Trim the Tree and Your Waist this Season

Too many holiday parties? All those fancy pastries and yummy casseroles calling your name at every turn? We thought watching this little guy go through the paces might inspire you to stem the tide of impending holiday pounds. Dressing up like Santa may be great fun, but make sure you aren't mistaken for the real thing when next year rolls around! As you schedule your holiday parties, shopping outings, volunteer activities and the like, make sure to schedule time to keep your body in shape.  Put it on the 'to-do' list and check it twice. That naughty little number you want to wear for the New Year's celebration will look very nice, your stockings won't feel stuffed, and there'll be a little more joy in your world when "lose a few pounds" doesn't make it on the resolutions list!

Need more motivation?  Schedule a half hour session if you're running low on time. Invite a friend to join you. We are as helpful as Santa's elves all year round so come in for a session. You'll leave energized and ready for the season's merrymaking!

Behind the Scenes

We often praise the accomplishments of our clients and the work our instructors do to keep you in tip-top shape. This time we turn the spotlight on our administrative staff. GYROTONIC practitioners themselves, they keep the studio running smoothly and also make news-worthy splashes of their own.

Gabriela Lee is a member of the staff that helps Fluid Fitness look good and she has three ventures of her own that can keep you looking good as well. She is a stylist for Style with Glee and Stella and Dot and an executive district manager for Arbonne.  Her work caught the attention of The Freelancer's Union who featured her in their Spring 2011 NYC subway campaign. They also interviewed her about being an entrepreneur; you can read the feature on their blog. Her knack for juggling responsibilities with grace, fearlessness and style are just a few of the reasons we are proud to have her on board.

Gabriela's undertakings are more proof that taking care of yourself prepares you take on the world. Check out her websites, your next visit to the studio can have you taking care with style!

Spring has Sprung!

So spring is finally here! Not to be outdone by the blossoming city outside, Fluid Fitness continues to create a buzz of activity at the studio. We maintain regular teacher trainings led by top GYROTONIC and health professionals - improving the skills of our staff and local GYROTONIC instructors. Those professionals also train and practice at the studio.

Earlier this year, Justine Bernard, a Master Trainer with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, presented a workshop at the studio on GYROTONIC Exercise and Osteoporosis. This month Goetz Lehle, MD returns from Italy and is available to our clients. His work in osteopathy, kinesiology, postural/movement analysis and orthomolecular medicine make him an incredibly insightful practitioner.

We are always doing our best to bring you the best. Don't forget your regular workouts as your agenda fills with spring responsibilities. You'll be glad you took a moment to exhale your scheduling worries. When you return to the cacophony outside you'll be relaxed and rejuvenated enough to really stop and smell all those roses.

Stand up Straight!

Those of you who are regular GYROTONIC practitioners know how you feel after a workout: longer, lighter, more relaxed, more awake, like a new person. Our instructors are a talented bunch, but what you are feeling isn't magic. The simultaneous strengthening and stretching exercises you perform in the GYROTONIC Expansion System result in a more aligned skeletal framework. In simplest terms, you improve your posture. Aside from looking taller and thinner and feeling longer and lighter, looks like Mom was right and good posture is important for your overall health.

Proper alignment allows muscles to work more efficiently, which means better endurance, strength, flexibility and decreased chance of injury. Good posture is also important for a healthy spine and nervous system. The nervous system controls most of the body's vital functions; keeping it free of impingement is paramount for overall health and function. Posture even impacts your breathing. Better ability to take full breaths means more oxygen to your heart and brain - allowing you to relax and think more clearly.

We do our best to set you straight while you're at the studio, but it's up to you to maintain the alignment lessons as you go about your day. Think about reaching through the crown of the head while you're sitting at your desk or carrying the groceries. Ever tried gentle narrowing of the pelvis while climbing the stairs? Are you breathing fully while writing that proposal? Do you keep a long spine and engaged core when lifting a heavy item off the floor? It only takes a little effort to maintain the postural alignment we help you find in your sessions. We want the best for our clients so at the risk of sounding like Mom...well, you get the idea.

Our Clients are En Pointe!

The new year is barely underway and already our clients are soaring successes. In these pages we have shared with you Skylar Brandt's steps on her road to a dance career. Today we'd like to announce her grande jete into a professional career as one of the newest members of American Ballet Theater! ABT is an internationally recognized ambassador of some of the best in American ballet. They travel the world and all 50 states showcasing a repertoire that includes works by choreographic heavy hitters as well as shining new talents.

We invite you to join us as we congratulate Skylar on this exciting new venture. Life as a professional dancer will provide a wonder of opportunities and challenges; and the staff at Fluid Fitness will be here to cheer her on and keep her instrument in tip top shape.

Need some fine-tuning yourself? Whether you are looking to fly across the stage or just complete an extra flight of stairs, we're here to help you. Come on in!

Bone density and Powerplate

We have boasted that Gyrotonic® sessions with us can make you into a superhero. Now we have evidence we can cultivate your superpowers!

The folks at Power Plate have done extensive research. The results show that whole body vibration “may lead to an increase in bone formation.” Now we having living proof!

Liane, a long-time client and friend of Fluid Fitness, was diagnosed with osteopenia in 1995. After being on medication, like Fosamax, for many years, her bone density measurements remained below normal. Two years ago her doctor took her off the medication because it was not helping. However, a recent bone density test showed a 10.8% improvement in the hip and 4.6% improvement in the spine – both measures are now in the normal range for the first time in over 15 years! How did that happen?

The only thing that is new about her regimen, and the only thing that could account for the improvement, is the Power Plate. Adding 15 or more minutes on the Power Plate to workouts several times a week, has significantly improved her bone density, along with balance and strength. Imagine how much spinach she would have to eat to duplicate those results!

If you're concerned about bone density and balance, or just need a fast whole-body workout, try a 15-minute introductory Power Plate session for just $20 and boost your inner superhero!

7 Across, 5 Down

Puzzled about our title? No, these aren't the latest moves in a Gyrotonic session. Have you ever noticed the framed ceramic crossword puzzle containing the name Fluid Fitness hanging at the front desk? Joanne Sullivan created this lovely piece for our grand opening in 2007.

She created another beautiful mosaic for this year's Lullapuzzoola tournament winner, Dan Feyer who completed the playoff puzzle perfectly in 7 minutes, 10 seconds! You can see his proud prize here http://dandoesnotblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunday-82309-lollapuzzoola.html.

Since then, Joanne has been commissioned to create two more crossword mosaics. If you'd like one for yourself, give us a call and we'll put you in touch with her. You can have an up-close and personal look at ours on your next visit. You have scheduled your next visit, haven't you? Just checking.

Here at Fluid Fitness we like to believe that regular Gyrotonic sessions with our instructors can make you feel like a super hero, ready to take on the world and all its challenges. Naturally, we like to celebrate all those exciting feats and successes!


Our very own Stacy Shane has been nominated as one of Out Magazine's 100 Honorees www.out.com/out100/nominees_53.asp. He produced The Temeperamentals, a well- received historical drama by Jon Marans. The play will open again at New World Stages this winter. There is even buzz that the production may move to bigger venues soon!

OK, so maybe we can't take complete credit for Stacy's great honor, but a creative, productive mind works better with a healthy, happy body and we certainly help with that! Come in for a session. You'll be surprised how great you'll feel when you're done. When you leap that tall building with a single bound, be sure to let us know; we'll be proud to write about it.

Guess Who's Getting Fit with GYROTONIC® Now?

Who says those in search of a hard-core workout must go to a gym? Don't let the deep breathing and stretching get you thinking this isn't a serious endeavor. Shaquille O'Neal has recently been enlightened on how GYROTONIC® benefits his game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnn6StOIrig).
Glitterati like Teri Hatcher and Madonna have also made news espousing the effects of a GYROTONIC® workout on their physiques. For once a "secret of the stars" is not so secret after all. Sports stars and enthusiasts alike are learning what we at Fluid Fitness have known all along.

Looking to improve your game or trim your figure? Whatever you have in mind the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is a mind-body workout for every body. Like Shaq says, "Look it up!" You can find more information on our website: http://www.fluidfitnessny.com. Then, stop by the studio and experience it for yourself! We look forward to meeting you.

Is RICE part of your fitness routine?

If you are physically active chances are pretty high that you have had an injury of sorts. While we hate to be sidelined or have interruptions in our routine when we're on a roll or have goals to meet, we often underestimate the real amount of time and care our bodies need for adequate repair. Even if the pain subsides and other signs of injury aren't present, continuing on with your routine without consideration could come back and bite you down the road.

A recent New York Times article on anke health gives an overview of the steps you should take when an injury occurs and why swift action is important. Included is an indispensible recipe for RICE. Follow the instructions and you'll be feeling better in no time!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/health/28brod.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Big News from Fluid Fitness Clients

We are happy to announce that two of our youngest clients have joined ABT II! Dancers for this company are hand picked by American Ballet Theatre's artistic staff and will perform on stages all over the US. The training and experience they receive at the company will give them a huge head start in their artistic careers.

Fluid Fitness is proud to congratulate Katie Boren and Skylar Brandt on this impressive feat. We look forward to continuing to support their training here at our studio as well as their endeavors on the stage. Way to go, Ladies!

Fluid Fitness Sighting

Fluid Fitness is featured in the June issue of Elle magazine! Check us out in the "Elle Extra" on page 104. Tell your friends and help spread the word about Gyrotonic®. Do you have ideas for other places you'd like to see us? Let us know. See you at the studio!