Latest news with #TamaraBeckwith
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
NYC's first ASMR spa offers tingly sensations — what it's like
For a moment, I felt like a child again. My head rested on a silky pillowcase, fingers gently combing through my hair while a soft voice whispered in my ear. But this wasn't bedtime — and that definitely wasn't mom. It was actually 3 p.m. on a scorching summer day in NoMad, and I was in the middle of a signature therapy session at Whisper Wave, New York's first and only ASMR spa. 7 Whisper Wave offers a unique experience that combines gentle touch, soothing sounds and a calming atmosphere to trigger ASMR. Tamara Beckwith ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is the tingly, goosebump-like sensation some people get from certain audio, visual or tactile triggers. If you've spent more than five minutes on the internet in the past decade, you've probably seen so-called 'ASMRtists' whispering, tapping, scratching or even chewing into a mic, trying to generate that fuzzy blissed feeling that some have likened to a 'brain orgasm.' Some of the most popular ASMR clips on YouTube have racked up over 30 million views, and TikTok hosts a whopping 346.2 million videos related to 'ASMR Sounds.' At Whisper Wave, founder Rebecca Benvie is taking the internet craze offline — and straight to your nervous system. 'A lot of people think ASMR is a technique, when, in fact, it's a physiological response to different types of stimuli,' Benvie, 40, told The Post. 'People can get ASMR from literally anything.' 7 Whisper Wave founder Rebecca Benvie aims to bridge the gap between sensory healing and accessible wellness. Tamara Beckwith While researchers are still studying the science behind ASMR, fans swear by its calming effects. Studies suggest it can ease stress and anxiety, boost mood, improve sleep and even offer temporary relief from chronic pain and depression. But it's not for everyone. Some people feel nothing, and for others, the triggers can actually have a distressing effect. Benvie, a longtime ASMR enthusiast with a background in somatic therapy and energy healing, discovered its healing power firsthand while seeking ways to manage her own PTSD. 'This is something I had personally been seeking out, and I was very surprised to see that nobody was doing anything like it in New York,' she said. 'I wanted to offer it to this very productive and stressed-out community.' 7 ASMR videos have attracted millions of people online. Tamara Beckwith What it's really like to get an ASMR treatment I hadn't dipped much into the world of ASMR myself, but when I heard Whisper Wave was offering live sessions — and charging $150 or more a pop — I had to find out what the buzz was about. At my appointment, the room was cozy and dim, lit by a flickering candle and a warm sunset lamp. It looked like a massage studio, but instead of lotions and hot stones, Benvie's toolkit was packed with feathers, brushes — and, as I soon found out, a few surprise items straight from the pet store. 'I want people to be taken back to a time when they were children being nurtured and cared for.' Rebecca Benvie She had me lie face-down on a silk-draped table under a light blanket. Clients are encouraged to dress comfortably, but Benvie is clear: The goal here is serenity, not seduction. Benvie greeted me with a serene smile, asked how I was feeling, and if there was anything specific I wanted her to focus on. Then she got to work — wafting essential oils through the air and gently combing my hair while reading a fairy tale in a soft, hypnotic whisper. 7 Not all people respond to the same ASMR triggers. Others never feel anything at all. Tamara Beckwith Before long, I was lulled into a dream-like state, my breath slow and steady. The first tingles hit when she lightly traced thin wooden sticks across my back. Then nylon brushes swept over my shoulders and neck, sending shivers down my spine. I was happy to join the club of people who feel those famous ASMR chills, but at first, I kept thinking: What on earth is Benvie using to make this happen? Eventually, I stopped analyzing and just surrendered. My racing brain finally shut up, letting my body take the wheel. Next up: soft makeup brushes gliding across my face, peacock feathers drifting lazily down my arms. At one point, I heard a faint metallic crinkle in my ear — which, it turns out, was a cat toy. The exact kind my tabby uses to stage 3 a.m. zoomies. Relaxing? Weirdly, yes. 'ASMR isn't just relaxation, it's a gateway to emotional and physical healing.' Rebecca Benvie Benvie followed that by slowly swirling a singing bowl over my head, its vibrations humming through my body. She traced words of affirmation on my skin, gently scratched my back and playfully mimicked cracking an egg on my scalp, letting her fingertips trickle down my neck like yolk. As our session came to a close, the usual hum of my anxious thoughts had quieted. The tension I'd lugged in — rush-hour stress, inbox overload, and brutal New York summer heat — had faded away. 7 Audio stimuli is one of the most common tools used to trigger ASMR. Tamara Beckwith More than anything, I felt cared for, transported back to girlhood as my mother tucked me into bed. 'I want it to feel very nostalgic,' Benvie said. 'I want people to be taken back to a time when they were children being nurtured and cared for.' From insomnia and anxiety to PTSD, Benvie said many of Whisper Wave's clients are struggling with personal challenges and come back regularly to recharge. But she emphasized that live ASMR can help others too — from stressed-out workaholics who can't relax to people dealing with breakups or major life changes. 'By addressing the nervous system and taking it down from its heightened, dysregulated state into a place of its more baseline calm, we're able to perform miracles on ourselves in terms of our own healing journeys,' Benvie said. 7 Many people experience relaxation, reduced anxiety and improved sleep after engaging with ASMR. Tamara Beckwith Some Whisper Wave clients, she noted, are just starving for human connection. 'Loneliness is one that we talk about a lot,' Benvie said. 'Outside of romance, many people aren't receiving enough physical touch, and can go weeks without more than a handshake.' Believe it or not, that can take a serious toll on your wellbeing. Studies have linked a lack of physical contact to feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. It can spike cortisol — the body's primary stress hormone — and lead to sleep issues, weakened immunity, digestive problems and even heart trouble. 'Massage is one of the few services for human contact, but it can be physically challenging, and often lacks the softer, more nurturing element that so many of us crave,' Benvie explained. She knows firsthand. During a busy spell traveling for work, Benvie said she started booking massages not for sore muscles — but just to get some non-sexual, nurturing touch. 7 Why some people are affected by ASMR and not others remains to be seen. Tamara Beckwith For those less drawn to ASMR's tingly quirks, Whisper Wave offers treatments centered around hairplay and back rubs, designed to spark feelings of calm and closeness. There's also a 'Sleep Induction' session, where clients lie under a weighted blanket while Benvie performs rhythmic tapping and back tracking, paired with hypnotic whispers and gentle ambient sound. For anyone looking to go deeper, she's crafted a spiritual reset experience that blends ASMR with energy healing techniques like Reiki, herb smudging and aura cleansing. 'ASMR isn't just relaxation, it's a gateway to emotional and physical healing,' Benvie said. 'I just want people to leave feeling really cozy, like their whole system's been taken care of.' While ASMR might not be my new everyday escape, Whisper Wave delivers a rare dose of calm — and a few spine-tingling surprises — in a city where slowing down is easier said than done.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Gen Z is swapping booze for lattes, mocktails and ‘wellness' drinks, trend report finds
Gen Z is redefining what it means to drink — and alcohol isn't part of the plan. The youngest legal drinkers are ditching the bar cart for cold brew, swapping tequila for wellness shots and turning drinks into daily rituals. It's less about the buzz and more about the benefits, according to Keurig Dr Pepper's first-ever State of Beverages report. Just 39% of Gen Z adults now say booze is their go-to social drink, while more than 60% prefer non-alcoholic options when hanging with friends — the highest rate of any generation. 3 The youngest legal drinkers are ditching the bar cart for cold brew, swapping tequila for wellness shots and turning drinks into daily rituals. charmedlightph – By comparison, 57% of Gen X still reach for alcohol as their social elixir of choice. The 'sober-curious' movement is booming, with 60% of Gen Z open to trying low- or no-alcohol drinks. More than half of all U.S. adults are cutting back for wellness or lifestyle reasons. And it's not just about cutting alcohol — it's about feeling better. Nearly three-quarters of Gen Z now choose drinks based on functional benefits like energy, gut health or mood — the highest of any generation. Think prebiotic sodas, electrolyte mixes or a $7 iced latte that just makes you feel like you have your life together. '[Gen Z] wants their beverages to do more and be anchored in a real purpose,' said Melissa Abbott, vice president at the Hartman Group, a market research firm that specializes in the food and beverage industry. 3 Nearly three-quarters of Gen Z now choose drinks based on functional benefits like energy, gut health or mood — the highest of any generation. Tamara Beckwith Instead of cracking open a hard seltzer, young adults are heading to late-night coffee bars, sober-friendly gatherings and drink spots to sip mocktails and matcha lattes — reimagining what a night out looks like. 'They're looking for alignment of goals, an enhancement of their lived experience … not just the absence of alcohol,' said Jen Batchelor, CEO of Kin Euphorics, a non-alcoholic brand for social drinking backed by supermodel Bella Hadid. Still, one beverage remains king. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults say they'd rather give up booze than their morning brew. 3 Coffee remains America's most essential beverage with nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults saying they'd rather give up booze than their morning brew. Ilona – For Gen Z, coffee culture has become a full-blown 'social ritual.' They customize orders (75%), try new ones monthly (72%) and follow social media for inspiration (74%). 'Talkability really does matter,' said Dibba Iran-Parasti, marketing director at Blank Street Coffee. 'When we drop a new drink, it generates thousands of conversations almost instantly.'
New York Post
09-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Yankee Stadium fave Lobel's brings famed steak sandwiches to Manhattan
Bronx Bomber fans know all about Lobel's world-class steak sandwiches, served only at Yankee Stadium — until very recently. Now, the rest of New York — even Mets fans! — will know, too, as the historic Upper East Side butcher's where Jackie Onassis once shopped for chops debuts its first-ever sit-down eatery, smack in the heart of Midtown. Located along the concourse beneath Rockefeller Center, the sparkling new spot from the 160-year-old Madison Avenue meatery is drawing fans-in-the-know, well-heeled shop regulars and busy corporate suits — all eager for a bite of the until-now elite ballpark treats. Advertisement 12 The new Lobel's spot sits along the concourse beneath Rockefeller Center. Tamara Beckwith/ 'Every single day since we opened, someone says, 'We couldn't wait for you to open.' We've been watching you for a long time.' Or, 'We're excited because we know we used to only get a Lobel sandwich during Yankee games,'' Mark Lobel, co-owner of Lobel's, told The Post. 'People come into our Upper East Side store all the time and ask, 'Hey, where can we get that sandwich?'' Advertisement They can't — or couldn't. Until now, those with a hankering for the deceptively simple, surprisingly hearty sandwich of sliced steak on a roll (with a side of au jus) would have to wait for game day to sample the fan favorite — a craveable commodity so popular, they at one point needed extra security to help manage the lines, in a setup that Brian Lobel, Mark's son, described as 'surreal.' The family-run business — one of the oldest of its kind still operating in the country — opened at Madison and East 82nd Street, just steps from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, back in 1954. 12 The family-run business — one of the oldest of its kind still operating in the country — opened at Madison and East 82nd Street back in 1954. Stefano Giovannini for Advertisement 12 Co-owner Mark Lobel has been working in the shop since he was a child trailing along with his father, brother, uncle and cousins. Stefano Giovannini for 12 The high-quality butcher opened a spot in Yankee Stadium in 2009 and has since become a game-time classic. Pictured is the stacked Meatloaf Burger offered there for diehard fans. Courtesy of Legends Hospitality But really, their story started in Austria in the 1840s, where Nathan Lobel was a cattle rancher and taught his grandson, Morris, who moved to the United States and opened their first, and since-shuttered, location in The Bronx. Now, the tradition is upheld by the fifth and sixth generations of meat purveyors. Advertisement The fifth generation of Lobel's — Mark, 61, David, 63, and Evan, 69 — co-owns the butchery, working alongside the sixth generation — Michael, 25, Haley, 26, Joey, 30, and Brian, 31. 12 The two generations of Lobel ownership include Brian (from left), Mark, David and Michael. Tamara Beckwith/ 'We're proud that we have so many generations in the business. We know what we've accomplished, and we never take it for granted,' Mark beamed. The UES spot has remained a staple of the neighborhood since opening and has long welcomed famous folk — like Jackie O — and local regulars. 'We're six generations and have second- and third-generation customers, which is amazing,' Mark said. They expanded in 2009 and began serving sandwiches made with their premium meats at a stand in Yankee Stadium. The lines were so long that the team at the stadium asked them to expand. Bleacher creature Adam Billig, 29, has long appreciated Lobel's as a 'Yankee Stadium-specific treat' and regularly goes when he's at a game. Advertisement 'I love Lobel's,' the New Yorker told The Post. 'Big time.' He described his go-to order as 'genuinely good steak with some sauce on a smaller roll' and insisted it's 'one of the best bites you can get at Yankee Stadium.' Fortunately, for him, he no longer has to trek it up to the Bronx for a bite. 'It's definitely exciting,' Billig said. 12 'We're six generations and have second- and third-generation customers, which is amazing,' Mark said. The family's new restaurant is located at Rockefeller Center. Tamara Beckwith/ Advertisement The Lobel family has been searching for a spot to serve their sandwiches elsewhere in the city that felt true to them. When they learned of the space under 30 Rock, they knew it was a home run. 'You have a real mix of folks down here, and that's what really appealed to us,' Mark said, explaining that the crowds of tourists and New Yorkers are similar to the ones they have in Yankee Stadium. However, Yankees fans should be warned that the opening menu at Rock Center differs slightly from what they're used to chowing down on while watching Aaron Judge run the bases. 12 The different locations throughout Yankee Stadium serve an array of meaty treats from burgers to filet mignon over tater tots to steak-topped fries (above). Courtesy of Legends Hospitality Advertisement There are no 99 Burgers ($16) — the stadium staple honoring Judge's jersey number — or generous portions of filet mignon over tater tots with crispy onions, scallions and queso sauce ($20), or pastrami on rye sandwiches ($18). At least not yet. The team in Midtown have opted to mostly stick to the basics to begin with. They are currently serving steak ($24), roasted pork ($18), turkey ($18) and broccoli rabe ($15) sandwiches with homemade bone broth au jus and 'the works' — chili, garlic and long hot peppers — if requested. The proud proprietors say they've been surprised how many people have walked past Sweetgreen to order their chopped vegetable salad with turkey ($24) and indulged their sweet tooth with their in-house desserts — the brown butter chocolate chip cookie ($6) and banana pudding ($6) are MVPs. Advertisement 12 The Lobel family has been searching for a spot to serve their sandwiches elsewhere in the city that felt true to them. When they learned of the space under 30 Rock (above), they knew it was a home run. Tamara Beckwith/ They're also serving breakfast sandwiches, including bacon, egg, and cheese ($12), as well as light bites such as chips and onion dip ($9) and pasta salad ($8). 'I'm very excited,' lifelong Yankees and steak-sandwich fan Kim Law, 28, said of the new shop. 'I can't get it a lot, so when I do go to games, I look forward to getting it!' The 50-seat space features shining white floors and tables, comfy banquettes and bar seating that looks like an upscale, iconic Americana delicatessen. It opens every day at 7 a.m. when they start selling breakfast sandwiches and closes at 7 p.m. as people wrap up their after-work antics — and load up on food to bring home as they do at the end of baseball games. 12 'You have a real mix of folks down here, and that's what really appealed to us,' Mark said. The broccoli rabe sandwich (above) is among the new Midtown offerings. Tamara Beckwith/ 12 Yankees fans should be warned that the opening menu at Rock Center differs slightly from what they're used to chowing down on while watching Aaron Judge run the bases. Included are in-house desserts (above) like a chocolate chip cookie and banana pudding. Tamara Beckwith/ For those on the go, a separate section of the space allows anyone to walk in, pick up some ready-to-go food and place it on a counter that utilizes AI technology to scan items and ring you up in seconds. As for the quality of their meat, they cover all the bases. Patriarch Stanley Lobel — who worked at the shop from 1954 until he passed away in 2024 — holds several patents, including for the extraction of two cuts of beef: Lobel's Wrangler™ USDA Prime Pot Roast and a Shoulder Iron Steak. They also only select from Prime beef — which is just 2% of beef sold in the U.S. — and use the high-end meat for all their sandwiches and sell cuts in the UES deli and ship worldwide. 12 The team in Midtown is currently serving steak ($24), roasted pork ($18), turkey ($18) and broccoli rabe ($15) sandwiches. Tamara Beckwith/ 12 It opens every day at 7 a.m. when they start selling breakfast sandwiches and closes at 7 p.m. as people wrap up their after-work antics. Tamara Beckwith/ Their shipping business has helped them to earn regulars all over the world. Mark shared that a family of tourists from San Francisco who were walking the concourse recently got excited when they saw the restaurant — they order Lobel's meat all the time. Who knew even tourists from across the country could be regulars? Just a few weeks after opening, Lobel's seems to be knocking it out of the park. 'Everything is so good, but you know, you have to try it,' Mark insisted. 'Tasting is believing.'
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Sales at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus plunge after merger — while Bloomingdales and Nordstrom see spike: report
Luxury retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus have suffered double-digit sales declines since their blockbuster merger last year — while downmarket rivals Bloomingdales and Nordstrom have seen sales surge, according to a report. The $2.7 billion merger six months ago, which also included Bergdorf Goodman, created the largest luxury retailer in the world. But the new powerhouse, known as Saks Global, has struggled to squeeze growth out of the posh department stores during a global slowdown in luxury spending, Bloomberg reported on Monday. Saks Fifth Avenue sales fell 16% during the first quarter ended in April compared to a year ago, while Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman dropped 10%, according to Bloomberg Second Measure data, which looks at debit and credit card purchases. Advertisement 6 Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus are more exposed to the high-end luxury downturn than Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, the company said. Stephen Yang 6 Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus formed Saks Global in December, becoming the largest luxury retailer in the world. Bloomberg via Getty Images June was even worse, with Saks' year-over-year sales falling 28%, while Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman each plunged 26%, according to the report. Bloomberg acknowledged that the declines could be exaggerated because its data focuses primarily on debit card spending, 'which means that the sales slowdown could appear sharper than it really is,' Bloomberg said. Advertisement Meanwhile, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom each enjoyed year-over-year sales increases of more than 10% for the first quarter, according to the data. Saks Global declined to comment on the Bloomberg data, but a spokesperson for the company said Nordstrom and Bloomingdales don't belong in its uber luxury sandbox. 'To compare us to Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, it's important to note that Saks Global is far more exposed to the high-end luxury brand matrix, which has been going through a challenging moment,' a Saks Global spokesperson told The Post. Advertisement Saks Global also pointed out that the early summer is typically the slowest period of the year for retail sales. 6 Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman were acquired by Saks Fifth Avenue in a $2.7 billion deal. Bloomberg via Getty Images The merger, however, has failed to quell jittery vendors who have not been paid in full for their goods for more than a year – and have withheld inventory as a result. It has also amplified the anxiety of investors about Saks Global's ability to pay its bills. Advertisement At the end of May, Saks Global secured an additional $350 million in financing, quashing reports that it might not be able to make its first $120 million interest payment on the $2.2 billion in bonds that it sold to acquire Neiman Marcus. 6 Despite a luxury downturn, sales at Bloomingdales are increasing. Tamara Beckwith/NY Post It has identified an additional $100 million of savings, bringing the total to $600 million that it expects to save over the next five years, including layoffs which have already begun, the company said. 'Saks Global remains on target for the $600 million in annual synergies' executive chairman, Richard Baker told The Post. Nevertheless, its challenges are significant, including from customers who may have defected to its competitors after a snafu with its returns process this year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mary Ross Gilbert. 6 Nordstrom Rack is a budget friendly chain that attracts mainstream shoppers. Christopher Sadowski 'It's just so much easier to shop elsewhere,' Ross Gilbert said. Earlier this year, returns were taking longer to process after the company was hit by fraudsters who were returning items they never purchased from the company. Advertisement 'We put controls in place that delayed the process, but that's behind us now,' the spokesperson said. 6 Marc Metrick is the CEO of Saks Global. Getty Images Saks Global released its financial performance publicly for the first time since the December merger in May. Revenues for the combined entity were down 10% to $7.3 billion, while profits were 130 basis points lower than the prior year. Advertisement Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $102 million, including $42 million contributed by Neiman Marcus in the six weeks after the transaction closed. 'We have made significant progress integrating our organizations…all of which will help us to drive improved sales performance in fiscal 2025,' Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick said in a statement at the time.
New York Post
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Social media star Salt Hank's sandwich shop is great — not a gimmick
French dip is having its day. The roast beef-and-jus sandwich, long an also-ran to pastrami-on-rye, is now the toast of places from Minetta Tavern and Anton's in Manhattan to Brennan & Carr in Sheepshead Bay. It's long been a menu favorite at beloved chain Hillstone. The buzziest of all is just-opened Salt Hank's at 280 Bleecker St., the first-ever eatery from social media sensation and cookbook writer Henry Laporte, who has 2.6 million follows on TikTok and 1.6 million on Instagram as @salt_hank. Laporte's head chef, Daniel Rubenfeld, is an alum of Thomas Keller's chophouse TAK Room. It shows in how the prime rib, from meat maestro Pat La Frieda, is carefully sliced and shredded to tongue-tingling perfection. 5 Social media star Henry Laporte has opened a sandwich shop dedicated to the French Dip. Tamara Beckwith The 10-inch-long baguettes are delivered fresh every morning from crazy-popular nearby bistro Frenchette. Those credentials, and Laporte social media following, wouldn't mean a thing if Salt Hank's French dip wasn't so good. It's the only thing on the menu — no burgers or other sandwiches — save for remarkably crisp, matchstick-thin fries ($6), house-made limemade with just-right sweetness and a few canned sodas. The $28 French dip is big enough to food two people with big appetites. It delivers miraculous mouth feel along with rich, multi-tiered flavor. The fine-cut beef is dipped in jus before being layered with provolone cheese, caramelized onions and an aioli flavored with horseradish, chives and roasted garlic. It emerges from the oven warm, moist and begging to be devoured. Some customers use their hands only, but I preferred a fork to pick through layers of crunchy crust, fluffy sourdough, and yummy tangles of shredded beef and melted cheese. 5 Daniel Rubenfield (left) is the head chef at Salt Hank's, while Laporte works the line. Tamara Beckwith 5 The meat is perfectly sliced and caramelized onions add to the flavor. Tamara Beckwith The jus itself was a rich, complex revelation — I could almost have it as a soup all by itself. It's generously served in a large cup, unlike some other spots where you barely get any. T The restaurant is a plain, comfortable room with formica-top tables, a counter with a half-dozen seats and pictures of Laporte's book, Salt Hank: A Five Napkin Situation. Customers line up at a kitchen counter and wait for friendly staff to bring them their orders, while grooving to a soundtrack that hops from Notorious B.I.G. to Cardi B. Laporte himself works on the line, putting the finishing touches to assemble the sandwich. On my visit, he was wearing a cap that said, 'Lo Siento' – Spanish for 'I'm sorry.' 5 The French Dip is the only thing on the menu, save for French fries and a few beverages. Tamara Beckwith 5 Arrive early. Salt Hank's often sells out by 3 p.m. Tamara Beckwith But there's nothing to be sorry about, unless you get there too late for the 75 pounds of beef they go through each day. While Salt Hank's purports to stay open until 5 p.m., they usually run out of beef by 3 p.m. Get there early — and hungry.
