Interview with:

Dr. Marilyn A. LoPresti of North Fork Bodies In Motion

Website: northforkbodiesinmotion.com

Instagram: northforkbodiesinmotion

Email: northforkbodiesinmotion@gmail.com

Phone: 631-599-9518

Location: 74365 Main Rd, Greenport, NY 11944

When and why did you start your business?

Dr. Marilyn A. LoPresti is a Master Tai Chi/Qigong Instructor, Master Low Impact Aerobics Instructor, business owner, and author. North Fork Bodies In Motion, LLC was established in 2016. Her business is a culmination of the many hurdles Dr. LoPresti experienced that helped form the goals that have become her work’s passion, that is, reaching out to help others to find the strength and healing within themselves.

What's your story? 

Dr.Marilyn LoPresti is a 37-year Breast Cancer survivor, with setbacks along the way, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and more.  Today she teaches Tai Chi, Martial Arts, Guided Meditation, Strength Training, and Low Impact Aerobics. 

Dr. Marilyn LoPresti is a retired Assistant Superintendent of Schools, with more than 40 years of experience in education.  Her career spanned all grades, from pre-school to secondary and post-secondary doctoral education.  

On a personal level, Dr LoPresti is a Second Degree Black Belt. She practices and teaches Tai Chi, Qigong, Shaolin Kempo, Kungfu, Qigong Meditation, and has visited and performed for the Grand Abbot, at the Shaolin Temple, in China.  She, and her sister Joan, were the first two women, historically, to have ever performed at the Shaolin Temple. Dr.LoPresti has been involved in the martial arts for over 35 years, and continues to train, study, and teach today.

Dr. LoPresti is a best-selling author.  

“What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger”, is a chapter in Dr.Marilyn LoPresti’s life; a snapshot of what brought her to what are her latest circumstances, and the business she designed with helping others in mind.

What do you offer?

North Fork Bodies In Motion offers adults of all fitness levels, a fully coordinated program that truly embodies the founder’s mission. 

Combining physical endurance, functional power, agility, and cardio, through Low Impact Aerobics, including muscle and skeletal development with free weight training. These classes form parts of the overall integration program which include Body and Energy. 

Tai Chi, Qigong, and Qigong Meditation fulfill the remaining part of the whole mission, that is balance, focus training, breath and movement coordination, self-healing, and more. These round out the integration of Mind and Spirit aspects. 

North Fork Bodies in Motion offers an authentic, fully-packed, program that brings results.  Weight loss, increased strength and endurance, balance and coordination, meditation and stress reduction, self-confidence, and more, are accomplished at the individual’s own pace, age, fitness level, and abilities. 

Classes offered:

Low Impact Aerobics

This studio class is designed to keep adults moving!   Increased balance, endurance, functional power, and weight loss, are just some of the benefits gained from these workouts! Cover approx. 5K miles in one hour, while having fun to the music. All fitness levels are welcome. No experience is necessary.

 Tai Chi/ Qigong

Tai Chi/ Qigong study and practice is life-changing.  Tai Chi is highly recommended by the medical community and is validated by research studies conducted by Harvard Medical School and others that have proven its medical benefits.  Tai Chi combines balance training, inner and outer body strength practice, mind focus, and more.  Tai Chi also provides a means to mindful, self-healing meditation and stress reduction. No experience is necessary. Private lessons are available. 

Hybrid Lunch Class

This Hybrid class provides a foundation for working the total body by first applying cardio, low impact aerobics for the first half hour. The second half-hour will work the major muscles with free weights. The entire experience is programmed to build strength, endurance, balance, and a toned body, while working out to great, fun, specially selected, music!

Beginners are most welcome!  Offered simultaneously on Zoom. 

Guided Qigong Meditation

This one-hour session will help participants reverse the harmful effects of Stress.  Learn Breathing Techniques, Sitting/ Standing Meditations, Tai Chi/ Qigong Self-Healing, Anxiety Reducing Meditations, and more. In addition, all will experience the power of mindful focus on self-healing.  No experience is necessary. All participants are seated in chairs.

Private Sessions are also available. 

Guided Qigong Meditation

One-hour session,  as announced (not part of the class package)

Schedule (as of May 2024)

Monday and Wednesday one-hour classes:

  • Low Impact Aerobics at 10:00 am -11 am

Tuesdays:

  • Tai Chi/Qigong at 11:00 am -12:00  one hour class.

  • Private or semi-private lessons can be arranged at the studio 

Thursday

  • Hybrid Lunch Hour 11:30 am- 12:30 pm (aerobic warm-up followed by strength training with light weights)

  • This class is also carried simultaneously on Zoom.

  • Corporate and small businesses are also invited to participate on Zoom. 

For an updated schedule please email northforkbodiesinmotion@gmail.com

Special Events 

Authentic Guided Qigong Meditation, on November 22 , 10:00 am, Greenport.  

This one hour session will help participants reverse the harmful effects of Stress.  Learn Breathing Techniques, Sitting/ Standing Meditations,Tai Chi/ Qigong Self-Healing, Anxiety Reducing Meditations and more. In addition, all will experience the power of mindful focus on self-healing.  No experience is necessary.  All participants must pre-register, and also bring a chair and water. The cost is $25.  Greenport, NY studio.

North Fork Bodies In Motion is located at the North Fork Academy of Dance Studio, 74365 Main Rd, Greenport, NY 11944.

What else do you want people to know?

In addition to the group classes, private Tai Chi /Guided Qigong Meditation sessions can be arranged at your location.  Scholarship grants for Greenport residents 60 and over, are presently available for a limited time

Contact Dr.Marilyn LoPresti at northforkbodiesinmotion@gmail.com or 631-599-9518 to arrange.

North Fork Bodies In Motion is located at the North Fork Academy of Dance Studio, 74365 Main Rd, Greenport, NY 11944. This building is west of the town and has its own parking lot.  The studio is on the north side of the road, across from the Sailmakers. 

Packages

Class Packages for 2024 are $150 for 10 sessions and a single class is $25.

Credentials

Dr. Marilyn A. LoPresti, Ph.D

Black Belt, 2nd Degree Shaolin Kempo

Master Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor

Guided Qigong Instructor

Performed for the Grand Abbott, at the Shaolin Temple, Deng Feng, China

Master Low Impact Aerobics Instructor

Motivational Speaker/ 37 year Breast Cancer Survivor