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Body In Mind Beauty & Fitness Boutique EAST: 702-531-BODY


944 Vegas March 2006 your inner diva NINA WALDMAN WANTS TO BALANCE YOUR BODY IN MIND BY SHAYNA NACKONEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN BROWN As I walk into the high-end fitness studio in Henderson, I am greeted by a beautifully toned woman who could serve as a life-size advertisement for the benefits of Pilates. She's Nina Waldman, native Las Vegas and owner of the Valley's two all-in-one beauty and fitness dream boutiques-the body in Mind Pilates Studios. I'm excited and a little nervous. I'm taking my first private Pilates class from the fitness diva, and I don't quite feel loose, sexy or confident. Waldman's class is about to change all of that. She leads me over to this funky looking (and at first, slightly intimidating) machine call the Reformer. We go through a variety of exercises on this crazy, yet effective contraption. Waldman continually emphasizes that I should keep engaging my abdominals. Pulling my belly button towards my spine throughout the duration of each exercise was more challenging than I had anticipated. I entered Waldman's studio with what I thought to be a pretty sufficient Olympic-level athletic background, but nonetheless, my tummy was in full trembling mode during the classes Pilates exercise "the hundred". As I lie on my back with my wrists and feet in straps, and my legs lifted up to a 45-degree angle, holding my head and tops of my shoulders up, I extend my knees and grimace as I try to keep my feet, knees and thighs firmly pressed together while pumping my arms up and down by my sides. "Breathe, don't forget to breathe, feel your breath in the back of your ribs," Waldman politely reminds me in her calm, soothing voice. After that session, I can now say that I fully understand where both the body and the mind come into play during Pilates. The Body in Mind Pilates Studio is meant to promote that understanding - a sense of physical harmony and well-being for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Waldman first became intrigued with Pilates in the late '90s when her husband - former professional basketball player H Waldman - slipped a disc in his back while playing overseas. A major part of his rehabilitation was practicing Pilates. Waldman, who was already working as a personal trainer then, became a certified Pilates instructor as well. The led her to open her first Body in Mind Pilates Studio in Jerusalem. Upon returning to the Valley, Waldman opened a studio in the Las Vegas Sporting House which eventually moved to a location at the Las Vegas Athletic Club at Rainbow and Lake Mead. But in May of 2005, Waldman took everything her clients have ever asked for in a high-end fitness boutique and opened her Body in Mind Pilates Studio in Henderson. The are two types of Pilates exercises, those that are done on the mat and those that use the five different pieces of equipment. Both are geared towards the same goal of core stability and strength. Mat classes have 34 exercises to choose from and there are over 500 that can be performed on the five apparatus. Such a variety of exercises that help Waldman and her 14 certified Pilates instructors ensure that their sessions never become monotonous. Waldman has incorporated all aspects of health and beauty under one roof in her Body in Mind Pilates Studio. The serene boutique gives a sense of self and immediately gratifying feeling of "I'm worth it." Body in Mind Pilates Studio is fully equipped with everything a person need to stay beautiful, toned, physically fit and healthy. Nina not only offers beginning, intermediate, advanced and super advanced Pilates training at the studio, but she also offers different sexy and fun cardio classes. The choices range from striptease cardio and pole dancing classes with fitness model and dance instructor Fawnia Mondey-Dietrich, to kickboxing. The kickboxing workout is specifically designed to burn up to an astonishing 1,200 calories in just one class. For the final touch in achieving Waldman's goal of balancing the body and the mind, her clients have the option of a post-workout massage or facial. Waldman says she does not want her clients to feel intimidated to try out these relatively new ways to burn off those weekend brownies. She wants women of all ages and backgrounds to feel comfortable in the studio, have fun, let loose, and feel sexy and confident. "It's about the tease," says Nina as she explains the cardio striptease class. "It's about coming in a sports bra, a tank top and a jacket, and slowly unzipping the jacket. The class teaches you the tease while learning a sexy, sultry dance routine designed to create longer, leaner muscles just like Pilates." Waldman offers private Pilates sessions; each new client must attend at least two before joining a group Pilates class. "This allows the client to learn the exercises in their proper sequence as well as get the necessary one-one-one attention that everybody needs prior to joining a class." The most popular class right now is the Reformer class. It is not only the most affordable, but it is also one of Waldman's favorites - and it's beautiful to watch. "Everybody in the class is synchronized and there is a little bit of healthy competition but also camaraderie because everybody is into their routine. It's so aesthetically pleasing to see five bodies doing the exact same thing together." Classes at the Body in Mind Pilates Studio range anywhere from $10 to $65. Waldman offers numerous amounts of packages to satisfy all of her clients' personal needs. It's an investment in health, beauty and spiritual well-being - one that starts with an intial public offering courtesy of Body in Mind.

Nina Waldman has set out to test boundaries and use exercise regimes on the verge of mainstream, where inhibitions are checked at the door and "sore muscles" take on a new meaning. Waldman was introduced to Pilates when her husband, former UNLV Runnin' Rebel H Waldman, injured his back and took up Pilates for rehabilitation. The Waldmans moved to Israel for nearly five years when her husband was playing in pro basketball leagues overseas. Out of boredom, Nina Waldman opened the first Body in Mind Studio. The couple grew tired of the lifestyle and moved back to their native Las Vegas. Nina Waldman then created two Body in Mind Beauty and Fitness Boutique locations in her hometown. In Henderson, Body in Mind can be found at 8925 S. Pecos Road, Ste. 13A. Pilates is a form of resistance training that strengthen the core of the muscles in the abdomen, lower back, hips, inner thighs and backside with slow stretches and fluid movement. "You're sore in a pleasing way. It's invigorating, not exhausting," says Waldman, 32. "Most clients who dreaded going to the gym look forward to going to Pilates." Waldman's next idea, at first, made some women cringe. But, in reality, the newest additions-cardio striptease and pole dancing- were brought in to improve self esteem along with a low-impact, fun exercise experience. "I thought long and hard about it. I didn't want anyone to get the wrong impression," Waldman says. "Those classes don't discriminate. Most of the clients who come are beginners. Woman of all ages-up to age 70, so far- have tried the pole dancing class because of its low impact. Women who come in with inhibitions leave without them, Waldman says. "It's not momentum," she says. "The slower you go, the sexier it is. Pole dancing isn't about flying around the pole." Ruby Gonzales, a Green Valley Ranch resident, was surrounded by women of all ages and professions in her classes. "We were all rookies, so it wasn't that intimidating. That added fun to it," she says. "I felt good about myself. It brought self confidence, and I could still do some moves even if I'm in my 40's." "We want to tap into our feminine side," Waldman says. "We get to walk out feeling beautiful, sexy, uninhibited and having accomplished a good workout." The cardio striptease class isn't as low-key as Pilates or Pole Dancing. Waldman enjoys watching the transformation in the students from when they walk in for their first pole dancing or cardio striptease class to when they leave. "They're kind of hugging the wall at the beginning of the hour," she says, "And at the end of the hour, they're free." Other classes offered at Body in Mind include yoga, kickboxing and Cardio Pilates Abs (CPA), an all-in-one exercise created by Waldman. Massage, facials, waxing and skin care also are offered at the studio. Pole dancing and cardio striptease classes are offered as drop-in classes or workshops, starting at about $15 per class. Private and group rates are available as well for most classes. Those interested can call Body in Mind at 531-2639 or visit the website at www.bodyinmindpilatesstudio.com
LAS VEGAS LIFE MAGAZINE January 2006 Strength in Numbers by Valerie Behr On your backs. Heels on the bar, toes pointing outward. Long arms, broad shoulders. Good. Now extend your legs. Exhale, down. Inhale, up. That's it. Again." Standing in the middle of her dimly lit studio, Nina Waldman gently directs us through a series of Pilates movements. Her manner is at once dance instructor, physical therapist and fitness coach, her toned physique a walking advertisement for her two Body in Mind beauty and fitness boutiques. "Controlled movement," she reminds us. As I focus on my breath and the burn in my calves, I glance across the room at the four other women in class. Just eight weeks ago, we all—save one—had been the epitome of the term "sedentary." Not fat, mind you, but unfit. Most of us hadn't exercised in months, some even years. Yet here we were keeping pace with Nina's snapping fingers, anticipating the once-complicated moves and looking like Pilates pros. The transformation began, as these things often do, over lunch. After ordering our salads, the conversation turned to our expanding waistlines, slowing metabolism and flabby thighs. We wanted to reap the benefits of consistent exercise, but none of us could find the time in our busy schedules. Call it kismet (or just selective attention), but later that day I came across a brochure for a new fitness studio just a few blocks from the office. It offered a number of options, but the one that caught my eye was the group Pilates class. Taught on specialized equipment, not mats, it offered individualized instruction at a fraction of the private rates. And from what I had read in the health magazines, Pilates provided challenging strength and flexibility training workouts without the sweat-factor. It seemed like the perfect solution. I rounded up my colleagues and pitched the challenge: give me your lunch hours, twice a week for eight weeks. If all goes according to plan, I'll provide you a foray back into the world of physical fitness. I quickly found four takers and we booked our sessions. From the very first class we were hooked. Instead of the pounding music and frenetic movements of a typical gym regimen, Body in Mind's zen-like atmosphere and fluid routines allowed us to exercise while quieting our minds (and mouths). Yet sore muscles in places that hadn't been sore in years assured us we were getting a good workout. We enjoyed the bi-weekly class so much that the physical benefits seemed almost a bonus. No one really noticed much weight loss, but our clothes felt looser and longtime joint and back pain had diminished. We all found we were much more aware of our posture, standing and sitting straighter. And we felt much more relaxed after the workouts. "The great thing about Pilates is that you can't think about anything except what you're doing," shared one colleague. Another agreed. "It feels like a mini-vacation, I can forget about work and family and just concentrate on me." Before the end of the eight-week period, we were already talking about renewing our commitment, and discussing ways to add cardio to complement the strength training. We had made it over the sedentary hump, and were now back on the fitness track. Nina calls out for the "Hundred," Pilates' famous core-strengthening exercise that is essentially 100 crunches. Eight weeks ago, her command was met with groans of disbelief—most of us hadn't done sit-ups in decades. Yet today, all is quiet in preparation. "Legs in the air, arms by your sides. Begin." We keep time to the snapping of her fingers, tackling the hundred like it was 10...

Southwest View July 2005 Pilates instructor exercises clients' body, mind in studio by Maria Phelan When southwest Las Vegas resident Nina Waldman decided to open Body in Mind Pilates Studio in the Henderson area, she wanted to give her clients an all-in-one fitness and beauty experience. So Waldman included a cardio room and Aestheticians' rooms in the boutique and studio she opened almost two months ago. In addition to offering Pilates instruction on mats and machines and Pilates for Golf, a class designed to correct swing faults caused by muscular imbalances and physical limitations, Waldman incorporated cardio classes in cluding X-Treme Boxing with Romeo Romero, sports conditioning, yoga and plyometrics. "For this studio, I just tried to listen to what my clients wanted," Waldman said. "I wanted to take the sweaty grime out of it, and I had a lot of clients that told me they loved Pilates but they wanted to incorporate some cardio too, so I added cardio classes. I had clients who didn't want to have to go all over the place to go to the gym and then for facials, so I added the aestheticians." Waldman also operates a location at Gold's Gym at Sahara Avenue and Decatur Boulevard, though Body in Mind's cardio classes and aesthetician services are not available there. Between the two locations, Waldman has 12 Pilates instructors and she has seven aerobics room instructors at her new location. Waldman's interest in health and fitness was sparked more than a decade ago when she decided to study the subject to help herself lose weight. Shortly after, she began working as a personal trainer. In the late '90's, Waldman's husband--former professional and UNLV basketball player H Waldman--moved the couple to Jerusalem to pursue his career. Shortly after the move, he suffered a back injury and began doing Pilates as rehabilitation therapy. They returned to Las Vegas as she completed her first Pilates certification course. In December 1998 she and a friend opened the first Body in Mind Pilates Studio in Jerusalem. "I fell in love with Pilates and came back to get certified," she said. "I've been teaching it since. It's great for rehabilitation an increasing athletic performance as well as preventing injuries from occurring, and it helps increase flexibility and strengthens the core muscle." After returning to the Las Vegas area, Waldman opened a studio in the Las Vegas Sporting House in 2000, and eventually relocated to Gold's Gym. She encourages anyone thinking about trying Pilates not to worry about coming in as a beginner. "A lot of people think they need to get in shape before they start Pilates, and that's not true," Waldman said. "There are so many beginner exercises to get you in shape, and once you get through the beginner repertoire you progress to intermediate and so on, and you're constantly progressing. "There are so many Pilates exercises that it never gets monotonous. There are over 500 exercises on the machines, and 34 with mat work." In addition to the cardio class offerings, Waldman is planning to bring in Jeffery Costas from Los Angles to teach her instructors to teach cardio striptease. "It's a sort of desperate housewives thing," Waldman said. "You go to these classes and wear a lot of layers, and then he teaches you how to take it off. It's fun and it's also a great workout." The studio offers pre- and post-natal yoga classes. Waldman said she has found the classes help strengthen the muscles used in childbirth, and help make delivery easier and to speed the recovery process. "I love practicing Pilates and I love teaching it," she said. "I find it most rewarding when clients come in here and they are either really inflexible or they have been injured or they are overweight and in no time they're feeling different and doing things they never thought they could do. And I'm helping them do those things." Waldman said eventually she would like to have three fitness boutiques throughout the valley, and is looking at the northwest and southwest areas of town.

VEGAS Magazine February 2004 "Desert Patrol" The People who make Las Vegas Nina Waldman Flex Appeal As Owner of the Body In Mind Pilates Studio, Nina Waldman is at the cutting edge of the country's fastes growing exercise phenomenon. The 30-year-old Las Vegas native opened her first studio in Jerusalem, Isreal, where her husband was playing pro basketball. Upon their return to Las Vegas three years ago, she opened Body In Mind, now located inside Gold's Gym on West Sahara Avenue. Waldman contracts 11 instructors at the thriving full-service studio, which offers state-of-the-art equipment and various private and group classes. Body In Mind has clients of all ages, and Waldman says that Pilates-which strengthens the entire body and enhances flexibility-can be especially beneficial for the older and less mobile. It's also catching on among athletes, many of whom she has helped to achieve new levels of performance. She proudly notes that her husband's team in Israel won a championship after she began training them in Pilates; here in Las Vegas, the Durango High School volleyball team has won back-to-back state titles since working with her. "You haven't experienced Pilates until you've experienced it at Body In Mind, "she's fond of saying, and her rapidly growing client list-which also includes local luminaries such as City Councilman Michael Mack and Susan Molasky, wife of luxury real estate developer Irwin Molasky-serves as proof. But the ultimate proof lies in the physiques she has helped to transform. "We take really good care of our clients," she says, "and their bodies reflect that."
FUN & FIT April 2002 PILATES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: Pilates instructor advises pregnant women to consider Pilates, but suggests they consult their doctor first. When Sheila Stuart became pregnant four months ago she decided not to give up her weekly Pilates sessions. Stuart, who began taking Pilates in June 2001, said that unless her doctor says otherwise, she is gong to continue Pilates classes until she has her baby this August. Stuart is a client at Nina Waldman’s Body In Mind Pilates studio, which relocated in January to Gold’s Gym on 4720 W. Sahara Avenue. Pilates is a series of controlled movements engaging the body and mind, performed on specifically designed exercise apparatus and should be supervised by extensively trained teachers. The method is tailored to meet the needs of each individual, and it focuses on total body conditioning by building strength and flexibility. Waldman, who opened her first Body In Mind studio in Jerusalem, Israel, says the most important thing for pregnant women to do before beginning an exercise program is to consult with their doctor. “I always advise women to check with their doctor before starting any exercise program, as well as researching the instructor and checking their credentials,” Waldman said, “If you put your body into the hands of someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing you can do more harm than good.” It’s also important for instructors to understand that every pregnant woman has a different fitness level, Waldman said. “The results from Pilates will vary among women, but Pilates allows pregnant women to safely develop core strength which will help them when in labor.” Waldman informs. “Improving core strength will also help with recovery after giving birth and relieve some of the pressure they might have placed on their lower back from carrying the extra weight.” Waldman also said breathing exercises benefit expecting mothers by improving circulation and reducing swelling in the ankles and water retention. According to the American Council on Exercise, exercising while pregnant can offer physical and emotional benefits, including relief of excessive weight gain, swelling of hands and feet, leg cramps, varicose veins, insomnia and fatigue. The council also sites improved posture and circulation, reduced backaches and increased energy as benefits to exercising while pregnant. Stuart says the biggest difference she has seen in her body is in her posture. “I’m not shrugging my shoulders anymore,” said Stuart, who said she has been weight training since age 16. “I focus more on strengthening my lower back now that I’m pregnant, but I am pretty much able to do the same exercises as before.” Additionally, Stuart said Pilates has been a stress reliever and helped her develop deep breathing techniques. Waldman says most of her pregnant clients say after a session they feel an increase in their energy level as the day goes on, but they also tend to fatigue faster while exercising. “A Woman’s energy level varies depending on which trimester she is in,” she said, “In my experience with pregnant clients, I have noticed their first trimester is most difficult. There are different types of modifications we can make for each individual. For example, we can use pillows for those who are further along and need extra support.”
The Jerusalem Post 1999 By Greer Fay Cashman Aligning your future The Pilates method stretches you into shape Fitness enthusiasts will go to extraordinary lengths to fuel their passion. But few would go as far as Meira Eliash-Chain and Nina Waldman. When Meira couldn't find an outlet in Jerusalem that featured her favorite form of exercise, she opened a Pilates studio with partner, Nina Waldman which they called Body In Mind. Waldman, a Personal Trainer for over 4 years, moved from Las Vegas to Jerusalem when husband, H Waldman signed with Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Team. When partner, Meira Eliash-Chain hired Nina Waldman as her Personal Trainer, Nina was introduced to the Pilates Method and returned to Jerusalem after completing her certification in the Pilates Method back at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. Once she was certified, it was simply a matter of time before the Pilates Method took hold in Jerusalem. The small studio in an office building on Emek Refaim officially opened in December of 1998 with no fanfare and minimal publicity. Nonetheless, there are already more than 60 regulars, with more people wanting to sign up all the time. The popularity of the program compelled Waldman to train more teachers. Once there is a larger staff, a lot of people whose work schedules precluded them from signing up for the program will have more options available. The Pilates Method is geared toward correcting spinal alignment, lengthening muscles, increasing flexibility, and strength, and doing away with bad posture. Says Waldman, who has been practicing the Pilates Method for a year, "My body never looked as good as it does now." Her abdominals, she adds, "are the strongest they've ever been." Some of her clients say similar things about themselves. "Do you think I got a little taller with all this stretching?" asks one as she surveys herself in the mirror. Waldman laughs. It's not the first time that question has been put to her. Very few people stretch their spines to maximum capacity. Most of us allow our spines to dip or to bend with the result that we look shorter than we really are. The Pilates Method calls for the spine to be lengthened to maximum capacity. It is stretched as far as it can go, and the stomach muscles are simultaneously strengthened. The result is that people stand and look taller.