ended I walked out curious of what this 55 minute practice could do for my body and running if it was a weekly addition. At $35 per class it is certainly more affordable than many other reformer classes in the city. In addition, their daily class schedule starts at 6am and doesn’t end until 8pm, leaving time for even the busiest people to squeeze in one of their nine different class offerings.  While I know that I can’t afford to go there full time, due to my other gym membership, it is something I would look to supplement my current training. I think it could be the perfect evening class as well since it’s located near my home and focused a bit more on lengthening which is a perfect balance for my personal training sessions and running.

Next time you’re looking to change up your regular routine or feel especially hard core, I suggest taking advantage of their $25 new client rate and try one of their classes.

Thank you again Well and Good and Pilates ProWorks for a wonderful event!

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