Where: Flywheel Sports, 39 West 21st Street, New York, NY

Magen Banwart: I HAVE SO MUCH FREAKING LOVE FOR THIS LADY

In the spirit of total transparency, I've been following MB around like a little puppy for over a year. I love everything she teaches. I love her attitude. I love her goony, scatter-brained, full-of-love, no mercy ways. If you haven't had the pleasure of making her acquaintance (/getting destroyed in her class) you need to schedule some MB love on your calendar RIGHT NOW. In pen.

On Magen:

It’s hard to get better than Magen, and I mean that. To give you an idea:

• Magen is drop dead beautiful. Not to mention the body on her.
• Lovely to be around; you kind of want to go to class just to hang out with her.
• Importantly, ego-free. Some popular instructors develop this intense, type-A crazy. Imagine the total opposite.
• Results-oriented. She might be adorbs and friendly, but brutal. Your legs will probably give out. Not a class for whiners. “Are you resting? There’s time for stillness in my Yin class later, now is not the time for rest!” (more on Yin later. Stillness does not = easy)
• Endearingly and self-admittedly scatter-brained. And spontaneous. You know how some instructors apologize when they screw up? Magen laughs it off like it was all part of the game. And honestly, it IS part of the Magen-game.
• Beloved. Her following is fiercely loyal. And devoid of body fat.

Magen is a New York fitness guru who has really become a taste maker (check out magenbanwart.com). She runs a program called the “better body program” that takes a holistic approach to wellbeing – she tells you what to eat, how and when to work out, and what else to do to make yourself better, healthier, and happier. Some of her more unique suggestions:

• Netipot-ing daily
• Drybrushing
• Blood type dieting
• Drinking massive quantities of green juice
• Meditating / doing Yin to "two bells" 

On Magen's teaching: 

Extremely hard, not much rest, and crazy fun. Magen is just a goon, and she makes people love her. When she was at Physique back in the day, her classes had a waitlist up the wazoo. When you take a barre class from her, your thighs and glutes will literally feel like someone stabbed you the next day. Love it. 

On this class:

• Flybarre is different from other barre classes, in that there's a wooden floor, resitance bands, and some really creative ab-blasting werque.
• Magen's 3-part thigh section was sadistic; all butt work was on the floor, which is my favorite place for butt work.
• Like: the resistance bands allowed us to continue working the arms (and feeling a significant burn) during the abs section. With our head near the wall, we held on to each side of the band - wrapped around the bar - and pulled out as we lifted our torso and legs in various ways. My triceps were on fire.
• The weight dance is fun (a choreographed routine done holding light weights - for arms), but I never get arm sore from Lotte Berk classes anymore. It burns while I'm doing it but never leaves a mark.
• I asked Magen after class, and here's the answer to my previous Flybarre question: the weight dance changes every 4 weeks (ish).

In conclusion:Need to get happy? Pay MB a visit.

From Magen's personal website: Based in New York City, Magen Banwart founded the transformative Best Body RE BOOT program which she offers both to groups and privately. She also teaches Yin Yoga workshops to New York City's business and fashion elite and leads mind and body wellness workshops and retreats both nationally and abroad. Active in competitive sports since childhood and a distance runner who has completed the Boston, New York City and London marathons, Magen began working as a fitness instructor 16 years ago.  She has studied Pilates™, interdisciplinary styles of yoga, and meditation for over 20 years, and received her Yoga Teacher Certification in Interdisciplinary Yoga from the Nosara Institute in Costa Rica. Magen continues to further her education and regularly participates in yoga, movement and athletic teacher trainings. Magen's greatest influences in her Yin Yoga practice and teaching have been Paulie Zink, Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers. Magen is known for her ability to motivate clients with her boundless energy, unwavering and compassionate support and personalized approach.  She is dedicated to helping her clients improve the quality of their lives by giving them the tools they need to be their best -- emotionally, mentally and physically.  She understands from personal experience how to reduce the effects of stress on the mind and body, optimize energy, and maximize flexibility and strength in her clients' bodies. Magen works with people ranging in age from nine to 90. She specializes in core fitness-increasing strength and flexibility, eliminating chronic back pain, weight loss and stress management.

Find out more about Physique 57 at www.physique57.com

Find out more about Magen Banwart on her website 

Find Magen on facebook 

Follow Magen on twitter 

Watch a video of Magen as she shares her LOVE for Organic Avenue 

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