Thursday, June 30, 2016

What's going on - week of 6/30-7/6

Each week I will be publishing 2 posts - Mondays will be articles and reviews. Thursdays will be a "What's Going On" feature, in which I highlight upcoming events and ticket deadlines.

Summer has officially BEGUN! Check out some of the amazing outdoor (and indoor) events that are available locally, and have a Happy Independence Day!!
Photo from Love in Motion Yoga's facebook page

 6/30 - Thursday

5:30PM - Try out a Free Kickboxing class in Larkin Square!

6PM - Check out a Booty Work (hip hop aerobics) class at Musicality Central (located at Studio 990). This class is great for beginners! $10 per class, see their facebook for info.

6:15PM - Head to Chestnut Ridge Park for an evening hike, or head to Hunters Creek in East Aurora for a trail run at 6:30!

6:30 - Enjoy a SUP yoga class at Sunset Bay!
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7/1 - Friday

9AM - Try out the UpBeat Beat Down at Tony Walker in Williamsville

10AM - Head to Cheektowaga Town Park for a FREE Zumba class!

6PM - Sweat it out at a free Cardio Kickboxing class in Bassett Park

6PM - Try out some Latin and Caribbean Dancing at Canalside - there will be two 30-min beginner lessons for free!

7PM - Test your balance with free AcroYoga at Canalside!

10PM - And for another event with Latin flavor, go to Expo market for SABOR Latin night with Calvin and Fanny - admission is just $5 and includes a dance lesson. 

Photo from Baila Salsa Dance's facebook page

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7/2 - Saturday

Are you signed up for the Buffalo Bubble Run at the Outer Harbor?

9AM - Across the river at Canalside, there's Kettlebell Swing at Canalside with Garage Fitness Studio. BYOKB ( Bring your own kettlebell) or reserve one at garagefitnessstudio@gmail.com.

10AM - Join Jada Blitz Training at their facility for a free class - bring a friend and wear red, white, and blue!

Jada Blitz Training crushing it at a Tony Walker event
Photo from Jada Blitz Training's facebook page


 10AM - Try a free Yoga class at Bidwell Park

10AM - Check out Riverworks for a free Boot Camp class!

10:30 - Free Zumba at ArtPark in Lewiston!

2PM - Donation-based Power Yoga of Buffalo - "Karma" class.

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This Friday and Sunday, check out some of the options that Explore Buffalo has available to stay active, and see parts of our city in a brand new way! Friday will be an Olmested's Parks of Allentown tour, and a Paddles and Pints tour! Sunday will be a tour of the Larkin district. See their website for ticket information.

Photo from Explore Buffalo's  Facebook page

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7/3 - Sunday

9AM - Bring your dog to fitness! Check out the Rover and Me Fitness Class (first week is free) running throughout the summer at Gallagher Pier in Buffalo.  Your dog works on obedience skills while you perform the exercises (both a dog trainer, and a fitness trainer will be on-hand). 

 9AM - SUP Erie Adventures will be having a Sunday morning SUP Yoga class.

 9AM - Start your day off right with a free class with Fit Like a Gladiator at the Longboards Power Hour at the Pointe

10AM - After the Power Hour, stretch it out with free yoga with Love In Motion Yoga!

10AM - Try some free yoga in Delaware Park

11AM - There will be free HEAL yoga at Templeton Landing on the deck - with mimosas! - To register, please fill out this form

12PM - Fit Like a Gladiator will be running a free BLT (butt, legs, and thighs) class at the Outer Harbor (Wilkeson Pointe).

A previous BLT at Canalside class
Photo from Fit LIke a Gladiator's facebook page

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7/4 - Monday

9AM - Try some Barre Centric at Tony Walker in Williamsville (pending - may be cancelled for holiday)

9AM - Try out a "surf and turf" class at Longboards at the beach - half on land, half on water, this class will get you moving and sweating! Call ahead, or check out their website to book a board.
Want to try out other classes at Longboard's? This is their July schedule!

5:30PM - Enjoy some free yoga in Larkin square (pending - may be cancelled for holiday)

5:30PM - Monday, check out the Slow Roll Buffalo starting at Buffalo Riverfest Park. (definitely NOT cancelled!!)

6PM - Enjoy some more free yoga in Westwood Park in Lancaster! (pending - may be cancelled for holiday)


6PM - Try out free Zumba in Bassett Park in Amherst (pending - may be cancelled for holiday)

Photo from Canalside's facebook

NOTE: since there will be 4th of July festivities going on, none of the normal Canalside and Outer Harbor classes will be going on - however, you should totally go there anyways because FIREWORKS! :)
Canalside 4th of July
Outer Harbor 4th of July
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7/5 - Tuesday

10AM - Free pilates at Cheektowaga town park!

6PM - TRX at Tony Walker - tacos and tequila to follow ;)

6PM - Free bootcamp class at Delaware Park

6PM - Free (either yoga or zumba) class at Chestnut Ridge Park near the casino (classes will alternate weeks!)

Photo from Zumba at Canalside's facebook page. 


Tuesday classes at Canalside!
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7/6 - Wednesday

9AM - Kardio Kick at Tony Walker

9AM - Free bodyweight strength training at Hartley Park in Lakewood

10AM - Free Pilates at ArtPark in Lewiston

5:30PM - Free yoga at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

6PM - HEAL Yoga is holding a donation-based class at Ashker's Juice Bar on Elmwood

6PM - Free Zumba in Westwood Park in Lancaster

6PM - Free bootcamp class in Garrison Park in Amherst

6PM - Try out a Hip Hop for starters class at Musicality Central (at Studio 990) - $10/class, and there are more advanced classes available if you are so inclined.

6:30 - Free yoga at Wilkeson Pointe with Love in Motion Yoga!

Photo from Love in Motion Yoga's facebook page
That's totally me in the really bad position on the right... 


6/15 - Wednesday Classes at Canalside!
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If you know of an event that you would like to see in here, please let me know! (message our facebook page!)

Get out there and get moving!

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Monday, June 27, 2016

Event information - Dance Days of Buffalo


A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit down and interview Jess Moore - the organizer behind the first annual Dance Days of Buffalo event going on this August. We talked about her vision for the event, and what participants will be able to do and see. 

Event: Dance Days of Buffalo
Date: August 5th, 6th, and 7th (2016)
Time: 8AM until 8PM
Location: Tapestry Charter School (65 Great Arrow Ave in Buffalo)
Type of activity: Dance classes (all levels), classroom-style classes, dance performances (to watch)
Ticket price: 3 day pass - $120, increasing to $135 on 6/29 (and to $150 the week of the event), 1 day passes are available - $50
Webpage: http://www.dancedaysofbuffalo.com/



Jess, originally from the southtowns, danced at local studios growing up. In college, she earned her BFA in dance at SUNY Brockport, and after that she came home and continued to take classes. However, as an adult dancer she noticed a few things:
  1. Buffalo has a large dance community with many different disciplines, but it is not a close knit community. The studios and teachers do not often work together, rather, they are separate entities working with their own students. 
  2. There is not much opportunity for adult dancers to progress in many dance disciplines (this author can attest to having experienced frustration herself as dance teachers overlooked her to pay attention to younger students). 
  3. There are so many different styles of dance that most people don't know about, much less have had the opportunity to try. 

With these realizations in mind, Jess (a natural planner) set out to create an event that would bring kinship and community to dancers and dance teachers in the greater western NY area. 

This event has been a labor of love over a year in the making. With not only the passion to bring the dance community together, but also with the aim to give everyone the opportunity to dance, she found a space with two studios and many available classrooms so that she could stage this 3-day long masterclass in many disciplines and movement styles. 

With classes geared towards dancers ages 16 and up, this will provide an opportunity to those who are frequently passed over (with most dance events being designed for kids - usually 14 and under, planning on going on to become professional dancers). It's also not just for traditional "dancers" either - while there are classes that are designed for advanced/experienced dancers, there are also classes for beginners. It is, however, recommended that you have some "movement" background (whether it is yoga, pilates, zumba, or even a few years of ballet as a teen). 

This event is bringing in teachers from NYC, Detroit, and Pennsylvania - but will also feature many local teachers and studios. Some of the styles that you will be able to take classes in include Traditional Jamaican, Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Clogging, Hipanic Folkloric, Musical Theatre, Turkish Romani (Gypsy), Tap, Salsa, Bollywood, and many, many more (see the schedule for a full list of classes, with more being added in the months leading up to the event). 

Along with dance classes, there will also be "classroom classes" - pedagogy-style classes, round-tables, injury prevention, and others. These are primarily meant for dance educators, but I personally will be keeping an eye on that injury prevention class - I've had my fair share of dance-related injuries. 

Also, each night there will be performances by local dance groups that are open to the public, including a contemporary choreographer's showcase, and a world-dance showcase (more details to come). These events are, ticketed and open to the general public, and are free for children under 12 years of age. These will be an exciting opportunity to see local dancers perform and to keep an eye out for styles that you may be interested to learn at some point.  

This event will be an exciting mix of different styles of dance -  you're bound to find a few classes that get your blood pumping and your legs (and arms, and whole body) moving! Make sure to get your ticket before June 29th - that's when the early-bird pricing ends ($120 for a 3-day pass). 

Also, keep an eye out around town - I can't say where or when, but the group plans to pull a major flash-mob in a very public spot this summer that you won't want to miss. Want to get involved? Message Dance Days of Buffalo on Facebook to find out how!

I'll leave you with Jess's vision for this event "It's time to cultivate the local [Buffalo] dance scene, instead of having great dancers live here… and then have to leave to find opportunities."


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Thursday, June 23, 2016

What's going on - week of 6/23-6/29

Each week I will be publishing 2 posts - Mondays will be articles and reviews. Thursdays will be a "What's Going On" feature, in which I highlight upcoming events and ticket deadlines.

 Summer has officially BEGUN! Check out some of the amazing outdoor events that are available locally:
Sponsored by Independent Health

 6/23 - Thursday

5:30PM - Starting this week was the free outdoor fitness series sponsored by Independent Health (held in parks all over WNY). Tonight is a Free Kickboxing class in Larkin Square! See their full schedule of events here!

6:15PM - Head to Chestnut Ridge Park for an evening hike!
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6/24 - Friday

9AM - Try out the UpBeat Beat Down at Tony Walker in Williamsville

10AM - Head to Cheektowaga Town Park for a FREE Zumba class!

11AM - Try out a free cardio dance class at the Clarence Town Park

6PM - Sweat it out at a free Cardio Kickboxing class in Bassett Park

7PM - Get your ticket for Cordio by Fit Like a Gladiator (Core and Cardio) at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo!

7PM - Test your balance with free AcroYoga at Canalside!

Cardio Kickboxing sponsored by Independent Health

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6/25 - Saturday

There's still time to submit a last minute registration for the Buffalo Ninja Warrior event in Buffalo on Saturday - do you have what it takes?

8AM - Start your day off right with a free Power Group Fitness Studio class at the Longboards Power Hour at the Pointe

9AM - Following the Power Hour, stretch it out with free yoga with Love In Motion Yoga!

9AM - Across the river at Canalside, there's Kettlebell Swing at Canalside with Garage Fitness Studio. BYOKB ( Bring your own kettlebell) or reserve one at garagefitnessstudio@gmail.com.

 9:30 - SUP ERIE Adventures is holding a SUP Yoga class. Call 716-868-2975 to reserve your spot!

 10AM - Try a free Yoga class at Bidwell Park

10AM - Check out Riverworks for a free Boot Camp class!

10:30 - Mothers and Fathers (or adventurous Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents) can head to Yoga Parkside with their munchkin for a yoga session for those wee ones who are "strong walkers" up through 3 years of age. Partner with your mini-me in simple animated poses, games, a breathing exercises! More information here!

Photo from Yoga Parkside's facebook page


10:30 - Free Zumba at ArtPark in Lewiston!

2PM - Donation-based Power Yoga of Buffalo - "Karma" class.

6PM - Silo City Paddling Company is holding a Kayak and Hike combo session! Bring your own kayak, or rent from them. Snacks will be provided. Reservations are required.
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This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, check out some of the options that Explore Buffalo has available to stay active, and see parts of our city in a brand new way! Friday is "vertical tour" of Silo City - explore the waterfront from a new angle! Saturday is a Paddles and Pints event. Sunday will be a tour of the "millionaire mile" on Delaware Ave. See their website for ticket information.

Photo from Explore Buffalo's  Facebook page

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6/26 - Sunday

9AM - Bring your dog to fitness! Check out the Rover and Me Fitness Class (first week is free) running throughout the summer at Gallagher Pier in Buffalo.  Your dog works on obedience skills while you perform the exercises (both a dog trainer, and a fitness trainer will be on-hand). 

 9AM - Fit Like a Gladiator will be holding a free BLT (butt, legs, and thighs) class at Canalside!

 9AM - Grab your running shoes and head to Chestnut Ridge for a trail run

 10AM - Yoga Parkside is hosting a yoga and hiking event at Sprague Brook Park in Glenwood. Tickets here.

 10AM - Try some free yoga in Delaware Park

10:30 - Enjoy yoga and beer? Then the Vinyasa at the Beer (from the creators of Vinyasa at the Vineyard) event is for you - tickets here. Must be 21.

4PM - Still looking for more food/drink/fitness events? Try Pilates, Pie, and Lattes! at the Homegrown Bistro in Orchard Park.

Photo from Vinyasa at the Vineyard's facebook page

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6/27 - Monday

9AM - Try some Barre Centric at Tony Walker in Williamsville

 5:30PM - Enjoy some free yoga in Larkin square

 5:30PM - Monday, check out the Slow Roll Buffalo starting at Resurgence Brewing Co in Buffalo. 

 6PM - Enjoy some more free yoga in Westwood Park in Lancaster!

 6PM - Try out free Zumba in Bassett Park in Amherst

6PM - Try out a "surf and turf" class at Longboards at the beach - half on land, half on water, this class will get you moving and sweating! Call ahead, or check out their website to book a board.
Want to try out other classes at Longboard's? This is their July schedule!

6:30 - East Meets West Yoga blankets the park at the Massachusetts Avenue Park

 6:30PM - HEAL Yoga is holding a free yoga happy hour at Market Arcade in Buffalo. This week's instructor will be Sue Zinter. 
Last week's yoga class at the Market Arcade in Buffalo

 6:30PM - Enjoy some Salsa in the Park with Sarah Haykel at Delaware Park Rose Gardens. 

Also Monday, check out more great free classes at Canalside!
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6/28 - Tuesday

10AM - Free pilates at Cheektowaga town park!

6PM - TRX at Tony Walker - tacos and tequila to follow ;)

6PM - Free bootcamp class at Delaware Park

6PM - Free (either yoga or zumba) class at Chestnut Ridge Park near the casino (classes will alternate weeks!)

6PM - SUP ERIE adventures is hosting a free social paddle at Sunset Bay! Bring your own board or kayak, or rent one from them. Drinks afterwards at the beach club!

Photo from SUP ERIE Adventure's facebook page


Tuesday classes at Canalside!
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 6/29 - Wednesday

9AM - Kardio Kick at Tony Walker

9AM - Free bodyweight strength training at Hartley Park in Lakewood

10AM - Free Pilates at ArtPark in Lewiston

5:30PM - Free yoga at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

6PM - HEAL Yoga is holding a donation-based class at Ashker's Juice Bar on Elmwood

6PM - Yoga in Clarence Town Park - registration is required.

6PM - Free Zumba in Westwood Park in Lancaster

6PM - Free bootcamp class in Garrison Park in Amherst

6PM - Fleet Feet Sports on Delaware is holding a mini Ragnar race (two person relay, 1 mile runs, continue for as long as you like... prizes will be awarded!)

6:30 - Free yoga at Wilkeson Pointe with Love in Motion Yoga!

6:30PM - Jada Blitz Training will be holding a family-friendly fitness class every 4th Wednesday of the month! See page for details.


Photo of the tons of amazing participants in a Garage Fitness Studio class at Canalside. Photo from their facebook page


6/15 - Wednesday Classes at Canalside!
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Whew! That's a lot of events, and more are being added every week! If you know of an event that you would like to see in here, please let me know! (message our facebook page!)

Get out there and get moving!

Happy after-yoga selfie XD

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Monday, June 20, 2016

Fitness Class Review - Intro to Hoop Dance at Canalside

The past two weeks, I had the privilege to rock out with a hula hoop at the Intro to Hoop Dance class at Canalside! Here's what I thought:

Week 2 of the class had a lot more participants than the first week!


Class name - Intro to Hoop Dance at Canalside
Where they are located - Canalside in Buffalo near the wooden boardwalk (right after Zumba)
What it cost - FREE! (can't get better than that!)
Level of difficulty - Low to start, but you can learn some pretty complex tricks!

Review -
As someone who, like most people, has very little experience with hula hoops (just tooling around with the toy ones with the beads in them as a little kid), I wasn't really sure what to expect going into this class. From the hoop dance wikipedia page, I found that it is similar to rhythmic gymnastics (something I've only seen on TV during the olympics). So I went into this class flying a little blind.

Week 1 of the class was a little smaller and windier than week 2, but still fun

First of all, let me say, "hooping" (as some call it) is a fully body experience. Not as hardcore as, say, a bootcamp class, or doing a bunch of burpees, but it really calls on your core, legs, and arms for many of the moves. It also requires a good sense of timing, rhythm, and balance in order to keep the hoop in the air or on your body while doing transitions. 

Hooping is more than just your typical "hula hooping" in which you spin the hoop around your waist and hips (although that was a major component of the first two weeks of lessons - also, I found out that running the hula hoop around your waist, and running it around your hips actually takes different technique... who knew?). It involves keeping the hoop in motion while moving it, spinning it, twisting it, flicking it, and rolling it around and over various parts of your body. 

Right now, we are laying down the fundamentals - learning how to move the hoop up and down, over the head, around the body (spinning both clockwise and counter clockwise! Definitely learn both directions!) This class is for all ages, and last week there were some cute kids showing off their moves while their parents took the class. 



The instructor for this class, Denise Cervola of Shadow Hoops, has been teaching people how to move with a hoop for over 5 years now, and she does a good job of articulating what you should be doing with your body to produce the results that you are looking for. This class is taught with instruction at the front, and with a mic on the instructor so that she can verbally call out what you should be doing. Her teaching method is clear and concise, and most people seem to pick it up pretty well. 

While she started out as a nurse, Denise found a passion for teaching hoop dance, and has taught roughly 400-500 students in the Buffalo/Western NY region. She does not have a studio, but instead teaches at community ed classes and schools, and also brings her hoops to local concerts so that people can enjoy them while listening to live music.

In addition to teaching, she also makes hoops - her company (Shadow Hoops) is based out of Angola, and she makes hoops of all diameters, thicknesses, and colors (made to order per your specifications). Hoops can be ordered and are $25. She also has a huge selection of sizes of hoops at the class for you to try and use. 

This class is a blast and, while there are no events at Canalside on Tuesday of this week, I high encourage you to take this class on the 28th!

Check out the video to see the repertoire of tricks that I learned during the first two weeks!


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Thursday, June 16, 2016

What's going on - week of 6/16-6/22

Each week I will be publishing 2 posts - Mondays will be articles and reviews. Thursdays will be a "What's Going On" feature, in which I highlight upcoming events and ticket deadlines.

It's officially June - and the start of the summer season! Check out some of the amazing outdoor events that are available locally.


Here's some of what's coming up this week:

6/16 - Tonight (Thursday) at 6PM is a break dance class taught by BGirl at Verve Dance Studio. This class will cover hip hop and break, and will give you a full body workout with strength and core training, capped with yoga and cool-down stretch. Drop in's are $15/class, or the full 6-week session can be purchased for $48.

Photo from Verve Dance Studio's facebook page


6/17 - Not working in the morning tomorrow? Try out the Up Beat Beat Down at Tony Walker's in Williamsville at 9AM. Tony Walker's is having an entire series of fitness classes every week this summer, with Barre Centric on Monday mornings, TRX Tuesday afternoons, Kardio Kick on Wednesday mornings, and this event on Friday nights - check it out!

6/17 - Tomorrow, check out Sabor Latin Night at Expo - every 1st and 3rd friday of the month, the night will start with a dance lesson by Calvin and Fanny, followed by social dancing. Admission is $5.



Tony Walker TRX class from Revolution's facebook page


6/18 - Saturday morning at the Outer Harbor -
  • At 8AM Saturday at the Outer Harbor, join Longboards at the Beach as they sponsor Barre Centric at their Saturday morning Power Hour. 
  • At 9AM, following your Barre class, stretch it out with free yoga with Love In Motion Yoga!
6/18 - 9AM at Canalside - Kettlebell Swing at Canalside with Garage Fitness Studio (9-10AM). BYOKB ( Bring your own kettlebell) or reserve one at garagefitnessstudio@gmail.com.

6/18 - All day on Hertel Ave, feel free to bring your pooch for the Great Hertel Dog Walk! Parade your pooch up the Avenue for a day of shopping, dining and exploring Hertel Avenue and North Buffalo, with many stores and patios holding dog-friendly specials for that day.

6/18 - That evening at Canalside, check out a very cool class - Live Beats Glow and Flow Barre Yoga, sponsored by Lululemon. Check with out if you are into Barre and Yoga with a live DJ. FREE event!

From Fit2BWell's facebook page


6/17, 18, and 19 - This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, check out some of the options that Explore Buffalo has available to stay active, and see parts of our city in a brand new way! Friday is an East Aurora walking tour, or paddles and pints. Saturday, check out their downtown Lockport walking tour. And Sunday, check out their West Side mob tour and learn about the seedy underground gangsters that once ran the mob on Buffalo's West Side. See their website for event and ticket information.

Photo from Explore Buffalo's  Facebook page


6/19 - Sunday, bring your dog to fitness! Check out the Rover and Me Fitness Class (first week is free, starts at 9AM) running throughout the summer at Gallagher Pier in Buffalo.  Your dog works on obedience skills while you perform the exercises (both a dog trainer, and a fitness trainer will be on-hand). 

 6/19 - Also being offered Sunday morning is POUND at the Park, held at Evans Town Park at 9:30. Garage Fitness Studio will be offering this class, and they will be accepting donations for a local family. 

 6/19 - This Sunday is another Bhakti, Beats and Brews event, held by FLOAT yoga at Resurgence. Flow through your yoga asanas, and stick around for a beer after! Tickets are $15, and it is suggested to buy them ahead of time.

 6/19 - At 11AM this Sunday, you have your choice of two more fitness and food/drink related classes - grab your friends and try out either Vinyasa in the Vineyard at Becker Farms, or Barre and Brunch at Casa Di Pizza in Buffalo (with mimosas and breakfast pizza!). Probably want to purchase tickets ahead of time, as these events fill up fast. 

6/20 - Monday, check out the Slow Roll Buffalo starting at the Groove Lounge. 

6/20 - More Monday events - HEAL Yoga is holding a free yoga happy hour at Market Arcade in Buffalo

 6/20 - Get moving Monday with a Belly Dance Crash Class at the Bellydance Academy. 
Photo from Longboards at the Beach facebook page


 6/20 - Also on Monday evening, try out a "surf and turf" class at Longboards at the beach - half on land, half on water, this class will get you moving and sweating! Call ahead, or check out their website to book a board.

 6/20 - wow, there are a lot of options for Monday! Try out some dance moves with Salsa in the Park with Sarah Haykel! $8 includes lesson, social, and refreshments. 

6/20 - Monday, check out more great free classes at Canalside!

6/21 - Tuesday classes at Canalside are cancelled for this week due to a concert, but don't fret! There's still Yogis in Service's 108 Sun Salutations Scholarship event! Buy your ticket ahead, because this event sold out last year!

6/22 - Wednesday Classes at Canalside!
6/22 - More Wednesday events - Yoga at the Point with Love in Motion Yoga (6:30PM, Wilkeson Pointe)

6/22 - HEAL Yoga will be holding a donation-based class at Ashker's Juice Bar from 6-7PM. Register Here.

6/22 - Also Wednesday at Canalside, join the Canalside Music and Dance series with Swing Buffalo and the Fredtown Stompers to learn some swinging steps! No partner or experience necessary. Event goes from 7 until 9PM.

Photo from Swing Buffalo's facebook page

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Monday, June 13, 2016

Fitness Class Review - Zumba at Canalside

This past week, I booked it down to Canalside after work to hit up two awesome classes - Zumba at Canalside, and Intro to Hoop dance! And this week for the blog, I'll be reviewing the Zumba class! (more on the hoop dance class later!)

Photo credit to the BuffaloNews.com

Class - Zumba at Canalside
Location - Canalside
What it cost - Free!
Level of difficulty - Medium

Review -

 In the unlikely event that you have never heard of Zumba, it's a Latin flavored dance fitness class that incorporates Salsa, Merengue, and Hip Hop dance moves (among other dance styles) to give you a cardio boost and an all over burn.

Zumba classes are taught in over 180 countries, with over 15mil people participating globally. In fact, Canalside is one of the 200,000 locations where Zumba classes are available - Zumba is truly a global fitness revolution. And with the high energy and fun of the class, it's no wonder that it's so popular.

Photo credit to the BuffaloNews.com

This class is taught by local instructors - 

- Meghan Schimmelpenninck has been a licensed teacher since 2009, and is licensed to teach Zumba and Zumba toning (a class incorporating weight sticks). She is the group fitness director at Gold's Gym (per LinkedIn). 
- Jen Wright is also an instructor at Catalyst fitness, and has been licensed to teach Zumba since 2010. In addition to teaching standard Zumba classes, she is also certified to teach Zumba Gold - classes for participants of advanced age. 

These two women were fantastic instructors of this class - both extremely high energy. I'm not sure how they made it through the entire class with nary a break, but they did it with incredible vigor. 

Every single song had its own theme, and the dance moves repeat through the song. The sequences are cued by the instructors with visual cues and gestures - no mics are used during this class, with the instructors choosing instead to lead by example. Also, usually the first sequence of the song is a slower, "less energetic" version of the moves and rhythms that the rest of the song will be based on (side note - if you are caught getting a drink during this first sequence of the song, it can be difficult to pick up the rest of the song... I would keep water breaks very, very short!)

Photo credit to the BuffaloNews.com

The space itself is a wooden "boardwalk" area right by the Naval Park at the Northern-most point of Canalside (right on the water). This area is definitely large enough for the hundreds of people who turn out for these classes, but unlike the PiYo class, there is no incline (if you're short, I would definitely recommend trying to get a spot in the front - as I mentioned before, there's no vocal instructions, so it's much harder to catch on it you can't see the front). 

Photo credit to ... me! I actually remembered to take a few this time


An additional note - I would definitely recommend flat bottomed tennis or basketball-style shoes for this class, as opposed to grippier sneakers or running shoes. The ground itself is a little grippy, and flat bottomed shoes will make some of the moves (like spins and slides) a lot easier. 

Also, don't forget your water! You're going to be dancing your butt off, and definitely will need to hydrate!

Verdict? This is a super fun, high energy class. Even if you're not a fitness buff or a dancer, I would recommend grabbing a few friends and coming down for this class on Tuesday nights before grabbing a beer and having a laugh. 


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Thursday, June 9, 2016

What's going on - week of 6/9-6/15

Each week I will be publishing 2 posts - Mondays will be articles and reviews. Thursdays will be a "What's Going On" feature, in which I highlight upcoming events and ticket deadlines.

It's officially June - and the start of the summer season! Check out some of the amazing outdoor events that are available locally.

Here's some of what's coming up this week:

6/9 - Tonight (Thursday) at 5:30PM is a Surf Pilates Class with Longboards on the Beach at their Seaway Trail location (4968 Lake Shore Rd). Event is $10 - Find tickets here!

6/10 - Tomorrow, check out the Buffalo Superhero Race at Delaware Park! Unleash your inner Superhero!

6/10 - Garage Fitness Studio will be hosting a POUND workout with Live music at Waiting Room on Delaware tomorrow. FREE, starting at 6PM!

6/10 - Tomorrow in North Tonawanda, check out a Bollywood Dance Class at FIT Method Studio at 6PM - Bring a friend to this class with you, purchase your ticket online and you can bring 1 friend with you to Friday's class!! Let's introduce them to the beautiful world of BOLLYWOOD

Photo from Devi Bollywood Dance's Facebook Page


6/10 - At Canalside tomorrow, join in some AcroYoga at 7PM!

6/10 - Head to Revolution Buffalo for a Boss Babes TRX/Yoga/Bootcamp fusion class. Tickets are $20 - please register ahead, and bring water, sneakers, and a yoga mat. Starts at 7:15PM.


6/10 - Shameless Self Promotion - head down to Riverworks to watch the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME between Queen City Roller Girls Devil Dollies and Alley Kats!!

Kettlebell class from Garage Fitness Studio's facebook page


6/11 - Saturday morning at the Outer Harbor -

  • Go to Wilkes Pointe at 8AM if you need a good stretch and a little strength - Marcia from BelieveFit-AchieveFit will be teaching a PiYo class. Make sure to bring a water bottle and a mat!
  • Also at 8AM Saturday at the Outer Harbor, join Longboards at the Beach as they sponsor Colleen Kirk from Revolution Buffalo, leading a ROCK workout (cardio, core, body weight strength, and tabata). 
  • At 9AM, following PiYo and Power Hour with Revolution Buffalo, stretch it out with free yoga with Love In Motion Yoga!
6/11 - 9AM at Canalside - Kettlebell Swing at Canalside with Garage Fitness Studio (9-10AM). BYOKB ( Bring your own kettlebell) or reserve one at garagefitnessstudio@gmail.com.


6/11 - Saturday at the Gypsy Parlor, there will be Salsa dancing! Every second Saturday of the month, this venue has latin dancing with Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Kizomba, Freestyle, and other styles as well!


6/10, and 12 - This Friday and Sunday, check out some of the options that Explore Buffalo has available to stay active, and see parts of our city in a brand new way! Friday is a Paddle and Pints event at Elevator Alley - starting with a paddle through the grain elevators, and ending up at Gene McCarthy's Tavern. Sunday has two events - Scandalous Buffalo at SPoT Coffee, and Buildings and Baseball at the Coca-Cola Field. See their website for event and ticket information.

Photo from Explore Buffalo's  Facebook page


6/12 - Sunday, bring your dog to fitness! Check out the Rover and Me Fitness Class (first week is free, starts at 9AM) running throughout the summer at Gallagher Pier in Buffalo.  Your dog works on obedience skills while you perform the exercises (both a dog trainer, and a fitness trainer will be on-hand). 

6/13 - Monday, check out the Slow Roll Buffalo starting at Hertel Ave in Buffalo. 

6/13 - More Monday events - HEAL Yoga is holding a free yoga happy hour at Market Arcade in Buffalo

6/13 - Also Monday, check out more great free classes at Canalside!

6/14 - Tuesday classes at Canalside!
6/14 - More Tuesday events - interested in doing Paddle/Bike/Run Buffalo, but not sure if you're up to the task? Try out Survival of the Gear's 6 week training course - Tuesday nights. Sign up soon - spots are filling up fast!

6/15 - Wednesday Classes at Canalside!
6/15 - More Wednesday events - Yoga at the Point with Love in Motion Yoga (6:30PM, Wilkeson Pointe)

6/15 - in preparation for Dance Days of Buffalo, Wasteland Studios will be having a *super secret* flash mob at some point in the near future! Want to get in on that action? Come to their practice - Wednesday, 7PM at Wastland Studios!


Photo from Dance Days of Buffalo's Facebook page
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