Debbie Bobbett has opened up a new performance and wellness studio on Jordan Road. People go there to get in shape, but don’t be fooled: it’s not your typical gym.
“People have told me that when they’re in here they feel like they’re in a tree house,” Bobbett said as she gave a tour of the yoga room — one of two versatile upstairs workout spaces.
For the past three years, Bobbett, an exercise physiologist, taught classes at the Presbyterian Church under her company Healthy Lifestyle Management. She always wanted a space of her own, and the new location (3986 Jordan Road) has allowed her to expand her business.
And she’s getting a lot of help. She now has a business partner in retired attorney and Syracuse native Reem Jishi. Jishi, a triathlon coach who recently bicycled across the country, is working with a team of 20 athletes in preparation for the Skinnyman Triathlon.
Bobbett is excited about her entire team of instructors, who bring established clientele to Gazelle and share a similar philosophy on performance and wellness: that of “an integrated approach.”
“An integrated approach in that there is something for everyone,” Bobbett said. “As long as we can get you to move, that’s an accomplishment of a goal.”
One of those instructors is yoga specialist Georgia Stormes. Like Bobbett, Stormes is a cancer survivor. As one of their main goals, Stormes and Bobbett plan to create a cancer survivor wellness program.
“They have programs that support that,” Bobbest said, “but it might be at the location where they just received chemo for the last 6 months, and they don’t want to go back there. They want to go someplace where they can move on and be people.”
Gazella is about comfort, cleanliness and sustainability. The newly purchased equipment, and even the paint on the walls, is all environmentally friendly.
Customers can expect to use unique equipment — like the TRX suspension training chords — for the first time, but not without comfortably paced instruction.
And adding to the comfort, the larger room has advanced heating and cooling capabilities. Bobbett says the room can heat up to 95 degrees in five minutes for hot yoga classes. The glistening hardwood floors also feature radiant heat.
Eight-week sessions, which start at $95, are already underway. The next session begins July 5.
Gazella will celebrate its grand opening with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. Saturday June 19. Everything from classes to massages will be raffled off, and Gazella gifts of shirts, hats and water bottles will go to the first 100 guests. Casual attire is encouraged. RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected].
Gazella’s team of instructors and coaches:
Reem Jishi — Co-owner, triathlon and cycling coach, TRX
Debbie Bobbett — Co-owner, exercise physiologist, TRX
Dick Searing — Triathlon coach
Bill Houser — Swim coach
Maggie Thomson — Personal trainer, boot camp and body fusion
Joni Brown — Personal trainer, body fusion
Judiann Cesta — Beginner yoga, power yoga and hot yoga
Georgia Stormes — Gentle yoga, yoga for cancer survivors and 50+ yoga
Aline Moses and Edelika Becker — Zumba
