Press

New York, NY, January 6, 2011 – The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) will host a day-long “Fitness Challenge” on Sunday, January 9, as part of its Healthy Lifestyles programming. In partnership with Equinox, Pure Yoga and Whole Foods Market: Columbus Circle, CMOM invites children and their families to join in exercise classes, yoga, obstacle courses and food demonstrations and tastings – all aimed at the importance of making healthy choices at an early age. All activities are included in the cost of admission to the Museum, which is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Funding for Sunday’s program comes from The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund and The Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS), a federal agency.

As part of the day’s theme of “Fitness Challenge,” instructors from Equinox and Pure Yoga will lead classes for kids and their parents, focusing on stretching, movement, dance and family fitness. In addition, parents and children can experience the fun of eating healthfully, making fruit wraps with Healthy Eating Specialist, Ebeth Johnson from Whole Foods Market: Columbus Circle.

“The importance of physical activity and good nutrition are at the very foundation of the Equinox, Pure Yoga and Whole Foods Market brands, and the mission of The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. These partnerships help us raise public awareness about the importance of establishing good habits at a very early age,” said Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director at CMOM. “The Fitness Challenge is an example of our family-based, creative, fun, approach to being healthy.”

In addition to providing classes during the event, Equinox will also be raffling off a 1-month gym membership and giving away 500 1-day passes and stress balls. Whole Foods Market: Columbus Circle will provide information, including The Whole Deal booklet and healthy eating tips and recipes.

For a complete list of the day’s events, please visit www.cmom.org or see below:

Children’s Museum of Manhattan Healthy Lifestyles Festival
Fitness Challenge
with Equinox, Pure Yoga, Whole Foods Market: Columbus Circle

Sunday, January 9
10 am – 5pm

Pump it Up Obstacle Course
10 – 12pm
Lower Level all ages
Crawl through tunnels, jump into hoops and test your balance skills on CMOM’s Pump it Up Obstacle
Course.

I Love My Veggies
10 & 1:30pm ages 4 & younger
PlayWorks Lab – 3rd Floor
Create a garden collage with paper cut-outs with your favorite veggies.

Whole Foods Market: Columbus Circle
1 – 4pm all ages
Discovery Classroom – 3rd Floor
Learn about the four pillars of nutrition as you make a healthy and delicious snack using whole foods
That are low in fat and high in nutrients. Instruction provided by Whole Foods Market’s Healthy Eating Specialist, Ebeth Johnson.

Fitness Fun with Equinox
2 & 3pm ages 4 & older*
Lower Level
Fitness Fun with Equinox
Join Equinox instructor, Amanda Young, and move to the beats with easy-to-learn Latin and internationally infused dance steps. The music is sure get your family fit and having fun with Zumba!
Enter to win a free one month Equinox membership.

Pure Kids Kula
4pm ages 4 & older*
Lower Level
Join Pure Yoga instructor, Lara Benusis, for a fun and interactive program for children (and parents) to explore the gifts of yoga.

*Tickets distributed one hour before each event at the Visitor Information Desk. Space limited.

About Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is New York City’s leading cultural institution dedicated solely to kids and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds. For details on all of CMOM’s programs, please visit www.cmom.org.

About Equinox Fitness Clubs

Equinox Fitness Clubs operates 50 upscale, full-service facilities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas and DC. The company offers an integrated selection of Equinox-branded programs, services and products, including strength and cardio training, group fitness classes, personal training, spa services and products, apparel and food/juice bars. Since its inception in 1991, Equinox has developed a lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership and results.

About Pure Yoga

Americans first became acquainted with Pure Yoga, Asia’s premier yoga studios, when the company partnered with Equinox in 2008 to open its first U.S. location on New York City’s Upper East Side and a second location in 2009 on the Upper West Side. Pure Yoga is best known for its extensive schedule and for housing an incredible variety of both traditional and contemporary yoga practices in one 20,000 square foot modern minimalist space. Its more than 20 full-time certified instructors are dedicated and passionate. Workshops for all levels taught by internationally acclaimed guest yoga masters and world-respected teacher training programs round out Pure Yoga’s offerings to ensure students experience a deeply rewarding yoga journey. Visit pureyoga.com for more information.

About The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund
The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund is a New York City based foundation that strives to improve access and opportunity for all New Yorkers. Founded in 2007 by philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch, the Illumination Fund supports innovative solutions to long‐standing problems in the city through programs and initiatives such as the NYC Green Carts, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s Healthy Lifestyles Initiative, the Lincoln Center’s Illumination Lawn and the NYC Civic Corps. While the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund does not limit grant making to specific issues or organizations, the Illumination Fund consistently champions innovative solutions to long‐standing city problems in education, the arts, healthy lifestyles and service in order illuminate solutions that transform our urban landscape.