Places

Nestled away in a shopping mall off the intercostal, there lies a boutique studio focused on offering a fusion of unique fitness and wellness classes to it’s tight knit community. We caught up with entrepreneur and Pulse163 owner Melissa Grosfeld at her studio to get an inside scoop of her concept and vision for the studio and its clientele.

1. Are you a Miami native?

No. I’m originally from Philadelphia. I moved to Miami 25 years ago. I met someone who was from Miami in Aspen, Colorado that I started to date and ultimately married him, and that’s what brought me here.

2. Do you have a fitness background?

I do hold several Barre certifications, but much prefer to be a client while at my Barre studio.

3. What was it that sparked the idea for you to open Pulse163 and at it’s current location?

I was showing this space as a realtor to a Barre franchise. At that time, I was working out regularly at Barre studios and loving it. After showing the property to the franchise, I went home to my husband and told him I wanted to open up a Barre studio. Pulse163 was created shortly after that at the space I was initially showing to potential clients.

4. Were you discouraged at all by your own fears or other people’s opinion about this business venture, especially considering you were not a fitness professional yourself?

The fear of failure was huge before I opened but I surrounded myself with such amazing talent and it diffused the emphasis on me. I truly believe when you do this kind of venture, you become successful with the team you co-create and collaborate with.

5. What type of space have you been working on creating at Pulse163? What is it you want your clientele to feel when they come into the studio?

It’s a concierge vibe, but not pretentious. The setting is comfortable and my staff is personable. There is a sense of community and it’s non competitive environment where everyone that walks in is supported and we support each other whether we work together or workout together.

6. How long have you been in business?

Pulse has been in business for three years which far exceeds the life expectancy of a private studio. In this oversaturated, highly competitive market, I anticipated the struggle of opening a specialty studio with a focus on Barre as at the time, it was a very misunderstood form of exercise. It took several years to convert some of my cross fit and orange theory clients to add Barre into their fitness schedule. When they saw the change in their bodies and felt the difference in their flexibility, I was able to gain a captive audience.

7. Where do you see the direction of Pulse163 brand in the next 5 years?

I would love to have more of a conscious living community layered into the fitness by adding more mindful components allowing us to elevate ourselves intellectually and spiritually.

8. How do you choose your talent? What are you looking for in an instructor that works or auditions for you?

The most important thing for me is an extensive background. You have to have warmth, sensitivity and a love for what you do.

9. You sell clothing and jewelry. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

We have a small retail boutique and like to support local designers, such as, Funky Yoga and Just Live Brand. We also carry Boho Chic jewelry from a local designer and Bettina’s Collection. We carry a line of handmade soy candles by One Soul. We love to showcase new lines as they are launched. We welcome local designers to work with us in trunk shows and pop up events. Anything to support small local businesses we are always in.

10. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability what would that be?

If I could wake up tomorrow permanently letting go of any quality it would be my fear of failure. I like to talk about not getting caught up in our Egos, but let’s be real, no studio owner likes to see an empty class. So, if I could let go of fear and allow myself to resonate with the success of building a tight fitness community focused on women supporting women, that would be beyond liberating.Check out this hidden jewel at www.pulse163fitness.com.

I admit it. I was suspect upon entering Manduu, a modern and compact space located in downtown Miami. Oliver Strauss, President for Manduu USA, confirmed he gets a lot of that, since the philosophy is new in the US. Already established in Europe with over 60 locations, Strauss is passionate about spreading the health benefits of electrical muscle stimulation, or EMS, across the country.Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is the prompting of muscle contraction using electric impulses. The Manduu philosophy uses EMS to help customers achieve in just 15-minutes a week, the same results they would get from weight training at a conventional gym. Strauss says, “It’s the perfect solution for busy professionals with busy schedules.”EMS aims to develop every muscle group equally, in order to achieve a stable body. The electric impulse reaches deep muscle tissues and more than 90 percent of muscle fibers. This helps increase muscle mass at a speedier rate, thus increasing metabolic rate which impacts number of calories burned while a body is at rest. Strauss equates EMS to charging a battery. With each session at Manduu, “we load-up the battery, with the long-term goal of keeping the battery fully charged for as long as possible.”Following an assessment of my personal well-being and health goals, I step onto the InBody machine for body composition analysis. The report provides a breakdown on body makeup -- water-to-protein, to-minerals, to-body fat mass, as well as muscle-to-fat ratio and body segments (e.g. arms, legs and core) ratio. It even informs me of my visceral fat composition, or fat surrounding key organs.Oliver explains that Manduu evaluates clients in three categories: C-Type, I-Type and D-type, determined by analysis rates of weight, skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass. When connecting the dots of where each measurement sits on the spectrum, the line makes either a C, I or D shape. C translates to muscle mass being under what it should be, while I means a balanced body with all parts equal. But the goal is a D-shape, when your muscle mass is greater than weight and body fat mass. This analysis informs the regimen your Manduu personal trainer will develop for you, taking into account your health goals.Trainer Mike John sets me up in the special vest and shorts, kitted out with EMS sources to connect me to the machine. After reviewing proper form and the importance of flexing my muscles during the 15-minute session for maximum impact, we get started.We evaluate the electrical stimulation levels for each part of my body, ensuring I am comfortable with the sensation. The workout includes squat variations, dumbbell lifts and tricep kickbacks with a device called a Smovey, and ab crunches. All of this performed while receiving the muscle stimulation, which provides a tingling sensation.As a maximum resistance base workout, I could definitely feel my muscles being challenged. It felt like exercising against a very strong ocean current. By the end of the 15 minutes, I feel slightly sore, similar to concluding a really powerful session at the gym.Manduu philosophy is that each individual is just that, an individual and discourages comparison to others. They focus on individual goals, with personal trainers customizing workouts to your specific body composition, in a private atmosphere.Currently there are a few Manduu locations throughout the US, with the goal of 8 studios by the end of the year. Each location is connected, allowing customers to enjoy any studio as they do their hometown one. For more information and pricing visit www.manduu.com.

“Forbidden black coconut rice, marinated kale, raw roots, hickama beets, carrots, broccoli, sweet potato hummus, lentils and adasha which is a local based protein that a local entrepreneur named Taylor Cohen invented - we’re the first restaurant to feature it.”You ask the woman what her favorite bowl is and she responds with the healthiest mouthful of ingredients you have ever heard, and of course shares the creation of a local entrepreneur like herself. That’s Della Heiman for ya!Oh wait, do you know Della? Have you heard of The Wynwood Yard? Well, she created the magical space!“The Wynwood Yard is a culinary incubator for promising food and beverage entrepreneurs to launch their concepts, iterate and be part of a collaborative and supportive community,” says Heiman.

Della was always intrigued by what her parents did running a 3rd generation family business. When asked as a child what she wanted to be when she grew up, Della always new she would be a businesswoman.“I think the funny part about that, is in my mind, when I said ‘business woman,’ I envisioned a woman in a business suit sitting at a desk talking to people, and now I’m running around all day crawling on the ground, shoveling dirt and picking up trash!”After Harvard Business School, with a business plan in hand, Heiman came to Miami on a whim and it’s been more incredible then she could have imagined.“I moved here to open Della Test Kitchen as a brick and mortar space, but real estate is so inflated in Miami, I couldn’t find a space that made economic sense,” recalled Heiman. “So it ended up that I needed to get a little more creative. I had met so many inspiring entrepreneurs along the way that were facing the same barriers to entry that I was, so I decided to change up the model and do this incubator instead. Then I launched the restaurant inside it.”

Along with being an incubator attracting dynamic entrepreneurs in the neighborhood, The Wynwood Yard has become a sort of haven to locals with interests in the arts, food & beverage and fitness industries, and the community has been collaborative in making all of this accessible.“It’s been incredible to work with so many different people across so many fitness platforms and it’s really unique. Here we do everything from Zumba, to Pilates, to yoga, to hula hooping classes, to runs and it’s all over the map,” boasts Heiman.“I’ve been really inspired by the generosity of so many instructors and studio owners who just want to give their gift to the community and don’t want to charge anything for it, they just want to give free classes to enhance the community and it’s just the most generous thing ever.”

The Wynwood Yard puts out a calendar monthly with anywhere from 20-30 events a week. If you’re lucky, you may just be around when a high-profile artist like Shakira show’s up.While strolling through the Yard, you’ll notice a garden tucked away in the back. This is an organic garden curated by the Little River Cooperative then harvested by the Yard, with the produce showing up in your dish when dining at Della’s Test Kitchen or the newest Wynwood Yard resident, Charcoal Bar and Grill.During her college years, Della had the opportunity to travel abroad living in Mexico, Spain and Chile with families picking up culinary inspiration from each of them.

“I always loved cooking with my mom ever since I was little,” recalls Heiman. “Everything I know about cooking is from spending time with people that have been cooking a certain way for a very long time then learning how they do it and experimenting in my own kitchen.”And her advice to individuals, like myself, who are so much better at consuming then creating dishing, “don’t be afraid to experiment. I feel like cooking is all about having fun in the kitchen and just enjoying yourself and not worrying about messing up. It’s just food and you can always figure it out.”

The popularity of Spinning has grown exponentially in the last decade. According to Statista, in 2013 over 43 million Americans participated in indoor cycling activity. This has no doubt increased with the explosion of boutique spinning studios across the country.For my first ever spin class, I gave Miami’s newest studio, Cyclebox, a try. Cyclebox is a secondary concept from FitBox Method founder, Avidan Edelsberg. Unassumingly tucked away in the back of the Bay Parc Plaza lobby, the modern designed gym houses two spaces - a high-end gym for Fitbox Method and a space resembling a nightclub for Cyclebox.I checked-in at the front desk and was assured that the bikes allow you to clip-in or use standard sneakers. Then I entered the Cyclebox studio, where music videos were playing on the 150-inch giant screen at the front and the dimly lit room immediately giving the feeling of a high-energy dance party. The nearly 20 bikes are surrounded by mirrored walls and the room has a subtle glow highlighted by black lights. I am confident the class will live up to the description I read of feeling like you are coming out of a night club after dancing all night.

*Read: 10 Miami Gyms You Need to Try in 2017*

Instructor Daria Deptula (@missfitvegan) gets us right into it, with a packed playlist of songs and accompanying music videos that you can’t help but move to, including tunes from Bon Jovi, Pitbull, Christina Aguilera, Imagine Dragons and Lady Gaga.Music is one of the most important parts of Deptula’s class. She believes that, “focusing on the rhythm helps people push through and work harder.” And adds, “Cyclebox is different from other spin classes that have a heavy focus on reaching certain RPMS, putting too much emphasis on numbers and not enough on fun. Cyclebox pushes you to ride to the beat and use the music to drive your energy.”Edelsberg has built Fitbox Method and Cylcebox on his philosophy of fitness as a lifestyle. He believes “if you are having a good time then you are more likely to come back and commit to the workout.” He wants classes to be a fun hobby not a gruesome workout.Daria made the class so much fun - with dancing, arms pumping and some occasional singing. The 45-minutes, which included a round of weights to ensure a fuller-body workout, flew by and I left feeling energized!Cyclebox officially launches June 12th with a regular daily class schedule in mornings and evenings. Classes will be taught by rockstar instructors including Daria Deptula, Johnny Rhodes (@iamjohnnyrhodes), Ana Rodriguez and Nadia Porter. Keep an eye out for theme classes, like Ultra Wednesdays, where high definition quality Ultra Music Festival concerts will be powering the flow of the class.Cyclebox is located at 1756 North Bayshore Drive, Suite 119, across from Margaret Pace Park. Class schedules can be found here and membership fees here.

Pilates ProWorks, an outside-the-box fitness concept centered on the fundamentals of classical Pilates with a modern, innovative twist, is excited to introduce its latest original workout - Tone & Flow.An athletic combo class delivering a vigorous flow between yoga and Pilates, Tone & Flow demonstrates Pilates ProWorks’ dedication to providing fun, high-energy workouts that offer variety and keep clients engaged.Through a fusion of familiar yoga postures, calisthenics and Pilates core strengthening moves, Tone & Flow allows clients to sculpt, tone and flow their way to a strong body and calm mind.From upbeat yoga sequences designed to raise your heart rate, to plank variations that will challenge muscles you didn’t know you had, to a series of stretches to combat tension, participants will improve balance, stamina and flexibility, and achieve effective, sustainable results without the pain or harm of more high-impact workouts. Ample available modifications make this 55-minute mat class accessible to all levels.“Continuing to develop diverse and inventive fitness is a fundamental part of Pilates ProWorks,” said Pilates ProWorks Co-Founder Taylor Carter. “By fusing Pilates and yoga, clients can now gain the mind-body benefits of the two practices all in one dynamic, efficient class. It’s a powerful two-in-one workout and we’re beyond excited to roll it out to all of our studios.”Tone & Flow joins the roster of Pilates ProWorks’ beloved creative offerings such matBox, a full-body workout that brings together kickboxing, Pilates and Yoga into one intensity-packed session; and Pilates Pro, the signature amped-up Pilates class that combines resistance, lengthening, and strength training into a high-energy, music-fueled total body workout.Tone & Flow is rolling out to Pilates ProWorks across the country including the Coral Gables location in South Florida.

For some reason when I signed up for Budokon’s Mobility and Agility class, I thought I was in for just another Yoga class. Boy, was I wrong.The description of the class listed on the Budokon website reads: “This class explores hip, spine and shoulder mobility through a variety of yogic transitions, animal locomotion and martial arts techniques that will change the way you move.”Indeed, this one-hour class challenged my body in ways that I didn’t know were possible.The class I took was taught by Jose who introduced the class with “get rid of what you expected - this is not a yoga class,” he made clear.Throughout the next hour, we moved our bodies in natural, but challenging, undulating movements. I spent a lot of my time observing the teacher and who I assumed were regular students - all absolutely gorgeous movers.I mostly felt a bit awkward, but this was no fault of the teacher. Jose was incredibly helpful and gave each student focused individual attention to help them understand the movements. He made me feel welcome and confident in the movements despite my own perceived shortcomings.“Everyone’s body is unique,” he stressed, “and we should move as such.”Melayne Shayne, who is the Global Brand Director of Budokon University and wife of founder Cameron Shayne walked in mid-way through our warm-up and greeted everyone with a warm hug and kiss.Everyone who works here gives off the energy that they were designed to move - their warmth and welcome emanate naturally. The entire class seemed to flow.Towards the end, students started trickling in for the next session (sparring). Some would join us on the mat and others would ebb out into the day.

And then Cameron Shayne, owner and “Father of Mixed Movement Arts,” stepped in to take over. The energy in the room shifted to a level of razor-sharp focus as more people flowed off the street and onto the mat.Cameron is a fascinating persona; he is both intense and philosophical, with over 30 years of martial arts experience. Its all he has ever known.Son to a notorious street fighter, Cameron found martial arts at the age of twelve. He went on to achieve a 4th degree black belt in Olympic Style Taekwondo under the Harmon brothers, a 3rd degree black belt in Yoshukai Karate under kick boxing world champion Gerry Blank, a brown belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with Rickson Gracie, and a 4th degree black belt with Gui Arashiro.He has been practicing – mostly self guided - yoga for over 20 years. He once worked as Charlie Sheen’s Bodyguard. In recent years, he has focused on researching and teaching animal locomotion to create the Budokon system. (read more about Cameron).Animal locomotion is Cameron’s signature philosophy and I was lucky enough to experience his instruction in the last minutes of class. We started moving like gorillas and then shifting into the movements of a panther and a lizard (Cameron and Jose did this effortlessly – me, not so much).“Humans are weak and animals are strong,” Shayne explains. “By changing the surface or number of limbs you use to locomotive, you can change your anatomy.”I left after the first class (I’m pregnant, so wasn’t up for sparring), but would highly recommend staying through the evening. The evening classes shift seamlessly from mobility & agility into striking (described as: a combination of striking techniques from boxing, karate, and taekwondo to help build a solid foundation of skill, stamina, and practical self defense), and finally onto grappling (described as: this class combines wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to help build a solid foundation of ground combat for self defense).If you are looking for a workout that will completely shift the way you think about your body, you must give Budokon a try.For more information visit, http://www.budokon.com/.

When two guys with a passion for fitness and a desire to improve the wellbeing of others connect, they create greatness and inspire.New to the South Miami fitness scene is the sweat-so-hard warehouse, Stunna’s Fit. What began as a trainer-client relationship quickly turned into a goal crushing partnership between Gabriel and Jose.Former MMA fighter, Gabriel Varona, refused to leave fitness behind him upon retirement and started as a personal trainer. Outside of the ring, Varona was also known for his motorcycle stunts, hence the name Stunna.But don’t let the hot-headed exterior fool ya (his words, not mine), this tri-athlete is the type of human whose team you want to be on and are sure to be empowered by.Aside from impacting the physical state of clients, Varona has set out to impact the lives of Miami’s homeless. When he saw a man in a dumpster and learned the man was looking for shoes, Varona took the size 11’s off his feet and gave them to the man. From there, non-profit Shoes for Streets was founded.

For Jose Hernandez, the corporate marketing creative and other half of Stunna’s Fit, training with Varona not only provided physical benefits, but that inspiration and motivation to do what he’s is best at—creating, but in a whole new capacity.With both men, successful in their careers, decided to add ‘entrepreneur’ to their hats and bring South Miami a place for fitness to thrive.Varona starts training at 6:00am five days a week with a Fit Camp class that will push you to your limits - and then some. The Stunna’s Fit team of local rock-star trainers each empower the best physical version of yourself to come out and play in a place that feels just as much like family as it does fitness.Stunna's Fit classes range from Fit Camp and Boxing to Kettlebells and Savage Sundays with special events happening on the regular.Keep up with Stunna’s Fit on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/STUNNAFIT/ and on Instagram @stunnasfitsomi and drop by the warehouse at 5850 Commerce Lane, South Miami, Florida.

VibeClass, the popular workout delivering impactful results in just 30 minutes, is now calling South Miami home, on the heels of their Sunny Isles and South Beach locations.At VibeClass, virtual personal trainer “Gina” takes you through 10 different vibrating stations, programmed to spit out 1,000 variations of strenuous and stimulating exercises. A single station is 40 seconds of work and 20 seconds of station transition time. With a total of 10 stations, the workout is done for 3 or 4 rounds.A single 30-minute workout can burn up to 600 calories, with the vibrating platforms helping to strengthen and tone muscles and reduce cellulite.Jennifer Edward was my trainer for the day at VibeClass South Miami. I was given a monitor to wear throughout my session to view my heart rate, time and calories burned.Jennifer guided me through every station, providing tips and instructions on each of the movements. This was my first time using the vibrating platforms, so this method was all new to me. I workout about six times a week by doing strength-training, spinning and other various methods, but I have never come across vibrating platforms.My session started off on the treadmill to warm-up, before I progressed to the 10 stations consisting of triceps, abs, back, pushups and more, for three rounds.VibeClass South Miami is open Monday- Saturday, offering various membership options and the first session free. For more info check out: www.vibeclass.com.

From the creator of Fitbox Method comes a new lifestyle workout concept called Cyclebox. "Unlike the rest of indoor cycling studios, Cyclebox focuses on comradorary instead of competition," says Avidan Edelsberg, creator of Fitbox Method and Cyclebox. "You will share the experience and be motivated by a positive room of riders all aimed at the same goal."

*Read: 10 Miami Gyms You Need to Try in 2017*

Cyclebox takes a step back and focuses on what made indoor cycling a popular trend, “Club Music." At Cyclebox, you will dance away calories with your teammates in front of a giant 150-inch screen showcasing the best sound tracks, music festivals and concerts.

"Our studio is nightlife inspired, with a total acoustic glow in the dark room," boasts Edelsberg.

Classes at Cyclebox are primarily aimed at burning calories, but also provide a full body workout, including upper body strength, training while using aerobic weights and shadow boxing.

"Our goal is to make you sweat and burn calories without noticing how hard you've been working," states Edelsberg. "We want to make you feel like you just came out of a night club after dancing all night."

Classes are 45 minutes in length, and will be taught by some of the industry's most talented instructors. Prices will range between $6 - $12 with membership, and $14 - $25 with packages.

Don't miss the soft opening on May 8th, with the grand opening coming in June. For more information, visit www.fitboxmethod.com.

In front of a fierce, smart, and saucy army of women, stands Janet Jones: confident, fearless and ready to put the Vixen’s to work.The Miami native, and mastermind behind the sexiest dance workout in the industry, is a prime example of the great success that can occur when you finally decide to step up to the plate regardless of anyone’s opinion.“Don’t listen to society,” said Jones. “Focus on discovering who you truly are without the noise of who you’re supposed to be.”Vixen Workout, an all women’s dance workout that makes you feel like you are an on-stage performer, was created by Jones in 2012. Since then, it has expanded to make women feel sexy, confident and powerful in New York, the Dominican Republic and LA.But like all the good things in life, this wisdom did not come without a price. At the age of 30, Jones found herself moving back into her mother’s house with a child after being laid off from her previous job.“I was at rock bottom,” explained Jones, who is not one to stay down for long.From this personal struggle, the Vixen Workout was born, along with the greatest lesson of her life, “I’m not afraid to lose it all because I know I’ll start over and kill it again.”Jones is an inspiration for young women and entrepreneurs alike. She is defying the status quo by focusing on her personal development rather than her competitors. The sheer content of the quotes that came from our conversation are proof that she is the epitome of what it means to be a vixen.“Cultivate self-awareness” said Jones. “Because inside you have all the treasures and tools you need to find happiness within yourself and in your career.”To get a taste of what it takes to be a Vixen, make sure to pass by their new studio in Wynwood opening May 1st.For more information visit, www.vixenworkout.com.

"Getting you in, and getting you out,” that’s the motto Bodytek Fitness lives by. In just 60-minutes, you’re burning fat, strengthening muscle and improving your endurance, because let’s face it, sometimes the gym is the last place you have time to attend.Bodytek Fitness likes to keep the energy vibrant and the music loud. Whether you’re hitting the free weights, rowing, utilizing that TRX strap, or taking advantage of the equipment, you are bound to get an incredible workout. They pride themselves in never repeating a workout, because when you use every muscle group, you're bound to shed the pounds and gain that muscle.In 60-minutes, your body will push itself to limits you didn't believe existed, surrounded by others who are working hard to achieve their own goals – talk about #Fitspiration!The trainers at Bodytek Fitness are there to accommodate your needs, and can scale the workout to your fitness level, helping you to get the most out of your 60-minute “sweat sesh.”Bodytek Fitness now has three locations – Wynwood, Davie and Wilton Manors. So start working on that summer body, and go check out Bodytek Fitness – the first class is free!For more information, visit http://www.bodytekfitness.com/.

In 2007, Myk Likhov founded Miami’s Green Monkey Yoga because he wanted to make yoga accessible to the Miami mainstream. Last year, he launched Modern ŌM, which has a mission of doing the same for meditation through their underground meditation community The 7.I had the opportunity to sit for a guided meditation in the Modern ŌM loft after our chat and was blown away. Sitting for 15 minutes in my own home feels like an eternity. Sitting for 45 minutes surrounded by members of my community, guided by an awesome teacher went by quickly, and seemed much more impactful.Adding to the experience, Myk offered us all a post-sit tea and we had the opportunity to stick around and talk about our experiences of both the wonders and challenges of meditation.

1. You have a background in economics and business. How did you come to start a meditation-focused business?

My lifelong passion is personal development. My whole life I’ve been reading books on both eastern and western spirituality, and the reading led to my yoga and meditation practices.My foray into the business of spirituality began right before I entered Wharton. My mom sent me to a 3-day session with two karmic astrologers in Vermont. I went to humor her, but I had some pretty profound spiritual experiences there. At the end, they kind of gave me the idea to go into the spirituality business.

2. How long have you been practicing yoga?

I’ve been practicing yoga 2-3 times a week since I was 20. I completed two teacher trainings: one with with Paul Toliuszis, now of Tropical Vinyasa, and one with Rossella Rossi to deepen my practice and to connect with the Green Monkey Yoga teachers. I also subbed a few classes in the early days of Green Monkey.

3. How did Green Monkey impact Miami’s yoga community?

Green Monkey Yoga helped bring yoga to the mainstream. We made yoga really accessible and community-driven. It helped to shine a light on that aspect of wellness and making it non-threatening.

*Read: Miami's Best Yoga Studios - Where to Practice in 2017*

Green Monkey allowed people who were interested in yoga, but maybe hadn’t tried it, to be suddenly very open to the practice.

4. What is Modern ŌM?

The mission of Modern ŌM is to make mindfulness accessible through product, practice, and community. It’s exciting because we are on the cutting edge of mindfulness not only in Miami, but also nationally and globally. Making these practices palatable and relatable is a really big deal, because we can help a lot of people.

5. Aren’t yoga and mindfulness the same thing?

Mindfulness is a set of practices and attitudes that are not dissimilar to yoga, but broader than yoga. Mindfulness can be applied to many areas of life —you can eat mindfully, exercise mindfully, speak mindfully, work mindfully… people can incorporate this set of practices into so many things that they do.

6. What is the Modern ŌM community like?

Modern ŌM started with the launch of the products and then I realized that people really need to experience the practices, so I started an underground meditation community. I’ve always sort of been the ringleader in life, the party was always at my house. The party is still at my house, only this time it’s a meditation.

7. What do the colors behind the Modern ŌM products mean?

The product line represents intentionality. Modern OM products have 7 intentions (such as Vitality, Compassion, Connection…) that correlate to the body’s chakras (energy centers). Because the chakra system can be a bit esoteric and complex, we made them more accessible by reconsidering the chakras as intentions and colors and bringing them into everyday objects that remind people of who they want to be and how they want to live.

8. Tell me about your own meditation practice?

I meditate at least once a day for at least 12 minutes at a time. I also attend all of the bi-weekly sits of The 7. Meditation can be really powerful when practiced in a group, there is almost a tribal element to a community setting that allows people to connect in a more meaningful way.

9. Can everyone benefit from meditation?

Yes. Meditation is hugely beneficial in this world that we live in because we’re always so stressed, anxious and over stimulated. It can help people find a deeper understanding of who they are, which helps them choose to release thoughts and emotions that aren’t serving them. Meditation becomes a tool that is useful in all areas of life and the longer you spend with the practice, the more accessible the tool will be.

10. What are you excited about right now?

I’m really excited about our upcoming Mass Meditation at Brickell City Center that will take place on Earth Day. My friends and teachers Luchi Estevez and Jennifer Grace will be leading the meditation. There will be 1,000 people there – the largest event of its kind. And it’s free! Get tickets.

The badass in me honors the badass in you. As Hip-Hop and Meditation class concludes, feelings of restoration, euphoria and satisfaction fill my mind. This yoga class has whooped my bad ass.The Buddha Shack is the synergy of opposites: cozy yet minimalistic, stylish yet homey and glamorous yet it doesn’t make you feel out of place in yoga pants and a sport bra.The two Co-Founders, Christina Echavarria and Jenna Guadagni, opened the Shack March 1st and it is already gaining a strong loyal Coconut Grove fan base.

“This space is a gift for the community, where we can all work on becoming better versions of ourselves,” says Echavarria, who is intent on creating a hub where yogis and non-yogis alike can come together, socialize and get their Buddha Burn practice on.“We want people to sit on the couch, have coffee and talk about what they do,” adds Guadagni, whose passion is to configure classes where yogic tradition meets modern-day-needs. “I wanted to create a workout where this is all you have to do," and she does it with ease.2lbs weights, mountain climbers and squat hops combined with meditation and synchronized breathing, creates a yoga class where our cardiovascular, strength and flexibility needs are all met.

Jenna is the yin, as she coordinates the yoga program and creates fat-burning and innovative classes, while Christina is the yang, as she runs the business and retail. These #girlbosses want to help the community find their inner voice, peace of mind and confidence.The Buddha Shack is a unique experience worth trying, if you enjoy being part of a tight-knit community that you connect with on the mat over a Vinyasa, or in the lounge area over a glass of champagne.If you live in the 33133, take advantage of their April special, where certain classes will be free for residents of this area.For more information, visit http://www.buddhashack.co/.

For fitness enthusiasts, Miami has it all. The year-round beautiful weather has helped Miami and the Beaches blossom into one of the premier fitness destinations in the country and certainly on the East Coast. So if you are traveling to Miami and looking to sweat off that mojito, here are a few places we recommend checking out that will give you a little taste of Miami.January – MarchThe cool weathered early Winter months of Miami make it ideal to stop by Key Biscayne. The Rickenbacker Causeway is one of the most popular places in Miami to bike and run, providing one of the best views of Downtown and Brickell in the city. Crandon Park is a great place to make a pit stop for a break or to double down on your "sweat sesh" with a little bodyweight boot camp.

*Read: 25 Miami Fitness Trainers You Need to Follow*

April – JuneMargaret Pace Park is neatly located in the friendly neighborhood of Edgewater that is booming with fitness activity. The Venetian Causeway is right there in case you feel like biking or running over to Miami Beach. Along the way, get great views of Biscayne Bay and the city that you’ll never forget.

*Read: 10 Miami Gyms You Need to Try*

July – SeptemberSouth Pointe Park is one of the coolest spots in Miami. First, it’s tucked away in a surprisingly quiet little neighborhood on Miami Beach which locals refer to as “South of Fifth.” The Park has it all: open green spaces where you are sure to find a group fitness class you can drop-in, and an excellent walking/running/biking path you can follow all the way alongside Miami Beach for a number of blocks North. If that’s not enough, sit back and watch the cruise ships sail pass Fisher Island from the Port of Miami.

*Read: Miami's Best Yoga Studios - Where to Practice*

October – DecemberMiami wouldn’t be the incredible city it is without all of the art, culture and food. Nowhere in the city can you find more of that than in Wynwood. The neighborhood has a “can’t-miss” vibe to it, so we highly recommend biking through this gem during your visit to Miami. See all of the giant artistic murals as you sweat off that artisanal spirit you just gulped down before popping in one of the many healthy eateries the neighborhood boasts.For some great sports and fitness events and offers, take advantage of Miami Sports & Wellness Month by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Eat, sleep, work - that is the typical day for most of the population. Many of us will even throw ‘workout’ into the mix, yet still, something is missing. Meditation.Innergy Meditation is the first studio of it’s kind, opening their doors in the heart of South Beach. Their intention, make meditation mainstream.Many hear the word ‘meditation’ and think - sitting in an uncomfortable pretzel pose on a pillow on the floor, surrounded by incense, with your hand making o’s and chanting ‘ommmmmm’ for a ridiculous amount of time. Maybe even monks in long cloaks come to mind.Innergy Meditation is here to advocate for the practice of mediation, and how even just three minutes of meditating can impact your day-to-day well-being, and ultimately, your life.Nine years ago, Innergy Meditation Founder Paul Silitsky was leading a successful technology firm when he lost his voice – literally, lost his voice to spasmodic dysphonia.“For three years essentially, I lost my voice,” recalls Silitsky. “It gave me the ability to be more understanding. This happened and it led me to really realize that we are all very unique, but we’re all the same. We all have three things in common - we want to be listened to, we want to be loved, and we want to feel connected.”The impact meditation had on Paul's life and well-being is what lead to the creation of Innergy Meditation. Paul and his teams intention is to get meditation the reputation it deserves, by making it accessible to everyone and have it find a place in your daily routine, even for just a minutes."I will not start a day without meditating, because I’m important, and I have to take care of me. So if 3-minutes of meditation is all I do, so be it,” says Silitsky.Over the next few years, Innergy Meditation plans to open 108 studios in urban areas, reaching out to the community, schools and companies. Classes are offered for individuals in all places of their meditation journey, and are instructed by some of the most influential and passionate humans in the community.Tap into your true essence and connect with who you are during a 30-minute “Heart30” class, or opt for the “Quickie20” on those days when time is limited, but that inner peace needs some love.For more information, visit http://www.innergymeditation.com/.

Creating an experience beyond another day at the gym is the name of the game for the guys at Wynwood’s newest sweaty endeavor-- Wynwell. LA bred Owner, Asher Burris, saw a gap and has set out to fill it. Not just in the Wynwood neighborhood or even Miami, but in the ever-evolving fitness industry as a whole.“I always try to say, what’s the biggest problem and how can we create a solution,” says Burris. This translates into a few things— creating a work-out environment built around connection to yourself, your community and void any suffering in the state of wellbeing, empowering our school systems and work places, and creating a future blueprint on how spaces need to become smart to name a few.Wynwell is a lifestyle brand with a mission to improve the overall well-being of our community in five domains: career, social, physical, community and financial.“A lot of people achieve, a lot of people win, but they don’t do it with meaning and fulfillment—I’m trying to improve your lifestyle,” says Burris. Serious shit, right? “Go to when you’re 80 years old, how do you want to move?”Through your workout you’ll hear queues on your body control, posture, and alignment making you aware of your body’s structure in a way that may be new to you and most likely walk away not just having had a kick-ass work-out, but actually learning something.When doing the research as to where Burris would set up shop, the decision was easy. “Wynwood is easily the heartbeat, the pulse, of the whole city of Miami. The heartbeat, innovation, creativity, community, it adds to a lot of really core pieces of your lifestyle-- the art, music, food. So for us it was a no brainer,” adds Burris.

As our world continues to become environmentally conscious, so should the places we go to manifest a healthier, more fit, even sexier version of ourselves.The moment you step in the warehouse, it’s obvious much thought and detail went into creating the space. Your senses are greeted by custom aromatherapy and walls with proverbs to motivate you through your work out.The room is open for endless workout possibilities and not a single electricity-guzzling machine is in sight. Equipment like spin bikes and rowers hide behind walls for optimal space. Repurposed shipping containers fill the corners serving as a place to kick back and catch your breath post-sweat with flooring made of recycled tires and live greenery adding just the right amount of color.What you don’t see is the air, water, light, and other concepts that meet the expectations of The WELL Building Standard™ and The Wellness Habitat Company. The dedication to creating a smart, healthy, livable and eventually workable space is real. “We’re out to really shake things up!” Burris states.The Move x Well Class schedule rotates daily through cardio, weights, body weight Pilates, and on Saturday’s ‘the unknown’ six days a week starting as early as 6:00 am. Check out their app and Instagram to stay connected.Move x well. Work x well. Live x well. Wyn x well.

As I turn onto the Rickenbacker Causeway for my first class at Code of Life, a sign greets me and I instantly feel excited: 'Welcome to Key Biscayne - Island Paradise." With sparkling sun-kissed turquoise water as far as the eye can see, beautiful green trees and tons of fitness enthusiasts jogging, cycling and walking dogs, I feel as if I've entered some futuristic society that epitomises healthy living. I could certainly get used to mornings like this!

Located on the second floor of a quaint little shopping section of Key Biscayne, Code of Life is ideally situated for those looking to work on their mind, body and spirit. And with its close proximity to Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and acres of untouched nature preserves, it's a beautiful setting for a workout away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Classes are intimate and the instructors are incredibly warm and relaxed, adding to the island vibe!

Notable Classes

Barre: I absolutely LOVE Code of Life's Barre studio because there are mirrors EVERYWHERE! Use them to perfect your form or to sneak glances at your classmates or instructor! It's a great motivational tool when your shaking legs feel like they'll measure 9.0 on the Richter Scale! The classes are fast-paced, endorphin boosting and FUN!! The beginning of my class with Francine felt like an 80s jazzercize video and I couldn't stop smiling! I was drippppppping with sweat and if my ass could cry it would!!

Pilates Reformer: For those who have spent time in a pilates studio before you'll know there are some reformers which lay flat on the floor (ie no "table legs.") I've found that these machines conjure up zen-like feelings of tranquility (maybe it's being grounded... literally) so I was really glad to see them at Code of Life. They immediately set the tone for a class that allowed me to mentally unwind and decompress while getting a great workout and focusing on my postural alignment, flexibility and core strength.

Code of Life also has THE BEST (and I mean BEST) athleisure clothing shop. So if the tranquil island vibe and amazing classes haven't reeled you in ... GO FOR THE SHOP!!!

For a full list of classes call, email or visit their website.

Code of Life

328 Crandon Blvd

Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Tel: 1-(305)-490-4201

Email: info@code-of-life.com

Web: www.code-of-life.com

Social: @code.of.life

I recently had the opportunity to work out both popular South Florida Fit Shop locations; the new Fit Shop Ft. Lauderdale location in Flagler Village, and the North Miami Beach location, just off the hustle and a bustle of Biscayne Blvd on Dixie Highway.The Fit Shop offers four different types of high intensity fitness classes: Supercharge, Tune-Up, Turbo, and Burnout each which incorporate kickboxing, performance training, and boot camp aspects.The philosophy that I identified most with is Fit Shop’s focus on mental alignment and balance. Positive self-talk is all the rage here and is evident at the beginning of class with positive intention setting.I am all about the holistic approach to fitness. As a Registered Dietitian, I encourage positive self-talk and I emphasize balance in the maintenance of healthy eating patterns with fitness regimens.I had the pleasure of taking the Fit Shop FTL's “Tune-Up” class at 9:00am Tuesday morning (which was that and much more!), and the Thursday NBM “Supercharge” 6:15pm class.

*Read: 6 Exercises That Will Tune-Up Your Legs*

The “Tune-Up” class was a great way to get my Tuesday morning started – also love the fresh smell of lavender which filled the air (nice touch guys). Coach Adriane Abraham killed us with quick, fun and intense rounds, characterized with the use of kettlebells, rowers, stationary bikes and TRX bands. Geared as a boot camp style class, the “Tune-Up” class is just the right fit for overall fitness performance and toning!Thursday’s “Supercharge” class was a whole other story. A combo between the “Tune-Up” and “Burnout,” incorporating kickboxing, the “Supercharge” class is power and endurance focused! I have to admit, this was my very first kickboxing experience. It had always been on my list of things to try and I am so glad I tried it at Fit Shop first… it was AWESOME! Seriously so much fun… I want MORE!Speaking with Coach Adriane after class, you can feel her passion exuding as she speaks about what has brought her to this point in her career. She loves what she has created and is striving to bring fitness, motivation and balance to everyone who steps foot on the tarp of both Fit Shop locations.The Fit Shop North Miami Beach2066 NE 155th StreetNorth Miami Beach, FL 33162(786) 916-6930The Fit Shop Fort Lauderdale729 NE 2nd AveFort Lauderdale, FL 33304(954) 769-1885