Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
Let’s be honest, aging well requires work. What’s easy in your 20s, isn’t as easy when you’re 55. But building strength the right way (think small muscle groups instead of big) as well as improving your balance and body awareness will keep you strong and help prevent injuries. Enter Breathe Pilates and Yoga. For 15 years, Adina Olan and her instructors have taught traditional pilates and yoga to northern Westchester residents and beyond.
In addition to not jumping on the latest fads, Breathe is one of those rare gems that clients say truly feels like a home. Men, women and teens will walk into a class knowing no one and walk out with friends, or they’ll come in angry and leave with a big smile. They converse, they commiserate and they get stronger.
Ever Wonder?
Breathe was a total fluke. About 20 years ago, Olan and her husband went on their first (and last) family cruise. By the time they made it to the gym to sign up for classes, everything was sold out but Pilates. Having never tried it, they signed up and took Pilates for seven days. Olan was hooked and found an instructor as soon as she returned home. Five years later, she was certified.
Runner-up: Sweat, Pleasantville
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
