Elite Event: Party and Pop Physique w/ The Land of Kush

Delayed reaction, I know, but hopefully I’m not too late.
I really loved this event and had been wanting to try Pop Physique but was intimidated because I didn’t want to be the worst one in a normal class. I knew at a Unilocal event it would be regular people (not that really fit, ballerina types are not regular people – but can be intimidating!) I was thrilled to be able to try this workout in a no-​judgement zone, and that’s what it was.
I thought the workout was going to be really tough, from what I’ve heard about barre workouts, but I thought it was a good difficulty level. I do not have a lot of endurance, but do have a lot of flexibility, so this workout was good for me, and I’d like to do it again. My legs were sore the next day.
I like that matts, balls, weights, water, and bands were provided and all you need to show up with are your socks!
Our instructor was great, though it was difficult to hear her at times over the music and her mic was a little fuzzy. I’m guessing this group was bigger than the typical classes, which probably have more room for one-​on-​one help.
Pop Physique is welcoming, bright, and clean. I will definitely put that 10% off coupon to use.
There’s not a lot to say about Land of Kush except that they are awesome and the best vegan restaurant EVER. I was disappointed not to have their famous mac n’cheese and riblets, but I get that this was supposed to be a healthier event. It gave me a chance to step outside of my Land of Kush box and try the Chick’n Salad Wraps (which SO GOOD and my two non-​veg friends loved them) and the kale salad (always delish).
I loved this event! Great job, Elsa!

7÷10÷14
Let’s get physical, physical… I wanna get physical! (I’m a self-​proclaimed dork at times!!) ;-)
I’m still new to the Elite world and was excited that this month’s event was activity based. Food and drinks is always a good time but why not incorporate some movement to make the calories put on, well deserved lol!
I have a friend who takes a Barre class and is always telling me about it and I have wanted to try. So I was super excited to have the opportunity to FINALLY have a go at it. Pop Physique is located on a fun block of Charles street that has a lot of other great businesses. Great location. I take the metro to and from work so I was able to get off at the Charles Center metro and walk a few blocks to the location. I thought it would be a good idea since downtown parking can be a little frustrating. Pop Physique is such an inviting, bright, and warm place. Loved Kim, the owner, who greeted us and had us fill out the forms. She even had water for those that didn’t bring any.
While we waited for the first class to start we were also welcomed by the aromatic delicacies of The Land of Kush! I couldn’t wait to try their goodies! Time to get started… Lara, our instructor, was AWESOME!!! She was leading us as well as helping us individually to make sure we were doing the workout properly to get the max benefit. Who knew that such intricate and small movements could be so effective! This class is great for toning and just a great overall workout! I LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!! Oh and the music playlist was AMAZING!
After a great workout it was finally time to partake of the good eats and some wine! The kale salad with the avocado and garlic dressing and the un-​chicken wraps (made with a soy protein that I swore was chicken) was SOOOOOO GOOD! The staff of The Land of Kush were so knowledgeable, personable, and fun! I will definitely be checking them out to try out their other yummies! They passed out their pamphlet menus with a 10% discount card for our visit. THANKS!
Before leaving Kim also passed out a coupon for a free class! I will definitely be using that in the near future! SCORE! Ohhhh and before I forget #ButtSchool heheheheheh! Lol
Thanks Elsa for planning another great and unique event and always thanks for the wine! ;-)

I was not sure what to expect with this Elite Unilocal event. I must say this was very interactive event… my butt and legs agree. The space is open with walls covered it art that can be purchased. Need a shirt or workout pants no problem you can purchase that to as well. As with all interactive activities you must sign a waiver. It does not matter your skill level or sex. Both females and males can benefit from this type of workout. Now to my personal experience: Loved seeing Elsa check us in and giving the deets of the night. The first 20(which included myself) was ready to start. They supply balls, mats and weighs for your workout. They focus on all your muscles with every command the instructor gave I was feeling it big time. They combine some foot placements from ballet with some moves from yoga and Zumba combined. Each movement is done in slow motion which allows you to feel each muscle that you are working. I can say that I felt everything and was thankful that other Unilocalers kept me motivated to not stop and give up. The teacher tells you to go at your own pace but you want to go on… and I did. My only problem was the leg bar… I could not for the life of me get my leg up lol. They will also provide you with water for free. It’s always best to have water, I was sweating and needed to be hydrated… yes a true and true work out.
Having the Land of Kush to supply the bites was a perfect pair. They provided chicken wraps and garlic greens that was very tasty. I must say the wine was much deserved after a workout like that… my body thanks you Elsa. I went home took a long shower and slept really good that night. We will not talk about the next morning waking up to a sore body because I’m not very active but this May make me change my mind. One fellow Unilocaler said she has attend the last 3 months and already see huge benefits.
The bonus was the Unilocal swag beach towel and a free visit to workout again. Thanks to Unilocal Baltimore for showcasing the hip and new adventure in Baltimore.

*singing* I love it, I love it!
When I saw what we were doing this month, I became so excited! I have heard so much about barre classes, and have been dying to try them out! I enter thinking, this can’t be too bad, right? Right?!
Chilleeee! I couldn’t have been more wrong! My muscles shook as I pulsed, pulsed, pulsed my arms to the ceiling, and squatted on my tip toes… boy, this workout is brutal! But, I loved every minute of it! The instructor was awesome, and the music was great too.
After our workout, we got to #nom on the delicious eats of the Land of Kush. I think they just may have converted this carnivore. Who would have thought that veggies could taste so great? I’m definitely going to try them out.
Elsa, this was just awesome! Thanks again!

I’ve always wanted to try out a Pop Physique class and voilà. This interactive Elite event was right up my alley. Thanks to Pop Physique my body is feeling a good type of sore this morning. This barre class is low to moderate impact. The space is clean, the music was jamming, and the instructor was patient with all us newbies. At times, I could not hear the instructor but she made sure to come over and check on everyone. If she didn’t correct you, you were doing the exercise properly. I did not get a chance to eat the food from Land of Kush there (due to my fast) but I did take advantage of the 10% off after the event. Thanks for a unique event Elsa!

Sure food and drink are always a failsafe for a good time but when you incorporate some type of activity where you can actually DO stuff, then the food and drink are just the accessories that make for a GREAT time! Oh how I love innovative Unilocal events and how I love even more a CM that is creative enough to organize them! With this event Elsa put together two concepts that (in full or part) were new to the Unilocal crew: barre fitness & (awesome) vegan/​vegetarian cuisine!
This was my first time experiencing the pleasurable torture that is barre but it certainly is not my last. Our instructor (Lara Helene) was engaging and encouraging with a gentle but reassuring hands on approach to make sure that we were getting the most out of our fitness class (translation: doing it right so it can hurt so good in the morning). The fitness studio had a great layout for such a small, intimate space but the AC was working overtime and we needed it! I also liked the fact that there was a water cooler (instead of having water for sale) and in the bathroom there’s a little cup full of ponytail holders. They think of everything!
As for the food selection, I’m no stranger to Land of Kush from both pre-​vegan days and definitely now. But for the people reading this that took part in the event and hadn’t heard of them before, I do want to let you know that Land of Kush doesn’t just have super healthy vegan food like the wraps and kale salad, they also have vegan soul food (ribs, greens, yams, mac & cheese) so don’t shy away from checking them out thinking it’s one of those «health food» places that you shudder at the thought of visiting. It’s got the best of both worlds!

I am NOT insecure about being the only male at this Unilocal event.
I had a lot of fun. This was a great idea, Elsa! Firming up my butt and following it up with healthy eats.
Pop Physique was very kind to host such a packed class. Great beats, great instruction, great techniques, and great burn. And Land of Kush… never thought veggies could taste so good.