Finding the New ‘Me’ at Circuit of Change in NYC

 Because there is so much fun stuff going on in New York City when it comes to fitness (and because Erin has a super-cute little one at home making traversing the Big Apple at a moment’s notice a touch more complicated), FBG has added Raquel Guss, a “New York correspondent,” to our team! Below Raquel goes On the Scene to try a new class that’s a mix of yoga and butt-kicking bootcamp! —Jenn

Lie on your back and close your eyes. Relax. Inhale and exhale. You’re currently in Shavasana, also known as Dead Corpse pose. With your eyes closed, let the “old’” you ooze out and let the “new” you enter. Challenge yourself to lose your pride, your ego and every negative thing you’re holding on to. You need to release to grow, and with that, take three deep breaths and sit up.

Now doesn’t that sound relaxing? It was. Well, that part was…

Let’s rewind to an hour earlier, 6:30 a.m. in New York City. I arrived at the park on the West Side Highway after walking about 10 minutes from the nearest subway stop. Making my way through the streets, the buildings opened up to a clear view of New Jersey across the Hudson River. With my yoga mat in hand, I dodged the oncoming early morning runners to find that I was the first one there for Circuit of Change’s Outdoor Mind-Body Boot Camp class. Brian Delmonico, the founder and yogi butt-kicker of Circuit for Change, a company offering group exercise classes in NYC that have a unique kick-your-butt-while-you-love-yourself vibe, welcomed me to the turf. I couldn’t help but think, “Man, this guy definitely had his morning coffee.” He was raring to go with energy that could be felt just looking at his smile. Brian was warm and encouraging to all participants, who were a welcoming bunch of about 15 people of all ages, and even got my overly exhausted bum to start wiggling around.

We warmed up with two laps around the turf. I could already see my competitiveness coming out. Was I going to be in the front or the straggler in the back? I tried to gauge the array of fitness levels, hoping to get a clue as to how hard or easy this workout would be. We made our way into a circle for some pre-workout stretches, and then immediately began. I thought we were going to ease our way into things—WRONG! Squat pops, punches, mountain climbers and jumping jacks. Run a lap, plyo step-ups, tricep dips, sprint…and that was just the warm-up?

Brian gathered everyone in the middle of the turf, and we grabbed our mats. Yes, yoga! Guess again: five minutes of abs and push ups. Not only that but one-legged push-ups. With with one leg lifted higher than his head, Brian then lowered his body to his hands. My jaw dropped. I’m supposed to do that? I guess that’s why it’s called the “Circuit of Change.” You’re supposed to challenge yourself to change and grow with each movement, make the workout your own and push yourself past your personal limits. The only competition is between the “old” you and the “new” you.

Then it was back to the circuits and laps, which made my heart race. When we took out our mats again, it was to warm-down and stretch with a little yoga. Yoga has a way of getting you ready for the day, especially when mixed with killer cardio. I closed my eyes and relaxed in Shavasana. I let the old me seep out, while the new me emerged. Namaste.  —Raquel