September 28, 2006
The beginner’s class at Physique 57; and the
“new” Chorus Line
The Three Tomatoes had a great exercise experience last week. Yes we know the words
“great” and “exercise” sounds mutually exclusive, so let us explain. A few weeks ago, Dr.
Loretta Friedman ( who seems to be New York City’s favorite chiropractor and a contributor to The Three Tomatoes
“Ask the Experts”) suggested we contact Jennifer Maanavi, the owner of Physique 57, a re-emerged exercise studio right here in New York City, based on
The Lotte Berk Method of exercise.
What’s the Lotte Berk Method?
So glad you asked, because for a while we were feeling like the only women in
New York City who couldn’t answer that question. So that was of course, our first question to Jennifer.
Lotte Berk was a world-famous ballerina in the sixties who created a method of exercise to keep dancers fit that eventually led to
an almost cult like following of dancers, celebrities (like Sarah Jessica Parker) and everyday people who wanted to look like them.
So last year when word got out that the studio was going to close, Jennifer and scores of other devotees were
bereft.
Jennifer to the Rescue
So Jennifer, a lovely young woman and mom to a two year old, who also
happens to hold an MBA from Columbia and spent 11 years on Wall Street, came to the rescue. In January she launched Physique 57 with many of the original instructors, all of whom are professional
dancers, and most of the clientele (including SJP).
What is the Physique 57 experience?
Well in their words “it’s a focused and proven cardiovascular program
of isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches that tones your seat, abs, thighs and arms; strengthens your legs and back; and improves posture to
produce a beautiful sexy body.” So, when Jennifer suggested we try the group “beginner’s class”
we were there.
So here are our words – “No wonder dancers look like they do. What a
workout!” You wear yoga type clothing and socks and step into a carpeted studio with mirrors and ballet barres around the
room. There were about 10 other women in the class (and yes, we were the oldest, so there was no way we were going to slack
off.) Not to mention that we were greeted by our charming and gorgeous instructor, Alexander, a Broadway dancer with an
Adonis body. (We sucked in our stomachs.) From the moment he hit the music, we moved our bodies and
didn’t stop until the hour was up, with everything from lifting weights to exercising our butts off with one leg on the barre, doing lunges
with the other leg (tippy- toed). Now keep in mind that we work out a lot and consider ourselves in fairly good shape, and this
class was definitely a challenge.
Would we go again? You bet your booty.
(Oh, and did we mention, not to be name droppers, SJP was there too that day -- in the private studio of course. No
wonder she has a body like that.)
Need the beginners’ beginners class?
Well here’s the good news. Jennifer would love to
set up a group class for “women who aren’t kids” who may or may not have exercised in a while and would like to get into a fun
exercise program that’s good for old bones like ours. So grab some pals and give her a call.
Oh, and ask Jennifer for Alexander. 212-339-0570. Or sign up for a class online. www.physique57.com.
About the “new” Chorus Line
One of our favorite all time shows is back on Broadway and we got a chance to see it
on the first night of previews. Well we know this is going to start to sound like one of those “well in the good old
days” kind of comments, but while we liked the show (love the music still) it seems to be missing the poignancy and energy of the
original. Maybe that’s because most of the cast wasn’t even born when the original opened in 1975 and that world has
changed. And at 2 ½ hours with NO intermission we were praying for One Singular
Sensation. Anyway, we do hope it’s a hit.
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Dancing the night away,
