June Studio Tour Week 2
Planning my June calendar is not easy. I fill in classes based on scheduling logistics and there is nothing strategic about the order of things. I wish I was that organized! So when I saw that I had four feel good classes in a row this week, at first I was wishing I had done a better job to space those out throughout the month. But when I got to actually live out this week and go from good stretchy Pilates class to peaceful Yin yoga to a satisfying stretch class to healing Reiki, I was just floating on into the weekend in the best state of mind and body come Friday. So here is how Week 2 of my June studio tour went.
DAY 6: BODY PRECISION in Rosemont.
This 60-minute reformer Pilates class was just what my body needed on a Monday morning. Pilates just feels good. It’s effective without beating up your body. Body Precision’s owner, Beth Downey, brought Pilates to the Main Line in 1995 and has been holding classes, private sessions and teacher trainings in her spacious studio ever since. This place got me giddy. Beth has every piece of Pilates equipment you could dream of, most of which I have never even used before. So I can’t wait to go back and try it all! I know. There aren’t enough hours in the day.
There were 6 other women in class with me (7 reformers). And class was intermediate level. It wouldn’t be suitable for someone that has never used a reformer before because we moved fast. But anyone with some reformer experience could do this class. The instructor gave tons of modifications.
Beth offers a variety of reformer and mat Pilates classes for various levels all week long. One-on-one sessions are really popular too because you can use the Cadillac reformer and other specialized equipment. And Body Precision has one of the highest regarded teacher training programs in the area— two women were observing my class for training purposes. If Pilates is your thing (and it should be everyone’s thing), check out Body Precision. Classes fill up fast so allow plenty of advance time to secure your spot.
DAY 7: TEJAS YOGA COLLECTIVE in Berwyn.
I finally understand why everyone is talking about Yin class with Lucy Butler at Tejas Yoga Collective. Yin at Tejas is a 60 minute class that consists of yoga poses that are held for 4-5 minutes each. With a focus on breath, the goal is to deepen the stretch of each posture as time progresses. Each pose serves a different healing purpose. And class finishes with the most delightful Shavasana, different than what you have ever experienced in a yoga class (complete with a lavender eye pillow).
The owner of Tejas Yoga Collective, Regan Marscher, said it best about Yin: “An active body really deserves it.” So I may sneak in extra Yin classes this month just to get myself right!
DAY 8: EVOLVE YOGA AND BEYOND in Paoli.
More times than not, I’m guilty of leaving out the stretch after a run or a workout. I know my body suffers because of it. And that’s why I love assisted stretch sessions. It’s dedicated time just for feel good stretching.
While Lisa Werny (owner of Evolve Yoga and Beyond) is one of my favorite yoga instructors, I met her during my last studio tour at a stretch session. She knows so much about human anatomy and uses the yoga breath to advance each stretch. With Lisa, I always feel confident that I am using proper form and won’t get injured, both in stretch and yoga.
When Lisa opened Evolve in Paoli last fall, she brought private stretch sessions to her new yoga studio. At Evolve, Lisa offers half hour and full hour one-on-one stretch sessions. For my studio tour, I asked Lisa if she could do a small group assisted stretch class. I found the small group setting to be just as effective as the one-on-one and am hoping Lisa does more pop-ups like this one in the future.
DAY 9: 81st AND JAMES in Devon.
On Day 9, I had my first Reiki session at 81st and James. While I am open to all forms of healing, I really didn’t know what to expect during my 60 minute session with Angela Sipe, a Reiki Master and the woman behind 81st and James.
It was meditative and relaxing. It was therapeutic. It was enlightening. And it was overwhelming and emotional. Angela picked up on a lot from me but she urged me not to hold on to what she got from our session. To listen and then move on. She offered advice and recommendations which I found very reassuring.
If you don’t know what Reiki is and want to learn more, you can check out Angela’s website. And I wrote this article about her company earlier this year.
DAY 10: PHYSIQUE57 in Philadelphia.
Day 10 of my studio tour was at the much-anticipated opening of Physique57 in Philly.
Physique57 has a cult following in NYC, dating back to 2006 when the company was founded. I lived in New York at that time and recall everyone talking about this workout and how it completely transforms your body. Physique57 is the OG of the barre class. I found it to be much more than your typical barre class— more cardio, more burn, more creative movements and more soreness the next day!
Owners of the new Philly studio, Amy Feeney and Julie Fannin, have been working towards this day for years and it finally happened this week! Physique57 Philly is one of the only places outside of NYC where you can do this unique sculpting workout. How lucky are we?! There are all kind of new member and founding member offers happening right now.
The private grand opening event on Friday included two kick ass classes, food, gift bags and raffle prizes. And guess who won the big raffle prize (which was a one night stay in the platinum suite at AKA Rittenhouse)? This girl! And, you know I’ll be sharing all about this place when I stay there!
DAY 11: REMIX FITNESS in Plymouth Meeting.
Day 11 was supposed to be an outdoor dance cardio class in Philadelphia but because of the crummy weather forecast, that class was cancelled and I had to pivot and fast in order to fill my day. I can always count on Remix Fitness to have a great class on the schedule at a time that works for me— So that’s exactly where I looked for my Day 11 workout.
I took Remix’s “signature” class, Method. Method may look a bit different depending on who is teaching it, but it will always combine cardio, strength, barre and Pilates to get the heart pumping and tone the entire body.
Katie Haldeman taught the class and man, her energy was insane. So was her music. It was such a fun way to spend the morning. I will say it again… I just love this place! I promise you that it’s worth the 15 minute drive from the Main Line.
DAY 12: YOGA6 MAIN LINE in Wayne.
I love a good theme. Especially, a theme that has a good purpose. Pride Power Flow at Yoga6 Main Line was all about love and acceptance. Music, heat, lights and yoga is a Y6 class. Liza Herman’s Pride playlist was just so so good. I love sweating out the stress of the week on Sunday mornings with Liza. Class is always crowded and energy of the room feeds off one another.
If you haven’t yet been to Yoga6 Main Line and you like hot classes, I don’t really know what you are waiting for! There is so much on the schedule with some pretty awesome instructors. And your first class is always free.
Don’t forget to check out my LTK page to shop all the looks I wore to class this week.
This jumpsuit is part of my Vuori summer haul that arrived this week.
And here is what’s on tap for next week. What will you join me for?
BTW I’m looking for a workout to do on Father’s Day because I know the husband won’t appreciate me running out on his day. I’ll take any suggestions!