Warrior One At Exhale

Discovering Exhale at the Epic in Miami has been a dream and a savior for sure. Moving to Miami after being a life long New Yorker has been an adjustment. Starting over in a new city with a new job, new faces, new places, new Ikea furniture to put together, it’s a challenge. I’ve been a fan of Exhale since it launched in 2002 in New York on the Upper East Side. At the time I remember meeting with Annbeth Eschbach the founder, CEO and President and feeling impressed by her vision of the spa meets boutique experience she planned to roll out globally for fitness and wellness services. In NYC I quickly became an avid Core Fusion aficionado, always practicing and never mastering (the key to it’s success) the workout is a constantly challenging series of exercises demanding excellence, designed to increase strength, class after class. Now years later, moving to a new city I’m seeing and experiencing Annbeth’s vision put into action (29 locations in 11 markets!) it’s nothing short of amazing. What’s phenomenal is the consistency. No matter where you are (Chicago Gold Coast, Miami, Bal Harbour, South Beach, Boston Back Bay, Boston Battery Wharf, etc.) the teachers are on point, delivering cutting edge classes and treatments with just the right amount of pressure (read about a Spafinder staffer’s Magic Facial experience here) to get you up and going, restored or stimulated, they deliver whatever is promised on the menu.

It’s noteworthy that Exhale seems to consistently find some of the best local practitioners in the wellness world who have their finger on the pulse of the community while maintaining a sense of direction, passion, and excellence unique to them. For example, I loved it when I overheard Gab Cohen whose Power Flow Yoga classes I’ve been taking (Challenging!) mention that she had also been teaching at a near by new indie yoga studio that I had just tried (with the intention of branching out myself). And another instructor, Angela Vinas (Precise!) who I connected with made me feel at home in Miami when she actually knew my favorite yoga studios in NYC (that’s a whole other post). Exhale is clearly on the pulse – it’s comforting to go somewhere new (Boston and Chicago up next) and experience somewhere that feels familiar yet at the same time discover what’s hip, happening and cool about that town. Regardless of the city, the Exhale classes, studios, and spa vibes are similar. The decorative elements are all just enough alike (is it the wooden floors, the linen fabrics, you can’t quite put your finger on it) to deliver the brand message while also evoking a fresh boutique flavor specific to each city – so you know where you are – it’s not cookie cutter, however wherever you find yourself, the place is clearly Exhale. It’s a lot like life (everywhere you go there you are) and every warrior one; each and every experience is unique, each move a special moment. BTW did I mention you can use your Spafinder Wellness 365 Gift Cards at Exhale too?