Tanya Brennan-Aquart has always placed a high priority on health and fitness. As a teenager, she worked out daily not only for the athletic conditioning, but also because it gave her a sense of both mental and physical well being, she said.
The former Lakeland High School competitive gymnast turned entrepreneur has now decided that in spite of a sluggish economy she would open her own fitness studio, Intrigue Dance & Fitness, in Mohegan Lake.
Brennan-Aquart said that she understands that consumer spending is down and operating costs are rising, making it difficult to be a small businesses owner and even launch a new business. However, she said she believes that opening a fitness studio provides a compelling opportunity.
"I think it’s worth the risk," she said. "Times are tough, but we are also living in a time that Americans are realizing they need to start paying more attention to their health and fitness. This might be the first generation of children to be less healthy than their parent and the first generation that may not outlive their parents."
Brennan-Aquart said she thinks children's heath is important and parents need to set the example that they believe fitness is a necessity.
Intrigue Dance and Fitness officially opened on Wednesday, Sept. 7. As part of its grand opening, all classes are being offered free from until Saturday, Sept. 10. The modified grand opening scheduling will include yoga, pilates, kickboxing, boot camps, and zumba.
"I’m looking for input from the community on which classes they want available, but eventually I will have something for everyone in the family," Brennan-Aquart said. "The fitness classes for preschool aged tots and moms, classes for elementary aged children, classes for children with disabilities, and classes for seniors...I will also offer weight loss classes, women’s groups, and meditation classes."
Brennan-Aquart picked her Mohegan Lake location because Route 6 is busy, visible, and central and can draw customers from Peekskill, Cortlandt, Yorktown, and beyond, and she believes that Intrigue Dance & Fitness is unique from the existing fitness studios around Yorktown because of her family focus, flexibility (classes are offered on a drop-in basis for $15 or less and membership is not required), and emphasis on making fitness fun.
"I want to help everyone who comes into my studio to become healthier so they are happier and feel better," she said.
*Note that pre-registration is required this week’s free classes.
