Longboat fitness options now include new classes

There is quite a bit of news about fitness classes on Longboat Key this season, led by the return of the mind-body fitness methodology, Nia. And it is back in a big way in three different places with instructors who are new to our town. Gail Condrick is offering classes at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the Longboat Body Retreat in Whitney Plaza and at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center. And the team of Michele D’Ambrosio and Alicia DeMirza is teaching a 5:15 p.m. class on Mondays, at the Longboat Key Education Center.

Also newsworthy is the opening of a fourth venue offering fitness classes. The Longboat Body Retreat is a dual-purpose business owned by aesthetician and licensed massage therapist Jen Crady, a graduate of the Florida College of Natural Health. In addition to Nia, there is a body-structural, alignment-based yoga class at 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The instructor is 200-hour certified Brook Longobardi.

Next on the fitness news front is the advent of late afternoon/evening classes represented by the 5:15 p.m. Nia class at the Education Center and the 6 p.m. yoga class at Longboat Body Retreat. It has been several years since there were classes during this time period, and it’s a valuable option for those whose mornings are devoted to work, tennis or golf.

It has also been several years since there were Nia classes here, most recently in the 2005-06 season. Nia blends yoga, the martial arts and ethnic dance into a single, holistic fitness program. Its 52 movements are inspired by Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido from the martial arts, jazz, Duncan and modern from dance and yoga, Feldenkrais and the Alexander technique from the healing arts. Nia is accessible to all fitness levels and combines cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and range of motion into a single experience. It has spiritual benefits, as well as physical ones. The only difficult thing about Nia is describing it: You have to experience it to understand it.

There are a couple of new fitness classes at the Longboat Key Education Center, beginning with a 9 a.m. Friday class that is a combination of yoga and Pilates, taught by Katherine Pipko, who is a certified instructor in yoga, Pilates and ballroom dance.

Starting Jan. 16, there will be “Dancing Around the World,” taught by Nancy Wilusz and Ellen Bernfield. It promises international folk dancing from countries including Greece, Israel, Poland, Romania, the Scandinavian countries and more. It is gently-paced, low-impact and appropriate for men and women and all fitness levels. No partner is necessary. Wilusz has degrees in music and education from the University of Minnesota; Bernfeld is a professional musician, singer, writer and performer. The Education Center continues to offer yoga at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and a series of Saturday Feldenkrais workshops.

The Longboat Key Bayfront Park Recreation Center also continues its established and popular menu of fitness classes, including Sherry Fideler’s “Muscles & More” and “Young at Heart”; Barbara Anderson’s “Burn-n-Build” and “Power Hour Plus”; and my own Pilates and “Joy of Stretch” yoga classes.

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Fitness Center has remained open during the suspension of hotel operations.

“It is open Monday through Saturday and offers classes daily, and we are eagerly welcoming memberships,” said Colony President and General Manager Katie Moulton. “When the hotel resumes operation (Dec. 18), the fitness center will return to its seven-day-a-week schedule.”

Presently, Robin Zoeller is teaching “Yoga Flow,” “Body Defined,” Mat Science” and Pilates, and Laura Flood is offering a “Fitball” class.

To download the Longboat Key fitness class schedule, click here.

Molly Schechter is an ACE-certified personal trainer, with a specialty in older adult fitness plus YogaFit Instructor Training and Power Pilates™ Mat Certifications. She teaches classes at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center and the Longboat Key Club. E-mail her at [email protected].

IF YOU GO
• Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Call 316-1980. 
• Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Call 383-6464 Ext. 2410.
• Longboat Body Retreat, 6824 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Call 383-3200.
• Longboat Key Education Center, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Call 383-8811.