Category Archives: health and wellness

Harlem Gal Inc reader takes on NYLean25 April challenge

Apr 4, 2011 @ 11:35
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We were approached recently by NYLean25 to join their program for the month of April at Twirl Fitness Lounge in Harlem. NYLean25 is a 25 minute, three times a week fat burning class. At first we thought, how nice! That’s so sweet. Then we thought, are they trying to tell us something at HCL, like winter is over get off your computer duff! Finally, we said how cool. However, we think this opportunity would be better served through the eyes of a HarlemCondoLife reader. They agreed and we immediately found a willing participant! This HCL reader, female and who asked to remain anonymous, agreed to submit diary entries and photos about her NYLean25 experience. Her other request she wants from us is to cheer her on and provide constructive feedback! I think we can help her out…si?

Dear HarlemGal,
I am tired of the Wii Fit telling me I am overweight! I work out regularly, but I HATE going to the gym! When HarlemCondoLife offered me the opportunity to join NYLean25 for the month of April, I chomped at the bit! Thanks so much!

20110404-121751.jpg I am now committed to working out with NYLean25 three times a week for one month. Each session is only 25 minutes!

This is what the program involves:
-Interval training: an exercise technique that alternates between short bursts of high intensity activity followed by short rest periods or low intensity activity. It is known to burn fat faster.

-Toning and muscle confusion to keep muscles toned and avoid plateaus.

-Good form and posture: performing exercises with the correct form increases the effectiveness of muscle toning and strength building while reducing the possibility of injury.

-A choice of 2 eating plans.

-Weekly weigh-ins and measurements.

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I have a hard time with staying motivated, so being in a program that keeps me accountable for my actions is exactly what I need! I like that NYLean25 includes an excercise AND eating plan. Believe me, I know from experience that you can’t expect to see much results by doing one or the other. I arrived on my first day and got weighed, measured and had my body fat taken (ugh!).

20110404-121835.jpg Then the class began, led by the creater of NYLean25, Robert Brace, who is in the photo above. Robert is a very attractive former professional dancer with 10 years experience in the fitness industry. He has a cute British accent to boost. The class started off intense right off the bat! There was 25 minutes of push-ups, squats, cardio and ab work. I felt challenged, but not overwhelmed. I’ve taken some very intense bootcamp classes that had me dreading going back. Thankfully, I don’t feel that sense of dread with this class.

My goal for the month is to lose five pounds and maybe, just maybe, wear my bathing suit to the beach without board shorts over it!

Until next time. And wish me luck!

Best,
HCL reader committed to weight loss

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Land Yoga lands in Harlem, studio to open up on Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Mar 30, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
We received some wonderful and different news in our inbox yesterday! It’s generally real estate stuff in our inbox. We were informed that Land Yoga will be opening up a yoga studio at 2110 Frederick Douglass Blvd. The exact location is right next to Franz James Floral Boutique in The Douglass Condo.

Land Yoga in Harlem is expected to open in about two months. The space will include two private rooms and will offer adult classes as well as extensive children’s programing, including yoga mini camp this summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-4:30 PM. Land Yoga is also seeking wellness practitioners in acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, or Alexander technique who are interested in subletting space in Central Harlem.

We were also informed by Land Yoga they are running for a very special grant opportunity that will support their dream to bring yoga to the Harlem community. They need 1,000 votes by this Thursday, March 31. To vote and support Land Yoga, text the word Land to 244326. There is no charge and no spam. Participants will receive two follow-up texts asking name and reasons for voting for this business. Participants must respond to these texts to finalize your vote.

If you want to “like” and learn more about Land Yoga, check out their Facebook page or better yet, learn about the yogi launching Land Yoga by clicking here!

Again, this is refreshing news. We couldn’t be more excited! Namaste!

Free flu shots offered in Harlem January 31

Jan 28, 2011 @ 7:00
By HarlemGal
If you need a flu shot and would like one for FREE, read on! Free flu shots will be given by faculty pharmacists from the Touro College of Pharmacy, located in Harlem at 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. From noon to 2 PM, student volunteers will assist with the screening process to adults 18 and older on Monday, January 31.

The flu shots will be administered in partnership with Project VIVA, a research study conducted by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CUES) of The New York Academy of Medicine. Touro College of Pharmacy opened its doors in Harlem in September of 2008.

DATE: Monday, January 31, 2011
TIME: Noon – 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Touro College of Pharmacy
2090 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., 6th floor
(Between 124th and 125th Streets)
Harlem, N.Y.

Bikram Yoga Harlem sale

Jul 2, 2010 @ 12:38
By HarlemGal
Want to practice yoga in Harlem? If so, here is a deal to not pass up! Groupon.com is offering one month of unlimited yoga classes at Bikram Yoga Harlem, located at 518 West 145th Street, for only $49. The value is worth $150 dollars. But you better hurry up and go to Groupon.com if you want this deal! A certain number has to sell by the end of the time period. And there are only two days left on the counter! Yogis vamanos! Namaste!

Bikram Yoga Harlem
518 W. 145th St.
New York, NY 10031
212-926-0753

Top ten reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City

Apr 14, 2010 @ 7:19

By HarlemGal
This is a blog that writes about all things positive about Harlem. We tell our stories from “nuestros corazones.” Unfortunately, we don’t have data, grids or a fancy magazine to back up our stories. We only have words, life experiences and a love for all things Harlem. And what better time to use these descriptions and tools than right now-especially given the recent edition of New York Magazine.

To profess our reasons on why we believe Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, we created our own Top Ten List. Sorry Dave. We have to borrow a page right out of your playbook to make our point. Here we go….

Top Ten Reasons on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City:

10. Harlem is almost 400 years old. And guest what?….we will still be around for another 400 years! Isn’t lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn suppose to sink under water?

9. Harlem is very green. We are near several three parks: Central Park North, Jackie Robinson Park, Morningside Park, Riverside Park, Riverbank State Park and Marcus Garvey Park. Harlem also has St. Nicholas Park, which a reader told us “is one of the most historical (along with Hamilton Grange, City College, Hamilton Heights and Striver’s Row near).” Shouldn’t we count Riverside Park too? Then that would be four parks we are near.

8. We are home to the highest institution of higher learning in the State of New York, Columbia University. Park Slope kids will be living in Harlem when they get older and head to Columbia.

7. We have many different neighborhoods and some of their names are sweet, like sugar, or romantic as Spanish.

6. We are one of the happiest according to a recent survey. To tell the truth, we are very happy in life. However, we are not happy with New York Magazine right now….

5. Because you can have a date with red, not Red Butler, but red as in red velvet cake at Lee Lee’s Baked Goods on 118th Street. Delicious!

4. We have famous songs about or that mention Harlem that are as diverse as its people. Harlem River Quiver is by Duke Ellington. Angel of Harlem is by U2. Spanish Harlem Incident is by Bob Dylan and Across 110th Street is by Bob Womack.

3. We have some serious wide sidewalks where there is plenty of elbow room for you and your baby stroller. Parts of the Village are like walking through a football field.

2. We have the famous Apollo Theater. Need we say more.

1. And the number reason on why Harlem is one of the best places to live in New York City, because This blog is going to go negative for once on its blog. We don’t believe or give a flying hoot about Nate Silver and his recent findings. Politics done right does not necessarily mean neighborhoods done right!

Nate, come up and visit us any time. We will show you all the great things Harlem has to offer!

Exclusive presale for David Sedaris at the Apollo

Jan 27, 2010 @ 0:40
By HarlemGal

If you like David Sedaris, writer, comedian and best selling author, then this post is for you! Sedaris is performing at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater on November 1, 2010 and starting today at 10 AM Wednesday, January 27 there is an exclusive (and in my view very early) presale thru Thursday, January 28 until 10 PM. For more information on how to purchase tickets, click here.

And see you around at the Apollo!

Harlem Yoga Studio is born

Oct 25, 2009 @ 10:13

HarlemCondoLife

By HarlemGal
If you are looking to practice that downward facing dog or warrior pose right here in Harlem, well look no further. Harlem Yoga Studio has arrived. It’s just three weeks old. They have a big open space and are already offering various levels of yoga classes at different times throughout the week. If you’re interested in a yoga practice close to home, I recommend visiting this studio. It’s located on the Northwest corner of 119th Street and Lenox Avenue and the first class is free until November 1, 2009.

HarlemCondoLife

I went to the Yoga I/II class with Erica over the weekend and enjoyed it very much. The teacher was well-versed in yoga and extremely polite. The studio is spacious and the location is ideal. It is centrally located where you don’t have to trek far down to the West or East side of upper Manhattan to get to a yoga class. Plus it is right by the 2/3 train to 116th Street! So if you are looking for a yoga studio in Central Harlem, look no more! Namaste!

Harlem Yoga Studio

118 Lenox Avenue

Harlem, NY 10027

917.538.0457

HarlemCondoLife

HarlemCondoLife