Health and beauty MOVE YA BRASS MOVEYABRASS.COM
Keep your bottom line beautiful with these free or low-cost health, wellness, and beauty resources.
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LOUISIANA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 15 HENRY THOMAS DRIVE, 504-523-1357, LCM.ORG
This attraction in City Park offers community-access programs through Museums for All, with general admission for $2 per person (up to four people) with the presentation of a SNAP EBT card and photo ID. LCM also offers free admission on the second Sunday of each month from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. through the Art for All program, made possible by the Helis Foundation. These tickets are limited and must be reserved in advance.
Possibly the most ‘New Orleanian’ approach to fitness in town also happens to be free. It’s all thanks to local musician Robin Barnes, who credits this movement to saving her life. Barnes grew up playing competitive golf and competed on the college level, but in her early 20s, a severe kidney infection forced her to take stock of her health. “I learned that I was borderline diabetic,” recalls Barnes. “I was on painkillers, walking with a cane at 23. I was in a depression.” She knew she needed to revamp her lifestyle but found the prospect overwhelming, particularly given what she calls a “true New Orleanian” love of fried food, bread, and sauces. The spark came from Barnes’ mother, who said: “Girl, you better get off your ass and move ya brass.” Barnes posted a note on Facebook asking her followers to meet up with her for some cardio – and they showed up, planting the seed for a new kind of movement. Since 2013, Move Ya Brass (MYB) has grown into a fitness community that attracts hundreds of locals and tourists alike to group run/walk sessions and classes like Twerk Ya Brass and Stretch Ya Brass at locations across New Orleans, Mandeville, and Slidell. “I started these because I vowed no one would be in the position I was in when I was trying to get healthy,” says Barnes, who remembers being put off by the lack of affordable options or participants with diverse backgrounds or skill levels. With MYB, Barnes and her team have infused fitness with hospitality, music, love, and a feeling of family.
GET A JUMP ON SAVINGS 612 DISTRIBUTORS ROW, 504-539-4224, DEFY.COM
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As the weather heats up, kids (and grownups) can get their wiggles out indoors at DEFY New Orleans, which bills itself as an “extreme air sport park.” Visitors can swing on a trapeze, conquer the Ninja Obstacle Course, or just jump (and jump, and jump). If you plan to go more than once a month, check out a Flight Membership (the Basic starts at $20.99/ month, which is the same price as 90 minutes of jumping with a regular ticket). In addition to daily access, it offers perks like party discounts, a dedicated check-in line, and more.