Health & Fitness in New York City

Dr. Ching Chen, licensed D.O. and graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, got into the medical practice for a somewhat surprising reason: she considers herself accident-prone. So, when considering her life’s path, she was naturally drawn to a field that would give her the ability to heal her own injuries and help others while keeping her clear of falling anvils. Through her current practice, Healing Station, she melds osteopathy’s approach to medicine—incorporating not only the physical aspects of a patient’s health but also the psychological and emotional—with such services as acupuncture, yoga, and nutritional analysis. Her specialties are physical medicine and rehabilitation, helping clients overcome maladies that range from headaches and minor sports injuries to obesity and sciatica. Before beginning any treatment, Dr. Chen sits down with the patient for a consultation, in which she openly communicates about the issue at hand and develops a treatment plan.

Words such as needle, drill, and hurt never find their way into the office of pediatric dentist Dr. Nicole Lambert, who recommends that children find a 'dental home' by the age of one year to establish an oral-health routine. Understanding that children can be especially apprehensive of dental visits, she instead fosters a soothing environment by explaining treatments in nonthreatening ways. A natural nurturer, she comforts kids with her gentle chair-side demeanor even during emergencies and trauma visits.

While not exactly synonymous, hip-hop and martial arts have been at least nodding acquaintances since GZA released Liquid Swords. But even The Genius never thought to use his rhymes to get into sword-slinging shape. That’s where Hip + Fit comes in. There, a born-and-raised Brooklynite blends her martial arts training and hip-hop background into her cardio kickboxing class. She boasts a black belt in martial arts, performs as a rapper in her spare time, and during her evening classes, she draws on her dual passions to tone muscles and burn fat to the beat of her favorite hip-hop beats. Sessions aim to improve balance and flexibility, with lesson on proper technique in punching, kicking, and demanding a juice box.

Yoga and Pilates in Tribeca—formerly 'Do Yoga Do Pilates'—was founded in 2008 by Elisa Chen, who strived to create an eco-friendly space where students could further their mental and physical prowess. Though Chen has since left the studio, the same team of certified instructors helps each patron reach his or her fitness goals by offering a robust repertoire of yoga, Pilates, Zumba, and under-the-table bribes. The studio’s 35 weekly classes are designed at an open level, so that students of all skill levels and ability can keep up amid the studio's soothing lemongrass-hued walls and burnished hardwood floors.

At Modern Martial Arts NYC, a team of instructors leads classes in kickboxing and krav maga, helping students of all ages and skill levels increase strength and burn calories. The intensive sessions teach students the formal aspects of each style and utilize strength training with cardio intervals to sculpt muscles and melt away inches. With an emphasis on individualized attention, classes focus on fitness, kickboxing techniques, and self-defense to help pupils fight off the cheeseburgers that try to invade their mouths.

More than 80 years ago, Jack Cohen started selling designer eyewear from a pushcart on Orchard Street. After eight decades, that cart has expanded into more than 100 storefronts whose frames runt the gamut from budget-friendly styles to designer specs from Versace, Fendi, and Calvin Klein. The expert staff helps clients match their glasses to their face shapes and lifestyles. Meanwhile, onsite optometrists dole out prescriptions and screen eyes for diseases such as glaucoma and cat cataracts, which make you only see cats.