In their approaches to fitness, Pilates and Spinning® are far from a perfect match. Pilates is based on controlled movements where quality is more important than repetition. Spinning, on the other hand, is cardiovascular training at its most extreme. Yet, thanks to veteran trainer Melanie Danza at APOGEE’s Bedford Hills center, they’re in perfect synch in a new class that is quickly becoming a club favorite—Pilates/Spin. “It was rare to see a serious Pilates student on a bike or a dedicated Spinner on the Reformer,” says Melanie. “I was determined to open their eyes to the possibilities.”
Pilates/Spin begins with 15 minutes of classic Pilates mat exercises to warm up the body and tap into the core as the catalyst for movement. This sets participants up for 30 minutes of non-stop, heart-pounding Spinning, where the instructor emphasizes working from the inside out—stabilizing the abdominals so you can cycle with greater ease and efficiency. Then it’s back to the mat for exercises specifically designed to stretch and lengthen the spine, which can compress and tense up from hovering over handle bars. In contrast is some extension work (bending the spine backwards) to challenge the abdominals with the downward pull of gravity, open up the chest and stretch the upper back.
Students end the class standing–feeling thoroughly lifted, challenged and invigorated. “It’s been exciting to apply Pilates principles to the unusual position assumed by a cyclist and to see how they make Spinning easier,” Melanie says. “I’m teaching, but I’m learning as well, which I love.”
The new Pilates/Spin class is one of the first of its kind–anywhere. Given the waiting list at Bedford Hills, that won’t be for long.
If you weren’t able to attend the “Quick & Lite: Easy Meals for Summer” event presented by Myong from the APOGEE Café and our resident dietitian Jennifer Vagios, here’s a taste of what you missed…
Grilled burgers, shish kebob and potato salad will always be welcome summer fare. But this year, how about shaking things up the healthy way with jicama, seaweed, rice noodles and daikon radish? No need to feel intimidated. “There are many simple ways to add variety to your diet and to your entertaining that are very accessible,” says Jennifer. “You chop, dice, slice, mix and end up with a meal that is delicious, healthy and original.”
Here are a few tips from Jennifer and Myong to help broaden your summer palate:
• Color, variety and texture keep meals interesting and flavorful. Try a new ingredient every week! Most can be used raw or cooked or added to salads and stir fry-recipes for both meals and snacks.
• Don’t be intimidated by foods you can’t pronounce, like jicama (HIK-A-MA). There’s a lot of information out there to build your confidence and suggest recipes that incorporate more exotic foods. One site to try: eatingwell.com
• Having the right equipment makes a difference. Consider investing in a mandoline, which allows you to slice with ease and precision for stress-free preparation.
Here’s Myong’s recipe for a cold rice noodle meal that can be used as a salad or an entrée. It’s not only perfect for those on a gluten-free diet or with wheat allergies, but it’s delicious enough to be an APOGEE Cafe favorite. So, if you’re really in a rush, you can pick some up on your way out the door. In the meantime, we’ll continue to inspire healthy eating with more workshops by our resident pros. Stay tuned!
RICE NOODLES WITH RAW VEGETABLES SERVES 4 AS A MAIN DISH
Ingredients
Rice noodles, 4 cups after being soaked in hot water
¼ cup dried hijiki seaweed* (Japanese seaweed available at Asian markets)
1 cucumber
1 carrot
½ medium daikon (Asian) radish
1 small jicima
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
4 cups mesclun greens
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Chives to garnish
Marinade
¼ cup rice vinegar
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp sugar
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
Instructions
Soak the rice noodles in hot water for about 4 minutes and set aside. Soak the hijiki in water for about 5 minutes and set aside. Shred the cucumber, carrot, daikon radish and jicima on a mandoline or grater. Mix the marinade ingredients together and add in the shredded vegetables and hijiki. Let the vegetables marinate for about 5 minutes. Drain the noodles and add to the vegetable with ginger, greens and black pepper. Garnish with chives.
If you want to make a complete meal with protein, add grilled chicken, shrimp or tofu.
*Note: Hijiki or hiziki is a brown sea vegetable growing wild on rocky coastlines around Japan, Korea and China. Hijiki is a traditional food and has been a part of a balanced diet in Japan for centuries. It’s known to be rich in dietary fiber and essential minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium.
In your quest for wellness and personal fulfillment, we at APOGEE encourage you to dream—BIG. But, sometimes the path is uncertain, and you need a guide along the way. That’s why we’ve recently added Life Coaching to the wellness services available to members.
Today, having a life coach is as commonplace as having a personal trainer. “Sometimes you feel like you’re stagnating or having difficulty setting your priorities,” says Staci Rosenberg, LMSW, CEC, APOGEE’s Life Coach. “We can help you see all the possibilities for the future and help make them happen…now.”
How Does Life Coaching Work?
Typically, you and your coach identify your objectives and the obstacles that get in the way of achieving them. In order to do this, it’s important to take an honest look at yourself and your life and decide what is and isn’t working—from why you can’t commit to a relationship to what direction to take when your career is at a crossroads. These preliminary steps of self-assessment are some of the most important ones you’ll take on your journey toward successfully attaining your goals.
Staci’s approach is action- and solution-orientated, and focuses on the future. She will help you create a road map to help you succeed. Together, you design a realistic plan of action with homework assignments and check-in periods between sessions. At your meetings, you chart your progress, discuss any new challenges and benefit from the input of a professional with a more objective perspective.
“It’s amazing how asking a few simple questions can put someone whose life has de-railed back on track.” Staci says. “My mission is for my clients to become the best version of themselves.” That’s APOGEE’s mission, as well.
Staci’s Life Coaching services are available in 1- and 3-session packages. To get started, she’s offering free 30-minute consultations. Appointments can be scheduled with APOGEE’s Wellness Concierge or Reception staff by calling 914.644.8884.
Every June the Fancy Food Show rolls into New York promising less, more, bigger, new and delicious. Every June I go and look for something fantastic, just for you. No matter what happens at the show, I always come away with two things as a certainty: new friends and something delicious that I can pass on to my loyal customers. This year was no exception. We discovered a small producer of olive oil called 1492 from Chile. They have won several awards, and even beat the Italians on their own turf. I got a lesson on how to properly taste olive oil from the experts. 1492 is a delicate, well-balanced oil that has a high flashpoint so you could cook with it and sear fish, chicken and veggies. I will use it as a finishing oil because the nicest thing was the flavor profile. The oil is from a single source estate, not a mix! As we begin to solidify our relationship with 1492, you will be able to come in and buy some for your own kitchen. It’s really terrific stuff.
Another vendor we are engaging is providing amazing king salmon. Mark Tupper from Triad Fisheries in Washington State in conjunction with Bruce Gore does troll fishing for the finest salmon. Line-caught and frozen at sea, there is zero bruising of the fish, and humane practices throughout the entire process are strictly observed. And best of all, Triad is a sustainable fishery approved by respected eco-marketing agencies. We will begin to carry this salmon soon, and we encourage you to visit their site to see what Sashimi-Grade salmon is all about. When you taste this wild salmon for the first time, it is an amazing experience. They even invited me to come aboard and fish with them. Why don’t we all go for a long weekend?
There were also teas, fresh orange juice, black garlic, fads and items not ready for eating, well, at least I wouldn’t serve them to you. This year’s show was a little quieter than years past, probably because the food industry has suffered like everyone else in the economy, but still, great food always makes its way to market, and I pride myself in finding the great items for you.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
7:15 – 8:30 pm
White Plains location, Cafe
Free for Members and their guests with reservation.
Please call 914-244.1606 to reserve your spot!
The mission of Staci Rosenberg, APOGEE’s Life Coach, is to help people create the life they desire with a well-designed roadmap to becoming the best version of themselves. She’s partnering with Dr. Stewart Schwartz, a medical and alternative healing psychiatrist, to give you the tools to maximize your potential and enhance the quality of your life.
A place for the growing APOGEE Pilates & Wellness Centers community of teachers, members, experts and staff to share their passion for wellness and healthy living.
In their approaches to fitness, Pilates and Spinning® are far from a perfect match. Pilates is based on controlled movements where quality is more important than repetition. Spinning, on the other hand, is cardiovascular training at its most extreme. Yet, thanks to veteran trainer Melanie Danza at APOGEE’s Bedford Hills center, they’re in perfect synch in a new class that is quickly becoming a club favorite—Pilates/Spin. “It was rare to see a serious Pilates student on a bike or a dedicated Spinner on the Reformer,” says Melanie. “I was determined to open their eyes to the possibilities.”
