A year ago, I changed things up.  Having always worked in marketing & events for fashion magazines and luxury brands where the day-to-day is beyond demanding, I needed to create some new space.  I wanted a place where I could write about what I want, and just let my hair down and be myself.  In the process, I have learned more than a thing or two about the digital and social worlds (before STRENGTH+Sole, I had never put forth a single Tweet!). I have also, I hope, helped old friends, new friends, family and co-workers discover places, ways and reasons to work out–and work their closet.

They’re no longer alive, but, my grandparents were my biggest fans, long before social media. They lived ten minutes away for most of my life. In these photos, you’ll see my grandmother’s wedding ring, which I wear on my left index finger. Every so often, whether I’m at a business meeting or out on a date, searching for the right guy, wherever he may be, I look down and think of her. And, also, of my grandfather–an eternal optimist and entrepreneur, whose life motto was, “The time is now.” This gives me hope.

So, here’s to STRENGTH+Sole. Here’s to you. Thanks for reading, commenting, clicking and supporting the work that I love most. And, to my grandparents. Everything that I do is for–and because of–them, too.

Aqua Dress; Rebecca Taylor Coat; Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes.

Photos by Sean Williams/studioARC; shot at Billy’s Bakery, Chelsea.

The process of writing this blog has opened my mind to not only testing my limits through new workouts and innovative activities, but, also re-visiting those of my past.

Introducing Lyons Den Power Yoga, now open on Church Street, across from the perennially chic Tribeca Grand.

Founder Bethany Lyons is a classically trained ballet dancer and Master Instructor at SoulCycle (she’s one of a hand-selected few from the very beginning, and, if you know Soul and how it has overtaken cycling from Brooklyn to Beverly Hills, you know that’s a big deal). Inspired by Baptiste Yoga, her studio is the only one of its kind in NYC.

Lyons Den is a small, cozy space three floors up. Still under construction, the building-in-progress somehow matches Bethany’s grounded personality.

Bethany & Josie, the de facto Lyons Den mascot. (Notice the front desk doggie door!)

I signed up for a class called “Power Flow,” a creative interpretation of the Baptiste “Journey into Power” sequence. I had no idea what that meant. Do you? I’ll break it down: Baron Baptiste is an actual man. And, he comes from a family who studied the teachings of Krishnamacharya (the original yogi). But, that’s where the new age-y stuff stops. The key to “power yoga” is accessibility–followers of all ages and backgrounds are invited to participate, and, feel empowered, through strength of body and spirit, to lead in their lives. Plus, it’s hot: 90-95 degrees (but, less than Bikram’s 105+).

As a beginner, I found the class to be both comforting and challenging. It has a consistent rhythm and it’s relatively easy to follow. Asana (poses) to know: Upward-Facing Dog, Downward-Facing Dog, High Plank, Low Plank, Pigeon, Triangle, Warrior I and Warrior II. Chants were limited to a few “om”s at the beginning and end.  After several poses, I was literally dripping in sweat, even more so than in cycling class. If you have your own mat, bring it. I was glad to have mine.

After 60 minutes, I can say that I was never bored, I didn’t miss the bike, I felt concentrated and calm. Bethany’s Midwestern accent is soothing and her presence as an instructor is spot-on, serious with a few silly moments in between.  In her words, she “shows up big” and asks that students do the same.

My take? At Lyons Den, there is definitely joy and peace to be found, long after the holidays are done.

Lyons Den Power Yoga: 279 Church Street, NYC

My friend Tara and I went to see her 30th anniversary show, “She’s So Unusual.”  And…she is.

When we gathered backstage, Cyndi was dressed entirely in black leather and lace with long, fire engine-red hair and bright red lips.  For the crowd, she performed all of the songs from the latest album, including classics that we know, love (and to which we can’t help but sing along): “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “All Through the Night,” “Time After Time” and “True Colors,” mixed with funny anecdotes and insider stories (told in her high-pitched, squeaky speaking voice) about life and love.

In the beginning stages of the relationship with her now-husband, actor David Thornton, he accidentally broke a small clock in her Upper East Side walk up, when it fell off a table and onto the floor.  He quickly brought her a replacement (from his mom’s house), which was so old and so loud.  It drove her crazy while trying to fall asleep.  But, she had to keep it, so as not to hurt his feelings, they had just met.  Every night, before bed, she locked it in the bathroom, inside the shower and behind the curtain, all the way across the apartment.  But, she could still hear it.

And, so, the lyrics of “Time After Time”: “Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you…”

It was a fun, girly and upbeat night.  More than a few of Cyndi’s songs are on heavy rotation in my workout/cooldown playlists.
cyndilauper.com

P.S. Katy Perry’s “Prism” comes out tomorrow! (And, yes, I am fully planning my get-on-stage strategy for when her tour comes to town.)

With a kaleidoscope of colors, Waking is a can’t-miss.  And, in a neighborhood buzzing with creativity, culture, innovation & artfully-dressed pedestrians, it’s perfectly at home–day and night.

Waking:
Through October 1.
Billboard next to the High Line, 18th Street & 10th Avenue
art.thehighline.org/project/gilbertandgeorge/

I exercised every day: cycling at SoulCycle and Revolve, cross training at Equinox or running in Hudson River Park.

“Ringo” (Japanese for “apple”) is artist Reina Kubota’s personal love letter to the city of New York, on the Hudson River at 66th Street.  Couldn’t agree more.

Post-workout, I cooled off with Ralph’s watermelon/berry combo, from the popular walk-up window near Gramercy Park–one of my favorite spots in the city.

And, I blew out candles on the amazing Birthday Cake from Momofuku Milk Bar surrounded by good friends and family to celebrate mine.  (There was one slice left, it was THAT good!)

Best of all, I spent lots of time strolling around the city with my dog, in comfy tees paired with jean shorts and crazy colorful sundresses.

This is one of my all-time favorite dresses, the “Annette” by Trashy Diva, a keepsake from a special weekend in New Orleans.

Far from exotic, but, out-of-this-world fun.

Back to reality tomorrow!

Top: Forever 21, Denim: LOFT (similar here), Heels: Jimmy Choo (old), Rings: RAGEN (right) and vintage (left), Sunglasses: David Yurman (similar here).

The rock climbing wall, a highlight of REI’s Adventure Zone in Soho.

Test riding Shimano Click’r CW40 Bike Shoes: a sneaker-meets-cycling shoe. These are great for bike commuters (you can walk normally on the ground once unclipped) and gym goers who want to spin then hit the free weights without a change of shoe.

Artsy at the Mondrian Soho.

Park Avenue totally got down with Crunch. Love him.

See you next Saturday!

1) Run hard at the 100 on 100, my (quickly upcoming) 100-mile relay race through the heart of Vermont on 8/17.
2) Challenge myself in semi-scary, new ways: starting with the Zip Line at Summer Streets this Saturday, it’s time to go big or go home.
3) Beat the “30-day countdown” birthday blues.  I share my big day with Beyoncé, so, this year, I’m trying to rock it with her same sense of confidence and gratitude.

A last look (for now) at the jewels by RAGEN.

That birthday list just keeps getting longer…

On three Saturdays in August, runners, bikers and rollerbladers rule the road from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park (East 72nd Street) on Park Avenue.  This year’s events are August 3, 10 and 17 (mark your calendars now, 7am-1pm), and, in true New York City fashion, the DOT will up the ante with a host of artsy new features and sporty activities:

For the first time ever, the Park Avenue Tunnel will be open to pedestrians via Voice Tunnel, an interactive light and sound installation.  Spotlights within the tunnel will be influenced by the volume of people’s voices as they pass through from 33rd to 40th Streets.

In Soho, there will be a rock climbing wall as part of REI’s Adventure Zone.

And, in Midtown, fitness classes by Reebok and CrossFit demos.

A few of my favorite photos from past Summer Streets…

Remember the container pools, right outside Grand Central?

And, of course, no Summer Streets is complete without a full-on feast at Whole Foods’ City Picnic at 25th Street.  Any opportunity to eat gelato…I partake.

This summer, I’m most excited about the Zip Line downtown at Foley Square.  My last one was exactly five years ago in Mendoza, Argentina with two of my best friends.  It was both kinda crazy and crazy fun.  I’m a little afraid of heights (as you know from here), but, hey, ya only go around once.  Who’s with me?

If you’re in, let’s do it together.  Comment here or email me: strengthandsolenyc@gmail.com.