Align Brooklyn Celebrates Grand Opening With Free Event Tonight
Two South Slope neighbors are opening Align Brooklyn, a fitness studio that integrates yoga, Pilates, functional training, chiropractic therapy, and nutritional information, on the second floor of 579 5th Avenue, on the corner of 16th Street, and they’re celebrating tonight, Friday, September 19 from 6-9pm, by welcoming the community to see the new space.
It’s run by Dr. Christopher Brown and his wife, Pamela, who have lived in the neighborhood since 2005. They say that while they’ve enjoyed going to Harbor Fitness and practicing at Bikram Yoga Park Slope, they thought the area could use something a bit different.
“We felt there was a need for a studio that offered a boutique environment and focused on a diverse array of alignment-based practices and functional fitness techniques,” Pam says. “In addition, there was a need for a chiropractor in the local community.”
Christopher — a licensed chiropractor, certified clinical nutritionist, certified chiropractic sports physician, certified yoga instructor, and certified personal trainer — has had a lifelong interest in fitness and decided to become a chiropractor after being rehabilitated by one following a football injury. Pam says she became interested in wellness after “virtually curing my asthma with a three-week detoxification program while I was Christopher’s patient about 20 years ago.” And, fittingly, the couple met on wheels, as avid rollerbladers.
They explain that their new venture will be focused on wellness, vitality, and longevity, and they’re hoping to welcome those who have been working on those traits for a while, and those who are new to it all.
“These are lifelong goals, and there is no right or wrong starting point,” Pam says. “Further, there are many aspects of life that need to be balanced for humans to be fulfilled — one aspect is fitness. We were very conscientious about making sure that all of our classes accommodate a variety of levels and interests. Align is meant to be open and fun for all.”
Additionally, they’re hoping that Align Brooklyn will be a sort of one-stop-shop for those who are interested in mind-body and functional fitness styles and techniques.
“By offering both traditional classes and hybrids, we can incorporate mind-body, alignment, and also cardio,” she says. “We are extremely unique in having a Great Wall [pictured above], which makes our space incredibly dynamic and versatile.”
Classes — which will be both traditional and hybrid mixes of styles — will include several kinds of yoga, Pilates, functional training, and barre, as well as some rehabilitative exercises, and they’ll feature strength, flexibility, and cardio training “for those looking for total mind-body workouts and who may prefer a small studio environment to a large gym,” she says.
They will offer traditional sized classes with either class packages or unlimited monthly packages, and small group training will be available.
“Small group training will be with highly skilled experts, and will incorporate different equipment and training styles than larger classes allow,” she says.
In October, they’ll also be offering workshops that require pre-registration, like Hatha Posture and Kemetic Yoga. They’ll also have special events, including a screening of The Greater Good, Yoga Dance with Live Drumming, and Principle Centered Healthcare and Detoxification.
“We are experimenting with scheduling and hoping to offer classes for freelancers, stay-at-home parents, and 9-5ers alike,” Pam says. “In addition, we would like to offer yoga for children of various age groups, and will survey folks stopping by in the next few weeks to get a sense of age groups and times.”
As locals themselves, this is a nice opportunity to give back to the neighborhood that they’ve enjoyed for nearly a decade. Pam — whom you may be familiar with as the neighbor who initiated the dog park on 18th and 7th — says that she and Christopher have watched the neighborhood change a lot since they moved here, bringing many new restaurants (they enjoy “Energy Fuel for quick take-out and Korzo for its commitment to local and organic produce,” and are fans of the new Whole Foods), but that at least one great thing has stayed the same.
“We still love the community feeling of chatting with our neighbors, many of whom have been here for decades,” she says.
Stop by tonight to see the new space and wish them well. Things kick off at 6pm when Jaclyn Kahn, a local resident, dog owner, and instructor, will teach a Vinyasa flow class featuring live music by Brown Rice Family. Then the grand opening celebration begins at 7:30pm, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams is scheduled to stop by.
If you can’t make it tonight, they’ll be offering free special events, classes, and workshops through the end of the month. Check out their website or call 347-875-0714 for more info.