A former competitive gymnast has found a way to 'intrigue' women into a fun way to exercise and lead healthy lifestyles through dance.
Tanya Brennan-Aquart, who has always placed a high priority on health and fitness, celebrated earlier this month the grand opening of her dance and fitness studio Intrigue Dance & Fitness in Mohegan Lake.
The 1998 Lakeland graduate, who is a licensed Zumba instructor and weight loss coach, said she was happy to be back in the area where she grew up. Her family still lives here too.
"I want to give back to the community in which I grew up in," she said. "Being so active in gymnastics when I was younger and going to , I figure if I'm going to create a place for fitness it should be where fitness was established for me."
Brennan-Aquart, a mother of three who now lives in Dutchess County, said the idea for the studio was to create a fun place where people can get fit. Her studio becomes part of people's daily or weekly routines and something her customers look forward to, she said.
Since the , the woman said the response from the public has been great. Women who have never worked out, or haven't worked out in years or made it a priority, are now coming in regularly.
"This is a huge step in a healthy direction," Brennan-Aquart said. "People look forward to working out because we make it fun and available for all."
The fitness instructor and business owner said her studio offers Zumba, yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, bootcamp, salsa lessons and cardio dance and total body fitness classes. There are no membership, start up fees or long-term commitments, and customers only pay for the classes they want to attend, she said.
"We are a small studio out to create big things in the life of everyone that comes in," Brennan-Aquart said. "Because we get to know each customer personally we have a great opportunity to share in each others lives. People get to know one another in class and develop new relationships and socialize. What more can you ask for a few times a week besides a fitness party with friends?"
The facility is currently available for birthday parties. Brennan-Aquart said she plans to also host fundraisers, women's night outs, family dance parties and more.
And as a busy mother of three children – ages 8, 5 and almost 2 – she wants to accommodate women of all ages and lifestyle needs.
People can come once a week or drop in randomly. The charge for a class is $12; for those who are committed to coming twice a week – they offer a $100 class card for a total of 10 sessions. There is also a monthly class pass (for those who want to come in three or more times a week) for $99 – with the option of committing monthly or for three months.
And while the life of balancing a family and operating a business is not easy for Brennan-Aquart, she said having a purpose in life and doing something she loves is worth all the hard work.
"My husband, family and close friends have been and continue to be an amazing support," Brennan-Aquart said. "I couldn't do it without them. My family is a priority and the great thing is that my mom comes to most of my classes and my kids participate in my classes too."
The fitness guru, who has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, said her classes consists of a "balance of high intensity fitness" with "just the right amount of dancing to make for a challenging yet fun fitness class."
In addition to having her own business in town, the woman teaches Zumba classes at the after school programs at , and Van Cortlandtville elementary schools. She also teaches 'chair Zumba' at The Seabury, the senior assisted living center in Cortlandt.
For more information on class schedules, visit the studio's website and find them on Facebook.
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