Gitangalie Palombo, an Elmont yoga instructor, will open Fly High Dance and Fitness on the second floor at 111 E. Jericho Tpke. after getting approved by the Mineola Village Board on Wednesday. She expects to open by January 2015. Sherwin Williams occupies the main floor.
“We want to be a great addition to the community,” she said. “I hope Fly High brings a new flare to the area.”
It’s the second fitness center the board has approved in two weeks. The board approved Noah Siegel’s Siege Athletics at 228 E. Jericho Tpke. on Oct. 10.
Palombo specializes in aerial yoga, combines mat yoga with postures suspended in soft fabric hammocks. She says it adds strength to the core. Palombo will also teach contemporary dance, Bollywood and belly dancing as well as pilates.
“Aerial yoga gives you more flexibility,” she said. “We want people to have a healthy life and lifestyle.”
Palombo taught yoga at Personal One Fitness in Mineola and is looking to find a “more permanent home.” Fly High would operate 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., consisting of one-hour sessions. The center’s Saturday and Sunday hours would be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Her classes would accommodate eight to 10 people.
“She has the right drive,” said Rosemaire Spitaleri, Palombo’s business partner. Spitaleri was one of her students not too long ago. “I’ve operated my own business for 20 years in New Hyde Park. She understands everything that’s required in working with students. Together I think we have the capability to have a strong business in Mineola.”
Trustee Dennis Walsh was concerned with parking. Seventeen of the 20 parking spots at the location belong to Sherwin Williams.
“There was a hearing similar to this one about six months ago,” Walsh said. “Someone was going to open up a gym upstairs and nothing happened. One of the problems was Sherwin Williams was concerned that their spaces would be taken.”
Palombo suggested parking along Jericho Turnpike would suffice for her customers, since her classes are one-hour long. Parking meters at the site allow two-hour parking.
“We’ll make it work,” she said.
