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Barre Culture

Aug 11

My Journey to Getting Certified in the Original Lotte Berk Technique: Getting Started

By Barre Culture, Lotte Berk, Lotte Berk Training No Comments

In this series of posts, our Southern US Editor Jennifer Mathieu Henshall shares her POV while on her journey to getting certified by theLONDONmethod in the original Lotte Berk Technique. This week: an introduction to the certification and how you can join her in getting certified.

 

Ladies from The London Method training program.

 

 

Become a Piece of the Tradition…

When Kelly Wackerman flew across the pond to Hungerford, England to train with Esther Fairfax, daughter of Lotte Berk, she had no idea that she would stumble upon one of the fitness world’s best-kept secrets – the ORIGINAL Lotte Berk Technique, which was later brought over to the United States and ultimately formed the basis of most modern barre classes. It wasn’t until Kelly spent three weeks experiencing this unique core-conditioning class, which uses the ballet barre for leverage and support, that she realized she had discovered a true find, and friend, in Esther. Five years after her journey to the English countryside, she and The London Method’s co-founder, Pam Kennedy, want to share the Fairfax Family’s secret recipe with you during this one-of-a-kind virtual training!

If you’ve always wanted to know more about the foundation of today’s modern barre classes, to discover the amazing physical and mental benefits that the ORIGINAL technique can bring to your clients and desire to be part of a family dedicated to helping Esther ensure that her mother’s ORIGINAL method is lived in the way in which Lotte intended, follow the recipe below and you’ll be en route to experiencing (and learning) the enchanting feelings of strength and empowerment that Esther’s clients have been feeling for over 60 years!

 

Kelly Wackerman, Esther Fairfax and Pamela Kennedy in Hungerford, England.

theLONDONmethod co-owners Kelly Wackerman and Pam Kennedy pose for a photo with Esther Fairfax, daughter of Lotte Berk.

 

 

The ORIGINAL Technique
A Fairfax Family Recipe
By: The London Method (tLm)

Servings: Limited! Register by August 15, 2020, for Early Bird Pricing!

Ingredients:

  • Background and history of Lotte Berk, Esther Fairfax and the elements of the ORIGINAL class
  • Secrets of the ORIGINAL technique that you can share and pass on to others
  • Hours of hands-on, specific-technique instruction and lectures from tLm Founders, Kelly Wackerman and Pam Kennedy
  • Six, 2-3-hour Zoom lectures from Kelly and Pam over the course of three weekends
  • Comprehensive, downloadable tLm manual
  • Library of videos, featuring Kelly, Pam and Esther Fairfax demonstrating the ORIGINAL moves
  • 10, tLm Live Zoom classes to attend and observe
  • Your own sparkling personality!
  • Fun, can-do-attitude!
  • NASM and AFAA CEUs

 

Directions:

  1. Sign-up for Early Bird pricing and get $100 off the cost of tuition (which is normally $1,500 USD/or three-monthly payments of $500 USD) by August 15, 2020, to reserve your spot.
  2. Attend the Live virtual sessions each Saturday and Sunday in September, starting September 5th and ending September 20th. Live training sessions are accessible from ANYWHERE in the world and are hosted during PST {Pacific Standard Time} from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturdays & 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Sundays.
  3. Observe 10, tLm Live Zoom classes.
  4. Once you’ve completed the live training and course requirements, record your own ORIGINAL class and submit it for Kelly and Pam’s approval. (You can even have Esther watch and approve your class and sign your certificate! Please note, it will cost an additional $300 for Esther’s approval.).

 

Yield:

After your video has been approved, you will receive your signed ORIGINAL technique certification, become an official instructor of the ORIGINAL technique, get your very own listing on the tLm site and, most importantly, become a cherished member of the beloved tLm family.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign-up to join the ORIGINAL family today!

Next up: My Journey to Getting Certified in the Original Lotte Berk Technique: How I Found My Way to the Barre – Part 1

 

 

About the Author

Jennifer is a barre instructor, personal trainer, clinical aromatherapist and author who discovered barre — her soul-mate workout — while training for the 2016 Boston Marathon. As a long-time runner, former bodybuilder and melanoma skin cancer survivor, Jennifer’s recent battle with autoimmune disease has changed her fitness focus to one that incorporates more mindful, purposeful and low-impact movements.

A former communication professor and mother of two daughters, Jennifer is excited to share her thoughts and experiences on ways to create and maintain a strong connection between the mind and body through barre.

Jun 17
HIIT Barre Turlock opening sign outside Victorious Fitness in Turlock, California

Three Entrepreneurs Share What It’s Like to Launch a Barre Business During the Pandemic

By Barre Culture, Barre News No Comments

Imagine you just signed the lease for the commercial space where you’re going to operate your business out of, or you’re two weeks into opening the doors to your new business when a global pandemic forces people indoors. Launching a new business is tough enough, but add to that a nationwide shutdown and you are put in an even more challenging position.

I reached out to three different entrepreneurs to get their take on what it was like to be launching a barre business amidst the shutdown. Among them, a franchisee, an independent contractor and a boutique fitness studio owner. Despite the pressure they were under, these three women persevered to make sure their plans stayed on track.

 

On the cusp of opening and then COVID-19 happened!

 

Ashleigh Volk of HIIT Barre Turlock was looking forward to operating out of Victorious Fitness beginning in early April but just as she was about to open, the state of California announced a shelter in place order. “When the shutdown was announced I was disappointed because I finally felt like I was achieving my goal of owning my own barre business,” Ashleigh says. “However, I knew it was a necessary step in keeping everyone safe.”

 

HIIT Barre Turlock's coming soon sign outside Victorious Fitness in Turlock, California.

Source: instagram.com/hiitbarre

 

 

Victoria Sands, owner of Vibe Barre in Mesa, Arizona had just signed the lease on her commercial space when the shutdown happened. “I signed my lease on March 8th of this year after 3 weeks of negotiations,” she explains. “At first, I was terrified and I was seriously considering giving up on my dream of opening a studio. I definitely started second-guessing my decision, but after re-reading my business plan, I focused on my “why” and knew I had to do everything I could to make my dreams a reality.”

Jessie Morgan Gerace had been working on a plan to open a NEIGHBORHOOD barre in Baton Rouge since late 2019 when the shutdown happened. “We were planning to open in April before all of the COVID-19 drastically shifted my plans to open. The week before the stay at home orders went into place is when we started negotiations on our lease,” Jessie recalls.

 

Neighborhood Barre Baton Rouge's Jessie Morgan Gerace holds a paintbrush during construction of her barre studio.

NEIGHBORHOOD barre Baton Rouge’s Jessie Morgan Gerace in the studio during construction. Source: Jenn Ocken Photography

 

When life gives you lemons, you pivot

 

Unsure of what to do, Ashleigh started creating content for her Instagram account. “I started noticing so many fitness instructors were holding live classes and starting virtual businesses. This is when I decided I needed to do something, and I took my business virtual,” Ashleigh says.”

Being thrown into the deep end, when forced to figure out how to go online quickly has become a shared experience among many in the boutique fitness community.

It took about 1-2 weeks to get up and running, once Ashleigh decided to take her business online. “I thought to myself, ok all I need is a website and some way for clients to access videos, this shouldn’t be too difficult,” admits Ashleigh. “Well, I had no experience making a website or setting up videos online so there were definitely points of frustration. However, miraculously I got through it and felt very satisfied I was able to set up this virtual business on my own.”

 

HIIT Barre Turlock's Ashleigh Volk does a barre pose, while posing for the camera.

Ashleigh Volk of HIIT Barre Turlock. Source: instagram.com/hiitbarre

 

 

Victoria of Vibe Barre also saw social media as an opportunity to connect with potential clients but admitted that growing her following was put on hold to focus on training instructors and planning out her studio build. “Unfortunately, I hadn’t invested much into my marketing, so I hadn’t grown a large enough following to gain a lot of new clients,” she says. “Marketing was put on hold because I felt that it was more important to focus on what I could control which was finishing my studio and training my instructors. It also made me realize the importance of offering digital classes and other online resources.”

 

A pre-construction look inside Vibe Barre studio in Mesa, Arizona

Inside Vibe Barre during construction.
Source: instagram.com/vibe_barre

 

 

Neighborhood Barre Baton Rouge's Jessie Morgan Gerace does a barre exercise in her pre-construction barre studio.

Jessie Morgan Gerace of NEIGHBORHOOD barre Baton Rouge in the studio during construction. Source: Jenn Ocken Photography

 

 

Being able to pivot and adapt to new and unexpected circumstances is most certainly going to be part of the entrepreneurial journey but learning to navigate these tricky situations early on could be a blessing in disguise.

Jessie at NEIGHBORHOOD barre Baton Rouge believes that streaming classes online to prospective members and involving them in the buildout process helped to establish a bond with clients that they wouldn’t have had before. “As a franchise, we were able to pivot and stay relevant by offering Live Stream classes from all our studios. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of this transition.”

“At first, like most, I believed that this would pass in a couple of weeks and we would continue on with our plans to open on track,” says Jessie. “However, I quickly realized that this was not the case and this was going to be a long journey to opening.”

 

Silver linings make it all worthwhile

 

Despite the additional hiccups that these women endured, there are always silver linings. For Ashleigh of HIIT Barre Turlock, she was able to work out her in-person jitters, as she describes, which has made her feel more prepared to teach in-person classes. “As any new instructor, I was very nervous to teach my first in-person class.  So, the virtual world let me do that without the pressure of people watching me in real-time. I have been able to work on perfecting my ‘teacher’ voice as well as learning to keep count and give direction at the same time, which can be tricky.”

For Victoria of Vibe Barre, she was able to be more hands-on during the build-out phase, especially when it came to training staff. “My instructors are beyond ready to lead a class because they had plenty of time to focus on our manual. We had in-depth anatomy training and daily 1:1 training via Zoom.”

 

Vibe barre staff pose for a photo during a pre-opening celebration.

The Vibe Barre crew pose for a photo during a pre-opening celebration.
Source: instagram.com/vibe_barre

 

 

After Jessie got over the initial panic, she was able to gain a new perspective on things. “I was able to take the time I needed to come up with a solid grand opening plan, spend more time on working with my instructors, and overall be more prepared.”

 

Growing pains are all part of the journey

 

Whatever doesn’t kill you as a business owner, makes you stronger when you come out on the other side. Kudos to anyone who is persevering through these entrepreneurial hardships. Regardless of the current situation, launching and maintaining a new business is tough at the best of times, so I’m in awe of anyone who navigates the road to ownership.

“Starting a business is always a gamble,” Victoria says “but it’s worth it!”

“There will always be challenges when owning a business. Some of them will be small and some will be life-changing. It is all in how you handle these changes that define you as a person and a small business owner,” says Jessie. “The lessons I learned from COVID-19 will forever help me as a business owner.”

“No matter the outcome of this small business I started during a pandemic, I have had so much fun putting it together and producing videos for my HIIT Barre community,” says Ashleigh. “Regardless of the shift in plans, I am happy to have been able to follow my dream.”

Jun 11
Black-owned barre businesses and influencers

Black-Owned Barre Businesses and Influencers You Should Start Following Today (if you aren’t already)

By Barre Culture 2 Comments

We’ve all seen the wave of anti-racism and anti-police brutality protests in recent weeks, which have spurred efforts – in the United States and elsewhere – to increasingly support Black communities and the Black Lives Matter movement. I’m committed to making a positive impact in this community and beyond. If you’d like to read about what I plan to do, you can read the open letter I wrote to the community here.

Over the last couple of days, I’ve done more in-depth research into Black-owned businesses that I hadn’t covered to this extent in the past. I’ve put together a (by no means exhaustive) list of Black-owned barre brands and influencers who you should have on your radar if you aren’t following already.

 

 

Nadia Murdock

Mindset & movement expert | health and wellness coach | media personality
Instagram: @nadiamurdock

Nadia’s approach to health and wellness focuses as much on the mind as the body. Meditation is woven into all of her workouts, which she offers through nadiamurdockfit.com, among other platforms. When she’s not recording episodes for her podcast, the NMFIT Mind & Body podcast, you can catch her being frequently cited in major outlets like E!, Life & Style, SELF.com and NBC.

 

Nadia Murdock sitting by a window.

Source: instagram.com/nadiamurdock

 

Halicia (Hallie) Loren

Barre instructor | Self-improvement expert | YouTube + media personality
Instagram: @halliegal

Hailing from sunny San Diego by way of the Bay Area, this Studio Barre instructor and media personality is a ray of sunshine, just like the state she lives in. Her infectious energy is often captured for Studio Barre’s Mission Hills and Bird Rock accounts, where she divides her time. When she’s not at the barre, Hallie, who has a background in dance creates content for her YouTube account Balance Belle, where she talks about everything from DIY projects to balancing your time, and healthy habits, among other things.

Hallie Loren Studio Barre

Source: instagram.com/halliegal

 

 

Lauren Leavell

Personal Trainer | Barre & HIIT instructor | Inclusive fitness | Motivational Coach
Instagram: @laurenleavellfitness

Hailing from Philadelphia, Lauren loves helping people get physically and financially fit. When she’s not helping clients organize their finances through her coaching services, she can be found teaching a variety of barre and HIIT classes, as well as bootcamps. She is also an advocate for accessible fitness options. Check out the database of anti-oppressive virtual fitness resources on her website.

 

Lauren Leavell at the barre

Source: instagram.com/laurenleavellfitness

 

Sidebarre

Instagram: @sidebarredc

Owner Jillian Carter who is a former pointe ballerina saw a gap in the market when she started taking barre classes in the DC area. Picking up on the fact that she didn’t see much in the way of diversity among clientele and instructors at mainstream studios, she decided to open up Sidebarre, a Black-owned barre company that hosts classes all around DC and Maryland.

They’re currently hosting live stream classes in lieu of being able to hold classes in person.

 

 

Jess Perkins

Barre studio owner | Personal Trainer | Pre and Postnatal Instructor
Instagram: @badtothebarre

Cambridge-based Personal Trainer Jess Perkins has one of the best-sounding and punniest barre studio names around. Bad to the Barre has a number of full-body workouts with a special focus on pre and postnatal workouts. Her extensive training includes an Exhale Barre Certification under the direction of Fred Devito, AFFA, IDEA and ACE designations, as well as being certified in Zumba, Pound, Pre and Postnatal fitness and Basi Mat Pilates among other accomplishments. Oh yeah, she’s also an Exercise Science major!

 

Bad to the Barre owner Jess Perkins walking by an angel wall in Long Beach, California

Source: instagram.com/badtothebarre

 

Chiara Lucchetta

Dance artist | Fitness instructor | Creator
Instagram: @chilucchetta

Self-proclaimed modern bohemian Chiara Lucchetta is an artist in every sense of the word. Her dance training was the catalyst for her artistic endeavours which include: instructing barre and other fitness classes, interviewing and collaborating with Toronto’s artistic movers and shakers and co-founding Purple Glow Mag, an online space for artists to connect and collaborate with one another.

 

Chi Lucchetta posing on the streets of Toronto

Source: instagram.com/chilucchetta

 

 

Nude Barre

Clothing brand
Instagram: @nudebarre

Eye-catching name isn’t it? Nude Barre was created when founder Erin Carpenter couldn’t find flesh tone hosiery in her shade.  A former New York Knicks dancer, she spent hours spray painting and dying beige leggings and shoes to match her skin colour. Out of frustration for not being able to find darker-coloured items on the market, she decided to create her own label of eco-friendly intimates, made in 12 shades of nude to match every skin tone.

A woman poses for a marketing photo, for brand Nude Barre

Source: instagram.com/nudebarre

Leah Tubbs

Dancer | Choreographer | Fitness Instructor | Founding Artistic Director
Instagram: @leahsmileytubbs

Leah is a dancer, fitness instructor and founding artistic director of ModArts Dance Collective (MADC), which celebrates female choreographers of colour while building a safe, sustainable community of artists. She also happened to be my instructor when I went to Physique 57 for the first time.

 

Leah Tubbs of MOD Arts Dance Collective on stage

Source: instagram.com/leahsmileytubbs

 

Tiffany Marie

Fitness instructor | CEO & Co-founder
Instagram: @theetiffmarie

Tiffany is an expert in all things bounce fitness, as Founder and Owner of TrampolineTRIM, a virtual training program for high-intensity, low-impact trampoline workouts. Catch her live workout classes on both the TrampolineTRIM’s online portal and on her personal Instagram.

 

Tiffany Marie on a mini tramp

Source: instagram.com/theetiffmarie

 

Teressa Cee

Fitness Instructor | Former NBA Miami HEAT Dancer
Instagram: @teressacee

You’ll find this fitness phenom instructing barre at Exhale in Miami or at Rise Nation Miami where she is the lead instructor.  From her days as a Miami HEAT dancer to her time as a backup dancer, her exciting dance career has taken her all over the world. Check out her Instagram highlights for a sample of her work at home and abroad.

 

Teressa Cee at the barre

Source: @jabbarwhitephoto via instagram.com/teressacee

 

Shadae from @yogawithshadae / @sweatwithshadae

Yoga & Barre Teacher | Dance Instructor | Registered Nurse
Instagram: @yogawithshadae (private) @sweatwithshadae (public)

Shadae is a yoga and barre teacher at Exhale in Bermuda, which is located within the idyllic Hamilton Princess & Beach Club hotel. She’s also a 305 Fitness-certified dance instructor. I love watching her impressive moves on Instagram, which include power flow movements, barre exercises, and balancing on her hands, among other things.

 

Shadae wearing a Show Me Your Area tank top

Source: instagram.com/sweatwithshadae

 

Ciji (Tatum) Townsend

Barre instructor | podcast host | Licensed psychologist
Instagram: @balancednotbusy

Ciji believes in balance over being busy and talks about time management on both her blog and podcast, Being Balanced. When she’s not coaching clients or hosting workshops, you’ll find her at Pure Barre where she is an instructor.

 

Balanced not busy at Pure Barre

Source: instagram.com/balancednotbusy

 

Britany Williams

Barre instructor | Content creator
Instagram: @britandbarre

Beloved Pure Barre Portland instructor Britany Williams has amassed a following for her in-depth knowledge of barre and personable updates that give us insight into what it’s like to teach at a Pure Barre. She frequently updates her Instagram account with technique tips, and motivational updates to help inspire others to keep pushing forward in their own fitness journey.

Instagram personality Britany Williams aka @britandbarre poses inside of the Pure Barre Portland studio.

Source: instagram.com/britandbarre

 

Pulse Barre + Fitness

Instagram: @pulsebarreandfitness

This Ohio-based barre studio was created with the goal of providing clients with an inclusive space where they can feel empowered. Owner, Rodrianna Alsip and her team offer primarily barre workouts with a mix of HIIT.

 

Pulse Barre + Fitness Ohio Grand opening day

Source: instagram.com/rodwallace2

 

 

Briana Jessica Milton

Co-founder/Owner | Educator | Fitness instructor | Podcaster
Instagram: @barre_bri

Bri, a Co-Owner/Founder of Mind Over Muscle Fitness loves meeting her inspiring clientele. When she’s not teaching, she can be found podcasting at The Wellness Hive Podcast.

 

Barre instructor Briana Jessica Milton at the barre

Source: instagram.com/barre_bri

 

Erica McCray

Instagram: @brownbarrebelle

Erica hails from Gainesville, Florida by way of the Tampa Bay area, where she was born and raised. She is currently an instructor at AUXO Fitness. When she’s not at the barre, you can find her on the University of Florida campus, where she is an Associate Professor & School Director of Special Education.

 

Erica McCray at the barre, in the AUXO Fitness studio in Gainesville, Florida

Source: instagram.com/brownbarrebelle

 

 

Sasha C

Barre instructor | Speech-Language Pathologist
Instagram: @barrewithsass

Sasha is a Florida native who fell in love with barre after taking classes at AUXO Fitness, where she is now an instructor. You can tell she loves the community aspect of the barre studio where she teaches. She is often seen celebrating her clients’ class milestones and birthdays via her Instagram.  Outside of the studio, she works as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

 

Sasha C at the barre in the AUXO Fitness studio

Source: instagram.com/barrewithsass

 

Melanie Smith

Fitness Instructor
Instagram: @moveswithmelanie

You can catch Melanie, a busy group fitness instructor on the mic at Washington Sports Clubs, among other venues. She is a highly trained health and wellness advocate and avid Pure Barre lover (350 classes in), who is often seen teaching among other things, Zumba and cycling (spinning). When she’s not teaching classes, you’ll often find her documenting her own fitness journey. Give her a follow on Instagram so you can see all of the rad lifestyle-related content that she frequently posts about.

Instructor Melanie Smith, in the reform class at Pure Barre in Bethesda, Maryland.

Source: instagram.com/melanie_unc03

Rachel Primé

Yoga teacher | Barre instructor | Blogger
Instagram: @rachprime

Just like the relevé is an exercise that means to rise to your tiptoes, Rachel helps clients rise to their fullest potential through movement. You can catch her teach IRL at a number of studios and gyms throughout Boston, and online through her Instagram.

 

Rachel Primé doing a barre pose on a bridge in Boston

source: instagram.com/rachprime

 

 

Axela Brand

Clothing brand
Instagram: @axelabrand

Axela Brand founder Daniella LeCointe is no stranger to this blog. She wrote about her fitness journey to 100 barre classes awhile back. She is now venturing into the apparel market with a brand new venture called Axela Brand, a plus-size activewear line, that is surely to make an impact in the field. Follow her Instagram for updates on the brand’s journey, and sign up for email alerts on the website to be informed of when it launches!

Axela Brand clothing logo

Source: instagram.com/axelabrand

 

 

Soul Theory Collective

Website | Blog | Online courses/classes | Shop
Instagram: @jacqueline_marrow

Faith-based fitness instructor, artist and blogger Jacqueline Marrow provides dance classes via her site Soul Theory. These classes incorporate Hip Hop, House, and Afro-Latin dance moves to create a fun cardio workout that focuses on flexibility and muscle endurance training. Jacqueline is also a talented artist. Check out her online store that sells items featuring her beautiful illustrations.

 

Fitness instructor Jacqueline Marrow poses in front of a mural

Source: instagram.com/jacqueline_marrow

Portia Boston

Studio Manager | Fitness instructor | Nutrition coach
Instagram: @portia.boston

Portia fell in love with teaching fitness after she graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in musical theatre. She is now Studio Manager of New York’s community-minded yoga-barre SHAKTIBARRE. Among other tasks, she’s currently working on a SWOT analysis of the brand’s cultural sensitivity so that the findings can eventually be used for a course called “Empowered Inclusion for Boutique Fitness Studios.” Cool!

 

Portia Boston

Source: instagram.com/portia.boston

 

Whitley Miller

Barre Fitness and Meditation Coach
Instagram: @healing_barre

Whitley, a multi-certified fitness and meditation coach is the founder of Healing Barre – a barre fitness brand that combines fitness with meditation and other holistic remedies to heal the mind, body, spirit and soul. Thanks to her 16 years of ballet training, she uses her knowledge of dance with her training in pilates, yoga and weight training to create the perfect barre fitness workout for her clients.

 

Woman from the Healing Barre studio doing a barre pose.

Source: Instagram.com/healing_barre

If you know of someone who should be on this list, write a comment below.

Jun 07
A white and brown hand touching each other

An Open Letter About the Barre Community and Inclusion

By Barre Culture 2 Comments

Dear readers of the blog, it’s time to have a long-overdue conversation.

Before I begin, I’d like to recognize that whenever I refer to Black with a capital B, I am referring to people of the African diaspora. It’s not common to capitalize Black and White in writing, therefore if you would like a detailed explanation of why I chose to do so, you can read this here. I will also be using the acronym BIPOC, which stands for ‘Black, Indigenous, People of Colour.’

Let me start by sharing an anecdote. Six years ago the movie Selma was released. It was Ava DuVernay’s biggest theatrical film at the time and starred David Oyelowo, brilliantly portraying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I remember it well because I was working at the Toronto International Film Festival at the time and our staff were treated to a preview screening and talk with the director and star.

I was moved by the film and so were my colleagues who rightfully gave it a standing ovation. I thought to myself, this is a Best Picture-worthy film and deserves all the accolades it can get.

When the nominations for the 2015 Oscars were announced, I was shocked that Ava had been left out of the Best Directing category and David out of Best Actor despite the 4 Golden Globe nominations it received, and a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was nominated for two Oscars including Best Picture and Best Writing for an Original Song of which it won the latter, but in my opinion, the film was snubbed.

I recently learned that while doing press for the film, the cast and crew wore “I can’t breathe” shirts to show support for Eric Garner whose death had taken place a few months earlier. In a recent interview, David Oyelowo spoke about how members of the Academy called the studio and the film’s producers to say, “how dare they, why are they stirring up s**t.” In his words “they used their privilege to deny a film on the basis of what they valued in the world.” For reference, only 8% of the Academy voting body at the time was made up of BIPOC. Today it’s not much better at 16%.

He continued to say that when the Academy called the film’s producers they felt that “we are not going to vote for that film because we believe it’s not their place to do that.” He concluded that “it’s part of why the film didn’t get everything that people feel it should have got and it birthed #oscarssowhite.”

George Floyd’s last words spoken on earth were “I can’t breathe,” the same words that were uttered by Eric Garner six years ago. I bring this anecdote up because it reminds me that not much progress has been made since the Black Lives Matter movement started in 2013. Despite seven years to get educated, to stand up, and to show that Black lives matter, the peaceful protests up to this point have largely been ignored by the White majority and people in power. It wasn’t until the video surfaced of George Floyd’s murder that we really woke up to the atrocities that were taking place.

Now more than I realize then, systemic racism goes beyond police brutality and political inaction. It permeates all aspects of our culture and the idea that the political action of Selma‘s cast could result in the film being blackballed by an overwhelmingly White academy is just as racist as a police force that targets and discriminates against African Americans. It has got me thinking a lot lately about the barre community and what examples of systemic racism toward Black people exist. Are we willing to have a hard look at what the community is and isn’t?

We’re at a turning point in history where we can no longer stand on the sidelines waiting for change to happen. We must demand it and proactively take a stand against racism.

I’ll start by speaking to our Black readers. I understand how extremely tense, emotional, triggering, and traumatic this week has been. I see you, I stand with you, and I will fight with you; not just this week, this month or even this year. This is a life-long commitment to change until you have gained the justice, rights and equality that is your birthright.

As a White woman myself, I feel very strongly that it’s my absolute responsibility to continue championing for change and to practice lifelong allyship.

 

What I commit to doing going forward

If you’ve been following The Barre Blog Instagram account you would have seen me try to scratch the surface of advocacy this week. I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t done enough up to this point and that there is MUCH more work to be done.

After careful thought, I’m sharing what I commit to doing in the future, as it pertains to the site.

  1. There needs to be more representation of Black voices and Black-owned businesses not only on the blog but on the blog’s social media pages. I plan to actively look for stories to share and content to amplify.
  2. I will recruit and actively look for Black voices to contribute to the site. It’s not enough to expect that BIPOC and their stories will fall into my lap. I need to be proactive and foster relationships with potential contributors in the community.
  3. To move forward we have to take a step back and learn first. We can learn from and lean on each other to find ways to use our platforms to reflect the tenor of the time we’re in. I will do all I can to facilitate discussions around inclusivity and moving forward in the right direction.
  4. I will continue to not promote, endorse or otherwise amplify the content of brands and accounts that have counterproductive and racist beliefs. I understand that not everyone chooses to vocalize their advocacy publicly, so I want to make sure that I clarify what I mean by choosing who to endorse. As an example, if a brand were to promote the #alllivesmatter hashtag, fulling knowing the weight of what it means when you say something like that, you can bet I want nothing to do with them.

This work will be ongoing and may not take shape immediately but I plan to begin this work as soon as possible. I invite anyone who is reading this to call me out if you don’t believe I have met these expectations down the road.

 

How you can make a difference within your own barre community.

If you’re a studio owner or have a fitness-based business, here are a few questions you and your staff can think about to get you started in the process.

  1. Do our classes and events ensure that everyone feels welcome? How can we make them feel more welcoming? What are our blind spots?
  2. How can we further amplify Black voices and brands within our studio experiences and on our platforms?
  3. How can we support underrepresented groups to grow their brands, businesses and visions?

 

If you’re just beginning this work, thank you for identifying that work needs to be done. The work will be tough and difficult conversations will need to be had. Let me tell you though, I will be right there with you cheering you on. I am learning in real-time just as you might be doing as well.

I believe in this community. It is made up of some of the strongest people I’ve seen and together we can grow stronger. I urge you to take the time to listen, learn and brainstorm ways that not only support the Black community but push the conversation forward so we can see real change happen. Also, if you are a non-BIPOC, respect your Black sisters’ and brothers’ energy, time and space.

What do you think we need to do as a community to make sure it’s more inclusive?

 

Thank you for reading!

Melissa
The Barre Blog Editor

May 18
At-home barre studio, featuring a ballet barre, mirror and props

How to Ensure You Never Miss Another Home Barre Workout Again

By Barre Culture No Comments

As a barre enthusiast, you may fall into one of a few troupes – those that wake up early to jeté to their studio’s 6 am Barre Body class, those that awaken at 6 am and promenade their way into their home barre spaces or those that piqué their pointed toes into both troupes and find that their happy place is a combination of both in-person and at-home workouts.

If you belong to the latter two troupes, you may sometimes find it difficult to exercise from the comforts of home. As a die-hard home workout fanatic (I’ve been working out from home for most of my life), I know the perils and pleasures of the convenience of doing my favorite barre workouts from my own space. And to limit those times when thoughts of staying in bed or savoring my morning coffee just a bit longer are more appealing than countless pulses and tucks, I’ve learned a few tricks to ensure that I don’t get sidetracked from my morning barre bliss.

 

 

An at-home barre workout space featuring a barre, props and mirrors.

 

 

Set Up Your Schedule

As a mom of two daughters, I’ve realized that if I don’t schedule my workout into my day, I won’t get to it. Over time, I’ve had to adapt my work out schedule, but as long as I make it part of my daily routine, it will get done.

When my girls were babies, I would exercise while they napped. And as they got older and went off to school, I found that setting an early alarm and getting my sweat session in before they wake up enables me to start my day off on an endorphin-approved note. So, whether you prefer to get your workout done before breakfast, during your lunch hour or following your afternoon coffee break, as long as it’s on the calendar, it’s harder to skip over.

 

Set Up Your Physical Space

We all love plié-ing in a beautiful barre boutique surrounded by soothing colors, carefully curated décor and spa-like amenities. The good news is that you can replicate these feelings at home with just a tiny pulse of creativity and ingenuity.

I practice barre in my home studio (i.e. the extra bedroom in my basement) on a daily basis. In order to make the space more inviting and reminiscent of a barre studio, I made and installed my own double barres, store my props (weights, balls, resistance bands, mats, etc.) in decorative wicker baskets, and attached several framed floor mirrors to the wall behind the barres using sticky strips.

I’ve also hung up barre-inspired prints and quotes all around the room. Recently, I added to the room’s ambiance with a white rose table lamp and upped the temperature with a space heater for a greater barre burn. As time goes on, I’m sure I’ll find other barre artifacts to add to my makeshift studio, but in the meantime, I look forward to exercising in my own unique space.

 

 

A whiteboard with a letter H sign and diffuser sit on top of a dresser in a home barre studio.

 

 

Set Up Your Emotional Space

Not only is it important for you to enjoy being in your physical space, but part of what I also love about taking barre classes is the strong mind-body connection that I feel during every workout.

To enhance this experience, as well as my mood, I diffuse my favorite essential oils (lemon, lavender, orange, and lime) while slowly breathing through some back dancing. For an added mood booster, I sometimes sashay my way across the room to the beats of a barre-specific playlist. And, when the time comes to cool down, I’ll turn off the overhead lights and stretch out under the soft glow of my white rose table lamp.

 

Set Up Your Accountability Group

If you need that extra push to get you to the barre, you may want to consider putting together an accountability group with your favorite barre buddies. Applications like Zoom, Facebook, Instagram Live or even a simple text message may be enough to ensure that you make it to the mat that day.

Exercising from home has been and continues to be my personal preference for so many reasons. And just as I’ve discovered the types of workouts that work best for me, I’ve also realized that my surroundings matter just as much as the quality of the movements. I’m more motivated to contort my body into Pretzel or test out my Teaser in a space that looks, feels and smells inviting.

So, during those times when you have trouble pulling yourself out from under those comfy covers, yanking yourself from your computer screen or dragging yourself away from binge-watching another Netflix series, remember that your own barre oasis can be just a few jetés away.

See you at the barre!

 

About the Author

Jennifer is a barre instructor, personal trainer, clinical aromatherapist and author who discovered barre — her soul-mate workout — while training for the 2016 Boston Marathon. As a long-time runner, former bodybuilder and melanoma skin cancer survivor, Jennifer’s recent battle with autoimmune disease has changed her fitness focus to one that incorporates more mindful, purposeful and low-impact movements.

A former communication professor and mother of two daughters, Jennifer is excited to share her thoughts and experiences on ways to create and maintain a strong connection between the mind and body through barre.

May 02
Women in a Pop Physique barre class doing a plank series.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Approaching Barre as a Beginner Versus a Pro

By Barre Culture, Exercises No Comments
One thing I love about barre is that you can never plateau. You can always challenge yourself, regardless of your level of expertise. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, there are things to keep in mind. To guide us through the do’s and don’ts of how to approach barre, for the beginner to the experienced professional, I spoke with fitness instructor and entrepreneur Alexis Sweeney of Silhouette by Alexis.

 

Women working out at a Neighborhood Barre Arlington class

 

Advice for the Beginners

 

Do keep these things in mind as a beginner:

    • “Be open to potentially feeling uncomfortable or awkward,” Alexis says of anyone who is just starting out. “These positions are new to your physical make-up and take time and practice to get used to.” I can personally relate to this advice. I remember setting foot inside a barre class for the first time and feeling very nervous as I hadn’t worked out regularly in years.
    • When you’re new to barre, modifications are key. “Keep an ear out for modifications” Alexis suggests. There are many variations to each exercise, so you don’t have to always follow the instructions down to a tee. If you haven’t done a plank series in a while, there is no harm in coming down to your knees, if that makes you more comfortable.
    • Feel free to ditch the props, Alexis recommends. “They are only adding intensity.” You can always work them into your routine further down the road with time and practice.
    • Another thing she suggests is to take your time. “Don’t let the music or the instructor rush you.” One thing I keep telling myself even to this day is that everyone has a day one. Everyone in the room had to start somewhere, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t keep up with the instructor or your peers. It’s about you, not anyone else.

 

Don’t:

 

    • When it comes to physical changes, Alexis says, “don’t be too hard on yourself, changes won’t happen overnight.”
    • “Don’t stay in any position that causes any pain. Be mindful of past injuries, and if the class is in person, tell the instructor,” suggests Alexis. Definitely tell the instructor if something isn’t feeling right, that’s what they’re there for. From my experience, I’ve found most are more than happy to stick around after class to go over questions you might have. Alexis echoes those sentiments by suggesting that “any good instructor would be happy to offer advice and corrections.”
    • To take that one step further, “don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Alexis recommends. That’s most certainly true! In my opinion, a studio who is mindful of new clients should ask if you have any injuries before your first class, make you feel comfortable by getting to know you and show you around the studio so you can get acquainted with your surroundings. If they don’t, maybe think about finding a new studio. I remember leaving my first barre class and thinking that I never wanted to return again. Can you imagine? Thankfully I gave it another shot and the rest is history.
    • Overall the big takeaway here is to not give up! Alexis says, “just as with anything else, the more you do it, the more you will get out of it.”

 

 

Tuck exercise performed in a barre class.

 

Advice for the Professionals

 

Do keep these things in mind if you’re more experienced:

 

    • If you have a lot of experience with the exercises, Alexis recommends adapting the positions to be the healthiest/smartest choice for your body/injuries. “You have been practicing for a while, you know how to isolate the muscle groups if you need to adapt safely to intensify the burn, do it!”
    • Want to take your prop game up a notch? Alexis recommends adding props even when they aren’t necessarily shown in the class to intensify your workout. Some ideas: a Pilates ball, a circular resistance band, a yoga block and ankle weights.
    • “Take your class a step further by consistently scanning the body with the mind, refining your positioning, and matching your breathe to the movement to maximize your results,” says Alexis.
    • The more the merrier! “Keep inviting friends to try barre,” she told me. “This community is ever-fierce, ever-evolving.”

 

 

Don’t:

 

    • “Don’t feel like you need to make every move BIGGER to make it effective. Sometimes the hardest part of a barre class are the tiniest, most concise movements,” says Alexis.
    • “Don’t push through any kind of sharp pain, consult a professional ASAP,” recommends Alexis. This is great advice at any level, but sometimes we tend to forget this if we’ve been practicing for a while.
    • Most importantly, don’t ever stop practicing! “Barre can be SO humbling when you take some time off, and that’s the beauty of it. There are always ways to be more creative, make exercises more challenging, and to have more fun!”

 

Thanks to Alexis Sweeney for these great tips. Alexis is a fitness instructor and entrepreneur who turned her passion for fitness into a business by creating Silhouette by Alexis. It’s an online subscription service that houses 50+ hours (and counting) of video workouts that sculpt and tone every part of the body. If you’re interested in taking a test drive, a 7-day trial is available for newbies.

Visit Silhouette by Alexis to learn more.

 

Promotional images for Silhouette by Alexis

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