TONE: A different kind of workout experience BY JOHANN HAMILTON TONE, a boutique Pilates studio specializing in one-on-one attention and training, is the go-to place for Astoria residents looking for a different kind of workout experience. The studio, located at 36-19 Broadway and founded by Jessica Hope Restrepo and Alicia Lavender, is designed to separate itself from other similar businesses by establishing a friendly, intimate relationship with its customers. “I’ve worked at other studios and I can say that we are the best,” said Restrepo. “Alicia and I have been teaching for over 10 years, and I firmly believe that a class with nine or so people is more productive than a crowded one. As one teacher you can only focus on so many people at a time.” Restrepo and Lavender opened TONE’s doors in 2012, and recently celebrated its anniversary with a special sale. TONE offers classes in Pilates, BEAUTY TIPS BEACH SEASON IS UPON US 19 advertorial Ok, so I waited what seemed like an eternity to enjoy the springtime, and as usual it seems to have gone straight to Mr. Summertime. At this point, we usually switch our wardrobe because like most New Yorkers we have an issue with space. Now with our Little Maxime, we have an even bigger issue with space, as it seems that his clothing even surpasses mine these days! What I noticed during the change over is that my clothes either shrunk last year or I GAINED WEIGHT! And, although My Voice of Reason assures me it is still my shedding of the last baby pounds from having Maxime in November last year, like everyone, I want to look great in shorts and wear a bikini on the beach. And you know what - I will. It indeed helps that I have a spa full of wonder products and treatments, but like they say, “a shoemaker never has time for his own shoes.” So on that note, I wanted to share with everyone some simple ways to like the way you look in those short shorts and bikini. Just a simple way to begin to have a body that looks and FEELS good on the outside is to remember to exfoliate your skin. My clients will come to me with concerns of acne that surfaces on their backs during this time of the year, usually due to the extreme heat. That is something that you can usually keep under control by using a body brush, before you jump in the shower, to get rid of the dry skin. Also, for other areas of the body that are dry or have dry patches, get smooth looking skin by dry brushing or using an exfoliating mitt. If you want to make a luxury treatment for yourself, mix some sugar, grapeseed oil or jojoba oil, and maybe some essential oil, like peppermint, for a cooling sensation on a hot day. This will also leave your skin feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. The effects of exfoliating are really amazing, leaving your skin clean, smooth and renewed and allowing your lotion of choice to actually have the chance to penetrate moisture into the skin. People often forget that the skin is our largest organ, and needs shedding in order to treat any conditions. It becomes like an empty canvas, and gives you the chance to finally start fighting off cellulite and stretch marks with the right creams. That brings me to the real concern that many people face during bikini season, that ugly word- CELLULITE. Many professionals argue that there aren’t many treatments that you can use to prevent or treat cellulite or stretch marks, but I disagree based on the clients that I have treated. I have been fortunate to learn from some great teachers that you can get treatments that may not be overnight fixes but, with time, will give you the results you desire. In Columbia and other South American countries it is extremely popular to have massages, body wraps, cavitation, and radio frequency to treat such concerns. They are normally done in sessions at most beauty spas, and are a commitment between the client and the beauty professional. Having a good body wrap with exfoliation and mud containing algae will help with water retention and cellulite at the same time. So I leave you with my final thought: everyone has issues with their body, but remember being happy and peaceful is often times the best treatment you can get. So, with any treatment that you decide to get or give yourself - RELAX, ENJOY, AND BREATHE. Your desired results will only be enhanced from those simple yet DIFFICULT three words. Have fun exploring what treatment will work best for you and at the end of the day, get to the beach and WEAR THAT BIKINI. The Cosmetical Junkie and her Voice of Reason Angelena and Benjamin Lucheux Surfset, kettlebells, private equipment, and more. In addition, they also offer nutrition counseling and cardio classes. Because the studio is specifically tailored to have a “family” feel, the only outlet is in Astoria. However, future expansion is possible, as long as TONE is able to maintain the same level of highly personal relationships with its customers. “Our ultimate goal is to make more locations, but we don’t want to lose the intimacy,” said Restrepo. “We’ve talked about it and we’re weighing the options, as long as we’re able to find another team who would be able to maintain the same level of connection with our customers as we do.” TONE is a one-of-a-kind workout experience that can only be accomplished when led by a professional team of dedicated experts, which is exactly what TONE provides. They guarantee that you will be pushed to your limits, and that you will walk out of each session feeling transformed. TONE is open every day of the week, and sessions can be scheduled anytime between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. For more information visit their website at www.toneny.com or call 347-730-6057.
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