The Corner Studio Round-Up: How We’re Staying Grounded

It’s been seven weeks and counting… we miss you all! First, a quick recap: The Corner Studio started quarantine life with meditation. We got our minds right, then focused on connecting with our community. From there, we launched our “See 10, Do 10 Jump Lunge Challenge” that raised $1,350 for Detroit EMS. We navigated working out from home and explored ways to establish family fitness. To the rescue came RAMP Detroit with pro tips for at-home injury prevention and self care. Most recently, our “Curtsy Lunge Challenge” raised $3,000 for Rhythm & Blue Juice Co. to deliver over 600 juices to local hospitals. We have loved sharing in our coping methods, fitness adventures, wellness journeys, and gratitude for all the good happening among the bad.

On a more personal level, we thought it would be fun to share some behind-the-scenes tidbits of quarantine life. We checked in with The Corner Studio Team to see what everyone’s really been up to! Here, the activities, indulgences, and mantras keeping us grounded.

KOLINA NOUHAN, Barre instructor

Juggling the mom thing, teacher thing (Barnes Early Ed), and teacher-mom thing for her two young children.

· Fit Lit… Alejandro Junger’s CLEAN.

· Watching… Unorthodox. Watch it! Also just finished Succession, and it’s quite possibly my favorite show of all time.

· Listening to… “Astonishing Legends” and “Paranormal” podcasts.

· Music medicine… TSwift/Queen dance parties with my kids.

· Baking… Lots of yummy cookies and recently my son’s 3rd birthday cake—a from-scratch Funfetti cake in PJ Masks theme. I also try a ton of healthy recipes and love Dr. Oz’s Quinoa Chocolate Chip No Bake Cookies.

· Current addiction… Turkey pepperoni. So good, yet so bad. I use them to scoop up cottage cheese. I know, I know… but just try it!

· New fitness activity… Riding my bike and just got a bike trailer to tow the kids.

TYLER VIVIAN, Trainer/instructor

Staying up till 4:00am to spend time with his girlfriend, a night-shift nurse at Henry Ford Hospital. The couple got us all curtsy lunging for a great cause!

· Words to live by right now… “Take care of ya mentals” – Marshawn Lynch.

· Daily doings… Getting outside for 10-30 minutes, spending five minutes learning something new, focused breathing/meditation, putting my phone in the other room two hours before bed.

· Snacking on… Mozzarella sticks.

· Striking a balance with… At-home workouts. I have days that I crush a workout, days I do 20 minutes, or some days I do nothing! This time is a good opportunity to also relax and reset.

PAGE HEENAN, Yoga/meditation instructor

Working on a children’s book (her second), meditating, and enjoying Ping-Pong tournaments and puzzles with her daughter and son who are both working from home.

· Reading… How Much of These Hills is Gold: A Novel by C Pam Zhang.

· Guilty pleasure… I have to confess, [the show] Survivor. The player dynamics fascinate me!

· Following: The Corner Studio teachers and trainers. I love seeing them adapt to the changes we are all living through.

· Comfort foods… So many batches of our favorite chocolate chip cookies and balancing it out with healthy breakfast smoothies and juices.

· Quiet time… I have been recording a lot of meditations—for stress relief, sleep, emotions, and connection.

· Virtual travel… I’m having so much fun doing online classes based in places I have previously visited or lived—Paris, Brooklyn, India, Marrakech—with teachers who have played a supportive role in where I am today.

LINDSAY PERRIGAN, Shred Motion trainer/instructor

Hanging out with her fur babies and lots of walking.

· Reading… Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins.

· Netflix pick… Nailed It. So funny! I love anything that is going to make me laugh. If it’s funny and uplifting, I’m probably watching it!

· Staying motivated with… Les Brown. After listening, I feel like I can take on anything. Music-wise, anything that has a good beat. I need something with energy that’s going to make me move!

· Healthy meal hack… Sweet potato tacos. Basically you are swapping the taco shells with the sweet potato. It’s a game changer!

· Snacking on… Oatmeal with honey and peanut butter. It’s sweet and filling and ooh so good!

BETSY OLIVER, Receptionist

Focusing on school work and QT with the fam.

· Survival guide… daily sunshine and exercise.

· Reading… Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

· Watching… Sex and the City

· Homemade delights… Brownies, cookies, and Puppy Chow.

· Staying active with… Family walks and Chloe Tings workouts on YouTube.

ANNE GRYZENIA, Marketing Director

Lots of exercise, organizing, and 4pm glasses of wine.

· Can’t put down… Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

· Netflix pick… Queer Eye. Uplifting!

· Listening to… The Weeknd. Also “Crime Junkie” and “How I Built This” podcasts.

· Keeping up with… The Corner Studio LIVE classes on Instagram—YoStrong, HIIT, and Cardio Dance!

· Snacking on… Pickle chips.

· New fitness challenge… My five-year-old trains me and it’s actually horrible and hard!

ALLY RANVILLE, Trainer/instructor

Walking her puppy, workouts, and exploring nightly culinary endeavors.

· Watching… Ozark, Breaking Bad (again), Little Fires Everywhere.

· Fitspo… Sami Clarke on Instagram—genuine, educational, fitness-oriented, stunning!

· Snacking on… Anything with hummus or cookie butter on it.

· Switching up walks with… Biking and rollerblading.

CARMIE BUHALIS, Yoga instructor

Meditating, reading, napping, kids’ school work, Nerf Wars, cooking, and Yoga.

· Reading… Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue by Neale Donald Walsch, A Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman, The Sacred Hub: Living in Our Real Self by Robert Rabbin, and Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.

· Watching… The Crown and anything on Gaia TV.

· Music medicine… Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, The Lumineers, Tom Petty, Krishna Das, Nightmares on Wax, and Jai-Jagdeesh.

· Following… @thecornerstudiogp and anything by Dr. Joe Dispenza.

· Staying active with… My Yoga practice from home LIVE on Facebook and trying Cara’s Cardio Dance! Dance has always been a challenge for me, so doing the class at home has been a lot of fun. Just keeping it light and finding ways to smile and laugh.

JOE SREBERNAK, Trainer/instructor

A lot of books and movies to pass the time.

· Reading… A book about Western literature and Homer’s The Odyssey.

· Listening to… Podcasts about mythology across different cultures and “The Joe Rogan Experience.”

· Fitspo… Jocko Willink. He’s up every morning at 4:30 doing his workouts, giving me that needed boost to get moving.

· Snacking on… Greek yogurt with almonds and honey because it’s delicious and nutritious!

· Outdoor pursuit… Slacklining. Great for core stability and balance.

CARA COOLEY, Cardio dance & Sculpt instructor

Spending time with her husband, teaching virtual classes, and relaxing.

· Watching… Tiger King, The Office.

· Podcast picks… “Office Ladies,” “Reply All,” and “This American Life.”

· Go-to nourishment… Rhythm & Blue Juice Co. is my fave!

· Creative outlet… Working on my Sculpt and Cardio Dance classes.

CHARLOTTE BURNS, Yoga instructor

Spending time with her sister, learning to cook, and working on a passion project for the Detroit community.

· Reading… Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling.

· Watching… The Mindy Project (which inspired my book choice!), One Tree Hill from the beginning because it’s my all-time favorite show, and just finished the first season of Little Fires Everywhere.

· Listening to… Some serious throwbacks: Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, The Fray, Sean Paul (always gets me hyped), Illenium (techno), and Bon Iver when I’m feeling sentimental.

· Following the funny… Ellen DeGeneres always keeps things real. I love a good laugh with a strong lady who is serious about spreading some good in the world.

· Sweet-salty fix… Peanut butter & banana toast with honey drizzle and “everything but the bagel” seasoning.

· Finding new strength and clarity with… My yoga practice, every day, first thing in the morning.

ERIN JOHNSON, RAMP Detroit trainer/massage therapist

Exercising outdoors and flexing her creative muscle with fun posts for RAMP Detroit’s Instagram.

· Novel escapes… I’m on my fourth book. The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes was my favorite so far. Now I’m reading The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah. I love historical fiction.

· Adventures in the kitchen… I made Kombucha for the first time! Started from scratch and got a beautiful SCOBY.

· Staying active with… Trail running/walking. I’ve been staying up at my parents and have been out on trails every day.

JO KUTCHEY, Trainer/instructor

Keeping her kids (5, 4, and 1) entertained, delighting in organizing the house, and continuing to prioritize a daily sweat.

· Reading… The Day the Crayons Quit by Oliver Jeffers and The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill to my kids.

· Watching… Ozark, Jack Ryan.

· Dancing to… Pop music with my girls morning, noon, and night!

· Charitable org… No Kid Hungry.

· Fitmix… Running, yoga, and HIIT workouts. I try to make a weekly plan with goals to stay on track.

A special shout-out to The Corner Studio owner Nancy Cotton for her endless support and encouragement to our instructors during this challenging time. Her vision for community engagement has inspired us all.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thecornerstudiogp where you can tune into our free live classes! This week’s remaining lineup: Wednesday Teen Yoga 4:30pm; Thursday YoStrong 9:15am; Friday Cardio Dance 10:00am; and Sunday (Mother’s Day!) Cardio Dance 9:30am.

Keep checking The Corner Blog for news, highlights, and happenings in The Corner Studio community.

See You at The Corner Soon!