Kids and Adults Get Active in Fair Lawn's River Road District

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines state that children should get at least one hour of exercise per day; 2 hours and 30 minutes every week for adults.

That’s easy to do in Fair Lawn’s River Road District. From dance classes to martial arts, yoga to fencing, you’ll find all kinds of activities for young people and the young at heart, plus convenient free parking and great shopping and dining options nearby.

Yoga for Peace of Mind & Body

Newly opened Bloom Yoga (13-20 River Road) offers classes for all skill levels in Hatha yoga for adults and children that can help improve breathing, body strength, flexibility and balance while alleviating stress. There are even mommy & me-style classes where parents can interact with their infants and toddlers.

First time business owner Evelyn Brigandi practiced yoga for more than ten years before her daughter Lucie was born. Mother and daughter always enjoy their yoga-time together and Brigandi, a 2000 graduate of Fair Lawn High School, thought other families would too. Her parents, Boris and Nellie Levich, own the building where Bloom Yoga is located. She credits her Dad with the idea for the business, and for the time, effort and resources he put into renovating the comfortable and modern space.

Martial Arts for All

There are many different forms of martial arts, including karate, judo and tae kwan do. Some are centuries old, while others evolved in modern times. You’ll find lots of different styles to choose from in the River Road District. Sensei Paul Snader has provided training for kids and adults at Okinawan Shido-Kan Karate Dojo (12-68 River Road) for more than 20 years.

Fair Lawn Tae Kwan Do (7-07a Fair Lawn Avenue) also offers a variety of classes for martial arts students of all ages including forms and patterns plus techniques for blocking, kicking and punching. Other martial arts providers in the district include Ultimate Black Belt School (10-16C River Road).

Dancing Like the Stars

The River Road District is also home to dance studios led by professionals who have accomplished everything from performing on Broadway to earning the title of national champions.

Adriana Bezmenova and Georgi Kanev are Two Time National Dance Champions of Bulgaria, professional competitors, choreographers and certified dance teachers. In addition to ballroom dancing, their training in ballet and jazz contributes to their dancing expertise. At their Dance A Lot Ballroom Studio (7-19 Fair Lawn Avenue) they teach people of all ages and experience levels to feel confident on the dance floor. They offer private and group lessons and can even help prepare you for a wedding’s first dance.

On the Dance Designs (12-38 River Road) website, owner Carol Baskinger notes that her studio “is a full-blown performing arts center with energy and personality all its own that turns out professionals of all ages, heightens the awareness of arts in the community, and nurtures self-esteem and physical well-being.”

A successful actress, dancer, vocalist and choreographer, Baskinger has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas, including stints on Broadway and in Las Vegas. Dance Designs reflects her multi-talented background, offering a full slate of dance classes including all kinds of styles from ballet and jazz to hip hop, along with fitness training and musical theater lessons for all ages and skill levels.

You can also learn hip hop, break-dancing and other styles at Dance Education Unlimited 2 (7-15 Fair Lawn Avenue). The professional staff leads dance and fitness classes (how about Zumba or Zumbini?) for students ranging from 2 years of age to senior citizens. Dance Education Unlimited is also a great place to host parties for kids who love music and love to dance.

Fencing in Fair Lawn

Have you tried fencing? With more than 20 years of experience as a fencer and coach, Stanislav Gutkovskiy and his staff welcome both beginners and experienced fencers to the Gutkovskiy Fencing Academy (18-02 River Road). Classes include a mix of warm-ups and stretching, footwork, drills and bouts. Private lessons are available by appointment.

For complete directories of businesses and restaurants in the River Road District or more information about upcoming events, programs and services provided by the River Road Improvement Corporation (RRIC), visit FairLawnRiverRoad.com. You can also follow Fair Lawn’s River Road at Facebook.com/FairLawnRiverRoad.