Sweat It Out

How to keep doing your favorite Houston workouts at home

The Breathing Room is taking its classes online.

In the midst of COVID-19, everyone is fearful of the COVID 15 — or the extra pounds we might put on while social distancing in self-quarantine (and ordering all that takeout to help support local restaurants).

Luckily, some of our favorite Houston studios and workout gurus are going digital, offering classes via livestream and other online methods. Some require membership and others are free, but now is definitely the time to explore all the get-fit options from the comfort of your own home.

Yoga

YogaWorks
Flow for free with classes and instructors from Houston and around the country — a schedule can be found here.

The Breathing Room
From mat to Tai-Chi to prenatal, it's all here through Zoom after you book your class online. There are also meditation classes to help with anxiety.

Republic Aerial Yoga
Obviously the studio is closed to the public, but you can livestream daily classes at 10:30 and 6 pm on Facebook and Instagram.

Black Swan Yoga
The Austin-based yoga studio is offering free daily live feeds beginning at 6 am, meaning you can get your downward dog on anytime of day. The schedule changes daily and users can donate directly to teachers.

Meditation

MindTravel SilentHike
The Galveston hike took place on March 10, but if you missed it or are craving some mindfulness you can now download the "musical trip into mindfulness" to enjoy on your own schedule, in your own natural setting. The 20-minute sample is free, with the option to purchase longer walks.

General fitness

Camp Gladiator
For the first time ever, Camp Gladiator is launching #HustleFromHome — free, live at-home workouts. These are available to the public and CG members on Camp Gladiator's Facebook page, streaming Monday-Friday, three times a day at 5:30 am, 8 am, and 5:30 pm CT, as well as on Saturdays at 8 am. Each session is led by one of CG's certified personal trainers and requires little to no equipment (mats, dumbbells). Can't make it? The video workouts can be accessed any time of day here.

Revolution Studio
You can see a schedule on Revolution's Facebook page, sign up for virtual classes online or through the Revolution app, then participate on Zoom. You'll receive an email with the class meeting ID and password to be used for class 10-15 minutes before start time. You can also purchase gift cards during this time and receive extra bonuses — gift cards can be used toward virtual classes or onsite ones when the studio re-opens.

RYDE
Normally all about cycling, this studio is posting free, 30-minute, full-body workouts on Facebook.

A little bit of everything

The FITT Cycle
Houston’s "carb-loading queen," Lindsay Huelse, is offering 50 percent off her app, The FITT Cycle, with code ATHOME50. Go to The FITT Cycle to redeem this offer.

All the brands within the Xponential Fitness family of brands — AKT, CycleBar, Club Pilates, Pure Barre, Row House, StretchLab, STRIDE, and YogaSix — are offering free workouts via Facebook Live. There is one workout per concept, per day, or 40 workouts a week.

fitness health video

cherry blossom restaurant

Eye-catching new restaurant serenades Montrose with global cuisine and wood-fired steaks

Photo by Adrian Barboza

Muse opened Thursday, March 23.

Houston’s next destination that blends eclectic cuisine with an eye-catching interior and a lively atmosphere has opened its doors. Muse is now open for dinner in the former Emmaline space at 3210 W Dallas St.

Part of of the Sundown Entertainment Group (Sugar Room, Todos Santos, and The Sporting Club), any conversation about Muse has to start with its eye-catching design. Inspired by owners Brandon Duliakas and Dan Wierck global travels, the space features an 18-seat wraparound bar, walnut accents, and lots of natural light. Most noticeable of all are the large cherry blossom trees that shade the restaurant’s banquettes. All in, the approximately 4,200-square-foot restaurant seats almost 200 people.

Turning to the cuisine, Muse offers serves a globally-inspired menu that hops across a range of genres. Created by executive chef and partner E.J. Miller (Riel, International Smoke) with an assist from sous chefs Dung Nguyen (The Dunlavy) and Andrew Aguilera (The Classic), Muse’s menu incorporates locally-sourced ingredients into shareable dishes that include hot and cold plates, sushi rolls, and wood-grilled steaks and seafood.

Specific dishes include:

Octopus salad with with shaved vegetables and soft-boiled quail egg
Sticky pork ribs with soy-tamarind glaze
Yellowtail aguachile
Wood-grilled lobster with green papaya salad
R-C Ranch bone-in ribeye with chili eggplant.

Pastry chef Maggie Lin (La Table) makes her own contributions with a Yuzu Tart with sesame shortbread; Profiteroles with lemongrass ice cream and macerated strawberries; and a Mocha Torte with red bean brownie and cafe su da mousse.

“Growing up in Houston, I’ve always enjoyed exploring global flavors and experimenting with a variety of traditional techniques,” Miller said in a statement. “While the name ‘Muse’ comes from the idea of a person or personified force that provides a source of inspiration, our menu is inspired by Houston’s unique multicultural dining scene.”

As they did for the Sporting Club and Sugar Room, Sundown turned to beverage consultants Ladies of Libation to create the restaurant’s cocktails. The results include the Japanese Breakfast a blend of orange blossom gin, bergamot, sake and white peach tea that’s served over dry ice from a traditional tea pot; the Matcha Colada with dark rum, coconut, matcha, pineapple; and lime; and the on-trend take on an Espresso Martini.

Those who prefer wine or sake will find plentiful changes, including 20 wines by-the-glass and a rotating list of sake. They’re overseen by general manager Patty Burbach.

Initially only open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday beginning at 5 pm, Muse’s future plans include construction of a rooftop patio and weekend brunch service.

Photo by Adrian Barboza

Muse opened Thursday, March 23.