Get Healthy in the New Year!

3, 2, 1… Happy New Year! Cue the confetti, because 2022 is going to be our BEST year yet. We’re SO ready to hit the ground running as we head back to our weekly dance classes, adult dance and fitness classes, and even planning ahead to our year-end recital. 

The new year is everyone’s favorite time of year to start new goals, especially around fitness and health. But why is NOW the best time? The clean slate that comes with flipping that new calendar open and leaving the past year behind us can be SUPER motivating. So together, let’s capitalize on this time, look forward rather than backwards, and tackle those Fitness goals!

Whether you’re changing your lifestyle and beginning your journey, getting back into your goals after a brief hiatus, or working on maintaining your current rhythm, we are HERE for it! We’ve compiled a list of some GREAT articles to help you start 2022 on the right foot with us. Check them out by clicking each of the titles below!

5 Articles to Help You Get Healthy and Stay Motivated in the New Year:

1. 13 Exercise Motivation Techniques for Helping You Stick to a Workout Routine

Written by Jenny at Self.com, this article has some important reminders for achieving a healthy mindset and sustainable perspective on your Fitness Goals. 

2. 2022 Fitness Trends to Keep You Healthy Throughout The New Year

Join Danielle Valente at My Imperfect Life for some predictions on what fitness trends will look like this year. Spoiler alert, check out Number 9… good thing Positions offers TONS of Adult Dance Classes! 

3. Best Food Resolutions You Can Make in 2022, According to Our Medical Experts

Samantha Boesch at Eat This, Not That is giving us self-affirming and sustainable food goals for the New Year. Let’s leave those toxic, harmful, and harsh self-talk habits behind this year!

4. 7 Health and Wellness Pros Share the New Year’s Resolutions They’ve Actually Stuck With

From more hugs to less sugar, these resolutions that Sarah DiGuilio compiled take a holistic approach to health. 

5. 10 Ways to Stay Motivated and Focused On Fitness Goals

Some simple but important reminders from Meghan at Medi-Dyne for kicking off the New Year and actually sticking with your goals!

Give these articles a read and we’re confident that you’ll find something amazing to focus on this January! It’s go time, and you’ve got this!

If health, fitness, and nutrition are at the forefront of your New Year’s Resolutions, we’ve got everything you need right here at Positions Dance Studio. We are proud to offer a wide range of workout classes each week, including but not limited to adult ballet, barre, yoga, HIIT, and so much more! Check out our class schedule here! 

If you’re ready to get healthy with us in 2022, sign up for class today! Our drop-in class rate is $15, and we also offer class cards with discounted pricing. Click here to get started! We can’t wait to sweat with YOU in the New Year! 

Turn Your Winter Blues into Fitness Woo-Hoos!

Oh the weather outside is frightful… and winter blues are NOT delightful! Let’s face it, most of us are feeling a lull in motivation around this time of year. So why not come together and help each other get up moving?! That’s how we see it at Positions, and our Adult Fitness in Babylon has got you covered. 

From “Happy Hour” Zumba to Monday Barre Fitness, we’ve got everything you need to stay in shape this winter. Check out our class schedule here! But we ALSO have special news about our Fitness Program that we can’t wait to share! Drumroll please… introducing our NEW Fitness Instructor, Caitlin Alfano! 

Caitlin is a former dancer and now fitness instructor/personal trainer with a passion for exercise and overall wellness. She’s joined the Positions fitness faculty to teach a few HIIT classes as well as offer Personal Training! We’ve been thrilled to welcome her!

Recently, we interviewed Caitlin to give our Positions fitness family a chance to get to know her a little better. We also asked her about some of her best fitness tips to help us all stay motivated this winter! Check out her answers below! 

A little bit about Caitlin… 

Q: How did you begin your journey with Fitness? 
A: I have always loved being active! I grew up as a dancer and loved moving my body. It wasn’t until I went to college for exercise science that I fell in love with working out. Since then I’ve continued to love fitness which is why I became a certified personal trainer!

Q: What inspired you to start teaching fitness classes and personal training?
A: I believe that your health should always be number one. I love helping others improve their health and achieve their goals. One of the most satisfying things is being able to help people get stronger and feel better overall!

Q: Why do you love working out?
A: It’s my stress relief. I carve out a certain amount of time each day to workout and focus on myself. Once I start working out I forget all the worries and stress of the day and I’m able to be in the moment.

Just a few of Caitlin’s best fitness tips…

Q: What is the best way to ease into a fitness routine?
A: Listen to your body because your body knows best! Always take it slow to start and then begin to incorporate movement into your everyday life. Also starting a new fitness routine with a friend or family member is always a great way to stay motivated on your new journey! 

Q: What is your favorite workout?
A: I love weight training! It’s my favorite because you can see your progression when your able to pick up a heavier weight. 

Q: What is your favorite workout to do if you have limited time? 
A: HIIT (high-intensity interval training). It uses timed intervals to combine strength training and cardio, making it the perfect way to get a quick burn in. 

Q: What is your best advice for people who are starting their fitness journey?
Find something that you love to do. The more fun you have the easier it makes working out! Try new and different workouts until you find the right fit for you!

Are you ready to work those winter blues away with Caitlin?! She teaches HIIT on Tuesdays at 7pm and HIIT Express on Sundays at 10:30am. And don’t forget to contact the studio if you’re interested in booking a personal training session with her! 

When it comes to Fitness in Babylon, we are proud to offer a wide range of workouts every single week, with passionate and dedicated instructors. Our drop-in class rate is $15, and we also offer class cards with discounted pricing. Click here to get started today!

We can’t wait to sweat with YOU this winter!  

Meet our New Fitness Instructor, Caitlin Alfano!

5 Perks of Making Your Fitness Comeback at Positions!

Let’s face it, the pandemic didn’t just halt our lives, it set the whole world back. Goals, timelines, and events were postponed and reprioritized. Thinking in the here and now, it’s probably safe to say that after one giant setback, we are ALL ready for an even greater comeback!

If fitness and personal health was on your list of priorities that fell to the wayside during the pandemic, we hear you! Our days became more hectic, our kids’ needs came first, and group fitness became impossible for a long time. It’s a great time to finally look forward and circle back to YOU, your goals, and your happiness!

Are you ready to make a comeback with us?! Our Adult Dance and Fitness Program is JUST what you need to get back into the fitness grind. And there has never been a better time to join us! 

Check out 4 Perks of Making Your Fitness Comeback at Positions:

1. We’ll Meet You Wherever You Are

It may be your first class back since March 2020, and it may be your 100th class since March 2020. You may be wanting to start slow and ease in or you may be ready to dive headfirst into a high-intensity workout. You may be lifting 5 pounds or 35 pounds. Whatever the case, we have a class for you and we’ll meet you right where your body wants to be. 

2. You’ll Be Welcomed in a Supportive Environment

There’s no judgment in our classes! Many of our Group Fitness regulars are Positions parents. We welcome newcomers with open arms. Come join us and feel the positivity we bring to one another each week!

3. Group Classes Provide the BEST Motivation.

While many of us are intrinsically motivated to start, it’s extrinsic motivation that drives us to keep pushing when working out gets hard. With other people’s energy in the room, you are more likely to be your absolute best. Positions’ Adult Dance and Fitness classes give you that extra little push! 

4. Flexible Payment Options 

Looking to ease in and not sure you’ll make it to class very often? No problem, just drop in to any of our classes for $15. Ready to dive in and pre-register for multiple classes each week? Contact the studio to purchase a class card with discounted pricing! You’ve got options. 

5. A Wide Variety of Classes to Suit ALL Your Needs

Don’t take our word for it, check out our weekly class schedule here! Find everything you’ll need, from a low-intensity Gentle Flow Yoga to a high-intensity Cardio Strength. We also offer Adult Ballet, Tap, Zumba if you love to get lost in dance moves during your workout. One of our MOST popular classes is Barre on the Beach, where we enjoy the beautiful outdoors every Wednesday and Friday morning! 

So... are you in?! Make YOUR Fitness comeback today! At Positions, we’re here to help you reach your goals and become the best version of you. Click here to view our weekly Adult Dance and Fitness Schedule! Join us today!

Positions Happenings: Take a Look at our February Newsletter

Wait…. Where did January go?! Winter is flying by this year and we can’t complain. The season of LOVE is upon us as we head into Valentine’s Day! This month on the blog we are featuring our February Newsletter. We’ve got tons of exciting events and important studio updates for our dance families!

Read on to stay in the know about all our exciting dance events in Babylon:

1. Don’t forget to purchase your Paper Hearts! 

The hearts are flying over here at the studio! This month we are selling paper hearts! Proceeds benefit the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition. Stop by the front desk to learn more and purchase.

Thank you in advance for your help in supporting this great organization!

2. Winter Break is February 17th-23rd

There are no classes this week! We are wishing all of our dance families a relaxing break. Take some time to restart and refresh as we head into recital season! 

Classes are canceled but we WILL be offering a Winter Break Camp for kids ages 3-10. See below for details! 

3. Join us for Mini Winter Camp on February 18th and 19th! 

Ms. Assante, from St. Joseph’s Nursery School, and Miss Kelly are teaming up again for another fun Winter Camp! On Tuesday, we are throwing a pancake and pajama party that you won’t want to miss. Wednesday will be a Mad Scientist adventure! 

Join us for one day or two! Camp pricing starts at $40 for one day and $70 for both days. Ages 3-5 will camp from 9am-11pm and ages 6-10 will camp from 11:30-1:30! Contact the studio at 631-669-8612 to register!

4. New Year, New You: Our Adult Fitness Contest ends on February 16th

We are in the final stretch before we announce the winner of our adult fitness! Don’t forget to get those classes in before the 16th! Whoever attends the MOST classes by this date wins a $50 Positions gift card. We believe in you, let’s tackle those fitness goals together at the studio! 

Review the adult fitness schedule here! We’d love to see you in class. 

5. Save your spot for Pinot Noir at the Barre! 

Sorry kids, this one is adults only! On February 17th, we are so excited to host a Special Event for just $30/person. This class will feature a barre workout to get you up and moving. After that, guests will enjoy a wine, cheese, and chocolate pairing class to make your workout even sweeter!

Call 631-669-8612 to reserve your spot! See you on February 17th from 7pm-8:15! 

6. Spend Your Summer With Positions Dance Studio!

Summer is the perfect time to work on technique in a stress-free and fun environment! Look for the summer dance schedule later this month. Take 10% off your tuition if you register before April 30th! 

7. Frozen Kids: Save the date for our Spring Musical! 

Positions students will be presenting Frozen Kids on April 26th at 2pm at the Argyle Theatre. Don't miss this family-friendly performance! 

Tickets go on sale February 28th. We can't wait to see our students shine!

8. Positions Dance Studio Evening at the Argyle Theater

Tickets are on sale now for Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Argyle Theater and it’s a special night for Positions Dance Studio families on February 21st at 7:30pm. Be sure to grab your discounted ticket for $59 (normally $74)! Tickets for kids 12 and under are $35. Contact the studio to purchase tickets!

9. Mark your calendars for Recital 2020! SO exciting!

We know it’s early, but over here we are ALREADY busy planning for our fabulous June recital. Important dates for you to know include Dress Rehearsal on June 27th at 11am and Recital on June 28th at 11am and 4pm. 

Mark your calendars now so those dates don’t sneak up on you, and check back to the recital page of our website to stay in the know. It’s going to be a great show!

We are SO excited to be offering so many new events and workshops for our Positions families! Have an idea that you’d like us to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you! Contact the studio today! 

4 Ways to Stay In Shape This Summer

Summer is here! If you’re like us you are feeling lots of mixed emotions. YAY summer, let’s hit the beach and relax… BUT uh oh, that means we may LOSE all the technical gains that were made during the school year. 3 months without dancing is probably not a great idea for most of our dancers!

This month’s blog post is ALL about staying in shape. Join us on our summer fit mission! We want to help our dancers arrive in the fall strong and ready to pick up right where they left off. 

We’ve put together a list of our favorite ways to stay in shape over the summer for both dancers and parents. Don’t forget that we offer a FUN line-up of fitness classes for adults at Positions Dance Studio. 

4 Ways to Stay in Shape this Summer:

1. Take Class at Positions Dance Studio

Now we know we are a little biased, but we couldn’t leave ourselves off the list! Dance is ALWAYS our workout of choice. Most of the time, you get so lost in the music and the fun that you forget you are working out… and that’s the beauty of dance!

For Dancers: We know it might be tempting to take a break this summer after working hard all year. But trust us, coming back to dance in the Fall after 3 months of laying on the couch will NOT be fun! We have put together a great line-up of summer dance classes so you can stay in the studio over the summer. Summer is the perfect time to focus on your skills without the added stress of the school year. You will come back in the Fall stronger than ever instead of out of shape and playing catch-up!

For Parents: When we made our summer schedule we did NOT forget about you guys!!! We are making Positions Dance Studio THE place for adult fitness classes in Babylon this summer! Our schedule is packed with classes for every one of your workout preferences, from zumba, to ballet, to yoga. We’ve got you covered! Come sweat with us!

2. Get Outside

Don’t let this beautiful weather go to waste! It doesn’t come around often here in Babylon! :) Any workout is just 10 times better outside. Ditch the treadmill and take your run outside. Set up your yoga mat in the backyard and do some downward dogs. Spicing up your regular routine with some fresh air will give you that extra motivation you are looking for. 

Getting outside is super important for kids too! And the good part is, they usually love it! We know finding time to work out while also trying to entertain your kids can be difficult. Outdoor scavenger hunts, bike rides, and time at the park are all great ways to get your kids up and moving with you. The fresh air and sunlight will leave you all feeling refreshed and active!

3. Stretch, Stretch, and Oh Yeah, Stretch!

This one is mostly directed at our young dancers on summer break, but parents we are looking at you too! We remind our students of this regularly, but flexibility is a skill that requires consistent attention and leaves your body EXTREMELY quickly. 

For Dancers: If you go the whole summer without touching your toes, we promise your splits will be about a foot higher when you come back in the fall! We know finding the motivation and time to stretch amidst all the summer fun can be difficult. If you’re looking for some constant reminders and a little extra push, sign up for summer classes! At Positions, we will be stretching our splits ALL summer long in class. Will we see you there?

For Parents: Middle splits may not be a priority in this stage of life, but we can assure you that your body will LOVE you if you give it a good stretch every once in a while. Staying in shape is more than just burning calories and building muscles. It’s about making your body feel good. Stretching takes pressure off your joints by lengthening your muscles and giving them more range of movement. Say goodbye to aches and pains this summer and come stretch with us at our Adult Ballet, Adult Yoga, and Adult Barre classes. Check out the schedule here! 

4. Take Advantage of Pool/Beach Season

This one is our FAVORITE on the list. What better way to work out than at the pool or beach? 

For Dancers: Water ballet anyone?! No, seriously, do a ballet barre in the pool and we PROMISE you will be sore! The water provides extra resistance and will be sure to tone those muscles over the summer. An added bonus, dancing in the pool is great for dancers who are nursing injuries because it lowers your impact on joints. Dance physical therapists always recommend doing some relevés and jumps in the pool first while working back up to dancing! 

For Parents: Who’s in for a jog on the beach? What about a few laps at the pool? Or better yet, go for a jog TO the pool. Diving in is the best reward for a great workout. Make a splash this summer!

Making this list has us feeling SO motivated! So now let’s get to it! Put those phones down and get MOVING. But before you do, register for some classes at Positions to make sure you keep the hustle up ALL summer long. Thank us later! :)

Top 5 Fitness Classes in Babylon, NY

Happy 2019! We hope you all had an amazing holiday break! It’s a new year and that means a fresh start. If fitness goals are on your list of resolutions this year, this month’s blog post is for you! Whether you are trying to get back in shape after a long fitness hiatus or you're a fitness guru trying to up your game, we’ve got you covered. We put together a list of the top 5 fitness classes in Babylon and we would love to see some of our dance families there!

Barre Fitness at Positions

Interested in achieving a dancer's physique? This class is for you! This ballet-inspired class focuses on using tiny pulsing actions to target and tone specific muscle groups, while helping you stay injury free. We will help you will push yourself and find muscles you didn’t even know existed! During our Barre fitness class, you tone your legs, lift your glutes and strengthen your core. Who doesn’t want that? Check out our schedule online and join us for a free trial class!

Street Beats at Fitness Incentive

Are you someone who wants to be active but doesn’t want to feel like they are working out? Get lost in the dance moves at Fitness Incentive Street Beats class. This class will get you moving and grooving to your favorite radio hits. Beginners are welcome, and it's not about doing the moves just right! It’s about keeping your heart rate up while you let loose and dance it out!

Crossfit Pace Performance

Crossfit Pace Performance is a gym that offers group CrossFit classes ALL day long. This workout is a high-intensity regimen that incorporates weightlifting, gymnastics, running, rowing and more. It’s all about maximizing the amount of work done in the shortest amount of time. It’s perfect for those of us that want a power-filled, intense workout that will tone and sculpt our bodies. Check out their online schedule and get your lift on!

Tai Chi at Long Island Center for Yoga

This one is perfect for those looking for an all-encompassing workout that lifts your body, mind, and spirit. Tai Chi is not just about physical movement. It focuses on relaxation, breathing, and centering yourself. Classes begin with standing meditation and warm-up exercises that loosen your joints. They also include martial arts movements and weapons for advanced students. This class will make you feel powerful and balanced both physically and emotionally. Check out the Long Island Center for Yoga for more details!

Zumba at Positions

Ditch the workout, join the party! Zumba is a Latin American dance workout that will leave you feeling energized. The high-energy classes are set to upbeat music and feature choreographed dance numbers that you might see in a nightclub. Perfect for those that are looking for a fun, cardio-filled workout. The dance moves will keep your heart rate up for the entire class. Check out our online schedule and come shake it with us!

Tried any of these classes? We would love to know what you think!

Alright, now get up, get going, and get yourself MOVING in 2019. It only takes a couple of classes to get hooked, and accomplishing your fitness goals is SO rewarding. Get your sweat on!

PS. During the month of January we have an AMAZING deal for fitness classes at Positions Dance Studio: Purchase a class card and get the second half off! *limited at 2 per customer*

PSS. If you currently have a dancer registered at Positions, you ALWAYS get ½ of your fitness cards! The best part is you can combine this offer with the January special!

It's Time To Tackle Your Goals!

With the New Year comes fresh starts and new chances. Have you sat down to think about what goals you would like to accomplish this year? At Positions, we like to see ALL of our students (children and adults) take some time to really think about their goals. Goals keep us motivated to pursue the life we want! Whether that is to become a great dancer, to do something we love, or to stay healthy and fit, the New Year is a great time to re-evaluate.

How do you make sure you actually accomplish these goals? Although the power is entirely up to you, we thought we could give you a few of our best strategies to turn your hopes and dreams into reality.

1. Say your goal out loud and not just to yourself hehe! Tell your family and friends and write it down somewhere you will see every day. The more you can spread the word about your goal, the more you are telling yourself that you CAN accomplish it! This strategy has a bonus: when you tell people about your goals, you are also building a support system. Your friends and family will check in every once and while to see how you are doing, what a better way to stay accountable!? You may even find a couple people who have a similar goal.

2. Make a plan. What steps are you going to take to make this goal happen? For example: If you would like to incorporate more exercise into your life: Are you going to join a gym? Take group fitness classes ( like the amazing ones we have here at Positions )? Sign up for a race? How often will you train? What time of day? Be specific! Don’t leave anything up to chance. Make a plan and stick with it!

3. Find an accountability buddy. Accomplishing goals is much more fun when you have a buddy! Find someone who has a similar goal and check in week-to-week on how you are both doing. You can even meet once a week to take a class, go for a run, etc. It’s always much harder to skip out when someone is meeting you there or waiting to hear all about your progress.

4. Set a reward. If you are anything like us, getting a reward is half the fun of accomplishing goals! Your reward could be big or small but make sure it is something enticing enough to pull you out of a slump. Unfortunately, there will be days where you don’t feel like following through on your plan, if you have a reward in place, it will help push you through! We love putting a picture of the reward right next to our goal where we can see it every day.

Are you feeling motivated yet?? We sure are! If your young dancer is hoping to set some goals this year, we encourage you to help guide them through this process. You can feel good that you are teaching them how to ACTUALLY accomplish their goals and they will feel good that you are there to support them through it. For any dance specific goals, check in with their teacher. Teachers can be great resources in making goals a reality!