The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Gracie Eisenberg

Hot Yoga… Hotter Than Ever at the New ‘Sweat New York’ in Pleasantville!

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Interested in trying hot yoga? Then you should visit Sweat New York, a newly opened hot yoga facility in Pleasantville. Even though Sweat New York has only been open since August, they already have a quickly growing community that encourages people at all levels to join.

When you walk into the studio’s space, a warm and calming aura and lit candles throughout the room create a sense of relaxation. After you take off your footwear and socks, you are given a towel and then head into the main room to start the session. Anyone feeling like they need a break during the session can step out of the room and once ready, they can come back and rejoin the class without judgment. When the class is over, you are left with a huge sense of accomplishment and feel invigorated, say owners Merrill Hollander and Jonathan Harris. We wanted to learn more so Merrill answered the following questions:

What are the health benefits of Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga has countless benefits. So many studies have shown that yoga decreases stress and depressive symptoms. It also promotes heart health – and so much more. A typical class will be guided by our expertly trained instructors; their passion for what they do is apparent. The classes not only provide a relaxing environment but also offer an excellent workout. The increased heat provided during the class is also a great way to lose water weight safely and healthfully.

What are the cost and options for joining?

There are many different levels of commitment at Sweat. For those who have the time and cannot live without hot yoga, Sweat New York offers memberships that cost $295 per month in exchange for unlimited yoga classes. Many different class package options include our sKulpt classed led by Karen Mitchell, a former Rockette and Radio City Choreographer! Karen’s classes offer a unique experience that are different from our set Vinyasa Yoga sequence. Her classes are challenging and inspiring. All of our classes are geared to all levels of fitness and experience.

Merrill Hollander and Jonathan Harris with Wendy

What led to you opening up Sweat in Pleasantville?

Jonathan has been a hot yoga loyalist for 10+ years and when we bought a home in Pleasantville, he felt there was an opportunity to bring his experiences from Arizona to our community. He visited many other studios but always missed the set sequence he had become accustomed to in his hometown of Phoenix – he missed the culture, the results, and the benefits of the heat.

Will you be offering shorter classes for hot yoga beginners?

We have an intro class that allows our clients to get to know our sequence in a less heated environment; however, a set sequence limits the opportunity for shortening the length of the class. There are so many benefits to SET sequencing – clarity, confidence development, moving meditation, measuring your progress, and structure to name a few. We respect and appreciate the 60 minutes our clients dedicate to us and their workouts: We want to always deliver what they need, know, and expect.

What is your favorite part of owning and operating Sweat?

Meeting new clients, seeing the most dedicated customers daily, and receiving feedback. Good or bad, we welcome what our clients want to share with us. We built the studio for the community, and we want to always grow and improve. Also, providing a space for our amazing instructors to do what they love, we always knew that building this studio would mean nothing without the best instructors; they are all so passionate and experienced – we LOVE watching them do their thing.

Are you offering any classes for teenagers?

Yes! We recently hosted a group of 7th graders from Pleasantville Middle School, it was a two-week program and the girls LOVED it. Some of the Pleasantville Football players have attended a few classes as well – it is a perfect balance to the strenuous weight lifting and cardio programs they partake in throughout the season. Our classes are intended to be inclusive of all levels and ages.

For more in-depth information about Sweat, and to book a class, please visit Sweat’s website at sweatnewyork.com.

Discover ‘The Memory Circle’: A Space for the Grieving to Gather

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Editor’s Note: War and unrest in Israel and Gaza has most of the world experiencing collective and universal grief. We are in fact, in the midst of a grief pandemic. Where do we go to explore these feelings and emotions? We thought The Memory Circle might be one such place. – Grace

Barri Leiner Grant at Bedford Memorial Park on National Grief Awareness Day                       Inside Press Photo

Barri Leiner Grant is the self-proclaimed, Chief Grief Officer™ and founder of The Memory Circle. Grant left her career as a publicist and reporter to pursue full-time work as a Certified Grief Coach and educator. Grant has studied with the leading names in the grief space, including certification with Claire Bidwell Smith, Hope Edelman and David Kessler. She combines her writing background and yoga/meditation training to craft a one-of-its-kind way forward. She believes with her grief-tending techniques, we can better honor death and non-death loss.

Grant explains that she started ‘The Memory Circle’ as a place and space where you could gather–whether it’s been a day or a decade that you’ve experienced loss of any incarnation. She believes that “by sitting shoulder to shoulder with others who have experienced loss you create a wisdom exchange. A little bit of your story could help someone else, and their words, help your healing journey”.

While not a therapist, she has developed grief informed services she calls ‘grief tending’. “Just like you would weed or water a garden, we need a regular practice and tool kit to process loss,” she said.

As the holidays approach, Grant emphasizes how important it is to reframe the holidays in a way that feels right for us. “Writing your lost loved one (or ones) a letter around the holidays can be a beautiful tradition. It creates a continuing bond. A lot of my work is based on writing and processing through writing.”

“The holidays can bring up a lot of feelings of missing loved ones, or if we have ever experienced, let’s say a job loss, we may have less funding around the holidays for the kind of gifts that we used to give. If we’ve experienced a friendship loss, we may be feeling that over the holidays. Death and non-death losses alike can spike grief during celebratory times.”

“Be with what feels good to you,” states Grant, “which may mean that the day is not about gathering as you used to. Maybe the day can be about creating a new tradition. Think about reframing events in a way that feels like it will be comfortable for you. Sometimes that means saying yes or no to being included in somebody else’s celebration. Sometimes that means if your loved one was the place where you always went for that celebration, maybe it means making it your own home. Perhaps, you will volunteer somewhere and donate your time.”

Grant recently hosted a National Grief Awareness Day in Bedford Hills as an opportunity to explore ways in which we could come together as a community. Angie Cartwright started this day in honor of a loved one that she lost. As a new resident of this area, Grant worked with the Bedford Town Supervisor Ellen Calves to launch the day “to meet our neighbors, help understand their grief, and to help foste support and a feeling of connection.”

Grant notes that it can be very challenging to combine grieving and working. “Overall grief and grieving need a better place to live in modern-day society and especially in the workplace. She suggests inquiring about your company’s bereavement leave policy.

“I believe that everybody deserves to be seen, heard and witnessed in grief–along with paid bereavement leave,” said Grant. “If your company doesn’t have a policy, consider being part of a compassionate leadership effort in creating one.”

Whether at work or at home, introducing and extending compassion for those grieving “is a real gift we can give one another.” For more about Grant and The Memory Circle, visit thememorycircle.com

A Visitor’s Appreciation of the Armonk Outdoor Art Show

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The Armonk Art Show had a fascinating and thought-provoking selection of artwork featured October 1st. The show is known to be one of the best and most popular art events in the country where a myriad of styles of art are showcased and presented by various hand-picked artists, most, award winning.

After the first day was cancelled on account of rain, art enthusiasts arrived en masse for a single (and beautiful, sunny) day to appreciate the considerable diversity of artists from across the country – and even the world – and to enjoy the work of talented local artists right here in Westchester. With activities for area families to enjoy, and many local sponsors and volunteers to meet and greet, including Friends of the North Castle Public Library, the show has become a must do for the community, especially.

If I may offer a personal note: of the many artworks presented, the oil paintings drew my attention the most. Oil paintings are known to be classically beautiful, and that’s exactly what they were–intriguing and stunning to look at!

Whatever your favorite art, I’m certain the show is a source of pride to North Castle residents, just like me.

Back to School Tennis Opportunities at the Armonk Tennis Club

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Where ‘Connection & Consideration’ Rule

Staff at Armonk Tennis Club

Are you seeking a back-to-school tennis course for your child? If so, do consider the well-regarded programming options – and working with highly experienced and caring coaches – at Armonk Tennis Club. There, you’ll find different levels and courses for children ages 4-18 through their Junior Development Program and Armonk International Tennis Academy. There’s an option for any tennis-loving child!

When asked what makes the club’s tennis programs unique, Tennis Director Doug Sherman offered: “The quality of the coaching. And continuity.” He explained further: “We’ve had a lot of the same core coaches around for a while, so they’ve established a lot of good relationships with the players. There’s a level of connection and consideration.” Allie Cooper, a recent Byram Hills High School graduate and longtime player at Armonk Tennis Club adds “I remember my first day at Armonk Tennis with Doug. I was so afraid of disappointing him, but he was so supportive. Now I have a great relationship with him and all of the coaches. I’ve loved getting to bond with them and other players through such a great sport in an equally great community.”

Beau Shea, the club’s Marketing Manager, described different programs offered at Armonk Tennis, as well as at Armonk Indoor Sports Center, which is under the same ownership and therefore works hand in hand to develop junior players.

The Junior Development Program is the foundational course and can be joined by anyone ages 4-16. It is suitable for beginners, players looking to progress at a less demanding pace, or any child looking to focus on fun.

Armonk International Tennis Academy, on the other hand, is a program for players who strive for more competition and challenge. Within the Academy, children ages 7-18 can follow one of two paths. The High Performance path, based at Armonk Indoor, is for tournament-level players, while the Team path is for kids with more modest goals, such as to play on their school tennis team.

For details about upcoming programming and special events, visit armonktennis.com.

In addition, Armonk Tennis Club will accommodate any child with various challenges and special needs and will work with the family to explore the appropriate route to follow.

Overall, Armonk Tennis offers a wide variety of courses for all children who are interested in learning and strengthening their tennis abilities.