Eleven Spa Campers from TCI Hospitality Adventure filed into the studio overlooking the same lush mangroves that continue to take my breath away, even after ten months of teaching here in Turks & Caicos. They, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice the picturesque view, the refreshing cross breeze flowing through the open sliding glass doors, or the perfectly designed environment for cultivating a mind-body connection. Teenagers!
The pop of a champagne cork in the quiet of a secluded beach. A toast to another year of love as the sun traces a brilliant path along the still, aquamarine water and tucks itself behind the clouds. The gentle caress of the heat at dusk as the powdery cool sand embraces our feet. A celebratory kiss.
It happened while lying supine on the Trapeze Table at Re:AB Pilates, a NoHo studio owned by Brooke Siler; the woman behind the brand that boasts a list of celebrity clients, its own Authentic Pilates Certification plus books and videos for Pilates geeks and aficionados. It was my first private Pilates session in years and I was excited about a little one-on-one attention. But what I wasn't prepared for was the life-altering experience that would occur during my 55min session.
Variety is the spice of life. That's why I'm not a "strictly in the bedroom" type of gal. And I'm no prude when it comes to my Pilates classes either. I like to mix it up a bit and get my "scoop" on in new and different spots around the city. So, I slipped on the same matchy-matchy Lululemon attire I had retired since my teaching days and headed to Power Pilates on W23rd St for a Tower Class with Alana.
I’ll admit it. I miss playing with balls. So, what’s a sexless Indie Girl to do? Well, I found a spot where I get to play with balls of all sizes while experiencing some physical gratification myself: Yamuna Studio, which is a beautifully branded movement therapy studio located in the West Village right by the Hudson River.
Pilates neophytes and lifers alike flock to this 2-story Tribeca loft that houses Real Pilates, a more than amply equipped studio dedicated to Classical Pilates instruction. Owner and self-proclaimed Pilates Geek, Alycea Ungaro PT, operates a large staff of diverse and highly trained instructors that keep Pilates authentic, challenging and fun.
