wellness
Cold plunging is all over our social media feeds, and there’s a spot in Montclair where you can try out this ancient practice. Juniper Yoga + Fitness, located at 213 Bellevue Avenue, added a cold plunge tub earlier this year, and already, yogis and others are incorporating it into their routines. A cold plunge is a practice of submerging your body in a tub of cold water for benefits such as reduced inflammation and soreness, boosting circulation and immunity, and elevating your mood, among numerous others. Read on to learn about the cold plunge at Juniper Yoga + Fitness in Montclair, New Jersey.
The Backstory
Grace Pizarro, originally from the Phillipines, opened Juniper Yoga + Fitness in 2017 with the help of her sister Tina Pizarro, out of her love for yoga, health, and wellness. Juniper specializes in hot yoga and fitness classes, as well as massage therapy and Reiki. The Pizarros strive for Juniper to be a “sanctuary where everyone could feel at home—a place filled with warmth, kindness, and genuine connection,” said Grace Pizarro.
Earlier this year, Zachary Schwartz, a Juniper yoga instructor, Montclair resident, and psychotherapist, approached Grace Pizarro about implementing the Cold Plunge practice in their already wellness-focused studio. During his recovery from a shoulder injury, Zachary took an interest in the Wim Hof Method, founded by the Dutch extreme athlete, which focuses on breathwork, meditation, sound bath, and cold plunge. Zachary found it to be exceptionally healing in his injury recovery and overall mental health.
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“I said to Grace, you have an extra massage therapy room that you’re not using these days. What do you think about bringing in a cold plunge bath?” Zachary said. Shortly after, the cold plunge bath arrived at Juniper, with an introductory Cold Plunge 101 class taught every Thursday by Zachary himself. “I just want to share this with people because of my experience and I think it’s a great contrast from the hot to doing something cold,” said Zachary.
Cold Plunge 101
For those unfamiliar with cold plunging, Juniper provides a weekly group introductory session called Cold Plunge 101 to help ease into the practice safely, confidently, and with support. The class is limited to six people, and a bathing suit is required. Participants are provided with a warm towel, a baggy for wet bathing suits, and a sticker.
Zachary begins the one-hour session with a history of the cold plunging practice, which dates back to ancient Greece in the fourth century BCE, to how the practice has evolved into the modern day, and even in pop culture.
Participants learn about the numerous research-based health benefits from cold plunging, ranging from physical to mental, such as better sleep, decreased pain and soreness, sharper focus, and release of stress and anxiety. Zachary also explains how the simple act of cold plunging can be seen as a metaphor for embracing discomfort and challenging yourself. He asks participants to go into the plunge with a mantra, such as “I can do hard things.”
The class guides participants throughout the entire process of the plunge, from before, during, and after, with a heavy focus on the breath. The temperature of the water in a typical cold plunge ranges from 50-59 degrees. The purpose of the course is to support participants during their first plunge, considering the difficulty of sitting in such extreme temperatures. According to Zachary’s research, one should aim to plunge for three minutes at a time, three or four times a week, for maximum benefits.
The class finishes with a reflection on the experience and learning how to develop a routine with cold plunging.
Booking the Cold Plunge
Customers can purchase either single sessions or packages to take a dip whenever they please, whether they are heading to a Vinyasa class, just finished a Hot 26 class, or are simply in need of a plunge. A single session costs $35, and the studio has packages such as an unlimited monthly package for $150. Customers simply schedule an appointment for their plunge via the Juniper Yoga + Fitness website, where the studio provides a wide range of access to the plunge, from 8AM to 7PM.
See More: 5 Spots to Try a Cold Plunge in Northern New Jersey
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First responders and workers in the animal rescue community are always hard at work to help our community, and Essex County enjoyed two success stories this week. In both Bloomfield and Verona, two stray cats were saved by rescue workers and brought into safe, stable shelters. Read on to learn more about these heartwarming rescue stories in Essex County.
Bloomfield Animal Shelter
A rescue mission to help a stray cat took place from September 22nd to Tuesday, September 23rd. The cat was retrieved from Watsessing Park following reports from locals. The Animal Control Officers in charge of the mission recognized it as the likely mother of the three kittens they had retrieved from the same location a month prior.
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While the cat was described as famished and scared, Animal Control Officer Melissa was able to retrieve it safely and comfortably. “She was able to observe the areas she felt comfortable in and made a plan to return today with bait — her kittens,” the Bloomfield Animal Shelter social media team explained via Facebook.
The mother cat, who recognized the cries of her kittens immediately, was captured and sent to the shelter to receive care and medical attention. “We don’t know why anyone would abandon such a beautiful family,” the team said.
The cat and her three kittens have been reunited and are under the care of Bloomfield Animal Control.
Verona Fire Department
On Sunday, September 21st, a kitten in danger was saved by the Verona Fire Department at Verona Park. It was described as clinging to vegetation on the retaining wall by the park’s dam. Following reports of the dangerous situation, members of VFD responded quickly to the scene.
Following the rescue, the team scouted the shoreline to search for signs of any other kittens in distress, but found no others. VFD’s swift response time was described as integral to ensuring the kitten’s safety.
And the good news doesn’t end there — on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 23rd, the Department’s social media team reported that one of the firefighters adopted the kitten to join a loving home. This concluded an all-around vigilant effort from a dedicated rescue team, ensuring another stray animal found its way to a safe and secure new home.
See More: Animal Shelters + Rescue Organizations to Support in New Jersey
Follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Montclair updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
