Pilates in Paris – élément

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As a certified gym rat for more years than I care to admit, I was keen to try a new form of exercise that would ease my aching back and feed my addiction to the temple that is my body. I tried yoga years ago before Madonna, Sting and Christy Turlington turned it into the movement of the moment. Back then I found it boring beyond belief and more than a little cultish, now I find it to be boring still and insufferably, terminally hip. (And because I’m in the minority when it comes to being a Yoga lover, it’s important for me to note that yoga is a mainstay at Paris’ newest Pilates/Yoga studio and spa, élément.) I’ve entertained Pilates for years after seeing what its benefits have done to close friend and was thrilled when Bonjour Paris gave me the plum assignment of interviewing Martine Curtis-Oakes, the Pilates instructor and co-owner of Rituel Studio. Rituel Studio is Paris’ first studio/spa to have Pilates, Yoga and Massage under one roof. Pilates is a full-body conditioning and exercise method that lengthens and tones core muscles to give you a more flexible, better-aligned body. Yoga is the ancient practice that combines breathing and stretching exercises to regain flexibility and balance, and improves overall organ functioning. Massage, besides making us feel pretty and pampered, is therapeutic, healing and detoxifying. But it was Pilates I was after, so off I went in search of Rituel Studio.  As I entered Rituel Studio, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw: a soul-soothing, zen-like space with pale blue walls, burnished floors, soft lighting, a tranquil water garden, spotlessly clean state-of-the-art Pilates equipment and an offering of fresh fruit and water. An oasis of calm, it completely shuts out Paris’ noisy streets and somewhat hectic pace. Martine, a former dance instructor/health journalist, and her partner, Carol Polakoff, a filmmaker, are two American expats who complement each other wonderfully. Martine, who looks much too young to be a grandmother, has a beautifully unwrinkled face and a calming sense of well-being. Carol is a bundle of energy, very talkative and I would guess, a wicked sense of humor. They are both bilingual and employ a young, good-looking multilingual staff. In addition to Pilates/Yoga classes and kids Pilates (yes!), a wide range of therapeutic spa treatments are offered, including acupuncture, shiatsu, cellulite, salt scrubs, seaweed wraps, deep tissue, Swedish and hot-stone massage. They also carry the latest buzz in French skincare, Doux Me, a line of organic face and eye creams by aromatherapist Caroline Wachsmuth. Busy from day one, Rituel Studio counts among its client’s members of the Paris Opéra Ballet. Pilates mat, Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga are offered at three levels: Beginner, Beginner/Intermediate and Intermediate/Advanced. All classes are small enough for lots of individual attention and are taught by multilingual certified pros. During my Pilates Mat Class, Martine knew everyone by name and coached us through positions some of us found difficult. A big plus in my book since every class I’ve taken at my New York gym is so crowded that newcomers become frustrated and get lost in the crowd. Not one to rest on their already lofty laurels, Rituel Studio will be adding new classes, including Gyrokinesis (a 3-dimensional Yoga). Plans to develop their own workout-wear line and other selected retail items are also in the works. And pour moi? Another Pilates class and a hot-stone massage—tout suite! Private Pilates instruction is 60 euros/pkg. of 10, 550 eurosPilates Mat class is 25 euros/pkg. of 10, 200 eurosYoga class is 18 euros/pkg. of 10, 165 eurosMassages and treatments from 18 euros to 120 euros For a complete list of classes and services, please go to their website, listed below. Rituel Studio 16 rue de la Grande Chaumiere 75006 Parisphone: +33.01.53.10.86.00 Email   —With a love for all things French, Nina Haritos, a New York fashion writer/editor—and exhausted corporate climber—is heading back to Paris to recapture her inner French femme—and attempt to speak French once and for all!  
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