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Reader Wellness

My Summer Run Through Park Slope

August 10, 2021 By Jackson Schroeder Filed Under: Journey to Health, Reader Wellness Tagged With: health, jackson schroeder, my summer run through park slope

Summer breathes new life into Park Slope, and the best way to see the neighborhood is on a late-morning run.

Photos by Blake Schenerlein

Last spring, when I started running, all I had was a pair of Nike Internationalists, the same shoes Anthony Michael Hall wore in 1985 when he played the part of Brian Johnson, better known as “The Brain,” in The Breakfast Club.

Simply put, I wasn’t accustomed to the sport. The idea of becoming a runner sounded like a dreadful way to spend my evenings after work and a stressful way to wake up in the morning. 

But when the pandemic hit, I, like so many other New Yorkers, experienced a staggering drop in my activity levels. I lost my daily commute to and from my office in Manhattan, traded going out for lunch and dinner for ordering in, and stopped walking over to my friends’ and family members’ apartments after work and on weekend afternoons. 

My days consisted of lifting my head off of my pillow and dragging my feet over to the kitchen table, where I’d sit and work for eight hours before moving to the couch to read or watch television until midnight hit. Rinse and repeat. 

After losing my mind for a month or two, I decided it was a good idea to lace up my thrift store Nikes and get some fresh air. Early on, I’d jog from my apartment on the corner of 5th Avenue and Warren Street to Grand Army Plaza, where, after staring at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch for a few minutes, I’d often decide to turn around and jog home. 

For the runners out there reading this and grimacing at the idea of running with heavy, unforgiving footwear, don’t worry. The Nikes didn’t last too long. My birthday was around the corner, which meant an early present from my girlfriend: a new pair of Brooks from Brooklyn Running Company. 

Before long, my two-mile jogs turned into four-to eight-mile runs. I began to trust my feet to navigate the cracks on the jagged Park Slope sidewalks and lifted up my head to see. On Saturdays throughout the summer, I’d take my long runs. 

I’d start outside my apartment and smell the potato pancakes and fresh pita bread being served for brunch at Miriam across the street. I’d look to my left and see the bartenders at Lizzy King’s Irish Pub setting up tables in the middle of a blocked-off section of 5th Avenue while the musician was tuning up his guitar to play. 

I’d turn right on 6th Avenue, where the towering brownstones would provide some shade until I hit Union Avenue, where I’d turn left. On Union, the smell of natural soaps, yeast, and essential oils would pour out of the Park Slope Food Coop and onto the sidewalk, where dozens of people were waiting in line to get in. 

Running up Union towards Prospect Park will remind you why the neighborhood is called Park Slope. The street, particularly on a hot New York day, is a deceivingly steep hill. But if your legs are able to muster it, the real treat, the farmers market, awaits at Prospect Park. 

Here is where I’d typically slow down to soak it in. I’d tune into the picking of the bluegrass band, often playing on the shaded hill that hugs the entrance to the exercise path. I’d smell the lavender and soap filling the warm summer air, and I’d fantasize about the frozen apple cider I’d get after my run. 

Crossing the Prospect Park bike path and entering the running lane is like merging onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. It operates with a sense of organized chaos, with walkers, joggers, runners, and sprinters of all ages subconsciously dodging each other while they move to the beat pulsing through their AirPods. 

On Saturdays, I’d do the full loop, which the Prospect Park Alliance tells me is 3.35 miles long. At the first bend, on the South Slope corner of the park, I’d see young children on the backs of horses that had been walked over from Prospect Park Stables, just a few hundred yards away. 

After the bend, I’d stop at the lake where parents teach their children how to fish while trying to avoid casting into a duck, swan, or goose. Around the loop, on the Prospect Lefferts Gardens side of the park, I’d turn my head left, peer through the trees and see the Concert Grove Pavilion, which served as the set to the famous dog wedding scene in “Broad City.” By turning my head to the right, I’d see generations of families grilling out and absorbing the sun. 

At the end of the loop, if I didn’t succumb to the temptation of buying a frozen apple cider, I’d exit the park and make my way down 7th Avenue, past Community Bookstore and over to Millenium Brooklyn High School on 4th Street, where I’d slow down my pace and jog to cool down on my way home. 

Summer breathes new life into the Park Slope, and running has helped me see the neighborhood in a way that I never had before. My favorite season is summer, and my favorite day is Saturday. There are only 12 Saturdays each summer, and in 2021 I’ll spend them running. 

Filed Under: Journey to Health, Reader Wellness Tagged With: health, jackson schroeder, my summer run through park slope

CBD Oil: A Natural Healer

April 30, 2020 By Swati Singh Filed Under: Reader Wellness Tagged With: cbdoil, swati singh

Photography by Julia DePinto

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte Figi developed a rare form of epilepsy-Dravet’s syndrome when she was just three months old in 2006. It took more than a year to get the correct diagnosis. She suffered excruciating and uncontrollable fits lasting for as long as thirty minutes. For years, her parents tried every possible medication and treatment. No medicine or diet worked out. Instead, her immunity and cognitive development deteriorated. She was having 300 seizures a week with intense contractions and was losing consciousness despite the treatment. By the age of four, she lost her ability to walk, talk, and eat. Her heart stopped several times. When she was 5, the hospital expressed its inability to do anything more. 

Her father, Matt, an ex-US military member, discovered a video online about a boy suffering from the same syndrome who was effectively being treated with cannabis. With no other option left, they turned to Stanley Brothers who sold cannabis strain containing a low THC and high CBD content. They converted it into an oil concentrate. After consuming a small dose of CBD oil, Charlotte’s seizures ceased immediately. The results were phenomenal. With subsequent doses, her seizures reduced from up to 43 a week to just one. 

Her life improved significantly. She became the reason America changed its marijuana laws for medical purposes.

In 2018, The FDA approved the use of CBD (Epidiolex) as a therapy for two rare conditions characterized by epileptic seizures.

EDIT: Charlotte Figi has since passed away from complications possibly related to the coronavirus. https://coloradosun.com/2020/04/08/charlotte-figi-cbd-coronavirus/

History

This was not a new discovery. Many ancient cultures were aware of cannabis’ therapeutic benefits. It is believed that a Chinese Emperor, Sheng Nung, a patron of all herbalists and apothecaries in around 2737 BC, used to prescribe cannabis-infused tea for treating several diseases. Indian Ayurveda mentions it as well in preparation for some curative recipes.

In the late 18th century, William B. O’Shaughnessy, an Irish physician, published a study exploring the plant’s healing effects. This was the beginning of the modern-day cannabinoids.

Many more studies over the years proved the effectiveness of cannabinoids. However, the stigma remained due to a lack of awareness. 

What is CBD Oil

Marijuana contains two compounds – THC and CBD. THC produces a mind-altering “high” when a person consumes it. 

CBD is different. It does not change a person’s state of mind. It was called “hippie’s disappointment” as it could not create a “high”. Though it certainly proved to be a life savior. 

The strain used by Charlotte Gigi had 0.5% THC and 17% CBD, making it non-psychoactive. 

CBD oils contain varying concentrations of CBD for different medical purposes.

Benefits:

A study published in Journal of Experimental Medicine established that CBD acts as a natural painkiller and reduces chronic inflammation.

Recent research published in Addictive Behavior Journal found out that it may even help people to quit smoking.

It is also found beneficial in treating many complications linked to epilepsy, such as neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, and psychiatric diseases.

Preliminary research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease says that CBD could help people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

A review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found evidence that CBD significantly helped to prevent the spread of cancer.

Rick Simpson was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer in 2003. He applied concentrated CBS oil topically and allegedly the cancerous growth disappeared. His doctors refused to support it as an alternative. Although he faced serious troubles due to laws, he cultivated and prepared his own cannabis oil and distributed it for free to treat people. He is a cannabis activist now and continues to sell his own Rick Simpson Oil.

In Park Slope

Places selling CBD products are gaining popularity as misconceptions surrounding it are being quashed. However, we advise you to be cautious while buying. Only trust places that get verification from third-party lab testing and do alcohol or Co2 extraction methods. Fake CBD oil is more prevalent than you think and could harm you with synthetic fillers and pesticide content in them. 

We found some exceptional, premier and top-rated, CBD-oil stores in Park Slope that are diligent in their product sourcing and have a knowledgeable staff to help you out.

Your CBD Store – 195 5th Avenue

Your CBD Store is a newly-opened store gaining popularity due to its top-rated products, trained staff capable of helping you choose the best product and spa-like ambience. 

There are over 600 Your CBD stores nationwide, originally founded by Rachel Quinn and her husband Marcus. Her struggles with Crohn’s disease and side-effects from medicines for years before finding relief in CBD inspired her to open a place that gives high-quality products as she saw how difficult it was to procure them. They’ve won awards for best oil tincture and best topical cream in CBD Expo held in Miami.

Owner of the store, Dominique Pastorello, met them through a friend and was amazed at the anxiety relief she experienced through CBD. With a degree in Plant Sciences, she has studied alternative medicines independently. After the success of her first store in Ithaca, she decided to venture into the Brooklyn market. 

Your CBD Stores carry organic, lab-tested, CO2 extracted CBD products packed with therapeutic terpenes and cannabinoids. They offer a wide array of organic CBD products including oil tinctures, water solubles, capsules, topical creams, CBG rich formulations, edibles, vape products, skincare, and pet products. Also available is their amazing store brand “Sunmed.”

Your CBD Store provides samples daily and encourages you to come speak with their knowledgeable staff. They also offer CBD 101 seminars on the first Sunday of each month at the store open to all

Follow them on Instagram @yourcbdstoreofficial

Park Slope Food Co-Op – 782 Union Street

One of the largest and oldest co-ops in the US, Park Slope Food Co-op began storing CBD products in 2017 seeing their high demand. Two of their biggest selling brands are Gnome Serum and Nature’s Plus Hemp Ceutix. They keep many other brands as well. Affordable prices and expert advice makes it a great place and gets repeat customers.

Jessa and Theresa are there to help you out if all the products overwhelm you. They listen to customers’ personal experiences with CBD almost every day and feel that together it’s a learning and sharing journey. One of their members, Noah Potter, is the head of the New York City Cannabis Industry Association and is on top of all legal aspects. 

One important thing to know, to be able to purchase CBD products at eh Park Slope Food Co-op, you must be a member. Contact the co-op on how to join.

You can follow them on Instagram @foodcoop.

Hidden Hemp – 411 7th Avenue

Located in the heart of Park Slope, Hidden Hemp carries a wide selection of high-end Hemp products including oils, smokables, lotions, edibles, vitamins, and an exclusive line for your furry friends.

Their founders, Oswald and Monty have been studying Hemp for years, and work towards spreading awareness about it. Even selling their own brand of products “Hemped NYC.”

Well-educated staff at Hidden Hemp make sure to help you find exactly what you stepped in for. If not anything else, you are bound to step out with some new and useful information.

Every Wednesday, from 12-4, they hold a 20 minutes, in-house class about the hemp plant and its benefits. 

Starting early spring and lasting through the end of summer Hidden Hemp is all set to unveil their “hidden garden” where luxurious parquet covered backyard will be open to friends and neighbors to come, relax, maybe with one of their quality Pre-rolls or just a drink. More exclusive events are in the pipeline.

You can stay tuned for more updates by following them on Instagram- @hiddenhemp

THC-you!

Disclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by healthcare professionals.




Filed Under: Reader Wellness Tagged With: cbdoil, swati singh

Reader Wellness: Pilates, Please!

January 30, 2020 By Swati Singh Filed Under: Reader Wellness Tagged With: swati singh

If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.”

– Joseph Pilates

Pilates, originally called Contrology, was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. As a child, he suffered from asthma, rickets and other ailments. This made him turn to exercises and fitness. No one could have imagined that once a sickly kid would become an avid skier, diver, gymnast, and boxer. He studied many forms of exercise and was influenced by the Greek ideal of balance of mind, body and spirit. He developed and refined his method for four years while being held at Knockaloe internment camp in 1912 by the British during World War I due to his German citizenship. He claimed that all of his trainees survived an influenza epidemic in England in 1918 and owed this to his exercise system. 

In 1926, Joseph came to the USA. He, along with his wife Clara, ran ‘Studio for Body Contrology’ on 8th Ave in New York City for nearly 50 years. The studio attracted all kinds of celebrities – dancers, actors, opera singers, boxers, Olympic athletes. In 1967, Clara took over after his death at the age of 83. After she passed away, her long-time student, Romana Kryzanowska continued the legacy. 

Many of his students opened their studios and many of them brought various additions to the original system. The original six principles were concentration, control, center, flow, precision, and breathing. With newer perspectives and practices, three more were added to the list–postural alignment, stamina and relaxation.

Pilates was once considered the workout for elites. However, it entered the mainstream in the 80s and has been going strong since then.

Pilates is still considered “for women” by many men who think if they go for anything other than the gym, their masculinity might come under scrutiny. Well, you are missing so much! It is a full-body workout. It won’t give you a bulky body but a more athletic, lean and toned look. It strengthens your muscles, builds your core strength, improves flexibility, posture and blood circulation, reduces the risk of injuries and assists with the healing, promotes better spinal health, prevents lower back pain and boosts your energy. Pilates gives your body a long and lean shape and is very adaptable to your body needs. It helps create a body-mind relationship hence boosting your mental wellness along with physical health.

Thinking of giving it a try? Ask for some pie, latte while we list down the best Pilates studios in your neighborhood.

Brooklyn Pilates Project

43 9th St, Brooklyn

Brooklyn Pilates Project is an intimate, appointment-based, Classical Pilates studio located in the heart of Gowanus. Sessions are driven by each individual’s personal needs, postural alignment, fitness goals, as well as the mechanical, habitual and injury-related challenges. It offers you private and semi-private sessions. Equipment includes Reformer, Tower Unit, Mat and Chair, Barrels and various small props.

Private session price ranges from $90 (single class), $850 (10 classes), $2400 (30 classes). Semi-private sessions are $65, $600, $1650 respectively. Tower Classes, that utilize the Tower and the Mat, are offered twice weekly, Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 9 am.

It also offers ‘Pilates for The Four Trimesters’ – a unique, customized wellness program to support moms-to-be through the pregnancy and postpartum period. Prior reservation required.

Kara Fitzpatrick, the owner, specializes in injury-related challenges and has a particular interest in supporting women through pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Pilates Garage

441 3rd Ave, Brooklyn

Located on the border of Park Slope and Gowanus, Pilates Garage sets a relaxed tone to your work-out under the guidance of fully-certified instructors. They offer Pilates for all ages- kids, teens, seniors and even moms-to-be. The teachers are primed to make the Pilates method useful for any age and state of fitness or wellness. They use the principles from Alexander technique as well. They also have a physical therapist in-residence two days at the studio who teaches Feldenkrais technique for healing and often hosts workshops for the public. The class size is 8 people. You can sign up on the website. 

New joiners can avail intro package of 3 Pilates lessons for $210. You can follow them on Instagram where they will soon be announcing their holiday special offers.

They listen to clients’ needs and adapt their skills to create a workout that allows each person to find more strength and ease. 

Align Brooklyn 

579 5th Ave 2nd floor, Brooklyn

A vibrant, cozy place welcomes you on 5th Avenue with a wide range of wellness offerings. Pilates and Pilates-inspired classes include Align Core, Align Fusion, Align Define.  All the teachers are highly skilled to modify your regime according to your injury or needs. They also offer Pilates for and after pregnancy. They are committed to providing balanced, science-based and functional wellness programs.

Align is owned by a chiropractor who is a specialist in posture, myofascial therapy, exercise rehab and movement and hence the clients get the highest quality fitness.

They offer both private and group sessions with the apparatus. A new student one-week unlimited trial membership is for just $35. They also giveaway a monthly Unlimited Wellness Membership, you can fill the application on their website. 

Club Pilates

336, Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn

A newbie in town, Club Pilates is a contemporary Reformer Pilates studio with the belief that “Every Body needs Pilates!”. They mix core Pilates methodology with non-traditional Pilates equipment to offer variety and to progress movement patterns. 

Single Classes are $35. Their signature class is the Reformer Flow class. They currently offer 3 levels of intensity (1, 1.5, 2) and will probably add a 4th level soon, as the members are getting stronger! They have 6 additional fusion classes. These range from something more restorative, like Center & Balance class, or more high intensity like Cardio Sculpt class! Free 30 min intro classes are run weekly on Fridays at 10:30 am and Saturdays at 2 pm for folks who are brand new to the practice and need some extra support in getting started. They are bringing equipment based Pilates to the masses in a more affordable and group-oriented way. 

Bend and Bloom Yoga

708, Sackett Street, Brooklyn

If you are looking for something that combines the wisdom of yoga with principles of core Pilates, Bend and Bloom Yoga is the place to go. They offer a Ground-control class that has exercises specifically designed with yogis and athletes in mind to train the body for deep and balanced strength, the optimal range of motion, injury prevention and recovery. Core Yoga Foundations class is yoga-based with an emphasis on core activation and integration. 

New Students can avail 3 classes for $30 (validity for 30 days). Returning students may drop-in at $20 per class or purchase a class package at a discounted rate. Unlimited memberships are $135 per month.

Bend & Bloom offers a mindful approach to core integration. They support social action organizations and are eco-conscious. The studio is made with eco-friendly products and utilizes energy-efficient stuff.

BodyTonic Pilates Gym

150 5th Ave, Brooklyn

BodyTonic just celebrated its 20th anniversary; that’s how long they’ve been creating stronger core! Jennifer DeLuca, the owner, was trained by a student of Joseph Pilates. She has trained several teachers here and is associated with SC Gjoa Youth Soccer designing Injury Prevention and Recovery Program. You can listen to her podcast called BodyTonic Radio on SoundCloud.

They have been featured in NY Times, The Washington Post, Time Out New York, Body+ (Japan), Glamour and others.

Gratz equipment, the original Pilates apparatus and Reformer Tower Chair classes are two unique offerings of this studio. They offer private, semi-private Pilates and group (5-7 people) Pilates training. The cost of 3 group classes is $75. There are monthly membership plans which give clients discounted group classes, a discounted monthly private “tune-up” and discounts of clothing in their small boutique. The detailed rate card is there on the website. They are also offering the New York Classical Pilates

Teacher Training Program beginning in January 2020.

Body Craft Pilates

376 9th Street, Brooklyn

An innovative and holistic studio, Body Craft studio has been here for over 20 years under the experienced eye of the owner, Lana Halvorsen. They combine a “light touch” technique with the Pilates repertoire. This “light touch” technique has been inspired by myofascial and cranial sacral principles. Keen attention to detail as well as understanding clients’ requirements is their first priority. They also offer services in Massage, Heller Work, Brennan Energy Science as well as have a physical therapist working on-site who specializes in pelvic floor issues.

Private sessions range from $90 – $115. Group classes consist of 5 people or less and cost $30-$32 per class. Their upcoming workshops include ‘Self-Healing with Light Touch’ and ‘Embodied Pelvic Floor’ for self-care and healing. 

No more excuses. Put your Pilates pants and get going! Gift yourself a wellness routine this festive season. 


Art by Heather Heckel

Heather Heckel is an artist and educator living in New York City. In addition to the Park Slope Reader, her clients include Whole Foods Market, Kids Footlocker, Juice Pharma Worldwide, and The Renwick Hotel. Her artwork and children’s book has won international awards, and she has been published numerous times in the 3×3 Professional Illustration Magazine. Recently she has completed artist-in-residencies through the National Park Service in Arkansas, Connecticut, Washington, and California. Heather is passionate about social and environmental justice, and is an advocate for human rights and animal rights.

heatherheckel.com

Follow Heather Heckel on Instagram

Filed Under: Reader Wellness Tagged With: swati singh

It’s the Time of the Season for Yoga

October 9, 2019 By Swati Singh Filed Under: Bending Towards Brooklyn (Yoga), Reader Wellness Tagged With: swati singh, yoga

Jaya Yoga

Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?”

– Vernon Duke

Is it the awe-inspiring blend of amber-gold foliage beneath the blue sky, the crisp breeze, and the scent of pumpkin-everything? The energy reforms every season and autumn prepares us for the transition for chilly winters ahead. What doesn’t serve us need to bid adieu to create space for forthcoming new energies. 

This is a good time to begin with practices that align our mind, body and spirit. What could be better than yoga then? While collecting multi-hued leaves, we found beautiful yoga studios along our way. Have a look and decide what’s best for you.

Shantideva Center Yogis and Yogins

Prospect Heights Yoga

184 Underhill Avenue, Prospect Heights

A short walk from Park Slope towards Underhill Ave and you will find a turquoise board catching your attention. Prospect Heights offers a wide range of practices for various levels from basics and foundations to faster flows. Meditation, dynamic and Vinyasa, restorative and alignment-based classes and Pilates is on their rich platter. Experienced teachers, friendly atmosphere, no-frills attitude, and their sliding scale model makes sure that they are accessible to all. An unlimited intro month for $75, intro week for $25. They partner with different social justice organizations and causes each month; aditionally partnering with Rooftop Reds in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for Wednesday and Sunday evening classes.

They offer a unique karma yogi program where students can support in-studio maintenance and projects in exchange for free classes.

By the community and for the community!

Align Brooklyn

579 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Park Slope

Align Brooklyn extends a warm welcome on the 5th Ave. Owned by a chiropractor who is a specialist in posture, myofascial therapy, exercise rehab and movement, adds unique services to exhaustive list of their offerings. Hands-on teachers and a balanced approach with focus on vitality make this a great place. Yoga classes include practices of Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Therapeutic, Iyengar, Hatha. Apart from that, Pilates and barre and functional fitness classes are also in their schedule.  

One-week unlimited trial membership is for $35. They also offer a monthly Unlimited Wellness Membership Giveaway. Apply on thier website. And do not miss their Yin series and Yoga Wall workshop this Fall.

Yogis and Yoginis 

432 6th Avenue, Park Slope

A red-brick building adorned with Buddhist prayer flags welcomes you on 6th Ave. Yogis and Yoginis shares its space with the Shantideva Center, a Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center. They believe in the symbiosis of meditation with yoga and reserves time for Samatha meditation (calm abiding) in every class.  

Beginners can opt for Starter and Basic yoga classes. Intermediate yoga and open level yoga classes are for those who already know basics and want to step up a rung. The uniquely offer Kundalini Yoga, Qi Gong, Yoga for individual attention. Y&Y also offers children classes that correspond with adult classes for parents or caregivers who want to practice while their kids play.

A new student special offer is 3 classes for $30. 

Y&Y will have a Restorative Sound Journey on Friday, September 20 at 7:45 pm. It’s a 75-minute immersion in devotional song, healing sounds, and profound relaxation. They believe the voices generate collective energy; so then they lie down for deep relaxation with the healing sounds of gongs, singing bowls, chimes, and other sacred instruments. Space is limited and the cost is $ 25.

What are you waiting for?

Align Brooklyn

Jaya Yoga

1626 8th Avenue, Park Slope

A red brick building on the 8th Ave curtained by Pin Oak tree is a spacious and radiant yoga studio, aged over 20 years. They offer Hatha yoga in all levels, including special offerings such as Restorative Yoga, Kids Yoga, Prenatal, Meditation, Yin Yoga and 200/300 Hour Teacher Training.  Additionally, they conduct workshops in chanting, yoga philosophy, anatomy, individualized aspects of vinyasa, and private classes. Reiki treatments and massages are also available. 

Knowledgeable instructors and a community vibe make it a great place to practice. They strive for an intentional harnessing of energy, a dedication to continuous learning, and a series of movements to strengthen and calm the body, mind, and spirit.

This fall season, they are reintroducing their 10-series kids classes, 30-hour yin immersion workshop, and Pranayama training for teachers.

Yoga Sole

254 Windsor Place, Windsor Terrace

Neatly tucked in a quiet corner in Windsor terrace, wearing a green canopy shed, Yoga Sole welcomes you with open arms and promises to change your perspective if you think yoga is not for you. They offer Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Tune Up, different speeds of flow classes and Stretch and Strengthen classes. They have an introductory offer for 3 classes at $39 and 1-month-unlimited pass for $99. Supportive and friendly environment, experienced teachers who bring their own unique style makes this a must-try place.

For the Fall season, they will be offering a special Restorative Yoga Series along with live music and yoga events. They are also leading a 25-hour continuing education therapeutic teacher training.

Yoga Sole

Third Eye Yoga

433 7th Avenue, Park Slope

Located on 7th Ave, Third Eye Yoga is about a physical & mental lifestyle, not a complicated shape or a stressful workout. They are not interested in large crowded classes where everyone gets lost in the mix, rather they offer personalized programs built upon evidence-based physiology and biomechanics. With over 10 years of existence, the place has garnered more than 100 five star reviews and all for good reasons. This place is peaceful, welcoming, and more than willing to listen to you and your needs. 

From handstand to savasana, from sitting to standing, they break it down to the core building blocks that lay the groundwork for all body movement. 

Guess what, Park Slope Reader gives you one more reason to try this place. They will give you $50 off on any of their program of your choice if you mention this article. Maybe, show them the copy?  

Here are a few more yoga studios that are well worth checking out as you decide which is the best fit for you this Fall.

Bend and Bloom Yoga  – 708 Sackett Street, Park Slope

Park Slope Yoga Center – 837 Union Street, Park Slope

Juniper Yoga & Healing Arts – 639 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights

So, where is the autumn breeze taking you today?

Filed Under: Bending Towards Brooklyn (Yoga), Reader Wellness Tagged With: swati singh, yoga

Good & Well: A Local Investigation of Wellness

November 21, 2018 By Erika Veurink Filed Under: Reader Wellness Tagged With: CBD, Chinese Medicine, craniosacral therapy, facials, massage, meditation, sauna, spa, steam, wellness, yoga

It’s nearly impossible to walk a block in Park Slope without spotting wellness in one of its many embodiments. Alternative medical offices and juice shops abound. Conversations often slip into the familiar cadence of words once foreign-words like chakra, ketogenic, or ashwagandha. Gone are the days of living intentionally being reserved for the hyper-health conscious. Wellness has made its way to the masses.     

 

What was once a niche market is now a near 4 trillion dollar movement towards living “well.” And what does that mean exactly? I took to the streets of Park Slope, a historically progressive and health centered neighborhood, to find out. 

My journey began at D’mai urban spa where the scents of serenity that slipped out the sleek exterior created an impromptu oasis on 5th Avenue. I was transported from the muggy street to the back corner of the spa, plush robe knotted, to a sweltering sauna. Wellness, I thought prematurely and perhaps influenced by the cucumber water I was sipping, was actually pretty simple. As my body unwound and the temperature rose, I considered the last time I intentionally did something for my physical self. Did my recent acquisition of a swingy workout skort count? My thoughts were interrupted as I was shuffled to my massage table. When Daniella Stromberg, the owner of D’Ami, proposed a CBD Pain Relief Massage as a experiment in wellness, I was intrigued. 

CBD oil, primarily made from canabitdoid, has been popular in the world of wellness for years. Known to relieve stress, relax tension in the body, and perhaps even lighten the weight of anxiety, this hemp derived miracle worker is shifting into the mainstream. 

As the massage therapist pulled the tension from my wrist she whispered, “There, different story,” and I nearly jumped off the table in light of this revelation. She was right. Wellness is altering, for good, the parts of our stories we can change. Narrative traces through every point in our lives-why should our health be any different? In moving towards what is good, we move inadvertently towards what is true. As Danielle put simply, “Wellness is the state of being your authentic self.” 

 

And these aren’t new stories we’re uncovering. Many ancient practices of wellness have been reinterpreted for life in the 21st century. Take bath houses for example. In 2500 BC, the “Great Bath” functioned as both a community gathering place and a temple. In 2018, between the low-lying warehouses of Gowanus, cityWell brooklyn re-imagines the art of “taking the waters” for modern city dwellers. The space is unassuming from the outside, but after slipping off your shoes and venturing past the entrance, a sanctum awaits. Liz Tortolani, owner and visionary of the space, has crafted an island in a desert. That island being a collection of small shifts that speak to her passion for beauty, restoration, and the timeless pursuit of better living. 

For Liz, empowering wellness seekers to take an active role in the honoring of their bodies is the ultimate form of giving back. And her hope is that this becomes a lifestyle shift, not a once-a-year birthday treat. Wellness being a constant priority makes it preemptive, I learned. Stepping into cityWell feels like a collective exhale. Candles quietly wave, the sound of the warm baths blur out the traffic nearby, and the no shoe rule works to ground attendees in the moment at hand. And that moment is tranquil, safe, and shared. 

The five elements of Chinese medicine (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) are all deftly woven into the space. Upon my second visit, Liz visited me in the sauna clutching a binder overflowing with magazine clippings, color palettes, and early business proposals. The evolution of cityWell took shape before my eyes as she explained how each piece manifested-the cork floors that cover the space, the candles from a local apothecary, the vines climbing above the whirlpool, the personal lockers for New Yorkers on the go, and the rain showers above head. The shared feeling of presentness that humid Tuesday morning, a collection of woman with all sorts of stories gathered in one place, was proof of her success. 

 

Community wove its way into every wellness related practice I visited. At Slope Wellness, a few avenues closer to the park, so did the no shoe rule. White noise machines and a clean, organized office space help instantly create an air of calm upon descent. A host of services, such as Jade Gua Sha Facials and yoga practices fill the multipurpose rooms every day. Here, acupuncture is offered in a group setting, as a nod to its ancient origins, but also as an attempt to provide a more affordable alternative. The practice was founded over five years ago in response to a space in the market for a wellness experience that extended beyond the occasional massage. CSA drops off produce here, rooms can be rented by the community, and health related products are curated for sale. Dawn Phillips, a devoted staff member, spoke again of the importance of empowering patients beyond the appointment, to pursue health at home. In our conversation, she explained how she defined wellness as “the mind, body, and spirit connection.” She spoke to the ancient understanding that these compenents can’t be divorced; that they are most powerful in tandem. When the client understand this, the work done at Slope Wellness has the potential to extend into empowered self care; the ability to pursue wellness at home. 

Her speciality, craniosacral therapy, is the work of talk and touch in releasing tension in the body, in some cases working to dislodge trauma. It seems the more aptly we embrace wellness, the more we open ourselves to conversations of the stories our bodies tell. Dawn noted that talking about trauma has become notably less taboo than it was historically. “We can start to change our reality,” she explained. That change, that shift in narrative, is at the root of all wellness. 

At the end of the day, wellness is as much a robust spa treatment as it is taking the long way through Prospect Park home from work. It’s about modifying, even in the slightest sense, our relationship towards our bodies. And it turns out wellness is often a practice best served in the company of others. It’s a state of mind, an intention. And the occasional green juice.

Filed Under: Reader Wellness Tagged With: CBD, Chinese Medicine, craniosacral therapy, facials, massage, meditation, sauna, spa, steam, wellness, yoga

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