Tis the Season!

Tis the season - to do more bragging!

This time the kudos go to our staff. The bearded man in a red suit may be best known for carrying a large sack, but we have our own bag of tricks. Most of those goodies go to help our clients, but this season two staff members have pulled some other talents out of the bag and put them to use:

Nellesa, one of our GYROTONIC certified instructors, was featured in an ad for MasterCard Google Wallet. Watch her clips below:

 Anne, a member of our administrative staff, will be appearing on the ABC Family channel for six Sundays! Starting January 29, 2012 you can see and hear her sing in the 6:30 AM broadcast of St. Paul of the Cross's "The Sunday Mass."

As always, if you need the energy to chase after your charges or to push back from the season's feasting, come on in to the studio. Our instructors and staff (including Nellesa and Anne!) will be on hand to keep your holidays happy AND healthy.

Enjoy!

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!

Feeling the Pressure?

Knees giving you trouble? Do they talk back when you climb the stairs. Do they squeak when you bend? Research has shown that normal activity puts five pounds of pressure on the knees for every extra pound of weight you carry. Do something exciting like work in the garden or go for a hike and that pressure can rise to eight pounds! Doing the math, carrying a modest ten pounds on your frame can make your knees really feel the pressure. Most of the studies have been done on knees, but Cleveland Clinic orthopaedic surgeon Wael Barsoum, MD thinks it's likely that hips and other joints also would be affected. Though many factors bring affect surgery considerations for his paitients, some have found considerable relief by just shedding some of the extra weight.

We, at Fluid Fitness, work with many clients who have had knee and hip pain, injury, surgery or even replacements. The GYROTONIC system helps mobilize your joints, increasing the range of articulation available to you. Clients experience decreased pain, increased mobility and, for those who have undergone surgery, consistent workouts aid recovery and maintenance.  You also work your whole body at Fluid Fitness, improving core strength, flexibility, alignment and coordination - all factors that keep your machine well-oiled and running smoothly.

If the resistance from your joints is slowing you down, have a chat with your physician. In the meantime, come to see us at to quiet some of the complaints down below. We can help you take a load off (your knees, that is). 

See you soon!

We have more exciting news from one of our regular clients! Iveta Lukosiute, a national and world champion in Latin ballroom dance, schedules regular GYROTONIC sessions at Fluid Fitness to keep her smooth moves competition-ready. Recently Iveta vied with contestants from all over the country for a spot on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 and landed a coveted spot in the top 20 on popular TV show! These best of the best fly to Las Vegas and tape the show with weekly challenges and eliminations. Iveta and the other contestants work with renowned choreographers who test their technical and performance skills with different styles. A panel judges their performances and the viewing audience votes who will go forward in the competition. 

We are proud to see that Iveta made it past the first round of eliminations and though we may not see her on our TV screens in the coming weeks, we are more than happy to see her in person at the studio.

Congratulations, Iveta!

We can't say it often enough, taking time for yourself puts you at your best so you can take on the best. Come on in, we'll have performance-ready in no time!

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!

We've Been Seeing Stars!

No, we didn't get bumped in the head, but we are a dazzled by the recent accomplishments of our clients.Yulia Zagoruychenko and Riccardo Cocchi were seen last week on the hit show Dancing with the Stars.

Last month this dynamic duo travelled to Moscow where they successfully defended their title as World Professional Ballroom Latin Champions!

These three-time U.S. Professional Champions work hard to keep themselves in tip top shape and GYROTONIC sessions are an important part of their training regimen. We've often said that regular sessions at Fluid Fitness can help you reach your goals. This couple shows that taking time out for your body will ready you to take on the world...and win! Congratulations, Yulia and Riccardo!

Want to do more star gazing? Click here to check out their website and here to see them do the Cha Cha at the World Super Stars Dance Festival last year.

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.

Spotlight on Staff at Fluid Fitness

We often reference how hard the staff at Fluid Fitness works to help clients reach their goals. Today we have the pleasure of turning the spotlight directly on two of our instructors who were interviewed for the March issue of Dance-Teacher Magazine.

Hilary Cartwright, one of our Gryotonic Master Trainers, developed and teaches Yoga for Dancers. The article focuses on how this method challenges movers to find strength and control with little tension. A two-page step-by-step shows Hilary and Maiko, one of our regular clients, demonstrating some exercises for readers to try at home.

This issue also has great tips from Clarice Marshall on how instructors, who take such great care of their clients, can make sure they stay in tip-top shape.

The staff here is full of knowledge and expertise. Have some goals you'd like to reach? Come in and let our instructors get you in shape and ready to make news!

Our young clients have been making big strides!

We've had the pleasure of sharing Alison Stroming's successes in previous blogs. Last month she performed with ABT II at The Kennedy Center! We wish her many great performances as she tours as a guest with the company this year.

Daphne Fernberger recently shot a music video and appeared on a well-known televion series. It's little wonder that Spiegel Culture Online Magazine interviewed and filmed her for a January post. The article gives a glimpse of her life as a Juilliard student.

Gyrotonic sessions are an important part of the these ladies' rigorous schedules. They know firsthand the benefits of a regular Gyrotonic practice whether alone or in conjunction with another training program. We work individually with our clients to find the best way to help you reach your goals. Come on in, we'll be sharing your successes in no time!

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!

Drop and Give Me 20...

How many push-ups can you do?

We don't often use conventional fitness exercises at Fluid Fitness the way you perform them in a gym, but we do encourage any activity that helps you stay strong and fit. So we sat up and noticed when a New York Times article reported that, "[b]ased on national averages, a 40-year-old woman should be able to do 16 push-ups and a man the same age should be able to do 27."

Why is the push-up considered an important marker of physical fitness? The idea is that although we naturally lose muscle strength as we age, continuing to strengthen muscles helps us fend off that decline. Developing upper body strength helps us carry those shoulder and spine-crunching bags we love to tote and that strength helps us brace ourselves in case of falls that may require long recovery time.

Challenge yourself to see if you are up to snuff:

• 1. Find a secure plank position: toes on the walk, heels reaching away from the calves, inner thighs kissing, tailbone reaching toward the heels, abdomen engaged, scapulae hugging the ribs, neck long and eyes gazing down at splayed palms that are angled slightly toward each other and directly under your chest. Of course, you can find the same strong, long position with the knees bent. Either way, you should be in one long line like, well... a plank - with no sags or bumps.


• 2. Lower yourself down by bending the elbows up to 90 degrees.


• 3. Exhale as you straighten the arms, returning to that secure plank position. You could even utter "1" as you exhale.


• 4. Continue with steps 1-3, counting as you go.

How many can you do without losing the integrity of your starting position?
How many can you do with varying arm positions?

• elbows out and palms angled toward each other under the chest


• elbows out and palms angled toward each other under the shoulders


• elbows out with palms close enough so that thumbs and first fingers form a triangle


• elbows hugging the ribs with palms under the shoulders, palms parallel to each other

Feel how the different positions affect your muscles? Maybe you want to try them on a stair, chair, counter or wall. Test your strength and stamina. Test the integrity of your form. The important thing is to try them; test yourself.

Want help? Not sure about form? You can always ask a trainer here at Fluid Fitness. There are lots of exercises you can do at the studio to improve your upper-body fitness, including the trusty ol' push-up.

Don't worry - we're not suggesting you give Jack Palance a run for his money, our interest is a strong healthy you - however you express it. And if you have the opportunity to show-off with an acceptance speech for all your hard work - we'll cheer you on!

New Year Changes at Fluid Fitness

The new year is a time of renewal and reassessment, an opportunity to make changes that will get you closer to your goals.

Starting January 1, Fluid Fitness will implement some changes of our own. GYROTONIC prices will increase slightly and Private Power Plate sessions will be greatly reduced. We've also created some new packages for our clients: there will be a special rate for students, seniors and union members, new combination packages, and a yearly plan that involves all the services we offer with the convenience of a once-yearly payment.

We know it can be difficult to keep a regular workout schedule during the hectic holiday season; and though I am sure all our students are faithfully practicing the homework series when they can't take a session..., the month of January will present a great opportunity to dive back with a new attitude.

Want to step up your game or try a different approach? While you're ringing in the New Year, think how every opportunity to do something nice for your body is to be celebrated. Our well and continually-trained staff is always ready to help you. Let us help craft the new you you've imagined for the new year. Besides, you know how much we love to celebrate our clients!

Happy New Year!

Teacher Trainings at Fluid Fitness

Our usual blog focus is on the accomplishments of our clients and we have to admit, they're pretty awesome. But you may wonder how our instructors stay on top of their game. Our instructors update themselves regularly on what is current in GYROTONIC®, learn to use specialty equipment and take courses that allow them to best serve the needs of our clients.

Last month, for example, our very own Hilary Cartwright, Master Trainer, taught a special course on the needs of clients before and after undergoing hip-replacement surgery. There are many other teacher trainings going on at the studio over the next several months, including a winter workshop focusing on applications for osteoporotic clients.

We at Fluid Fitness are always looking for ways to better educate ourselves and our clients. In fact, we have upcoming pre-training and foundation courses in both GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS®. For the ambitious among you, this is a great opportunity to deepen your practice and eventually get more out of your private sessions.

If a pre-training doesn't fit your schedule but you want to learn more outside of a session with one of our excellent trainers, check out the library at the studio. We aim to keep our clients fit from the inside out so we collect and share published articles on GYROTONC® and its benefits and applications.

Come join us at the studio; we'll be more than happy to answer your questions or give you an excellent workout! See you soon!

Dance 212 features Fluid Fitness!

We're all about GYROTONIC® here, and we like any opportunity to share its benefits and the successes of our instructors and clients. Many of you know we also like dance; so in celebrating things we like we're directing your attention to Dance (212), a website that follows the lives of 5 dancers from 5 of New York City's most prestigious Second Companies. You can watch video episodes, interviews with the dancers and explore educational links.

One of the dancers featured there is Skylar Brandt of ABT II. Of course, our favorite episode is one that was filmed right here at Fluid Fitness! Skylar, a regular client, and Hilary Cartwright, one of our Master Instructors, talk about GYROTONIC® as an important tool for dancers. Click here to watch Hilary guiding Skylar through a typical session on our machines.

If you have news of how GYROTONIC® or Fluid Fitness is helping people find balance, please share it with us. Want to experience it for yourself? Give us a call, we'll be glad to help!

Fluid Fitness CLient Leaps to Success!

Alison Stroming, Miss New York's Oustanding Teen 2010, has returned to us with outstanding news! She proudly represented New York in the National Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition. Not only was she a top 10 finalist, but won the prize for best in talent!

Miss America's Outstanding Teen is a scholarship-based program offering accomplished teens the opportunity to be awarded funds for college. The program promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's teens. For more information, please visit Miss America's Outstanding Teen at www.maoteen.org.

Congratulations, Alison!

Joining Hands to Make a Difference

Our theme as of late has been superheros. We've celebrated your heroic accomplishments and gloated in the role we have played in your success. We would like to throw out our own challenge for you.

A friend of Fluid Fitness is in need of a hero or at least the heart of one. Eleven year-old Shannon Tavarez, who has played "Young Nala" in Disney's The Lion King on Broadway, was diagnosed with blood cancer in April. She is in great need of a life-saving bone marrow transplant and we are doing our part to make her search for a matching donor a success.

There are several ways you can help:

1. Join the Broadway community for a bone marrow drive:
Friday, July 23rd
10 AM - 3 PM
Minskoff Theatre (Lion King's home)
200 W 45th Street, NYC

2. Register on line as a bone marrow donor. (http://www.dkmsamericas.org/home)

3. Donate money. One hundred percent of your tax deductable contribution will go to registering bone marrow donors. (https://www.dkmsamericas.org/dkms-donation-form)

DKMS Americas is a non profit organization that recruits bone marrow donors for leukemia patients. Only 10% of patients get the donations they need and DKMS is dedicated to changing that number. It does that by raising awareness of their program and increasing the diversity of its donor pool.

You know we love to support our heroes in their endeavors.This time we encourage you to be soft and mushy - on the inside, where it counts. So, even though this challenge doesn't require strong, supple muscles, bring in your donor registration information and we'll give you a free 15 minute Migun massage!

All Our Clients are Winners!

It's been a while since we last bragged about our clients. That's because we have been hard at work cultivating new winners. No, really - we do mean winners. We'd like to dedicate this post to celebrating Fluid Fitness clients that participated in the 2010 Manhattan DanceSport Championships that were held at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott http://www.manhattandancesport.com/index.html.

Our very own Lilian Wong and Erminio Stefano outpaced their competitors in the Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot, garnering them first prize in the PRO/AM Gold Standard Scholarships.

Helen Nicoll and Louis Chockuba won an easy second in the PRO/AM B Gold Standard Scholarships and Fifi Wang and her partner placed fourth.

Making us proud the rest of the weekend were professional competitors Sergey Bolotnikov, Mariko Cantley, Michael Choi, Iveta Lukosiute, Gherman Mustuc and Boriana and DelyanTerziev as well as amateur competitors Angela Eftychiadis, April Klevins, Wendy Sherman, Lorraine Peoples, and Lisa Rapoport.

We are proud of the work we do for our clients and proud of the accomplishments they garner for themselves. Fluid Fitness thinks each one deserves a gold star. Don't worry, we promise not to lick them and stick them to your forehead!

Do you have some goals that require you to give more physically? Whether your goal is lasting through a tough dance competition or having the mobility and stamina to stay on the dance floor with your friends, come on in and check us out. Before you know it we'll be bragging about you, too!

Wake up with GYROKINESIS®!

Wake up with GYROKINESIS®
(It's better than coffee!)

GYROKINESIS® Intensive with
Alexandra and Trebien

Join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00 -10:00 AM
July 6 through August 26

First Class Free!
~~~~~~
GYROKINESIS® - reap the benefits of
GYROTONIC® without the equipment.

Do you love how you feel after a GYROTONIC® session here at Fluid Fitness? Would you like to continue that feeling in between sessions? Take your first GYROKINESIS®* class on us!
Learn the basics of the GYROTONIC® system through GYROKINESIS®. There will be plenty of moves you can do at home to keep you feeling supple and invigorated between your regular sessions; you'll even get more out of your regular workouts.

*GYROKINESIS® is a movement system developed by Juliu Horvath with the intention of expanding and strengthening the body from the inside-out, promoting health of the whole central nervous system, joints, and muscles. Through manipulating the natural movements of the spine with coordinated breathing patterns, you systematically and gently work your joints and muscles through rhythmic and undulating movements, stimulating the body's internal organs.

First Class Free
$20/class

Call now to reserve your spot: 212-278-8330
http://www.fluidfitnessny.com/workshops
1026 Avenue of the Americas, NYC 10018

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!