If you think I am always running and doing 100 things a day, wait until you see me in NY …
My NY life was super intense, and it is no different when I visit. So I thought I’d keep a diary (more like a logbook) so you can keep track of my favorite spots, workouts, coffee shops, and more.
Enjoy !
Day 1: Saturday April 22nd
Morning: I started the day with an Oat Milk Latte at Copper Mug on Broadway and 30th street: service was super friendly and they use Oatly 🙂
Then I went to one of my favorite NYC studios, Bode. The studio itself is old school a little beat up, but I’ve always loved it and gotten my ass kicked. I took a HIIT class in a room heated to 40 degree Celsius (!!) and I rarely sweated this much in my life. You know how sweat-obsessed I am, so that made for a happy Juju
Lunchtime: After casually running into Ben Stiller, who was sitting across from me on the 1 train, I met a friend for lunch i the Upper West Side. Rosetta is a new Italian spot near Lincoln Center. They also have locations in Miami and their Nutella croissant is absolutely delicious
Afternoon: Williamsburg, the place where I feel at home. Photoshoot with Opera Place Studio . Even though we got rained on, we did get some amazing shots, which I can’t wait to show you !
Evening: Drinks with Ny Squad member turned friend Suzanne at the Williamsburg Hotel, and then Shake Shack for dinner (because what else)
Day 2: Sunday April 23rd
Morning: I started the day meeting one of my very good friends for cappuccinos at Eataly
I then went to Williamsburg to take a barre class at The Bar Method. The instructor was kind and funny, but I gotta say the class itself wasn’t nearly as challenging as Brooklyn Barre® 🙂
After this I walked around Williamsburg. Passing in front of the building I used to live in, I see a woman across from me squeezing her eyebrows: a former Equinox Williamsburg Squad member ! As we started chit chatting, I hear behind me “Oh my God Julie ???”. It was my 2 former doormen. After having left 5 years ago, I wouldn’t have expected for them to recognise me. So I ran into three people I knew at the exact same spot ! Brooklyn …
I had my usual NYC lunch: The Almond Butter Bliss açai bowl at Juice generation
Afternoon: I took a class at P.volve in Soho. The instructor was great and full of energy. The studio is neat knee cool. The class is a Sculpting class using resistance bands and weights. Not my favorite workout, but I loved the energy of the room and seing people workout in the middle of a Sunday afternoon !
Evening: I attended an amazing cooking class by Ciao Evento in the Lower east Side. I’m a huge fan of their events, and Andrea cracks me up every time. If you’re in NYC, you need to check them out ! It’s a cooking class, a networking event, and a comedy show all at once !
Day 3: Monday April 24rd
Morning: What a pleasure to teach at Elements ! I used to teach classes at their Hamptons location, am so proud of Andrea, the owner, for having opened this beautiful studio in the upper east side. By the way fasten your seatbelts, there are a lots of Andreas in this NY Story
Afternoon: I was invited to try a treatment by Ameon at Equinox Rockefeller center.
On my way there, I actually ran into my italian friend Andrea, the one who organizes the pasta dinners. What is the probability of that ? Anyway, my skin felt so good after the treatment !
I then went straight into a meeting at the Equinox Headquarters. I am always touched by the warm welcome, and so happy to be taking fitness with the ones who are actually shaping it.
Evening: I took a hot yoga class with Lawrence at Modo Williamsburg (my favorite yoga studio in the world). There were 50 people in the room, and boy it was HOT in there. I always loved Lawrence’s classes, but I also recommend Michael and Kevin.
Day 4: Tuesday April 25th
Busy day !
Morning started with a HOT HOT HOT yoga class called “The Fix” at Fierce Grace in the lower east side. I had taken their class in London, so I was prepared fort the heat ! Though I like that part, I am less of a fan of the class itself: it is a succession of poses without flows, similar to Bikram. And the teachers way is to push you, not necessarily in the most benevolent manner. Not rally my style, but I know some people love it !
Afternoon: I met with original squad members Eric and Carl near their Citi Bank Office. My first yoga job ever was a 6:30am class at Citi in 2014, and they have always stuck with me ever since. Very special moment together, where they talked extensively about why they enjoy Brooklyn Flow® so much. I was very touched
I then met a friend at Lucky Dog in williamsburg. What a pleasure to listen to live music (Louis Amstrong style) at 5pm on a Tuesday !
Evening: I went to see Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden. A huge an of his, it is the 3rd time I see him perform, and it is amazing every time. Always so great also to be at MSG: americans really bring it on, and the atmosphere is just so kind and fun
After the concert, I headed to Silver Lining Lounge (Lower East Side again) to see the talented Tim Young perform. WOWOWOW ! This was an unbelievable discovery ! I truly recommend going there on Tuedays and Fridays to see him perform: a real gift !
There was a LOT of Live Music involved today !
Day 5 : Wednesday April 26th
Morning: Coffee at Hungry Ghost in Williamsburg, my favorite oat milk latte in the place
I took The Class by Taryn Toomey, and actually taught by Taryn Toomey (I always do that when I go to NY!). What an amazing experience as always. When I see some people trying to copy her concept in Paris, I wonder how one can even dare doing that: there is so much creativity, research, and expert knowledge behind the class. The class in untouchable. Anyway
Evening: Taught my Brooklyn Barre class at Equinox 92nd, the first location I ever taught Barre at ! How amazing to be back there ! It was also special because one of my friends from New York City Ballet came, as well as another dancer i had only met on insta: love it when that happens !
Day 6: Thursday April 27th
Morning: Taught 2 Barre classes at Elements Barre Fit, and had a lot of fun !
Afternoon: I went to visit my friends Takako and Ishi at Mia Wagner Salon
If you are ever in NYC, I strongly recommend you make an appointment for a haircut with Ishi. He has a unique technique to cut hair, and he’s truly exceptional.
Evening: Utmost excitment: I went to see Aida at the Met !
Well, beforehand, I met for pre-show drinks at Bar Boulud with my friend Andrea, who is an amazing Soprano. Andrea and I met in Lisbon, but I was so happy when she reached out (she is rehearsing at the met for a few weeks)
Then I met my other friend Andrea (I know it’s confusing!) at Fiorello’s for another pre-show drink and aperitivo. Fiorello’s is a NY institution, and pre-show drinks there are the usual tradition. Often when I lived in NY with my dancer boyfriend, we would also go there for after-show dinner. That’s where you can spot all the artists, eating with their friends or donors after an exhausting show !
I then went accross the street to the Met to see Aida, the classical production. I can’t recall how many times I have seen it but it is always the same : an indescribable feeling and chills everytime
Day 7: Friday April 28th
Morning: Breakfast at my favorite breakfast place in NYC: Bakeri
Afternoon: Met with my friend Amanda at Jack’s Wife Freda, a cute lunch place that I used to go to in Soho
Equinox kindly invited me to take their newest Barre concept, taught by my friend Elgin McCargo. What a thrill to be back in this place ! Loved the class: my arms and butt were sore, and I felt like I got a good workout !
Evening: Went back to Silver Lining Lounge to see Tim Young, because this guy is way too good
Day 8th: Saturday April 29th
Morning: Breakfast at Partner’s coffee
Great moment again ! Taught my Brooklyn Flow® at equinox Williamsburg. So So So touching to be back in that studio I love so much, teaching my own concept. A special moment, specially because I had former client-turned friends there ! To see people show up to your class 5 years later is really something
I then went to teach a Brooklyn Flow® workshop at One Yoga House. It’s an amazing studio located in the new hip neighbourhood of Brooklyn: Dumbo. Please check it out while you’re in town (the studio has special vibes) then you go get lunch at Time Out Market 🙂
Night: Goodbye drinks at Shelter. I’ve always loved this place, which has great cocktails and is welcoming to big groups and ideally located in the middle of Williamsburg
Day 9 (last day): Sunday April 30th
Morning: I was kidnly invited by Equinox to workout, so I took great advantage of it and went to do some cardio and steam at their Williamsburg location (aka “La maison”)
I then went to visit my friend Fabien Desgroux’s exhibit in Tribeca (amazing show, you have to check him out!) and went for lunch at Citizens of Soho
Desert at Rice to Riches : the rice pudding (riz au lait in French) paradise
The end …
That’s how my New York trip concludes. Of course I have not mentioned the great encounters, whether they were business meetings or meet ups with friends. Of course this cannot transcribe the energy you feel in this magical city. I have not slept all week, and even now that I am back in Paris and 4 days later, I am neither tired neither jet lagged. Thank you New York for being so special
Going to New York ? Check out my favorite spots and let me know what you thought of my recommendations in the comment section !
xoxo
Juju
